The question of who reigns supreme as the greatest tennis player of all time has an answer, according to a formerWimbledon champion. Richard Krajicek - who won at the All England Club in 1996 - claimed 17 singles titles during his career and remains the only Dutchman to win a major singles title.

Since retiring from the tennis in 2003, Krajicek has been the tournament director of the Rotterdam Open since 2004 and witnessed Alex De Minaur's victory of the tournament on Sunday after beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final. After watching the Aussie lift the trophy for the first time in his career, Krajicek was questioned about the GOAT debate that exists in the sport.

Among the legendary figures that have played tennis throughout the history of the sport, the three names that routinely come up when discussing who the greatest are Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Speaking to Bolavip, Krajicek claimed that while he believes the Swiss icon is the greatest to have picked up a racquet, it's the Serbian great who possesses the title of the best of all time.

He explained: "I was talking to a friend of mine and we discussed who the greatest and the best athlete of all time is. I think there is a big difference between being the greatest and the best. If we just talk about tennis, to be the greatest is something extra.

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"That is about what somebody meant for the game and for me the greatest tennis player of all time is Roger Federer. What he has done for the game and his popularity say it all, but the best tennis player in history is Novak Djokovic. Without a doubt, I actually think that debate is very clear."

While both Federer and Djokovic enjoyed considerable longevity at the very top of the sport, 38-year-old Djokovic has continued to win titles and fight for grand slams during the era of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. When it comes to to head-to-head matchup between the two icons, it's Djokovic who comes out on top as he leads 27-23 in the 50 times they played each other, including 13-6 in finals.

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They faced off 17 times at grand slams with the 24-time champion leading 11-6. Djokovic reigns as the only player to defeat Federer at all four majors, while Federer shares the identical accomplishment of being the only player to defeat Djokovic at each major.