;)
Posted on 06/07/2009 3:42:32 PM PDT by lewisglad
The sprinter Maurice Greene famously has a tattoo of the word GOAT, standing for 'Greatest Of All Time', on his arm.
Don't expect Roger Federer to be heading out to get the same thing done this week, although he'd be fully entitled to do so.
For by finally winning the French Open title at Roland Garros on Sunday he has surely cemented his legacy as the best player to ever hold a racquet.
In lifting the trophy on Court Philippe Chatrier, Federer became only the sixth man ever - Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson and Andre Agassi being the others - to win all four Grand Slam titles in his career.
Just how difficult is to win on all the different surfaces is probably best summed up by considering the names not on that list.
The likes of Pete Sampras, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg all never got to grips with the slow clay. Ditto John McEnroe. In contrast it was the Wimbledon grass which cost Ivan Lendl the full set, while Bjorn Borg never won away from Wimbledon and Roland Garros. And these are just the players from the Open era.
Federer has eclipsed them all - and is also now level with Sampras at the top of the all-time Grand Slam winners list on 14.
But even the biggest Sampras fan would surely struggle to argue their man's case to be the greatest now.
Federer's career Grand Slam is a great 'tie-breaker' to play in that debate and that's before we even leave the stats behind and talk about style.
The Swiss has a style that knocks Sampras' into a cocked hat.
I always felt Sampras was somewhat harshly treated by media and fans. Never loved like Federer is, the American was the total professional but showed little of his character. His style of play, certainly at Wimbledon, relied heavily on the best serve - first and second - the game has ever seen. It would be utterly foolish to suggest he had little else, but he didn't have Federer's all-round game.
Federer has produced a court craft better than anyone this pundit has ever seen. Some of his shots have to be seen to be believed; he literally plays some you would never have thought possible before.
Some will point out that racquet technology has stretched what is possible and that is certainly true, but what Federer has come up with is brilliance - and, with the possible exception of Rafael Nadal, it's not being produced by any others with the same state-of-the-art racquets.
I pertinently remember back in 2004 when Federer won his second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open almost laughing at Andrew Castle's suggestion that the Swiss could be become the greatest of all time.
Five years on and can honestly say I am happy to be proved wrong.
The entertainment provided by this master of his trade in the years since has taken tennis to new heights and attracted interest in the sport not seen since the era of Borg, McEnroe and Jimmy Connors.
And if you're still not convinced, here's a frightening thought to finish on - Federer is still just 27. Surely greater greatness awaits.
At this point in time I’d still vote for Rod Laver as GOAT.
Can't believe this happened today.
Unbelievable. Roger keeps his cool, though he does look un-nerved after that incident.
Love to watch him play tennis.
;)
Agreed————He’s a gentleman, through and through. I was broken-hearted when Andre retired. But Federer took over like a champ. I’ve been smiling all day.
I loved Andre presenting the trophies. Great day for tennis.
Awesome. I was hoping he would do it.
Pete was great, but agree Roger is the best ever.
:’)
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