Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are regarded as the ‘Big Four’ (Image: Getty)
, and are all recognised as the greatest tennis players of all time. But when asked to name one as the most complete, the answers tend to differ depending on the person being asked.
The trio led a golden generation of professionals that began in the 2000s and looks set to end nearly three decades later, with Djokovic the only active member of the original three. The fact the ‘Big Three’ consider to be on their level suggests he should be considered too.
Only a select handful of players have been lucky enough – or unlucky – to face all four during their careers. Tim Henman, the former British No.1 who boats an impressive career of his own, is one of them.
While some have struggled to come up with a definitive answer to the ‘GOAT’ question, Henman, 46, is left in no doubt which player he holds above the rest.
“I played Federer the most and I felt that he had the most complete game,” Henman told talkSPORT. “He could play on any surface, had very few weaknesses and there wasn’t a specific area that you could necessarily attack.
“I only played Djokovic once when he was young, I think sort of 18, 19 and his game was developing then. He didn’t serve quite so well, but it’s been incredible to watch how their games have developed over the years.
“If you’d have said to me back then when I played them all for the first time, ‘can they win a slam?’ I would have said yeah, I think they can win a slam or maybe two. But I certainly didn’t think they were going to go on and win 69 between them.
“For me, Federer was the most complete player that I ever played against.”
Tim Henman says Roger Federer was the most complete player he faced (Image: Getty)
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However, despite believing Federer is the most complete player he has faced, Henman changed his answer when asked about which player is the greatest in the history of the game.
“For me, it’s fairly straightforward that Djokovic is the greatest male player of all time,” he added. “How do you judge that? I think it does become a numbers game, it’s who has won the most Grand Slams, who has had the most weeks at number one, who has won the most Masters 1000 – and it’s Djokovic.
“So for me, it’s a pretty straightforward conversation that Djokovic is the greatest male player of all time.”
The statistics are inarguably in favour of Djokovic, who has 24 Grand Slams to his name and still the opportunity to add to his total, as he continues to play at the age of 37.
Roger Federer beat Tim Henman at Wimbledon in 2006 (Image: Getty)
The Serbian is two ahead of Nadal (22) and four clear of Federer (20). He is also closing in on Federer’s record of 103 ATP titles, with 99 to his name.
Murray only won three Slams during his career before retiring in August, but the Scot’s achievements are recognised given he played when Djokovic, Nadal and Federer were at their peak.
Between them, the quartet have collected a combined 69 Grand Slam tennis singles titles, and consecutively held the world No. 1 ranking between February 2004 and February 2022.
And until one of or usurps them, the GOAT debate will continue to rage on.