One of the most iconic athletes of this millennium, Rafael Nadal, has now been retired from professional tennis for almost a full year. His farewell came at last year’s Davis Cup, a tournament he had won multiple times to go along with his 22 Major titles in a career that spanned nearly two decades at the very top of the sport.
Currently in Miami for an E1 Series event, the former World No.1 addressed one of sports’ most debated questions: Who is on your Mount Rushmore?
Nadal’s Tennis Mount Rushmore
Speaking to Complex Sports, Nadal didn’t hesitate when asked to name his four greatest tennis players of all time.
“Well, maybe Rod Laver. [Novak] Djokovic. [Roger] Federer. And probably myself, to be honest… I mean, I’m humble enough, but to be clear, the numbers say that!”
To the surprise of no one, Nadal quickly pointed to the Big 3, whose statistical dominance and longevity have made them icons far beyond tennis. His fourth pick, Rod Laver, might catch casual fans off guard. But the Australian remains the only man in the Open Era to complete the Grand Slam, win all four Majors in a single season.
Other Icons With a Strong Claim
While Nadal’s list is undeniably strong, several other tennis legends have arguments of their own. Bjorn Borg, whose influence on the sport transcended his era, is often mentioned in any all-time conversation. Pete Sampras, the greatest American men’s player in history, also remains a viable choice despite not being a dominant force on all three surfaces, the way the other contenders were.
And of course, the sport’s greatest female champions deserve equal consideration. Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, and Monica Seles are all deserving names. But two legends rise above everyone: Serena Williams and Steffi Graf. Both have a legitimate claim to be on tennis’s Mount Rushmore, given their level of play and statistical superiority across different eras.
You’ve heard Nadal’s four, and you’ve seen the other names that can challenge for a place. So now the fun part: Who makes your Mount Rushmore of the fuzzy yellow ball game?
