Pablo Carreno Busta believes Novak Djokovic is the GOAT and he has earned the title by stacking up titles.
The former ATP #10 feels that Olympics gold is the only prize not in Djokovic’s cabinet and he will make a final run. Many of Serbian’s tour fellows as well as retired stars and fans believe the 37-year-old is the unanimous GOAT of tennis.
The World #3 holds the record of most Masters 1000 titles 40, most ATP titles, 7 and earned the year end No. 1 ranks for record 8 times. He also holds the record for highest number of weeks spent as World No. 1 with 428 weeks.
Djokovic has every big title to his name in tennis at least twice each except the Olympic Gold at Olympics. He clinched a bronze media in 2008. The legendary Serbian is competing at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships where he is competing to draw tie with rival Federer’s 8th crowns at All England Club.
Carreno Busta, who is currently sits at 799th in the ATP rankings after an injury-ravaged season since early 2023, has given his verdict on the GOAT debate.
“Novak earned the right to that title because he won the most titles, the most Slams… The only thing he lacks is the Olympic gold – he already has a medal – and I’m sure he will rush for it this year,” the Spaniard said while talking to Sport Klub.
“All three are incredible, there is always that discussion, all three are, but Novak is the best in terms of titles. Everything else is a matter of taste – you know what they say, there’s no arguing about tastes and colours.”
The 32-year-old registered biggest win of his career by defeating Djokovic in the bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
“For starters, I would definitely single out the victory over Djokovic at the Olympics, one of the best victories of my career,” Carreno Busta said.
“Beating the No 1 in the world in the fight for a medal, how did that feel, uh… That tournament was something special for me, because I beat the No 2 in the world, Daniil Medvedev, in the quarter-finals.
“To beat the first two in the world, I really deserved that medal. There were also some other important moments, some matches that did not attract so much attention, but I intimately know how much they helped my growth.”
Carreno Busta was due to face Tallon Griekspoor in the R1 at Wimbledon, but pulled out of the tournament in the last minute.