Tennis GOAT Debate Should Be Tennis GUTT

As Roger Federer once again is edged out by Andy Murray (this time at Indian Wells), the debate to crown him the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) has now become trickier if not murkier.   For most tennis fans, Federer still has some seemingly insurmountable challenges such as winning the French Open and solving Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray and breaking Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slams.

Nadal is on a faster pace than Federer to winning tournaments and Grand Slams.  He is actually improving various parts of his game and picking up steam.  So far, he has proven everyone wrong about his physique not being able to withstand the punishment that his game demands. 

Debating the GOAT argument sends tennis fans around in circles because idea of a greatest of all time is a fluid one.   The game is constantly changing and no doubt will continue changing on in the future long after Federer and Nadal have played their last game.  

Technology may also improve racket and ball speeds.  Future grand slam surfaces may also be altered or changed which would result in different dynamics of the game.  Also, improved physical training may also result in up and coming dedicated tennis athletes to explore new terrain in the game we all thought we knew. 

And so the GOAT argument should rather be confined maybe to the GUTT argument.  That would be "Greatest Up To Today".   The GOAT argument implies that the greatest has already arrived and that nobody upcoming in the future will be able to touch what has been accomplished now.  

Nadal is giving most observers a second look with six grand slams by the age of 22.  He will most likely win the French again this year and will be the favourite for another Wimbledon.  That would bring him up to eight before he has reached his peak age of 25. 

Even the GUTT argument will be indecisive because how do you compare different players from different eras who have had different conditions to play in and different opponents to play against? 

It is quite clear that nobody has dominated tennis in the four or five year period that Federer has.  He might be the GUTT if he gets Sampras' record and wins a French Open.  However, he would only hold onto that title until someone comes along and exceeds it.  

It is ironic that Nadal, who calls Federer the greatest in history, is actually in a great position to overshadow him.  We may have to see how it all plays out and maybe the question of Tennis' GUTT will be solved.