The Wise Words of Ilie Nastase on the Battle for GOAT
In the world of tennis, when Ilie Nastase speaks, everyone listens. Although he sometimes makes controversial statements, his opinions are always taken seriously. In a recent interview with Gazeta Sporturilor, the first world No. 1 in the ATP ranking gave his two cents on Novak Djokovic’s latest triumph in Roland Garros and the heated debate on who deserves to be called the GOAT.
Ilie Nastase Prefers Not to Rush Defining the Battle for GOAT
Nastase refused to give a straightforward answer on who he thinks deserves the title of the greatest of all time. Instead, he emphasized that there are many players who could be contenders for the GOAT status. However, the Romanian tennis legend stated that no matter who ends up winning the title, the result will always be the same.
Djokovic’s Latest Grand Slam Victory is Just Another Title
Regarding Djokovic’s latest Grand Slam title, Nastase didn’t give much importance to what had happened in Paris a few days ago. He believed that the Serb’s 23 Grand Slams may be a great accomplishment, but Rafa Nadal’s 14 Roland Garros titles outweigh it all. For Nastase, winning on clay in Roland Garros 14 times is a feat that no other player can repeat.
Is the Battle for GOAT Just a Media and Sponsorship Thing?
Nastase believes that the rivalry on who should be called the greatest player of all time is more of a media and sponsorship stunt to keep the fight for Grand Slams alive. He insisted that Djokovic, despite his impressive accomplishment, will eventually be forgotten like any other player.
The Future of Novak Djokovic
As for Djokovic’s future, Nastase can’t tell how many Grand Slam tournaments the Serbian will win. He even doubted if Djokovic himself knows. However, he acknowledged that Djokovic’s longevity in the game is essential. The older he gets, the more he loses energy and stamina. But as long as Djokovic continues to play, he will always have the opportunity to win more titles and set new records.