Pete age 25 > Novak age 25. Novak age 31 >> Pete age 31.

[travlerajm]

For me, this was the first tournament where Djokovic showed the type of supernatural ability that enters into the GOAT conversation. Surpassing Sampras's slam total was one thing, but displaying at age 31 (when most players are way over the hill) that his speed, athleticism, and anticipation are several cuts above anyone else in the world? That's what nudges him past Pete, who let his physical skills decline considerably as he entered his 30s.

 

[Mainad]

For me, this was the first tournament where Djokovic showed the type of supernatural ability that enters into the GOAT conversation. Surpassing Sampras's slam total was one thing, but displaying at age 31 (when most players are way over the hill) that his speed, athleticism, and anticipation are several cuts above anyone else in the world? That's what nudges him past Pete, who let his physical skills decline considerably as he entered his 30s.

Pete's interest also began to wane. He just lost interest and admitted as much. Novak toyed briefly with the same feelings when he was in his slump last year but discovered that all he needed to rekindle his tennis ambitions was to get Marian Vajda back on his team, a guy he realised he should never have parted with in the first place. Once Vajda was back in the saddle and Pepe Imaz and his New Age antics were firmly banished from the scene, it was business as usual for Novak and it didn't take him long to start pursuing the Slam count again. After all, he had something to aim for whilst Pete thought he had set the record for a long time to come and didn't need to rack up any more. If only he could have known!

 

[TennisPinkBabe]

Don't think Novak would be able to do this against an ATG aged 25 who has already won 7 or 8 slams recently.

 

[Red Rick]

Don't think Novak would be able to do this against an ATG aged 25 who has already won 7 or 8 slams recently.

Nah.

He only beat the 17 and 20 Slam champs which Sampras went a combined 0-1 against in Grand Slams.

 

[TennisPinkBabe]

Nah.

He only beat the 17 and 20 Slam champs which Sampras went a combined 0-1 against in Grand Slams.

Both of those guys are not only older but have many more miles on them than Novak. He wouldn't stop a hungry 25 year old ATG.