On April 7, 2025, the tennis world found itself buzzing once more with the echoes of a debate that has raged for years: who truly deserves the title of the greatest of all time (GOAT)? Stepping into the fray with unwavering conviction, Bernard Tomic, the Australian tennis maverick once ranked as high as No. 17 in the world, has thrown his weight behind Novak Djokovic, declaring the Serbian superstar the undisputed king of the sport. In a candid and revealing conversation on a popular podcast, Tomic didn’t just offer an opinion—he painted a vivid picture of Djokovic’s dominance, drawing from personal experience and a deep reverence for the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s unparalleled prowess.
Tomic’s endorsement comes at a time when Djokovic’s legacy is already a towering monument in tennis history. With a record-breaking 24 Grand Slam titles, more than 400 weeks as world No. 1, and a career that continues to defy the limits of age and competition, the 37-year-old Serb has long been a lightning rod in the GOAT conversation. Yet, for Tomic, the case is closed. Reflecting on his own encounters with Djokovic, he didn’t mince words. “Novak in his prime, no one could match him for sure,” he asserted, his voice carrying the weight of someone who’s felt the sting of that supremacy firsthand. “When he was playing well, he was chopping Federer 6-2, 6-2, Rafa, 6-2, 6-1—he was that good, man.” It’s a bold claim, but one rooted in the reality of Djokovic’s prime, a period when he dismantled the sport’s titans with surgical precision.
The Australian’s perspective isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a testament to the sheer force of Djokovic’s game. Tomic, who faced the Serb multiple times during his own career, recalled the futility of those battles. Each match was a lesson in humility, a reminder of the chasm between a top-tier talent and a transcendent one. He didn’t just lose—he was outclassed, often left grasping at straws as Djokovic’s relentless consistency and mental fortitude turned rallies into masterclasses. For Tomic, those defeats weren’t just losses on a scoreboard; they were evidence of a player operating on a plane few could reach. Even Rafael Nadal, the clay-court colossus and one of Djokovic’s fiercest rivals, has tipped his hat, once calling him “the best ever” in a moment of unguarded admiration.
Djokovic’s reign isn’t just about numbers, though they tell a staggering story—24 Grand Slams, a record that edges out Nadal’s 22 and Federer’s 20, and a longevity that’s seen him eclipse Federer’s mark for weeks at No. 1. It’s about the way he’s rewritten the script of tennis greatness. In an era dominated by the “Big Three”—Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer—he’s emerged as the last man standing, still chasing titles while his contemporaries have faded into retirement. Tomic sees this as the clincher. “He’s handled Federer and Nadal in their prime, and he’s still going,” he marveled, pointing to Djokovic’s ability to not only compete with but often dominate two of the game’s all-time greats during their peak years.
What sets Djokovic apart, in Tomic’s eyes, is the completeness of his game. It’s not just the Grand Slams or the rankings—it’s the head-to-head record that tilts in his favor against both Federer (27-23) and Nadal (30-29). It’s the versatility that’s seen him conquer every surface, from the hard courts of Melbourne to the grass of Wimbledon and the clay of Paris, where he toppled Nadal in a feat once thought impossible. Tomic’s own brushes with the other legends—Federer, whom he faced in a tight Davis Cup clash, and Nadal, whom he pushed to a third set on grass—only reinforce his point. “I played Rafa twice, Federer a few times, but Novak? He was something else,” he said, a hint of awe creeping into his tone.
As Djokovic prepares for his next chapter, potentially eyeing a 25th Grand Slam to claim the outright record across both men’s and women’s tennis, Tomic’s words resonate as more than just praise—they’re a rallying cry for a legacy that’s still unfolding. The Australian, now grinding it out on the Challenger circuit in Mexico City, knows his own career never reached those dizzying heights. But in Djokovic, he sees the pinnacle—a player who’s not just the GOAT of his era, but perhaps of all time. For Tomic and a growing chorus of believers, the debate is over. The numbers, the victories, the sheer will—it all points to one man, standing alone atop the tennis mountain, racket in hand and history at his feet.