Andre Agassi creates storm by calling Rafael Nadal the greatest player of all time, ahead of Roger Federer

Andre Agassi with Rafael Nadal (left) and Roger Federer (right)

Andre Agassi says Rafael Nadal is the greatest tennis player of all time, ahead of Roger Federer. The former World No. 1 said, “I’d put Nadal number one, Federer number two.” 

Agassi, an eight-time Major winner himself, and one of only six men in the Open Era to have won the Career Grand Slam, is highly respected in the tennis world for his insights about the game. It goes without saying, then, that his latest comment is sure to reignite the much-debated GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) discussion in tennis.

“Federer separated himself from the field for four years. He separated himself from Roddick and Hewitt. Nadal had to deal with Federer, Djokovic, Murray in the golden age of tennis. He has done what he has done and he’s not done yet,” he added.

Agassi made these comments in an interview with Singapore publication Straits Times. The view expressed by Agassi is in contrast to remarks made by his arch-rival and fellow GOAT candidate Pete Sampras, who had once said, “The Greatest? I have to give it to him (Federer). The critics say Laver, and Nadal’s beaten him a few times, but in my book he is.”

Although statistically Roger Federer seems to be a better player at the moment, with the Swiss having won 17 Grand Slam titles compared to the Spaniard’s 13, Nadal has a better head-to-head ratio (23-10) against Federer. Moreover, Nadal only has to win the Australian Open to become the third player ever to win all four Grand Slams twice. Agassi emphasised this, saying, “He has won multiple majors, every single one (more than once) except the Australian Open – and give him another year on that.”

Agassi concluded by saying, “It’s just remarkable to me what he has done, and he has done it all during Federer’s prime.”