IN CASE THERE was any doubt about the legacy Roger Federer will leave to the game of tennis once he retires, the Swiss maestro won his seventh Wimbledon title on Sunday.
Federer, who turns 31 next month, was without a Grand Slam win since winning the Australian Open in 2010 but was in dominant form to defeat Andy Murray in four sets.
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He now has 17 Grand Slam wins to his name and has returned to the top of the world rankings.
Retired tennis player Conor Niland, from Ireland, declared on Newstalk on Monday morning that there could be no doubt now that Federer was the greatest grass-court player of all time.
He added that Rafael Nadal, who is four years younger than Federer and winner of 11 Grand Slams, could justifiably claim to be the best ever player on clay. The Spaniard has seven French Open wins to his name.
The next closest to Federer, in terms of wins at tennis majors, is Pete Sampras (14) and Roy Emerson (12).
Rod Laver is a man spoken about in revered tones by many that saw him play. The Australian has 11 Grand Slam wins and won several major titles in his days as a tennis amateur.
He’s certainly a class act, and not finished yet.
Depends what you put more weight to, if its grand slams then he’s clearly top. if its career wins doesn’t rod laver have near 200?
Most talented player that I’ve ever seen. Best is subjective, if you mean most effective then I think Nadal when he’s on form is unbeatable. He’s just a supreme athlete, explosive, fit and talented. Nadal at 100% is the “best” I’ve ever seen. Still voted for Fed though as he’s got the most tennis talent and I assume that was the spirit of the poll.
bear in mind that the current pro’s use rackets with a much larger surface and ‘sweet spot’ and also the quality of the grass surface would be far better now with advances over the years, plus hawkeye is now part of the game.
like in all sports you cant really compare players of different era’s but Id have to go for Sampras or Borg as they had better competition. Rogers first few Grand Slams came without much hassle, it wasnt untill Djokovic and Nadal came along that he had a challenge
Its a pity Agassi never made that list, used to love watching him play. Fed has to be considered the best tho, he was phenomenal especially after losing the first set.
The reason fed is the best IMO is because he has won on all surfaces. Sampras never even got to the final of the French . Rod laver played years ago when they were all on grass. And the fitness levels of these lads today are out of this world never would you have seen to players playing for 5 or 6 hours up until the last 10 years
Steffi Graf has 22 Grand Slam titles in the open era (Wimbledon 7 times, RG 6 times) and in 1988 held all four Grand slam titles at once, and the Olympic Gold. Second in slams only to Margaret Court with 24 (pre 1968). Martina Navratalova has 18 Grand Slam titles (9 Wimbledons) 49 Grand slams if you include doubles. Chrissie Evert has 18 Grand Slam titles (RG 7 times, US 6 times).
So, no. Roger Federer is not the greatest tennis player of all time.
Or maybe they appreciate that all the other 4 won a grand slam of grand slams demonstrating a level of talent Sampras never had as he never got close to the final on the clay at Roland Garos. For that reason, as well as the fact he was an entertainer and Sampras unrelentingly dull, I’ve always rated Agassi above him too!
Agassi won a career slam, not a Grand Slam.
Rod Laver did win two Grand Slams, but in 1962 and 1969, 3 of the Slams were on grass. There was also a much smaller field in those days so they didn’t have to play quite as many matches.
Emerson also only had a career slam, not a Grand Slam of Slams, and like Laver, 3 of those tournaments were on grass.
Federer has a career slam on the three different surfaces, but he got lucky with the French when Soderling did the hard work for him, but the records will still show him as the winner, so it counts.
Point being you can’t compare players from different eras. Even comparing Sampras with Federer is questionable as Sampras was on his way out when Federer was on the way up, you could argue they were different eras.
My reply was actually to Sorcha who implied that Sampras’ small vote percentage meant we all knew nothing about tennis.
The only part of it that was relevant to you was the fact that the other four had not won “A grand slam of grand slams.” As I pointed out Laver is the only one that actually held all four at the one time, which is the definition of a Grand Slam, however as I said three of them were on grass, and the same for Emerson. Which backs up my point that you can’t compare players from different eras.
I didn’t address your “argument” about Sampras v Agassi as I saw it more as an opinion, which you are entitled to, and I can’t say your reasons are wrong. Agassi did win the French which Pete never did, and he was more of a character on the tour, so your points are valid. I’m not disagreeing with you.
It’s a tough call… Federer on grass, Rafa on clay, maybe? He did have a number of “easy” slams in his earlier years as mentioned. Roddick springs to mind. And Murray was no Rafa or Djokovic. It’s not fair to compare eras though. He has had an amazing run. And If he hits 20, then for sure. Might have a chance at the US Open for one more but it will be much harder for him here on in.
As johnny giles said recently about spain in the football – you can only be the best of your generation. It is impossible to compare federer and laver. Different tennis rackets, balls not to mention advances in fitness regimes. Cannot be answered who is the best of all time.
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What about Björn Rune Borg
Andre Agassi was the best to watch, no big serve but incredible returns and all round game. His autobiography is class too.
