Article by Sebastian Vasile – published Monday, August 18, 2025, 10:14 / Updated Monday, August 18, 2025 10:15
Novak Djokovic (38 years old, 7 ATP) is not only the biggest tennis player, but also the best athlete he has seen. This is the opinion supported by Casper Ruud (26 years, 13 ATP).
The Serb conquered 24 Grand Slam titles, record in the male circuit. He spent more time in the first place in the standings than anyone else in history. He has a lot of other records, and Casper Ruud had just made his supreme compliment.
The Norwegian believes that everything Djokovic has done goes beyond the limits of tennis and that Novak is the best athlete of all time, according to Sportal.rs.
Casper Ruud: “Novak Djokovic is the best athlete of all time”
“Djokovic is the best of all time, in any sport. I do not want to make comparisons, maybe it would be stupid … but take Djokovic's physical qualities compared to those of Tom Brady … Brady is a goat, do not get me wrong, but I think Novak would destroy it if I talked about physical qualities.
But again Lebron could defeat Novak in certain aspects. I don't know. In any case, in my opinion, Novak is the best athlete that has ever existed, ”Ruud said at the Overtime Tennis podcast.
Ruud and Djokovic at Monte Carlo 2024
The Serb and the Norwegian have met six times so far. Novak won the first five matches, and then Casper won the victory last year at Monte Carlo. The two should have met in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros, but Djokovic withdrew due to an injury.
A new match could take place at the US Open. Novak should return to competitions in New York, after Wimbledon, although the scene in his training, in which he seems to have problems with injury, is worrying.
