Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are two titans in the history of men's tennis. Their names are often at the forefront of the greatest of all time discussion on the ATP Tour. Djokovic has achieved an astonishing 24 Major titles, constantly setting new records year after year. Even in 2024, his first season without a Grand Slam title in seven, he reached a lifelong dream by winning Olympic Gold at Roland Garros. On the contrary, Nadal retired this year but left an indelible mark with 22 Grand Slam titles, 14 of which came at the French Open, a record that seems unbeatable.

Italian Tennis Federation Chief's Perspective

Italian Tennis Federation chief Angelo Binaghi has expressed his admiration for Nadal. In an interview with La Nuova, he said, "The best of all, by far, especially off the court. In 24 years, I have crossed paths with him many times, between one tournament and another. [Rafael] Nadal is truly a special tennis player: a true gentleman, polite, beloved by the fans, someone who has given so much to tennis and has inspired generations of people to love him." Binaghi further explained, "In my opinion even more than [Roger] Federer, who in person, in my experience, does not have the same kindness and sympathy as Nadal. The same goes for Djokovic: certainly the best tennis player in the world, but who in my opinion does not have the sporting and human depth of Nadal."

Jannik Sinner's Rise

Jannik Sinner had an extraordinary 2024 season. Currently ranked number one in the world with a nearly 4000-point lead over second-ranked Alexander Zverev, he quickly established himself as the top star in men's tennis. We saw him in the locker room during the Next Generation of the ATP Finals in 2019. He was the first Italian to win this competition, and Binaghi went to congratulate him. Sinner impressed with his education and simplicity. On the court, his technical level was of a very high standard. It was a period when [Carlos] Alcaraz had made a big impact, but Binaghi believed in Sinner, saying, "Sinner for life, give him time, and we'll talk about it again."

Comparing the Best Years

Djokovic's 2015 campaign is truly remarkable and hard to match. However, there isn't a huge gap between Sinner and Nadal. Nadal's extra Major title gives him an edge, but Sinner's win at the ATP Finals is a significant achievement in itself. He completed a flawless week in Turin without dropping a set. Sinner will be aiming to start his 2025 campaign on the right foot as he looks to defend his Australian Open title, which he won in five sets earlier this year. The 2025 Australian Open featuring Sinner and Djokovic is set to begin on January 12.