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yeah Djokovic is practically unbeatable right now.

I think Djok will surpass Nadal for slams anyway. He seems a bit less worn than Nadal, is 1 year younger, and is better on 3 of the 4 surfaces already. It's why even with the ban he has 5 majors this decade so far compared to Nadal's 3, and most likely will have 6 soon.

As far as the GOAT debate is concerned, it probably is less debatable than it was, with Federer more edged out of the conversation with every GS that Nadal or Djok get that goes beyond his tally. I still feel Federer will get the mentions for his style and he still has records that may or may not get broken. Ultimately, if Djok gets to like 25 or more slams and it ends up being a few more than Nadal, as I foresee happening, it'll be hard to argue against him.

The GOAT conversation is premature, considering the careers of two primary candidates for that designation are still active and seemingly capable of winning additional Majors.

Besides, and of course this is just my opinion, I believe most members of the tennis intelligentsia believe Djokovic is the more complete and just better all around player over Nadal, who nevertheless is a sensational master of tennis and has proven to be more than just a one-surface specialist. As mentioned above by another MC user, I think the Djoker is still good for more than a few runs at Major titles, so the argument can be rendered moot eventually.

No doubt, an argument could be had about last year’s details, and an asterisk can be assessed to whoever wants to believe such; I just choose the opposite and accept the results as is and give a nod to Nadal for winning a good match and title. Again, those in-the-know also know what’s up and know Djokovic’s place in the annals of tennis history.

Not exactly a comparable comparison but not totally apples-and-oranges either, but I don’t believe any amongst the credible and knowledgeable tennis followers think Margaret Court is the best female tennis player of all time.

Furthermore, and this is just my depreciated two cents, the details of last year’s Aussie Open don’t compare to other historic sporting moments. Perspective could change over time, whether it be this year, 5 years, 10, 25, 50 years and beyond. But this situation doesn’t appear to me to rise to the levels of Jesse Owens in ‘36, Joe Louis/Max Schmeling II in ‘38, Jackie Robinson’s plight, the “Ping Pong Diplomacy” of the 70s involving U.S/China, the ‘72 Olympic gold medal basketball match between U.S/U.S.S.R, the South Africa/New Zealand title match at the ‘95 Rugby World Cup, or even the “Miracle on Ice” at the Lake Placid Olympics and 1914 Christmas Ceasefire of WWI. Add in the colossal meltdown by Brazil over Germany in that World Cup it hosted (that was just a shot fired at a good friend of mine, a Brazilian who I always tease and kid about that debacle, but I digress…)

To be clear, this is not a dismissal of your point, which is valid and absolutely your prerogative to believe. That I choose to disagree is okay too. I’m thankful to be treated to a good match last year and good tennis this tourney, which included a dominant run by Djokovic and some solid play by the American “young guns” along with a pretty damn good contest in the final on the ladies side which I just finished watching (thought Rybakina would continue her run, but Sabalenka thought otherwise).

Plus, anyone who uses “knackered” in a sentence is cool and okay in my book…

Cheers, and let the men’s final get here already. Good luck and “Opa!” to Tsitsipas for reaching the final, maybe he can avenge his heartbreaking loss after being up two sets over Djokovic in ‘the 21 final at Roland Garros.

Well, that’s unlikely, but you never know………

Good times…

There is no asterisk next to Nadal's totals. That is nonsense.

Should an asterisk be placed next to a champions name every time they catch a break?

Then put one next to Federer's one lonely French Open, after he was able to dodge Nadal.
Put one next to Djokovic's because the rain delay in the Nadal/Djokovic final and the closed roof turned that match around for Novak.

Etc . . . .

There is no certainty that Novak would have defeated Nadal had be been allowed to play anyway. Remember their epic 5 setter at the AO before? Could have gone either way. Nadal was playing phenomenal at the start of last year, so I personally think Nadal would have won, even as great as Novak is there, but of course we'll never know.

The GOAT debate is nonsense too in my opinion. But I'll save that for another time