Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are seen as the three best tennis players of all time (Image: Getty)
Former world No.1 and four-time Grand Slam winner Jim Courier has claimed is only the third-best player of all time.
Courier, alongside Federer’s former coach Paul Annacone, were discussing the holy trinity of tennis and debating over where Federer, and rank in a specualtive ‘top three’, with both former professionals rating Djokovic as their preferred number one. Federer retired in 2022 after amassing 20 major titles, becoming the first male player to do so.
This included a record of eight titles in the men’s game, while he also spent over 300 weeks at No.1 in the ATP Rankings. Nadal, who retired in late 2024, clinched 22 majors, including an astonishing 14 at .
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
However, Serbian icon Djokovic, 37, has surpassed his two biggest rivals as he currently sits on 24 Grand Slams while aiming for a record-breaking 25th at the , which is currently being held in Melbourne. Djokovic also won the most ATP Masters 1000 titles at 40 and most ATP Finals with seven. He also topped the rankings for an incredible 428 weeks.
While Courier and Annacone struggled to separate each of the legends, they were in agreement that Federer, often judged as the game’s greatest of all time due to his inimitable style with the racket, would have to settle for third. “, believe it or not, is my number three,” Courier said on the Tennis Channel podcast in December 2024.
“I would’ve thought 10 years ago Federer was unequivocally the very best and then along comes this guy, at number two, and he unlocked the key to getting inside Federer’s game.
“And then this guy [Djokovic] at number one would end up tracking them down. A lot comes down to me, to head-to-head records as well. I think if you look at it Djokovic is slightly better against these guys.”
Jim Courier (L) has rated Federer as the third best player of all time (Image: Getty)
Although Annacone too feels Federer “was something special”, he also insisted he could not look past Djokovic as the greatest player to step onto the court. “Number three, the great . He was something spectacular, he was Picasso with a tennis racket,” Annacone said.
“Number two, the great . At number one, for the same reason as Jim Courier, just look at the h2hs [head to head]. This guy (Djokovic) has just been a little bit better than the other two for a longer period.”
The head to head record between the trio makes for interesting reading. As per , Nadal had a 53 per cent win rate against his two rivals, with the Spanish star losing more games to Djokovic, but boasting a winning record over Federer.
Djokovic’s winning percentage against Nadal and Federer combined was 52.7 per cent. Meanwhile, Swiss icon Federer finished with losing records against his two challengers with an overall winning percentage of 43.3 per cent.
Paul Annacone (L) coached Federer from 2010 to 2013 (Image: Getty)
Nevertheless, the two former greats, Courier and Annacone, seem best placed to judge the three stars. U.S. legend Courier, who scaled the heights of tennis to reach world No.1 status in 1992, also cemented his legacy after clinching the in 1992 and 1993 and the French Open in 1991, and once again a year later.
Annacone, who reached a career-high of 12 in the world, won the doubles in 1985. He later coached Federer from 2010 to 2013 and had successful stints mentoring Pete Sampras and Tim Henman. He now coaches American star .