The debate as to who is the greatest male singles player of all time will continue to roll on for the rest of eternity.
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. These three are generally considered to be the contenders for this crown. Other names, such as Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras, sometimes creep into the conversation.
However, there is a general consensus that the 21st-century ‘big three’ are the only players who should be considered in the debate.
Alexander Zverev, the world number three, was recently training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, receiving feedback from Rafael Nadal and his uncle and former coach Toni Nadal.
This development opens up a very interesting conversation, as Zverev named a different player as the greatest of all time during an interview in 2021.
Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty ImagesAlexander Zverev named Novak Djokovic as the greatest of all time
In 2021, Alexander Zverev faced off against Novak Djokovic in the ATP Finals. The pair met at the semi-final stage, with Zverev winning 7-6 4-6 6-3.
The German, who went on to defeat Daniil Medvedev in the final, labelled Djokovic as the greatest of all time in his post-match speech.
Zverev said: “I have to say one thing because, for me, there’s nobody in the world who should be respected more than Novak, in my opinion.
“Where he came from, what he’s achieved. He’s the greatest player of all time and I think people forget that sometimes and I think that everybody should appreciate that for once.”
These comments are particularly interesting now that Zverev has been coached by Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard’s influence on the German has been clear, with him describing the experience as ‘unbelievable’ when speaking on the Nothing Major Podcast.
The German star may have gained greater insight into the work ethic and performance level of Rafael Nadal while working with the Spaniard in Mallorca, something which may influence his opinion on the ‘greatest of all time’ debate moving forward.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesZverev would pick Rafael Nadal to coach him out of the ‘big three’
Speaking on the Nothing Major Podcast, Zverev discussed who he would choose as coach out of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Zverev said: “Before spending the week with Rafa and Toni in Majorca, I would probably have said Novak. Because I had the most conversations with him, and he kind of gave me a lot of advice.
“But spending the week in Majorca, the intensity that Rafa played at, that is the intensity that he coaches at. It was unbelievable.
“We had dinner and I was so thankful for that, he was unbelievable, but we had dinners until 1 am together, and in the middle of dinner he would stand up and do swinging forehands and show me what technique he wants me to improve on. It was unbelievable how into it he was.
“I was so surprised. I had played Rafa for 10 years of my career and was going to have a nice dinner, just come there and be nice to me, but he was so into it, and he came on court with me and was showing me forehands, trying to improve.
“That day he came on court with me, I played my forehand like Ernest Gulbis to be honest because I was so nervous!
“But it was phenomenal to see. I was so surprised and so thankful. That is not normal. He did not have to do that. He is Rafa Nadal, who the hell am I to him? I was so surprised! So I’ll probably pick Rafa right now.”