Casper Ruud has ignited discussion by declaring Novak Djokovic the greatest athlete of all time amid the ongoing LeBron James Novak Djokovic GOAT debate. Speaking ahead of the 2023 US Open in New York, Ruud praised Djokovic’s athleticism and compared him with basketball legend LeBron James and <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL star Tom Brady, sparking fresh conversations about the sportsperson ultimately deserving the GOAT title.
Ruud’s Perspective on Djokovic’s Athletic Superiority
Participating at the US Open, where Djokovic aims to claim his 25th Grand Slam trophy following his 2023 victory at Flushing Meadows, Ruud shared his candid opinion during an interview with Overtime. Although acknowledging the difficulty of comparing athletes across different sports, Ruud stated that Djokovic stands out for his remarkable physical abilities.
Novak is the greatest athlete of any sport in history, yeah, in the history of sports. I don’t want to compare because it’s stupid, but if you take Novak’s athleticism next to Brady, Brady’s the GOAT, don’t get me wrong, but I think Novak would crush him in most of the physical tests that you can do.
—Casper Ruud, Professional Tennis Player
Ruud, who has faced Djokovic six times, winning only once, highlighted the fine margins separating these sporting greats while emphasizing Djokovic’s superior performance in physical fitness tests. He further added,
And then again, LeBron would maybe crush Novak in certain physicals, so I don’t know, but for me, Novak is the greatest athlete that ever lived.
—Casper Ruud, Professional Tennis Player
Ruud’s Career Highlights and 2023 Season Overview
Although Ruud has yet to secure a Major title, he has reached three Grand Slam finals, including a 2023 French Open final against Djokovic. This year, both players have competed in two finals, winning one each. Ruud recently lost the Dallas Open final to Denis Shapovalov, then captured the Madrid Open title by defeating Jack Draper in the final. Meanwhile, Djokovic faced a disappointing loss to Jakub Mensik at the Miami Open but celebrated his 100th career title with a victory over Hubert Hurkacz at the Geneva Open, joining the exclusive company of Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer.
Djokovic’s US Open Preparation Amid Limited Match Play
Heading into the US Open, Djokovic has opted out of the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Masters, two key hard-court Masters 1000 events leading up to the Grand Slam in New York. This choice means the Serb enters the tournament with less competitive match practice, a factor that may influence his performance as he continues his quest for a record-breaking 25th Major.
Upcoming Mixed Doubles in New York Featuring Ruud and Djokovic
Before starting their singles draws, Casper Ruud and Novak Djokovic will team up for the US Open mixed doubles event, adding another exciting storyline to the tournament. Djokovic pairs with Olga Danilovic, while Ruud partners with Poland’s Iga Swiatek. Djokovic and Danilovic’s first-round opponents are Russia’s Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev.
If they progress to the quarterfinals, the Serbian duo is set to face the winners of the matchups involving Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, or Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz. Meanwhile, Ruud and Swiatek will confront the team of Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe, although Swiatek’s participation remains uncertain because their mixed doubles opener is scheduled the day after Swiatek’s singles final against Jasmine Paolini at the Cincinnati Masters.
Swiatek and Paolini’s Intensifying Rivalry Ahead of Mixed Doubles
Swiatek and Paolini are competing for their second titles of the season. Paolini recently triumphed at the Italian Open over Coco Gauff, while Swiatek captured the Wimbledon crown with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 final win against Amanda Anisimova, ending a trophy drought. Swiatek leads their head-to-head tally, having previously defeated Paolini in the semifinal of the Bad Homburg Open earlier in 2023.
Following the Cincinnati final, Paolini will not participate in the US Open mixed doubles, leaving uncertainty about Ruud and Swiatek’s chances in the event depending on whether Swiatek opts to compete after her demanding singles matches.
Why This Debate Matters and What’s Next for Djokovic and Ruud
The LeBron James Novak Djokovic GOAT debate continues to captivate fans across sports, blending tennis, basketball, and football legacies in a compelling comparison of athletic excellence. Ruud’s remarks add new fuel to the conversation by emphasizing Djokovic’s physical prowess alongside established champions like Tom Brady and LeBron James.
As Djokovic pursues further Grand Slam success, including the 2023 US Open, and Ruud seeks his maiden Major title, their performances will shape this ongoing dialogue. Their involvement in mixed doubles at the US Open also presents a unique opportunity for fans to witness collaboration between two top players ahead of their individual campaigns. Ultimately, Djokovic’s quest for historic records and Ruud’s ambition to break through at Majors will keep them at the forefront of tennis headlines in the coming months.