Rick Macci has asserted that Novak Djokovic has separated himself from everybody including Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, while warning the Serbian is “not done yet.”

The American, a legendary tennis coach, declared that Djokovic is the greatest player of all time based on both “the eyeball test” and the numbers.

Djokovic broke a number of significant tennis records during a historic 2023 season in which he won seven titles and 56 of the 63 matches he played.

The 36-year-old won three of the four Grand Slam titles in a year for the fourth time in his career – after 2011, 2015 and 2021 – a record in men’s tennis. He was also a runner-up at Wimbledon, making this the third season following 2015 and 2021 when he reached all four Major finals and won three.
The Serbian’s victory at the 2023 US Open in September – where he downed Daniil Medvedev in a straight-set final – was a record-extending 24th men’s Grand Slam title, having surpassed Nadal’s tally of 22 with his French Open triumph.

Djokovic also secured a record-extending eighth finish as the ATP year-end No 1 en route to claiming a seventh ATP Finals title to surpass Federer for the most season-ending championships crowns.

Speaking in an interview with Tennis Infinity, Macci explained why he considers Djokovic to be the best player to ever hold a racket and lauded the hunger the world No 1 possesses.

“In my opinion, I judge everything with the eyeball test, and then the numbers. The numbers don’t lie, and my eyes don’t lie because I’ve done this for a long time,” the 68-year-old said.

“Nothing against [Roger] Federer and [Rafael] Nadal, I mean they’re great champions and they’re right in there, but he’s separated himself. So am I ready to proclaim Djokovic the GOAT? Absolutely.

“He separated himself from everybody. And he’s not done yet. And I think that’s what impresses everybody, it’s the hunger and he still wants to go out there and win titles.

“He’s not going undefeated, but you got to beat him in 3 out of 5 sets, I think [it] is a slippery slope for anybody. Just because you’re getting older, that’s a number. It’s how you feel and how you take care of your body.”

Macci has worked with five players who achieved the world No 1 ranking in their careers: Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati and Andy Roddick. He also coached WTA Major champions Mary Pierce, Anastasia Myskina and Sofia Kenin.