I think Novak is putting himself into the GOAT discussion.
12 GS titles with a career Grand Slam. He broke through at a time Federer and Nadal were both still prominent at majors. Sure, he's had some easier pickings of late with Federer ageing and Nadal injured but Federer had an even cruiser run from 2005-2007.
At 29, if he wins another major this year, he could get to 17 even with a gradual decline in pace. And from a technical perspective, you could argue he has perhaps the most well rounded and complete game we've ever seen.
Pretty awesome to have seen arguably 3 of the greatest players of all time in such succession.
It's hard to say. He has certainly taken advantage of Nadal's career being basically done at 27, and Federer being 6 years older, and running out of steam at the time Novak his his prime.
What's really strange is this great era of tennis hasn't brought a new generation into the game, instead no one has seemed to follow. It is largely the same old set of guys it has been for the last 12 years. the ATP rankings have to be the oldest they have ever been, and probably by a wide margin.
Domonic Thiem (22 #8) and Nick Krygios (21, #19) are the only players under 25 in the top 25 on the ATP rankings
18 of the top 28 are 29 or older
By comparison 2006, the peak of Federer
There were 4 25 year olds, and 10 players under 25 in the top 20.
It's a sport where Roger Federer was considered very old first time major champion, winning his first major at 21 years, 10 months 28 days .Older than almost all the greats (Laver being the big exception but a very different era)
What's amazing is most tennis players historically have been absolutely done by Nokak's age
In the last 40 years 16 of 160 grand slams contested have been won by players older than Novak
Agassi (99 French, 99 US Open, 00 Australia at at 29, 2001 Australia at Age 30, 2003 Australia at Age 32)
Andres Gomez (99 French at age 30)
Goran Ivanisevic (2001 Wimbledon at age 29)
Ivan Lendl (1990 Australia at age 29)
Jimmy Connors (82 Wimbledon at age 29, 82 US Open at age 30, 83 US Open at age 31)
Pete Sampras (02 US Open at age 31)
Petr Kondra (98 Australian at age 30)
Roger Federer (2012 Wimbledon at age 30
Stan Warwinka (2014 Australian at age 29, 2015 French at age 30)
But as tennis has somehow skipped an entire generation, Novak may well get to 17 because there is just no one out there