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Can there be a true 'greatest ever' in tennis?

Roger Federer continued his comeback by winning Indian Wells. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)
Roar Guru
17th July, 2016
33

Among the most frequent and intense debates in recent times are between Roger Federer fans and Rafa Nadal fans as to which champion is the greatest of all time.

Federer fans point out the almost unparalleled records Roger has piled up, and the first counter of Rafa fans will be “Check his head to head with Rafa, if you are not the best of your generation, how can you be best of all time?”

Federer fans counter with “It is not a one versus one, but one versus the world, and Federer has proven himself over and over again”. The arguments continue and are often vociferous and bitter.

Novak Djokovic fans are silently watching even as their man is steadily climbing up the GOAT ladder. Rod Laver fans are probably not as vocal as being of a different generation are not seen as much on the net as the Federer, Rafa and Djokovic Fans.

However, I have a different take. Is it actually fair to try and slot someone as the GOAT. Can someone actually be the greatest of all time. After all conditions vary, opponents vary, form and fitness vary, luck of the draw varies from event to event and so on.

I firmly believe that there is no greatest of all time. One is only greatest of his generation. In tennis I feel that a generation lasts for say five years as things change very fast. Hence I feel that one is the best player for five years and my analysis and break up of the last 60 years is as follows

2011-15 Novak Djokovic
2006-10 Rafa Nadal
2001-06 Roger Federer
1996-00 Pete Sampras
1991-96 Jim Courier
1986-90 Ivan Lendl
1981-86 John Mcenroe
1976-80 Bjorn Borg
1971-76 Jimmy Connors
1966-70 Rod Laver
1961-66 Rod Laver
1956-60 Pancho Gonzales
195-56 Pancho Gonzales

Do you agree?

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The above tabular representation shows how difficult it is to dominate after a five-year period. Only Pancho Gonzales and Rod Laver figure in two five-year periods. Otherwise it is very difficult to remain at the top, even after reaching there.

The greatness of Federer is that he is competing in as many as three periods. Rafa too was very much there in two, though its unlikely he will make any further impact. Djokovic has already featured in two and is competing fiercely – in fact leading – in a third as well.

Coming to the near future, 2016-2020 will be a five-year reign – but of which player?

Will it be Djokovic who is as of now way ahead of the rest? Will it be Murray who in 2016 has three Slam Finals including the Wimbledon silverware and was the losing finalist in other two?

Or will it be young guns who have yet to make their mark?

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