Rafael Nadal reveals his dream ‘Mount Rushmore’ of tennis greats

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New Delhi: The greats always have a sense of where they stand in history and Rafael Nadal is no different. The 22-time Grand Slam champion hung up his racquet back in 2024 and has now named his dream “Mount Rushmore of tennis”, and true to his legacy, he didn’t shy away from including himself among the sport’s immortals.

Speaking to Complex while attending the E1 Series finale in Miami, Nadal listed his four all-time greats without hesitation. “Perhaps Rod Laver, Djokovic, Federer, and probably myself,” he said with a grin. When the interviewer joked about Nadal’s self-inclusion, the Spaniard smiled and replied, “Yes, you have to be humble but also clear. And the numbers say that.”

It was a classic Nadal response- humble yet confident, rooted in facts more than opinion. With 92 ATP titles, 22 Grand Slams and two Olympic gold medals, he holds all the right to be on the list and very few would dare to argue against his claim.

Legacy built on dominance and discipline

Nadal’s name is synonymous with clay-court brilliance, and he is even called the King of Clay. His record at Roland Garros remains one of the most unbreakable feats in sports. From comeback wins to playing through injuries, Nadal has always embodied the spirit of resilience that has long set him apart.

Now, after putting curtains on his 23-year-long tennis career, the Spaniard has redirected his competitive fire to an entirely new arena of the E1 Series. His team narrowly missed putting on the 2025 season title in Miami, finishing off just behind Tom Brady’s team after nine thrilling rounds across four continents.

McEnroe shares the same view

Interestingly, Nadal’s chosen four mirror the exact list shared by tennis legend John McEnroe earlier this year. During an appearance on Inside the NBA, McEnroe was asked for his own Mount Rushmore and named the same.

“To me, Rod Laver was my idol,” McEnroe said. “He won all four Slams in one year twice. Federer’s the best on grass, Djokovic on hard courts, and Nadal on clay.”

All four players have shaped the sport across generations. And for Nadal, to stand among them isn’t arrogance; rather, it’s acknowledgement. His numbers, his fight and his legacy have more than earned him that mountain face.