"You may like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer's style more, but the best in history is Novak Djokovic" - Carlos Alcaraz's coach Juan Carlos Ferrero

Carlos Alcaraz's coach Juan Carlos Ferrero has declared Novak Djokovic is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), ahead of his rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic has amassed numerous records over the course of his remarkable 2023 season. With his triumph at the 2023 US Open, he became the first player in the Open Era to win 24 Grand Slam titles, extending his lead over his arch-rivals Federer (20) and Nadal (22). The Serb also made history by winning a record 40th ATP Masters title in Paris, which is well past Nadal's tally of 36 and Federer's 28.

Djokovic is through to the semifinals of the 2023 ATP Finals at the time of writing. He is only two wins away from breaking his tie with Federer for most titles at the year-end championships (six).

In a recent interview, Juan Carlos Ferrero said that the Serb's achievements had ended the GOAT debate, regardless of fans' sentiments towards Federer or Nadal.

"With Djokovic's numbers, there is no debate. You may like Rafa more, you may like Federer's style more, but in terms of numbers, the best in history is Novak," he told Spanish publication Marca.

The former World No. 1 also expressed a lack of surprise at Djokovic winning three Grand Slam title wins this season, citing the 36-year-old's unparalleled dedication to his fitness and to the sport.

"I'm not surprised. He is a player who lives for and to play tennis and achieve results at the highest level. Everything he does is to be physically perfect: from food, to rest... To be very good at something you have to excel a lot in certain things," Ferrero said.

"Those who really want to become very, very good have to be there for and for. It is very difficult, today, to want to have a life parallel to training and professionalism, and to dedicate just enough to tennis. It has to be the other way around. Djokovic, in that, is the best," he added.

Novak Djokovic to lock horns with Carlos Alcaraz in ATP Finals SF

Djokovic at the 2023 ATP Finals

Novak Djokovic will continue his pursuit of a record seventh ATP Finals title when he takes on Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals on Saturday, November 18.

The Serb commenced his campaign in Turin with a hard-fought 7-6(4), 6-7(1), 6-3 victory over Holger Rune. In doing so, he also secured a record-extending eighth year-end World No. 1 ranking.

Following a narrow defeat to Jannik Sinner, Djokovic bounced back strongly to claim a 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-1 win over Hubert Hurkacz in his final group-stage match.

Alcaraz, meanwhile, suffered a three-set loss to Alexander Zverev in his tournament opener. However, he finished atop the Red Group standings after securing straight-set wins over Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev.

Djokovic and Alcaraz have locked horns in four tour-level encounters, with each player claiming two wins apiece. The winner of their clash in Turin will take on either Sinner or Medvedev in the final.