The tennis world is in shock after Novak Djokovic has once again proven at the Miami Open 2025 why he is considered one of the greatest players ever. In the semifinals, he defeated the Italian Lorenzo Musetti in a gripping match with 6: 4, 6: 3 and thus dangerously close to his 100th career title – a brand that was considered almost unreachable even in the era of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. But it was not only his victory that dominated the headlines, but a short but explosive statement that he dropped after the match. With just six words – “I’m the greatest of all time” – Djokovic silenced the entire tennis community and triggered a wave of awe, admiration and controversy.

The match against Musetti was proof of Djokovic’s persistent dominance. At the age of 37, the Serb does not show any signs of weakness, even though it competes against a new generation of players who are determined to dethone the old masters. Musetti, who is considered in Italy with his elegant style of play and his youth, lasted for a long time in the first set, but Djokovic turned the game with his irrepressible precision and mental strength. After the victory he clenched his fist, looked into the crowd and then let the bomb burst. “I’m the greatest ever,” he said calmly, but with a determination that echoed through the arena. The spectators in Miami were speechless, the commentators stuttered, and social media exploded within minutes.

This bold explanation was not just a self -assessment, but a provocation. Djokovic has repeatedly struggled with critics and twin-folds in his career, despite his records: 24 Grand Slam titles, most weeks as the world ranking listen and now the prospect of the 100th title. But the debate about the “Goat” – the Greatest of All Time – was always a hotly competitive terrain between him, Nadal and Federer. While Federer was celebrated for his elegance and Nadal for his fighting spirit, Djokovic often has a reputation to be the “villain” – a player whose success has not always been given the same affection. With these six words, he now opened himself openly against this narrative and challenged the world to recognize it.

The reactions were not long in coming. Boris Becker, Djokovic’s former coach, praised the statement as “honest and deserved”. “Novak has won everything there is. If he says that, he has the numbers to prove it,” said Becker at Eurosport. But not everyone was thrilled. Some fans of Nadal and Federer found the statement to be arrogant. “He may have the title, but size not only measures in numbers,” a user wrote to X. Other referred to the fact that Djokovic is risking with such statements to lose the sympathy of the neutral fans, who often find him polarizing anyway.

In tennis, the Goat debate is more than just a statistics. It includes style, influence and legacy. Federer brought an era of beauty into play, one of the indomitable willpower. Djokovic, on the other hand, has established himself as the ultimate survival artist – a player who has overcome injuries, scandals and even the rejection of the crowd to get to the top. His path to the 100th title, which waves the winner of the duel between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the Miami Open final, could be the final evidence he needs. But his words in Miami show that he no longer waits for others to pay him this recognition – he takes it himself.

The experts are split. Mats Wilander said: “Djokovic is right if you only count the success. But tennis is also emotion, and Nadal and Federer have a different place in the hearts of fans.” Toni Nadal, Rafa’s uncle and ex-coach, reacted cautiously: “Novak is incredible, but the greatest? That decides the history and the people, not the player himself.” These comments reflect the tornness that Djokovic’s explanation has triggered – a conflict between objective performance and subjective perception.

The controversial seems to be irrelevant for Djokovic itself. After the match, he smiled relaxed in the cameras and said: “I play to win, not to please. The titles speak for me.” This serenity is typical of a man who has learned to live with resistance. Whether he triumphed in the final or not, his words have already sparked a debate that will keep the tennis world busy. Is he really the greatest ever? The numbers say yes, but the hearts of the fans are more difficult to conquer.

With the final of the Miami Open in front of the door, all eyes are on Djokovic. A victory would not only mean the 100th title, but also underpin his claim. But even if he loses, he has left a lasting impression with these six words. The tennis history is judged by him, but one thing is certain: Djokovic is not afraid to demand his place at the top – and that makes him as terrifying as it is fascinating. The world is eagerly awaiting the next chapter of this incredible saga.