Swedish tennis legend Björn Borg has named Novak Djokovic the greatest player in the history of the sport, placing the 39-year-old Serbian star ahead of long-time rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in his all-time rankings.
Borg’s Verdict on Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal
Speaking with Sky Sports, Borg shared his assessment after working directly with all three champions in his capacity as captain of Team Europe at the Laver Cup. According to the 11-time Grand Slam singles champion, Djokovic sits alone at the summit of men’s tennis, while Federer, 45, and Nadal share the second position.
“When I see how Djokovic plays, he is for me the greatest player who has ever played this game,” Borg said. “Then you have Federer and Nadal in second place. They share second place.”
Borg first voiced his high regard for Djokovic during previous interviews with Sky Sports, expressing astonishment that the competitor continued to excel at the highest level while pursuing a milestone 25th Grand Slam title. At the time, Borg acknowledged the rising challenge posed by younger generations led by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, yet maintained that Djokovic possessed the game to achieve his historical goals.
Career Crossroads Following the US Open
Borg’s remarks arrive as Djokovic weighs his professional future following a difficult exit at the US Open in late August. Playing in New York at age 39, the Serbian veteran suffered a first-round defeat against Mariano Navone in a grueling five-set match marked by acute physical distress. Djokovic later told journalists that he felt severely unwell on the court, describing the experience as a “terrible feeling.”
Days prior to the tournament, Djokovic addressed his career trajectory in the Prime Video documentary Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter. While he stopped short of setting a specific retirement date, he emphasized that he intends to continue competing as long as he retains his competitive drive, passion, and the realistic belief that he can capture major titles and maintain a position among the elite.
Current Standing and Focus on Major Tournaments
Djokovic currently sits at No. 12 in the world rankings. In recent seasons, the champion has strategically reduced his tour commitments to peak at the sport’s four Grand Slam tournaments, prioritizing major events over week-to-week ranking points. With Yannick Noah holding the captaincy of Team Europe for the 2026 Laver Cup, the tennis world continues to watch how Djokovic manages his schedule and physical recovery moving forward.
