Pat Rafter has declared Novak Djokovic to be the best tennis participant of all-time, and believes the “unique” Nick Kyrgios can once more stand up the rankings – if he desires to.
Former world No.1 Rafter mentioned there may now not be any doubting that 36-year-old Djokovic, who on Monday morning (AEST) gained his twenty fourth grand slam singles title with a straight units win within the US Open last over Daniil Medvedev, was the game’s greatest ever participant,
The Serbian is now degree with Margaret Court when it comes to grand slam singles titles win, and is 2 forward of Spanish nice Rafa Nadal and 4 away from retired Swiss legend Roger Federer.
Djokovic additionally leads Nadal 30-29 in matches in opposition to one another, and has a 27-23 head-to-head benefit over Federer.
“To me, (with) 24 (grand slam singles titles), it’s pretty evident that he’s best player of all-time,” Rafter mentioned of Djokovic on Friday on the announcement that the Brisbane International would return to the Queensland Tennis Centre this summer season.
“He’s got the record and he’s probably got the best win-loss record against all the players against each other as well, and against the other top players.”
As for an additional controversial determine in Kyrgios, Rafter was much less particular in his evaluation of the 28-year-old Canberra product, who has performed only one ATP tour match in 2023 because of harm.
As a results of his inactivity, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist’s world rating has dropped to 192.
While Kyrgios has taken a tumble, there are 9 Australian gamers ranked within the high 100 in an indication of all-round enchancment in Australian males’s tennis.
“Having all that depth in there, and having Nick there, who can create whatever he wants to create … you feed off each other,” mentioned Rafter, whose relationship with Kyrgios is frosty judging by Kyrgios having known as him “clueless” earlier this 12 months.
When requested if the enigmatic Kyrgios had what it took to rediscover his previous kind and surge up the world rankings, Rafter mentioned: “He’s a unique character so you probably need to ask him.”
While the depth in Australian males’s tennis is wholesome, it’s a distinct story with the ladies, with Australia’s highest-ranked feminine participant – Kimberly Birrell – sitting at No.103 on the earth.
“The men have got the strength, the women need to find that again,” mentioned Rafter, who mentioned it was essential that retired former world No.1 Ash Barty turned concerned with serving to enhance the depth and normal in Australian girls’s tennis.“But it won’t happen next year, it’ll be five years. We’ll just have to be wait and be patient.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
