Rafael Nadal Concedes That Novak Djokovic Is the ‘Best in History’ Based on Titles

The debate on who’s the best to ever step on a tennis court may have just been put to rest. In a recent interview with AS published Wednesday, Rafael Nadal said that Novak Djokovic is better than him and every other tennis player who ever lived thanks to his most recent win at the U.S. Open. 

The win is his third Grand Slam title this year and brought him to a total of 24 majors—two more that Nadal’s total. 

“I believe that numbers are numbers and statistics are statistics. In that sense, I think he [Djokovic] has better numbers than mine and that is indisputable,” Nadal said, translated by ESPN. “This is the truth. The rest are tastes, inspiration, sensations that one or the other may transmit to you, that you may like one or the other more. I think that with respect to titles, Djokovic is the best in history and there is nothing to discuss about that.”

Rafael Nadal addressed the tennis GOAT debate between he and Novak Djokovic, after his rival’s latest U.S. Open win.

Susan Mullane/USA TODAY Sports

Even after losing his Grand Slam record to Djokovic, who is currently the No. 1 player in the world, Nadal remains satisfied with what he has accomplished on the tennis court. 

“I said it when I was the one with the most Slams, I said it when we were tied, and I say it now that I am behind: I am not going to be the one who tries, through a personal struggle, to want to be what I am not,” Nadal continued. “What is, is, and what is not, is not. I say this: I am very satisfied with everything that I have done.”