They have waited for so long

[nolefam_2024]

Rod Laver/ Ken Rosewall are 2 of the greatest players of all time. In NBA terms, they are like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.
This is how they looked in younger days.

These two Australian giants have two incredible records that has held for more than 60 years. This is what these guys looked in 1970.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Rod Laver's first grand slam was in 1962, it was never matched again till Novak Djokovic's NCYGS in 2016. Rod called him the GOAT that day.
Rod Laver's second grand slam was in open era in 1969, no one has won grand slam after Laver. Only Djokovic has come very very close once. Rod has waited for too long.

Ken Rosewall's 23 grand slam record pre and post open era is already matched by Djokovic. Ken Rosewall won his first major at 1953 Australian open and he kept winning till 1972 Australian Open aged 37 years 1 mon 24 days.
Just like Laver, Rosewall waited for 60+ years to see his records broken. Some came close but no one came closer than Roger Federer in Wimbledon 2019 (sorry Fedfans).
Now we have Novak Djokovic who first won his slam in 2008 again at the Australian Open. And he is 4th oldest slam winner behind Rosewall, Federer and Rosewall himself. If he can win Wimbledon 2024, he will break this record.

Rod Laver cheering for Djokovic.

 

[dking68]

I have a feeling he won’t win USO. Neither will Alcaraz. It will either be Medvedev or a completely new winner

 

[nolefam_2024]

Longetivity + Dominance = GOAT.
While we tennis fans were looking at Pete/Roger/Connors, Novak Djokovic, who is well aware of tennis history is looking far beyond the open era to win all the records.
While no legend wants their record broken, there is such a thing as long awaiting as well.

Two years back, when Steffi was asked about Djokovic's chances at Grand Slam, she said, I am eagerly waiting for Novak to win the grand slam. One of the most insurmountable records in tennis, Steffi's 377 weeks at number 1 was recently broken by the great Novak Djokovic. And this is exactly what she must have felt.

 

[nolefam_2024]

There is such a feeling about records. No one wants them broken, but they also want to see history. Unlike Pete, who saw 3 guys surpass him in under 20 years, our GOATs of all era combined, like Laver, like Rosewall, they want to see the history. Their legacy is set in the stone. 60+ years no man could come close to their titanic records.

Now its upto Nole to make these legends proud and set the records for next 60+ years.

 

[Midaso240]

Longetivity + Dominance = GOAT.
While we tennis fans were looking at Pete/Roger/Connors, Novak Djokovic, who is well aware of tennis history is looking far beyond the open era to win all the records.
While no legend wants their record broken, there is such a thing as long awaiting as well.

Two years back, when Steffi was asked about Djokovic's chances at Grand Slam, she said, I am eagerly waiting for Novak to win the grand slam. One of the most insurmountable records in tennis, Steffi's 377 weeks at number 1 was recently broken by the great Novak Djokovic. And this is exactly what she must have felt.

She's been retired almost 25 years, I don't think she could care less if anyone passes her records.

 

[MichaelNadal]

It's like yall want people to hate Novak lol

 

[nolefam_2024]

It's like yall want people to hate Novak lol

Haters can hate.

This post is very respectful to Laver, Rosewall and Steffi. Their legacy is set in the stone.

 

[mahatma]

Djokovic can claim 25 slams, CYGS and immortality in tennis terms this year. Theoretically it's still possible. But it's still only half way there...

Any talk about CYGS should only start post wimbledon

 

[nolefam_2024]

Djokovic can claim 25 slams, CYGS and immortality in tennis terms this year. Theoretically it's still possible. But it's still only half way there...

Any talk about CYGS should only start post wimbledon

Let's not forget Rosewall as well. Longetivity + Dominance.

 

[3loudboys]

Great tribute to four greats … nice work.

 

[Dan Lobb]

Let's not forget Rosewall as well. Longetivity + Dominance.

Strictly speaking, Rosewall's "pro slams" are not defined as Grand Slams, that distinction is also carved in stone.

On the other hand, Djokovic's GS record is only an Open Era record, because the GS totals meant nothing before 1968 when the best players did not play in the GS events.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Let's not forget Rosewall as well. Longetivity + Dominance.

