NBA legend LeBron James rarely enters discussions about tennis, yet his connection to the 2024 Paris Olympics tennis events sparked fresh debate about athleticism. James, who served as a flag bearer alongside Coco Gauff at the Games, visibly supported Novak Djokovic following his first Olympic gold medal in tennis. This intersection of sports icons led to remarks from Casper Ruud, currently ranked world number 13, who offered an intriguing perspective on the physical abilities of Djokovic and James.
Ruud, speaking with Overtime Tennis, praised Djokovic as
“the greatest athlete of any sport in history,”
emphasizing the Serbian’s exceptional physical qualities. While he firmly placed Djokovic above NFL legend Tom Brady in physical tests, Ruud also acknowledged that in certain areas, LeBron James might outperform Djokovic.
“Novak is the greatest athlete of any sport in history, yeah, in the history of sports,”
Ruud stated.
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.
And then again LeBron would maybe crush Novak in certain physical, so I don’t know, but for me Novak is the greatest athlete that ever lived.”
—Casper Ruud, Professional Tennis Player
Analyzing Casper Ruud and Novak Djokovic’s On-Court Record
Though comparing top athletes across different sports can be challenging, Ruud’s direct experience competing against Djokovic offers insight into his high regard for the Serbian player. The two have faced off six times, with Ruud securing just one victory, which notably came at the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters. Their rivalry includes high-stakes matches such as the 2023 Roland Garros Grand Slam final, where Djokovic emerged victorious.
The opportunity to renew their rivalry will arise at the upcoming US Open singles tournament, which begins on Sunday, August 24. Both athletes are also participating in the restructured mixed doubles event, which could see them crossing paths again if their teams reach the semifinals.
The Broader Significance of Ruud’s Athletic Comparison
Ruud’s comments reinforce the ongoing fascination with comparing elite athletes’ physical capabilities, even across different sports like basketball, football, and tennis. Highlighting LeBron James within discussions on Djokovic’s athleticism draws attention to the blend of strength, endurance, and agility required at the highest level in sports, igniting conversation about how physical dominance manifests uniquely depending on the discipline.
As Djokovic continues to compete at major tournaments like the US Open, and Ruud strives for further success, these athletic comparisons add an intriguing narrative layer to the sporting world’s appreciation of physical excellence across disciplines.