Well, just because he came within an inch of decking two GOATs back to back whilst a dinosaur doesn't mean he didn't do anything. That's apparently a hot take, though, which is why I find it hard to take many appraisals seriously. One inch and you're suddenly GOAT/not GOAT? LoL, OK then.
Exactly. For example, Jordan misses his last shot in Chicago against Utah, he plays game 7 in the NBA finals first time ever and loses. It changes everything - instead of 6 NBA and MVP titles in finals, he's got 5. Instead of 6/6 in finals, he's got 5/6. Instead of never having to play game 7 in the finals, he plays and loses. Instead of scoring that legendary shot in game 6, he misses.
2010 USO SF 40-15*
2011 USO SF *40-15
2019 WIM F *40-15
All the same.
First time happened in USO 2010. I thought, wow, now that's something I'll only see once in my life. I was shocked.
It happened again second time in a row in the same event, same stage. I was in total disbelief. It was outrageous, unbelieavable. I started to look at Novak like a some kind of tennis monster, a legend in making. And for sure I never thought we will see something familiar ever again. Federer to lose a match after 2 match points on his serve on a Grand Slam. Nah, Djokovic is one of a kind, but no one ever, including Novak, will ever do that again to one of the greatest server ever.
Then... It was out of this world feeling. Roger was having 2 match points in Wimbledon final in 2019, in epic fifth set. I remember when Roger served an ace for 2 match points, I said it loud: "This man is greatest of all time, without a doubt". But then it happened again. And at the end of the match, I said it about Novak: "This man is the greatest tennis player of all time". An inch. A moment. Changed everything forever. Changed my stance on who is the GOAT forever.
To this day, I would call Roger Federer the GOAT had he win that final, no matter how many more slams Novak or Rafa had over him. But the other guy in the final in the end got that title that day.