When we talk about the most recent golden era of tennis there are three names that are always spoken about: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Rodger Federer.
As brilliant as this trio were and as entertaining as it was to watch them against each other – whether that was in grand slam finals or Olympic battles – I wonder if that ‘Big Three’ should actually be a Big Four?
Although Sir Andy Murray’s career achievements do not quite rival those of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, there is surely no doubt his consistency and his resilience put him among the greatest ever players.
The Scot not only became the first British male tennis player to win Wimbledon in 77 years, he also won a US Open, 14 Masters 1000 titles and is the only man to have won two Olympic singles tennis gold medals.
And he did all that while suffering with the huge pressure of the British media and British fans.
In 2016 – after winning that second Olympic gold for Team GB in Rio de Janeiro – he became the first British player since Fred Perry in the Thirties to be ranked the world number one. Above Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. For this he (rightly) received a knighthood.
So does all this not solidify the fact that Murray should be part of a Big Four?
In all sports there is constant debate about the GOAT – the greatest of all time. In Formula 1 is it Lewis Hamilton or Michael Schumacher? In football, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
Well, in tennis, perhaps we can say that Nadal is the goat of clay after winning Roland Garros 14 times; Federer is the goat of grass after taking Wimbledon eight times; and Djokovic is the goat of hard courts after triumphing at the Australian Open 10 times.
And perhaps we can also, therefore, say that Murray is the goat of the Olympics – after winning more singles titles at the Games than any other male player.
Which must make the Big Three a Big Four.