Well…he’s no Christy Ring like
He’s no Samantha Brick either
But no one entertained the way MacEnroe did.
You people obviously never saw the Henman Chip n’ Charge in it’s heyday. Celebrated by appropriate grimacing and fist pumping.
He’s certainly a class act, and not finished yet.
Depends what you put more weight to, if its grand slams then he’s clearly top. if its career wins doesn’t rod laver have near 200?
Nadal ahead of Sampras in the ratings,come on outta that,Sampras was the master nobody could touch.
Sampras was boooooring!! Agassi was the best of that generation and unlike Sampras won a grand slam at all 4!!
Most talented player that I’ve ever seen. Best is subjective, if you mean most effective then I think Nadal when he’s on form is unbeatable. He’s just a supreme athlete, explosive, fit and talented. Nadal at 100% is the “best” I’ve ever seen. Still voted for Fed though as he’s got the most tennis talent and I assume that was the spirit of the poll.
bear in mind that the current pro’s use rackets with a much larger surface and ‘sweet spot’ and also the quality of the grass surface would be far better now with advances over the years, plus hawkeye is now part of the game.
like in all sports you cant really compare players of different era’s but Id have to go for Sampras or Borg as they had better competition. Rogers first few Grand Slams came without much hassle, it wasnt untill Djokovic and Nadal came along that he had a challenge
if they had Hawkeye in the 80′s noone would have known who macinro was….
Its a pity Agassi never made that list, used to love watching him play. Fed has to be considered the best tho, he was phenomenal especially after losing the first set.
What? No Ivan Lendl?
The reason fed is the best IMO is because he has won on all surfaces. Sampras never even got to the final of the French . Rod laver played years ago when they were all on grass. And the fitness levels of these lads today are out of this world never would you have seen to players playing for 5 or 6 hours up until the last 10 years
Steffi Graf has 22 Grand Slam titles in the open era (Wimbledon 7 times, RG 6 times) and in 1988 held all four Grand slam titles at once, and the Olympic Gold. Second in slams only to Margaret Court with 24 (pre 1968). Martina Navratalova has 18 Grand Slam titles (9 Wimbledons) 49 Grand slams if you include doubles. Chrissie Evert has 18 Grand Slam titles (RG 7 times, US 6 times).
So, no. Roger Federer is not the greatest tennis player of all time.
Ah but they’re the lovely girls Ted.
Ah but they played in the lovely girls competition Ted.
Ah but they played in the lovely girls competition Ted.
Fed is the best. His consistency is second to none. Mentally tougher as well. More tennis talent than sampras Agassi was class to watch though
I would be only for my tennis elbow! God damn you tennis elbow!
Pete Sampras 4%
I guess no one here knows anything about tennis
Or maybe they appreciate that all the other 4 won a grand slam of grand slams demonstrating a level of talent Sampras never had as he never got close to the final on the clay at Roland Garos. For that reason, as well as the fact he was an entertainer and Sampras unrelentingly dull, I’ve always rated Agassi above him too!
Agassi won a career slam, not a Grand Slam.
Rod Laver did win two Grand Slams, but in 1962 and 1969, 3 of the Slams were on grass. There was also a much smaller field in those days so they didn’t have to play quite as many matches.
Emerson also only had a career slam, not a Grand Slam of Slams, and like Laver, 3 of those tournaments were on grass.
Federer has a career slam on the three different surfaces, but he got lucky with the French when Soderling did the hard work for him, but the records will still show him as the winner, so it counts.
Point being you can’t compare players from different eras. Even comparing Sampras with Federer is questionable as Sampras was on his way out when Federer was on the way up, you could argue they were different eras.
What a pedantic knit picking reply, no attempt to address my argument just a sad attack on terminology
My reply was actually to Sorcha who implied that Sampras’ small vote percentage meant we all knew nothing about tennis.
The only part of it that was relevant to you was the fact that the other four had not won “A grand slam of grand slams.” As I pointed out Laver is the only one that actually held all four at the one time, which is the definition of a Grand Slam, however as I said three of them were on grass, and the same for Emerson. Which backs up my point that you can’t compare players from different eras.
I didn’t address your “argument” about Sampras v Agassi as I saw it more as an opinion, which you are entitled to, and I can’t say your reasons are wrong. Agassi did win the French which Pete never did, and he was more of a character on the tour, so your points are valid. I’m not disagreeing with you.
It’s a tough call… Federer on grass, Rafa on clay, maybe? He did have a number of “easy” slams in his earlier years as mentioned. Roddick springs to mind. And Murray was no Rafa or Djokovic. It’s not fair to compare eras though. He has had an amazing run. And If he hits 20, then for sure. Might have a chance at the US Open for one more but it will be much harder for him here on in.
As johnny giles said recently about spain in the football – you can only be the best of your generation. It is impossible to compare federer and laver. Different tennis rackets, balls not to mention advances in fitness regimes. Cannot be answered who is the best of all time.
If the roof had been open for the final, the result might have been very different