Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic ‘fighting for No 1 spot’ in GOAT debate, claims former world No 3

Guillermo Coria, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is battling with Novak Djokovic for the number one spot in the debate over who is the greatest tennis player ever, according to Guillermo Coria.

Coria, a former French Open finalist and world No 3, described Nadal as “one of the best athletes in history” as he paid tribute to the Spaniard ahead of his retirement.

Nadal will bring down the curtain on his legendary career after the 2024 Davis Cup Final 8 stage in Malaga next month.

Coria won his first meeting with Nadal at the 2003 Monte Carlo Masters when the Spaniard was just 16.

The Argentine was beaten in the pair’s four subsequent encounters, including an epic 2005 Italian Open final that concluded in a fifth set tiebreak.

Coria amassed a 2-2 head-to-head record from his four matches against a young Djokovic, with the contests all taking place between 2005 and 2006.
ATP News

Jannik Sinner named ‘most intimidating player’ over Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer

Holger Rune makes Rafael Nadal ‘shouldn’t retire’ admission after Six Kings Slam

Djokovic is the all-time men’s Grand Slam title record holder with 24, while Nadal is second on the list with 22.

In an interview with Marca, Coria was asked where he places Nadal in his ranking of the best tennis players of all time.

“It’s difficult because there’s [Roger] Federer and a lot of legends that we haven’t seen. I played against him (Nadal) and I put him with ‘Nole’ fighting for the number one spot,” Coria said.

“On clay, he broke many records. I think he’s one of the best athletes in history because of what he generated and continues to generate.

“It’s a spectacular book on how to compete, how to approach a match, how to resolve the issue if things don’t go well and when things go well how to continue with that manual, how to handle yourself off the court, his statements.

“I think his family was very important and the people who surrounded him, especially Carlos Moya, who was his great partner and friend.

“It’s a bit like what’s happening now with Carlitos Alcaraz, who has [Juan Carlos] Ferrero, a former world No 1. That also helps to make the journey clearer and better because they have lived it. Rafa is among the four best athletes in the world.”

The nine-time ATP titlist also addressed whether he considers his 2005 Rome final loss to Nadal one of the best matches of his career.

“Without a doubt, at that moment I didn’t see it that clearly because obviously you want to win,” the Argentine reflected.

“I had just had shoulder surgery the year before and that day I couldn’t lift my arm. Rafa showed me every inch of the centre court in Rome, he also ran.

“It was very emotional and a source of pride that at the [2024 Olympic] Games, returning from Roland Garros to the Olympic village, sitting with Carlitos Alcaraz, David Ferrer, Fran Cerundolo, Tommy Etcheverry, [Sebastian] Baez and Mariano Navone, that he remembered it with such joy and the words he mentioned was fantastic for me.

“I didn’t win that final in Rome, but the best player won and ended up proving it in the following years. He deserved to win that battle because he was better at that moment and marked his path.

“He began to write his story in Monte Carlo a few weeks before and continued in Rome and didn’t stop winning. I’m grateful because he brought out things in me that I couldn’t have imagined, like the shots I threw in that match.”

READ NEXT: ‘Rafael Nadal will not jeopardise team’s result’ for farewell at Davis Cup Finals