Pete Sampras has revived the old debate on who is the greatest in men’s tennis. For him, Roger Federer is the simply best we have ever seen in the history of the sport.
For the retired American tennis icon, Federer has all the numbers to be the greatest.
“You look at the numbers of what he’s been able to do, you have to say he’s the greatest we’ve seen. The statistics of doing all-around court play, he can do a lot of different things,” Sampras recently told Vancouver’s CBC Radio.
“He can come in, can stay back, and he can do everything. He would be a tough match-up to beat. He’s a great competitive. He’s been ambassador to the sport. He’s done it the right way.”
Sampras himself had no issue with Federer surpassing his Grand Slam and most weeks at number one records, even hailing the latter’s achievement as a “great effort.”
”The hardest thing to do in sports is the ability to stay on top. Roger has been able to do so by great play and durability,” the 14-time Grand Slam winner had told the Associated Press.
For many fans, it’s easy to declare Federer as the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time). With 17 Grand Slam singles titles under his belt, the Swiss maestro has achieved what Jack Nicklaus has done in professional golf.
But unlike Nicklaus, the long-retired American widely regarded as the greatest in golf, Federer is still on top of his game and has not shown signs of slowing down. Currently, he is number two in the ATP Rankings.
But there are those who say Rafael Nadal is the perfect candidate for GOAT. Even two of the sport’s legends said Nadal, who owns 14 Grand Slam singles titles, should be considered the greatest ever.
Eight-time Grand Slam winner Andre Agassi had told Singapore’s Strait Times that the man from Spain’s Mallorca has more impressive achievements.
“I’d put Nadal No. 1, Federer No. 2” because “it’s just remarkable to me what he has done, and he has done it all during Federer’s prime,” Agassi said.
John McEnroe is also siding with Nadal.
“I have always said Roger Federer to me was the greatest player that ever lived – certainly the most beautiful player. But I’m going to tell you right here and now there’s a definite argument, I’m starting to lean toward Rafa,” said McEnroe, the winner of seven Grand Slam single titles, during an ESPN roundtable discussion.
However, it pays to look into their storied rivalry, considered by many as greatest in the sport’s history, as to who among the two has the upper hand.
Since 2004, the two played 33 times with Nadal leading 23-10. Federer has 25 trips to Grand Slam finals against Nadal’s 20 and has of course more titles.
For some, it’s still too early to pick the greatest between the two because they are still active and, as part of the Big Four, remain dominant forces in the sport.
But one thing is certain, with enough gas still left in their tanks, it seems Nadal and Federer are still bound to face each other on court.
max
Guest
Could be, but you have to wait two-three seasons to say so,Novak is perhaps most versatile player in Open era if not ever, although he has not won Garros yet, but he can challenge both Roger and Nadal on their best respective surface like no one else !!
Constance
Roar Pro
Neither, but i think thy are in top 5,
Johnno
Guest
Nadal and Novak are fitter players than Fed. have bigger motors, Fed fades in the 5th when he plays em.
Benny
Guest
If you're talking most gifted natural player of all time, then Federer is the best, hands down. However, if you're talking tennis as a competitive sport, of which it is, and who triumphs as the greatest player when playing the game of tennis one on one in a competitive environment, then there is no doubt in my mind that Nadal is the GOAT. And the latter of those two categories is by far the more important.
Johnno
Guest
max your making excuses for Roger. Serena has had injury problems etc, and has had to deal with great players from all eras. Fed was losing to Rafa, in his prime too.
max
Guest
But Serena's competition is ridiculous,especially currently and generally, so she can win 20-22 GS with this rate, but one cannot compare Nadal,Novak( even Murray) two toughest guys perhap EVER to play against Roger has to contend with, a 5-6 years difference, Novak and Nadal are almost INVINCIBLE when playing finals of Australian Open or Roland Garros !!!! Bear in mind, I do respect Serena's achievements but comparing Federer and Serena in their age is a way different for the above mentioned circumstances !!!!
Johnno
Guest
max Serena Williams, is actually winning grand slams at Fed's age. Fed's last grand slam was way back in 2012. Fed and Serena are the same age.
max
Guest
I think Federer is a still greater player because see now at his age of 33-34 he is No.2 . Also I do think Federer and Nadal have their biggest rival who is dangerously closing to higher achievements. Novak is unstoppable right now and Federer and Nadal will not be in position to claim main Grand slam prizes they have usually in their prime.
duecer
Guest
Two different styles. Federer is the more talented and fluid player, but Nadal is the grittier, more powerful - like Jimmy Conners on steroids. Time will tell who ends up with most, although Nadal has trouble with injuries with his intensity. Djokovic may end up with a few more Grand Slams and may stake a claim as well. The 5 sets may prove too much for Federer to add to his tally, but he can still beat Djokovic over 3 - not bad given the age difference. Hopefully they can remain around for a couple more years, as there may be a lull after.
Bidyut Kumar Sarkar
Guest
Rafa is a veritable storm for a decade which Roger has survived somehow and for the verdict as to who is the greatest wait two more years. Head to head also counts as tennis is an individual game.
Avatar
Roar Guru
Nadal. Enough said.
Johnno
Guest
Honour roll 1)Nadal 2)Fed 3)Sampras 4)Bjorg 5)Mcenroe 6)Jimmy Connors 7)Novak Djokovic 8)Agassi 9)Wilander 10)Becker 11)Edberg 12)Lendl 13)John Newcombe, Newk still racked up 4 grand slam titles in the open era, he beat Connors at the 75 OZ open at Kooyong aged 30. PS: Andy Murray doesn't deserve to be on that list, one of the members of the so-called big 4, has only won 2 grand slams, Jim Courier is better than Murray too, as is Hewitt,Safin, and Vilas, in his prime. Laver I'm leaving out I'm basing records in the open era..
Saimon David
Guest
Still undecided since they did not finish their job. Time will say who is the GOAT. Federer/ Rafa? To include Nole he needs to add grand Slams at least 6 because Sampras is already better than Nolle without argument. Why Nole? He is playing better tennis now. He is now in momentum. Who ever GOAT we are lucky to see all great players together. Good luck tennis. But as Rafa fan I want to see Rafa in that Place. Vamos Rafa.
sri
Guest
Fed is the gretatest with the numbers but if we should consider Rafa bcos he played when was Fed was kn his prime then should we consider Novak? Bcos novak played when two Goat are in their primes and got whatever he has got!!.