The Big 4 have redefined prime time on the pro tour, says Hall of Famer Gustavo "Guga" Kuerten.
Pointing to the Grand Slam success of 37-year-old Roger Federer, 32-year-old Rafael Nadal and 31-year-old Novak Djokovic, who completed his fifth season as year-end No. 1, Kuerten says 32 to 35 are now the golden years for champions.
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"It's hard to have good decisions at 22-years-old," Kuerten told BBC Sport's Sue Barker. "So if you can increase a little bit more and able to really understand better to manage your career, playing great tennis at 35 [is possible.]
"Perhaps the guys will achieve their best around 32 to 35 years old so that's why we have better tennis players in general: they understand much more, they know what they are doing and they become much better."
In an interview with Roland Garros' Facebook audience earlier this month, Kuerten names Novak Djokovic as his favorite player, cites Rafael Nadal as the best clay-court player and regards Roger Federer as the GOAT—for now.
Responding to a question from a fan, Kuerten cites Djokovic as his favorite player, followed by Nadal and Federer.
"It starts with Djokovic, then comes Nadal and then Federer," Kuerten said in this video interview with Roland Garros' Facebook followers. "Can I choose the court?
"We're going to put Federer on the grass, Nadal on the clay and Djokovic, can we give him the hard court?"
The Brazilian Hall of Famer said if you analyze all of the achievements, then 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer stands alone as GOAT.
"If you go deeper into a comparison, it has to be through the titles, the achievements," Kuerten said. "And then Federer stands out more. He's also the longest tenured player. Nadal is approaching a little, Djokovic came back with everything this year, winning two more Grand Slams. So there are three guys who are formidable."