Australian legend Rod Laver on Thursday proclaimed Roger Federer as the greatest player of all time, but with Rafael Nadal not far behind.
“Roger Federer certainly is my claim to be the best of all time if there is such a thing,” said the 73-year-old Australian.
Murray feeling the Wimbledon stress
“Roger’s got all the shots, his anticipation is unbelievable, his timing off the groundstrokes with his shots, his single-handed backhand is one of the best there is.
“But at the same time, I look at Rafael Nadal and what he’s done to win seven French Open titles and Wimbledon.
“Being able to play with somewhat of a suspect knee, his way of motoring around the court and tracking shots down is quite uncanny.
“They’re very close. Are they great champions and do they have equal abilities? I’d say ‘yes’, they’re pretty much equal.”
Meanwhile, four-time Wimbledon champion Laver, the last man to complete a calendar grand slam in 1969, has told Andy Murray that he must be more aggressive if he wants to end Britain’s 76-year wait for a male grand slam champion.
“He plays a safe game a little bit too long,” Laver told the BBC.
“That allows an opponent to be more aggressive, rather than continually putting pressure on an opponent.”
Murray will face France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday bidding to become Britain’s first male finalist at Wimbledon since Bunny Austin in 1938.
“Murray gets in a position where he’s maybe up a break or in a position to win a game, and he just plays it back,” added the great Australian.
“That’s when you put your foot down and make sure you win that point so you get either two breaks or you get a break back.
“”That’s the one thing I think maybe he’s missing, being able to say ‘I’ve got to win this point’ or ‘I’ve got to break serve here’ or ‘If I get a chance I’m not just going to play it back, I’m going to be aggressive’.”
ak
Guest
It is just not possible to call any player as the greatest of all time. A player can at best be the greatest of his generation. No one can say with complete certainty that Bjorn Borg would not have been able to win 6 French Open titles had Nadal been around then. Similarly no one can say with surety that Nadal would not have been able to make a mark at Wimbledon against top serve & volley players if he were to play in that era when the surface used to be fast. Also people talked about Laver being the best. Then they said the same thing for Borg. Then Sampras. Then Federer. However when Nadal denied him the French Open title year after year and eventually took the Wimbledon too everyone started questioning his status of being the greatest of all time. And just when all were tempted to call Nadal as the greatest of all, a determined Serbian called Novak Djokovic came around to usurp his title in quite the same manner in which Nadal dominated Federer. Now in a matter of 2 years if Djokovic adds to his tally of Grand Slams which looks quite probable we would be discussing as to whether Djokovic is the greatest of all. Hence it is better to call a player as one of the all time greats rather than the greatest of all.
clipper
Guest
Not to take anything away from Laver, but the first Grand Slam he had in 1962 was when many of the great players weren't playing as they were on the professional circuit - come 1967 they were all back, so that was an epic accomplishment. Murray is just unlucky that he's playing when 3 of the all time greats are playing at the same time.
Eric
Guest
Gracious comments from Rocket but for me, he still outranks Federer & Sampras. He won the Grand Slam, was banned for four or five years, then won the four again when the ban was lifted. Hasn't been done since even once. K77sujith, Murray is a model of consistency, he plays to his ability every tournament, that is 4th best in the world.
k77sujith
Roar Guru
R-Fed is undoubtedly one of the greatest ever in the sport. It's not just his game but the manner in which he has carried himself over a long period and sustaining success through that period. Rafa as well easily makes the cut. What these two champions have brought to the game is exceptional. There might be dips in form for both of them but that can't take away the fact that I'm blessed to be alive in this era of Tennis. Murray lacks consistency but is unbeatable when on song. Wimbledon 2012 could be his year.Current #01 Novak is a champion and the day he completes the career slam, he'd fit into the bracket of R-Fed and Rafa, and that's a just a matter of time. Thanks.