When discussing the greatest athletes of the 21st century, Novak Djokovic and LeBron James are often at the forefront due to their remarkable achievements. Both men have reshaped their respective sports, setting records that distinguish them far beyond their peers. Djokovic holds landmark records including 24 major titles, 428 weeks ranked World No. 1, and 40 ATP Masters 1000 championships, while James boasts milestones such as over 50,000 points scored, the most minutes played including playoffs, and the highest number of All-<a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA selections.
Challenges in Comparing Individual and Team Sport Athletes
The nature of what they compete in adds complexity to any direct comparison: Djokovic excels in an individual sport, tennis, whereas James shines in a team-based game, basketball. This difference makes head-to-head evaluation difficult. Despite these nuances, Casper Ruud, a former World No. 2 tennis player from Norway, argued that Djokovic surpasses James as the most outstanding athlete of the entire 21st century—and potentially of all time.
Casper Ruud’s Perspective on Athletic Greatness
Ruud shared his opinion during a conversation with OverTime Tennis, offering a bold endorsement of Djokovic’s place in sports history. He emphasized Djokovic’s athleticism and mental fortitude, saying,
“Novak is the greatest athlete of any sport in history, yeah, in the history of sports,”
and added,
“I don’t want to compare because it’s stupid, but if you take Novak’s athleticism next to [Tom] 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 [aspects], so I don’t know, but for me Novak is the greatest athlete that ever lived.”
Ruud appeared to recognize that while James and Brady might outmatch Djokovic in some pure physical attributes, the Serbian’s mental strength and consistency lend him an edge in overall athletic greatness.
Current Pursuits and Historic Legacies
While Tom Brady concluded his career with a record seven Super Bowl titles, Djokovic, 38, and James, 40, remain active and continue their quests for championship success. Djokovic is preparing to chase his 25th major title at the upcoming U.S. Open, and James aims to secure a fifth NBA championship in the 2025-26 season. Their ongoing careers add further chapters to already legendary stories, fueling debates about their lasting impact.
Recognition from a Veteran Sports Journalist
A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and various local outlets. Having reported on sports events across four continents, Sai’s appreciation of elite athletes spans figures like Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna, and Steffi Graf. His experience underscores the global scale on which athletes like Djokovic and James operate, inspiring diverse audiences through their accomplishments.
The Significance of Ruud’s Assertion
Ruud’s statement places Djokovic not only ahead of contemporaries like LeBron James and Tom Brady but also among the greatest athletes ever. This perspective highlights the importance of mental resilience alongside physical ability when evaluating athletic excellence. With both Djokovic and James still competing at the highest level, the debate over the title of the greatest 21st century athlete remains lively, promising more achievements and milestones in the years to come.