Young sensation picks Roger Federer ahead of Novak Djokovic in GOAT tennis player debate

Brazil’s young tennis sensation Joao Fonseca has named the former world number one Switzerland’s Roger Federer as his ‘idol’. The 18-year-old is already regarded as the one for the future and has recently showcased his class by winning his first ATP title at the highest level.

He lifted the Argentina Open after beating local favourite Francisco Cerundolo in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 7-6. Fonseca has been recently asked about who the greatest player of all time (GOAT) is in men’s tennis, as there has been a lot of debate. While responding to that, the youngster admitted that Djokovic might be the best player of all time, but for him, Federer will remain the GOAT and his ‘idol’.

"Federer [is the greatest idol],” he said. “It can’t be changed. People may say Djokovic is the greatest of all time, but for me there is no competition. Djokovic might be the best of all time, but Federer is the greatest. Unmatched.”

Federer, who finished his career in September 2022 after struggling with fitness concerns in the latter stages of his playing days, won 20 major titles in his career. He was the first player in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category in the Open era to win more than 15 major titles. He was also the first to win 20 major titles in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category. His last title was the Australian Open in 2018, where he defeated Croatia’s Marin Cilic in the final in a five-set thriller with a score of 6–2, 6–7(5–7), 6–3, 3–6, 6–1.

On the other hand, Djokovic is still playing at the highest level. He has won 24 Grand Slam titles, most by a player in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category. His last major title was the US Open in 2023, where he defeated Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.