Then what about Fed? He had 23 years on tour (longevity) and was #1 for 237 straight weeks (dominance). He was also the oldest man ever ranked #1, dominating at age 36.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

Haters can hate.

This post is very respectful to Laver, Rosewall and Steffi. Their legacy is set in the stone.

And by arbitrary exclusivity, sticks a firecracker in every other hornets nest lol.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Strictly speaking, Rosewall's "pro slams" are not defined as Grand Slams, that distinction is also carved in stone.

On the other hand, Djokovic's GS record is only an Open Era record, because the GS totals meant nothing before 1968 when the best players did not play in the GS events.

But rosewall won the first open era grand slam ever. 1968 French open. And his last grand slam made him the oldest winner of grand slam open era and before.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Then what about Fed? He had 23 years on tour (longevity) and was #1 for 237 straight weeks (dominance). He was also the oldest man ever ranked #1, dominating at age 36.

That's why I call Federer co goat to Djokovic.

 

[Dan Lobb]

But rosewall won the first open era grand slam ever. 1968 French open. And his last grand slam made him the oldest winner of grand slam open era and before.

Rosewall was incredibly good in the early Open Era Grand Slam events.
But few would argue that Rosewall's pre-Open GS wins in 1953, 1955, and 1956 would equal a world achievement, because the tennis fields were split.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Rosewall was incredibly good in the early Open Era Grand Slam events.
But few would argue that Rosewall's pre-Open GS wins in 1953, 1955, and 1956 would equal a world achievement, because the tennis fields were split.

Yes that's also true. Still his longetivity is unparalleled. Until now. Hopefully Novak Djokovic can do better.

 

[TheNachoMan]

It's like yall want people to hate Novak lol

Let them talk.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Let them talk.

Good bc we will

 

[T007]

Rod Laver's first grand slam was in 1962, it was never matched again till Novak Djokovic's NCYGS in 2016. Rod called him the GOAT that day.
Rod Laver's second grand slam was in open era in 1969, no one has won grand slam after Laver. Only Djokovic has come very very close once. Rod has waited for too long.

Ken Rosewall's 23 grand slam record pre and post open era is already matched by Djokovic. Ken Rosewall won his first major at 1953 Australian open and he kept winning till 1972 Australian Open aged 37 years 1 mon 24 days.
Just like Laver, Rosewall waited for 60+ years to see his records broken. Some came close but no one came closer than Roger Federer in Wimbledon 2019 (sorry Fedfans).
Now we have Novak Djokovic who first won his slam in 2008 again at the Australian Open. And he is 4th oldest slam winner behind Rosewall, Federer and Rosewall himself. If he can win Wimbledon 2024, he will break this record.

Rod Laver cheering for Djokovic.

What is this new term NYCGS. He had chance to replicate Laver in 2021 but he failed.

 

[itrium84]

Then what about Fed? He had 23 years on tour (longevity) and was #1 for 237 straight weeks (dominance). He was also the oldest man ever ranked #1, dominating at age 36.

His 2004-2007 domination was previously unseen in tennis history, it became one of the main reasons he became GOAT.
His longevity was paralleled only by select few players, helped him remain GOAT and stay ahead for years.
Old big3 (Laver, Gonzales, Rosewall) and new big3 (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic), they all share a pantheon on top of the tennis history.

 

[ND-13]

Djokovic 2011 and 2015 were enough to show his worth.

The current wins hardly counts as it is against the likes of Medvedev, Ruud, Kyrgios , Berretini and Kandys

 

[nolefam_2024]

His 2004-2007 domination was previously unseen in tennis history, it became one of the main reasons he became GOAT.
His longevity was paralleled only by select few players, helped him remain GOAT and stay ahead for years.
Old big3 (Laver, Gonzales, Rosewall) and new big3 (Federer, Nadal, Djokovic), they all share a pantheon on top of the tennis history.

I don't know about Gonzales since he is much much older player. But Laver Rosewall longetivity is amazing, paralleled by Federer and now maybe Djokovic. But Djokovic is making records at his age as well.