The dominance of the Big Three—Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer—has been one of the most defining eras in tennis history. Few players managed to hold their ground against these icons, but David Ferrer, who peaked at No. 3 in the ATP rankings in 2013, was among the select few.
Now retired, Ferrer has not shied away from diving into the hotly debated topic of who is the greatest tennis player of all time. Initially, Ferrer leaned towards Federer for the title, but over time, he shifted his vote to his compatriot, Rafael Nadal.
“For me, even if he doesn’t win again, Nadal is already the greatest of all time. He has the most Grand Slam titles among the Big Three, and they’ve all won everything there is to win,” Ferrer told Marca in 2022, ahead of that year’s Roland Garros, which Nadal eventually won.
“As of today, Rafa is the greatest, regardless of whether he wins his 14th Roland Garros or not. That doesn’t change because he’s already the most decorated of the three,” Ferrer elaborated, providing strong reasoning behind his pick.
Earlier, in 2015, Ferrer also named Nadal as the best Spanish tennis player in history. “Rafael Nadal is the greatest Spanish tennis player of all time and one of the best players ever. Competing alongside Nadal is an honor. Thanks to him, my game has improved significantly,” Ferrer said.
Ferrer once chose Federer as the GOAT
Interestingly, Ferrer’s opinion hasn’t always been consistent. Back in 2015, when asked about the greatest of all time, he singled out Roger Federer as the top choice. “The greatest tennis player of all time is Roger Federer, a genius with the racket,” Ferrer said then.
At the time, Ferrer also commented on Novak Djokovic, who was the world’s No. 1. “He’s on the same level as tennis legends like Federer and Nadal,” Ferrer remarked about Djokovic. With Djokovic now holding the record for the most Grand Slam titles in history, one might wonder if Ferrer’s perspective has shifted again in light of recent accomplishments.
Ferrer’s career: A top player without a Grand Slam
While many elite players have reached the Top 3 in the ATP rankings, not all have managed to capture a Grand Slam title—a reality Ferrer knows well. The Spaniard, known for his relentless playing style and consistency, reached his career-high ranking in 2013.
His best Grand Slam result came at the French Open that year, where he reached the final before losing to Rafael Nadal. He also reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2011.
Though he never claimed a Grand Slam title, Ferrer’s career is a testament to hard work and determination. His achievements earned him immense respect from fans and peers, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players never to win a major.