In a series of widely reported statements, Novak Djokovic addressed the long-standing question of who should be considered the greatest athlete of all time, ultimately naming Lionel Messi while deliberately excluding himself from the discussion. According to the reports, Djokovic’s answer came as a surprise to many, particularly because he chose not to include his own achievements in the comparison, despite being widely regarded as one of the most successful athletes in tennis history.
In his response, Djokovic emphasized Messi’s accomplishments, particularly highlighting his success with the Argentina national football team and his triumph at the FIFA World Cup, which he described as a defining achievement in global sport. The reports underline that Djokovic pointed to the emotional and symbolic weight of Messi’s World Cup victory as a key factor in his assessment, suggesting that such a moment elevates an athlete beyond statistical success alone.
At the same time, Djokovic made it clear that he does not see himself as part of that conversation, a stance that was repeatedly highlighted across the reports as an example of humility. His decision to “remove himself from the race,” as described in the coverage, was interpreted as a conscious effort to avoid self-comparison and instead focus on recognizing excellence in another sport. The reports consistently emphasize that this approach stood out, particularly given the frequent debates that place Djokovic among the greatest athletes in history due to his records and dominance in tennis.
