Richard J. Severson

Djokovic, Federer, Nadal: which immortal tennis player is the greatest of all time? For me, there is no acceptable answer to that question. Their perfection is a Trinity, not separable into individual parts. Machine-like in his athletic prowess and self-preparation, Djokovic is a Gumby of unsurpassed court coverage. A warrior of tenacious heart and courage, Nadal is the lefty-spin pugilist who refused to succumb to the fragilities of either mind or body. An angelic ballet dancer who seemingly moved without effort, Federer played a game of such beauty that it transcended sport. The Djoker has the best results, I readily admit, but what makes it almost unimaginable is that three such celestial players existed at the same time.