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Who is the GOAT tennis golfer? Casper Ruud picks Rafael Nadal over Novak Djokovic

An avid golfer himself, Ruud nonetheless praised Djokovic’s Ryder Cup performance in an interview ahead of the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

ByDavid Kane

Published Oct 05, 2023

Tennis Channel Live: Rafa ditching tennis for golf?

The tennis GOAT debate may rage on forever, but former world No. 1 Casper Ruud would give Rafael Nadal the edge over Novak Djokovic in an admittedly niche category: Best Golfer.

“Rafa is better. Sorry Novak!” jokes Ruud, himself an avid golfer with an Instagram account to match. “You’ve beaten Rafa many times on the tennis court but you won’t beat Rafa on the golf course! He’s going to have to live with that.”

Nadal has certainly proven his bona fides on the golf greens over the years, frequently competing in the Balearic Golf Championship for md-amateurs at home in Mallorca. Back in September, he won the XXXII Robinson Classic Solidarity Golf Tournament on behalf of his eponymous foundation.

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But Djokovic is keen to match his Big 3 rival, taking part in an All-Star match at the Ryder Cup just last week.

Though Ruud was forced to decline his own invitation due to his day job at the China Open, the three-time Grand Slam finalist admitted Djokovic looked solid on the course.

“It was fun to see Nova. His swing was better than what I thought. He even drove the green on Hole 16!”

Is that good, golf stans? That sounds pretty impressive!

Ruud won’t be able to give Djokovic any in-person golf tips ahead of the Rolex Shanghai Masters after the latter, fresh off his 24th Grand Slam victory at the US Open withdrew from the event, but might the two face off on a course during the off-season?