After reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Monday, Novak Djokovic admitted that he tries not to think about who the greatest player of all-time is and where he fits into that conversation. The Serbian feels that devoting energy to that would “derail” him from the task at hand, which is winning matches and tournaments.
But the World No. 1’s next opponent, Marton Fucsovics, chimed in on the “GOAT” debate — speaking about the ‘Big Three’ of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal — before their clash in the last eight.
“I think they are the greatest of all time, all three of them. For me there is no difference between them,” Fucsovics said. “When I play against these guys, of course it's a pleasure for me. But they bring out the best of me, and I think I can improve my game when I play against them.”
This will be the pair’s third ATP Head2Head clash and their second meeting at a Grand Slam. Three years ago, Djokovic beat Fucsovics in the first round of the US Open. Now, they are set to battle for a spot in a major semi-final at the All England Club.
Interestingly, the Hungarian noted that he does not mind facing the World No. 1, even if Djokovic has won the first two Grand Slam titles of the season.
“Maybe his game is not so entertaining like Federer's or when Nadal is hitting the ball so hard. Actually, I like to play against him. I can rally with him,” Fucsovics said. “I played him two times, he beat me, but I like the way he plays. I think we play the same kind of tennis. We like to rally. We like to play long rallies and try to play aggressive from the baseline. He's playing good.”
Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Part of the reason for this is that Fucsovics is one of the fittest players on the ATP Tour. There are few — if any — players who are able to match his physicality for an extended period of time from the baseline.
“I worked very hard for it. I wasn't born like this,” Fucsovics said. “I was working every day to get this physique.”
However, Fucsovics fully understands how tough of a challenge it will be to upset the top seed.
“Against Novak, against the top guys, you cannot tell the winning strategy. I will go out there and try to enjoy every moment, fight for every point,” Fucsovics said. “That will be most important.”
Read More: Fucsovics Stuns Rublev To Reach First Slam QF
It has already been an incredible run for Fucsovics, who has beaten #NextGenATP sensation Jannik Sinner, Czech lefty Jiri Vesely, ninth seed Diego Schwartzman and fifth seed Rublev. The 29-year-old is the first Hungarian man to make the last eight at a Grand Slam since Balazs Taroczy at Roland Garros in 1981.
“I think I will become famous now in Hungary. It's a big thing, a huge thing. But for the moment I'm not thinking about what will happen in Hungary, if I will be in the news or if people will talk about me,” Fucsovics said. “I think I learned that I have to stay on the ground, and I just have to focus on the next match, to focus on my job, not anything besides tennis.”
But the World No. 1’s next opponent, Marton Fucsovics, chimed in on the “GOAT” debate — speaking about the ‘Big Three’ of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal — before their clash in the last eight.
“I think they are the greatest of all time, all three of them. For me there is no difference between them,” Fucsovics said. “When I play against these guys, of course it's a pleasure for me. But they bring out the best of me, and I think I can improve my game when I play against them.”
This will be the pair’s third ATP Head2Head clash and their second meeting at a Grand Slam. Three years ago, Djokovic beat Fucsovics in the first round of the US Open. Now, they are set to battle for a spot in a major semi-final at the All England Club.
Interestingly, the Hungarian noted that he does not mind facing the World No. 1, even if Djokovic has won the first two Grand Slam titles of the season.
“Maybe his game is not so entertaining like Federer's or when Nadal is hitting the ball so hard. Actually, I like to play against him. I can rally with him,” Fucsovics said. “I played him two times, he beat me, but I like the way he plays. I think we play the same kind of tennis. We like to rally. We like to play long rallies and try to play aggressive from the baseline. He's playing good.”
Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Part of the reason for this is that Fucsovics is one of the fittest players on the ATP Tour. There are few — if any — players who are able to match his physicality for an extended period of time from the baseline.
“I worked very hard for it. I wasn't born like this,” Fucsovics said. “I was working every day to get this physique.”
However, Fucsovics fully understands how tough of a challenge it will be to upset the top seed.
“Against Novak, against the top guys, you cannot tell the winning strategy. I will go out there and try to enjoy every moment, fight for every point,” Fucsovics said. “That will be most important.”
Read More: Fucsovics Stuns Rublev To Reach First Slam QF
It has already been an incredible run for Fucsovics, who has beaten #NextGenATP sensation Jannik Sinner, Czech lefty Jiri Vesely, ninth seed Diego Schwartzman and fifth seed Rublev. The 29-year-old is the first Hungarian man to make the last eight at a Grand Slam since Balazs Taroczy at Roland Garros in 1981.
“I think I will become famous now in Hungary. It's a big thing, a huge thing. But for the moment I'm not thinking about what will happen in Hungary, if I will be in the news or if people will talk about me,” Fucsovics said. “I think I learned that I have to stay on the ground, and I just have to focus on the next match, to focus on my job, not anything besides tennis.”