Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic is the Lionel Messi of tennis, according to a well-known personality from the sport.
Andrew Castle, known as the Voice of Tennis, believes the 11-time Grand Slam winner is on a par with the Argentinian, so impressive are his feats.
Djokovic beat Andy Murray on Sunday to retain his Australian Open title, the sixth time he has won the Grand Slam at Melbourne Park. And Castle, a former British number one, says the Serb has joined an elite list of great sportspeople.
"The bar has never been as high in men's tennis," Castle told the BBC following Djokovic's straight-sets victory over Murray.
"I cannot believe what I'm watching and Novak Djokovic is undoubtedly moving towards being considered the sport's all-time greatest player, and that's quite something, particularly in this generation.
"I cannot think of a more eminent, more illustrious sportsperson in the world. There's Lionel Messi and his Ballons d'Or, and Serena Williams with her 21 Grand Slam titles, but I cannot think of anybody more notable than Djokovic. It's amazing."
Williams lost surprisingly to Angelique Kerber in the Australian Open women's final on Saturday. Victory would have drawn her level with Steffi Graf as the most successful women's Grand Slam singles player of all time.
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