Nobody Can Be Called GOAT: Wimbledon Champion’s Fiery Take That Will Have Djokovic Fans Fuming
Pat Cash says comparing eras is impossible as Serbian’s Grand Slam record, No.1 weeks, and Masters titles still not enough to end the debate.
March 28, 2026 | 5 min read
Novak Djokovic has the most Grand Slams. The most weeks at No.1. The most Masters 1000 titles. By every measurable metric, he sits alone at the top of men’s tennis.
But according to 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, that still doesn’t make him the GOAT.
“I don’t think anybody can be called the GOAT, the greatest of all time. That’s why this is such a great conversation.”
The Australian’s comments, made on the Off Court with Greg Rusedski podcast, are certain to reignite the debate that Djokovic fans thought was settled years ago.
Cash’s argument rests on a simple premise: comparing across eras is impossible.
| Era | Champion | Factor |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s-70s | Rod Laver | Wooden rackets, banned from majors for years after turning pro |
| 1950s-60s | Ken Rosewall | Also banned during prime years |
| 1970s-80s | Bjorn Borg | Retired at 26 |
| 2000s-10s | Roger Federer | Changed the game |
| 2010s-20s | Rafael Nadal | Clay dominance, injury battles |
| Current | Novak Djokovic | Numbers unmatched—but different era |
“You think about Ken Rosewall and like Laver, he was banned for many years,” Cash said, referencing the pre-Open Era when professionals were barred from Grand Slams.
“There’s all sorts of things in the mix.”
If numbers alone decided the debate, Djokovic would have no rival.
| Category | Djokovic | Federer | Nadal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Slams | 24 | 20 | 22 |
| Weeks at No.1 | 428 | 310 | 209 |
| Masters 1000 titles | 40 | 28 | 36 |
| ATP Finals titles | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| Head-to-head vs Federer | 27-23 | — | — |
| Head-to-head vs Nadal | 31-29 | — | — |
Djokovic leads in every cumulative category. He’s beaten his rivals more times than they’ve beaten him. He holds the records that matter.
But Cash is unmoved.
“We forget too soon the greats and then we say somebody’s the greatest of all time. Then they lose a couple of matches and we say, oh now, they’re not the greatest. So we do have short memories.”
The Counterpoint
Former British No.1 Greg Rusedski, who reached the 1997 US Open final, interjected with the counter-argument.
“We do have short memories, but for me, I like to go by numbers. So I would say Novak, in my opinion, is the GOAT just because of what he’s doing, nearly 39 years of age, which is incredible to be able to compete at that level and the drive and the intensity.”
Rusedski’s point is simple: Djokovic is still doing it. At an age when most champions have long retired, he’s competing for Grand Slams and beating the next generation.
“So I consider Novak my goat, but we’re all allowed to have different opinions.”
Cash’s argument—that eras can’t be compared—is objectively true.
Rod Laver won the Calendar Grand Slam twice (1962, 1969). But for five years between, he was banned from the Slams because he turned professional. His prime years were erased from the record books.
Bjorn Borg retired at 26 with 11 Slams. What if he’d played another decade?
John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl—all shaped the sport, none have the numbers Djokovic does.
The question is whether “greatest” means “most accomplished” or something more subjective.
What Djokovic Hasn’t Done
Despite everything, Djokovic has never won a calendar Grand Slam. He’s never won Olympic gold in singles (bronze in 2008). His Grand Slam tally, while leading his rivals, is still one behind Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24.
He’s 38. He hasn’t won a major since the 2024 US Open. His ranking is slipping. The end is approaching.
For Cash, that doesn’t diminish what he’s achieved. It just makes definitive declarations impossible.
Djokovic fans will rage. They’ll point to the numbers, the longevity, the head-to-head records, the weeks at No.1.
Cash isn’t arguing that Djokovic isn’t one of the greatest. He’s arguing that calling anyone the single greatest is a fool’s errand.
“Let’s do another podcast on that and throw out our theories. It’s a great one to do.”
The debate continues. And for Cash, that’s exactly the point.