Watch: Guga on Favorite Players and GOAT

Gustavo Kuerten has faced some of the game’s greatest champions.The three-time Roland Garros champion says three champions stand apart.Watch: 5 Stats To Celebrate Djokovic’s Return To No. 1Kuerten names Novak Djokovic as his favorite player, cites Rafael Nadal as the best clay-court player and regards Roger Federer as the GOAT—for now.Responding to a question from a fan, Kuerten cites Djokovic as his favorite player, followed by Nadal and Federer.“It starts with Djokovic, then comes Nadal and then Federer,” Kuerten said in this video interview with Roland Garros’ Facebook followers. “Can I choose the court?“We’re going to put Federer on the grass, Nadal on the clay and Djokovic, can we give him the hard court?”

The Brazilian Hall of Famer said if you analyze all of the achievements, then 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer stands alone as GOAT.“If you go deeper into a comparison, it has to be through the titles, the achievements,” Kuerten said. “And then Federer stands out more. He’s also the longest tenured player. Nadal is approaching a little, Djokovic came back with everything this year, winning two more Grand Slams. So there are three guys who are formidable.”

Former world No. 1 Kuerten won two of three meetings with Federer, including a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, sweep of the top-ranked Swiss at the 2004 French Open two years after the Brazilian underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right hip.

Kuerten has called that triumph over Federer one of the top five matches he played in his career.“When I was already living with leg issues and he being number one in the world it was a very inspiring day,” Kuerten recalled. “Of course, I already had a lot of experience, three times a champion. But he was a better, better prepared player at the time with an immensely more favorable condition than mine.”If you forgot what a brilliant champion Kuerten was, or if you’re too young too have seen his gangly grace light up Paris, then here’s a reminder of the Hall of Famer’s wondrously creative style.

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