Choosing the greatest tennis player of all time is always a hotly debated topic among fans of the sport, especially in light of the incredible performances by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic in recent years.
Fernando González, a contemporary of the “Big Three,” faced and defeated all of them during his career, though he holds a positive head-to-head record only against Djokovic.
Despite the overwhelming dominance shown by this trio on the circuit for many years, the Chilean tennis legend surprised many by naming a different player as his GOAT.
In an interview with Redgol during the Chile Open, the former World No. 5 was unequivocal in his choice for the greatest player of all time. “For me, the greatest of all time is Andre Agassi,” González declared.
Andre Agassi eyes a forehand from Fernando Gonzalez of Chile during the quarterfinals of the Countrywide Classic at the Los Angeles Tennis Center. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
González’s admiration for Andre Agassi
González explained that his view of Agassi differs from how he perceives Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. “It’s different when it comes to those I saw rise in tennis, like Nadal and Djokovic,” he said.
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The Chilean also highlighted the impact Agassi had on his formative years. “I watched him from a young age, along with other legends like Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, and Stefan Edberg,” González added.
For González, his admiration for Agassi goes beyond statistics or titles. “It’s different when you see them from childhood—they become idols,” he shared.
Agassi, who dominated the sport during the 1990s and early 2000s, won eight Grand Slam titles, including four Australian Opens, two US Opens, one Wimbledon, and one Roland Garros. He also spent 101 weeks as the world’s No. 1 player and earned an Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles in 1996.
González’s positive record against Agassi
Interestingly, González has firsthand experience against his idol. Despite naming Agassi as his GOAT, González holds a positive head-to-head record against the Las Vegas native.
The Chilean defeated Agassi in both of their career meetings. The first came in 2003 during the semifinals of the Washington Open, where González emerged victorious in three sets. The second win occurred in 2006 at the Los Angeles Open, with another tightly contested three-set battle.
González’s admiration for Agassi underscores how personal experiences and childhood inspirations often shape opinions in the ongoing debate about the greatest player in tennis history.
While the “Big Three” may dominate most discussions, González’s perspective highlights the enduring legacy of players like Agassi, whose influence transcends trophies and records.
