Roger Federer - Greatest tennis player of all time

[supahoops]

Surely if Federer wins the French Open he will become the greatest tennis player ever, if he isnt already?

I only tend to watch the grand slam events when it comes to tennis but every time i watch Federer his technique seems to defy convention. Almost every shot seems to be hit with slice or spin (check the slo-mo video below).

When i used to watch Sampras i thought id seen the greatest but i think Federer has taken the game to an even higher level, its a shame that if he wins i think people will say its only because Nadal got knocked out.

[ed_mcl]

Originally Posted by supahoops

Surely if Federer wins the French Open he will become the greatest tennis player ever, if he isnt already?

I only tend to watch the grand slam events when it comes to tennis but every time i watch Federer his technique seems to defy convention. Almost every shot seems to be hit with slice or spin (check the slo-mo video below).

When i used to watch Sampras i thought id seen the greatest but i think Federer has taken the game to an even higher level, its a shame that if he wins i think people will say its only because Nadal got knocked out.

Isn't it though?

Nadal had wiped the floor with him at every meeting in the French Open between these two and this year is Federer's best chance at grabbing the title simply for the reason that Nadal is no longer in the competition.

[Iccz]

Originally Posted by ed_mcl

Isn't it though?

Nadal had wiped the floor with him at every meeting in the French Open between these two and this year is Federer's best chance at grabbing the title simply for the reason that Nadal is no longer in the competition.

Does that not make him better on the day/in that tournament?

I mean on paper you can say he's the best in that tournament at the time it's played...

Same can be said in any sport, I mean you might have a football team knocked out of a cup who in theory are better than another team, but if they don't win, how can they claim that?

I think it's a big thing to say he's the greatest player of all time, especially when it's a hard argument to say he's the greatest at present... he's a great for sure though.

[addyb]

federer is a great player but best of all time? Im not so sure. I still think Sampras has that accolade as imo there was tougher competition when he was around.

[ed_mcl]

Originally Posted by Iccz

Does that not make him better on the day/in that tournament?

I mean on paper you can say he's the best in that tournament at the time it's played...

Same can be said in any sport, I mean you might have a football team knocked out of a cup who in theory are better than another team, but if they don't win, how can they claim that?

I think it's a big thing to say he's the greatest player of all time, especially when it's a hard argument to say he's the greatest at present... he's a great for sure though.

You've lost me.

[Iccz]

Originally Posted by ed_mcl

You've lost me.

Sorry, my point was, not necessarily the best player or team will win a competition, because everyone can have a bad day, but on that token, someones bad day is part of their career, so you can say that is a bad point against them and at the end of the day you don't need to beat the #2 player to win certain cups/trophies.

It's not Federers fault Nadal gets knocked out, but I agree with what you say, realistically we all know that Nadal is the biggest competition for him.

It's like in any sport... you get someone either a player or team that stands out, but even if they are the "better" player/team, it does not mean they always win everything.
For me Nadal is the better of the 2, but they both have their pros and cons, and they both have bad days, they're human after all.


As you say Fed only wins cause Nadal gets knocked out, that's kinda like saying Nadal is better than Fed, even though he lost to a lower ranked player... on paper it just doesn't look good to lose to someone like that.

[loz_the_guru]

Everyone forgets how dominant FedEx has been over the last 4 years. Sure Nadal has caught and probably surpassed him now, but its taken time.

Greatest player of all time? Probably not. The style of tennis Federer (and for that matter Nadal) plays is greatly aided by the changes in technology of the sport. The rackets are much lighter, the balls bouncier, faster etc etc etc. It'd be interesting to see the greats of the past on the courts today, but as thats impossible we'll never really get a true comparison.

I also think that the competition in Sampras's day was tougher too, as there were many outstanding player with him just pipping them to the top. Now we have Federer and Nadal, with Murray and Djokovic some way back.


People always seem to underestimate the importance of technology in sport. Would the winker be curling free kicks in from 40 yards at blinding speed with a thick leather ball and boots that were 10 times as heavy? Probably not. You can only ever say that such and such a player (of any sport) is the best in their era.

[Iccz]

Originally Posted by loz_the_guru

It'd be interesting to see the greats of the past on the courts today, but as thats impossible we'll never really get a true comparison.

That's what video games are for my friend

[LFC_SL]

I don't think Fed Ex will let pride get in the way of claiming the one missing GS

He can only beat who is in front of him, and you know what Rodger deserves his moment in the sun. There are many things wrong with the modern tennis game, not least the disgraceful media intrusion at the final of events. I defy anyone to say they did not feel for Federer; a broken man, after Nadal beat him at Australia

Nadal will be back. He is probably the greatest clay courter of all time, and is young enough to potentially himself surpass the all time record for GS wins. If we call it in the future win the US, Wimbledon, Aus minimum just one time each, and minimum 3 French its frightening as he is still young enough to rack up more beyond that

I'm not going to bother responding to the technology argument too much. If the legend that is Rod Laver can be complimentary, then its a shame the typically British attitude comes through. A nice racket does not make for God given ability otherwise us mere mortals would be doing it

[loz_the_guru]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

If the legend that is Rod Laver can be complimentary, then its a shame the typically British attitude comes through. A nice racket does not make for God given ability otherwise us mere mortals would be doing it

It enhances god given ability (coupled with hours of training) though. Im just saying some of the shots pulled off by the Pro's of today wouldnt have been possible with a wooden racket. They enhance all elements of the game.

Im not quite sure what you mean by a typical British attitude, but I wasnt saying anything disrespectful about Federer or Nadal, theyre both tremendously players and its one of the best rivalries in sport IMO.

[kopchoir]

Cant argue that the guy could be classed as the best of all time there are not many players you could put in that category sampras,bjorg,becker,meldrew,federer but the amount of quality about when he started was thin on the ground although now there are some good players about fed is still only 27 it feels like he is 30 odd he has been around that long so thats not to be sniffed at its a young mans game now

[johnscarlet]

I think Fedex will still be going when Nadal starts to slip . He won't be able to keep up the pace of his game forever . And his lopsided physique will take its toll before long

[wormvortex]

Must certainly be the year he wins the French Open now that he's in the final. Really hope he does he deserves it. Would have been slightly better if he did it against Nadal though.

[LFC_SL]

Just want to say that the French has been awesome this year for entertainment del Potro will learn from this experience

Maria did not make it as far as I'd have liked, but have nots...

[supahoops]

Originally Posted by johnscarlet

I think Fedex will still be going when Nadal starts to slip . He won't be able to keep up the pace of his game forever . And his lopsided physique will take its toll before long

Nadal has pulled out of the upcoming Queens Club tournament because of injury, i think his technique is alot more physical and maybe this is starting to catch up with him.

I hope not, as mentioned above its a great rivalry with Federer and imo last years Wimbledon final was the greatest tennis match ever.