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Roger Federer: The Greatest Sportsman of All Time
Murray may have won the Australian Open semi-final, but here's why I think Roger Federer is the greatest sportsman of all time.
At the start of 2012, when Roger Federer stated that he was intent on becoming world number one again, eyebrows were raised among tennis fans and the sport’s press pack.
Was this the voice of an ageing superstar who was desperate to claw back some authority with his words because his actions on court were failing to deliver the big prizes? After all his mammoth battles, in 14 years as a professional, was the Swiss star punch-drunk like a deluded boxer whose career was winding down to a sad and cheerless end? Was this the equivalent of a boxer’s trash talk? Was Federer still trying to insist that he could float like a butterfly and sting like a bee?
Or was it the talk of a man who knew his mind and his body? A man who knew what it took to climb to the sport’s highest peak? A tennis player who had won everything and knew he had the ability and appetite to win even more?
After all, he had already spent 285 weeks as world number one, so he knew what was required. After losing to Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the US Open in September 2011, Federer took a break, opting out of the Asian hard court swing to work harder on his game. He came back better than ever. He won the World Tour Finals at London’s O2 Arena and titles in Basle, Paris, Rotterdam, Dubai, Indian Wells and Madrid. But the Grand Slam-obsessed media weren’t getting carried away. At this year’s Australian Open he lost in the semi-final to Rafael Nadal, his 10th defeat to the Spaniard in their last 13 meetings. At the French Open, Federer was outplayed, outfought and outclassed in the semi-final by Novak Djokovic, his sixth loss to the Serb in their last seven meetings. While Federer was still picking up titles, it seemed unlikely he would add to his tally of 16 Grand Slams. His last major title was at the 2010 Australian Open, but since then all the big prizes had gone to Nadal or Djokovic. Tennis was suddenly becoming a duopoly, predictable even.
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Then came Wimbledon, a title Federer hadn’t won since 2009 and a competition that, in the past two years, he had exited at the quarter-final stages. After Nadal’s shock exit to Lukas Rosol in the second round, hopes were raised, but, after cruising into the semi-finals, he still had to overcome the defending champion Novak Djokovic. Every pundit predicted a Djokovic win. Federer hadn’t read the script. He destroyed the Serb in four sets and Andy Murray suffered the same fate in the final. A month shy of his 31st birthday Federer was back on his perch. He had reached his target of reclaiming the world number one title and, in doing so, ensured he would surpass Pete Sampras’ record for the number of weeks at world number one. The world of sport shook its head in disbelief but, more so, admiration. The victory didn’t just confirm his reputation as the greatest tennis player of all-time, it confirmed him as the greatest sportsman of all-time.
You could make cases for Jack Nicklaus, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Pele, Maradona, Don Bradman and several other names to be given that label, but Federer’s achievements go way beyond theirs. To have won so much and to have achieved such consistency in an individual sport that demands so much of the mind and body, week in, week out, is phenomenal. Tennis used to be a sport dominated by flair and finesse and players like Lever, McEnroe, Borg and Edberg prospered. Today, the skill levels are the same, but tennis is more physical than ever and the season lasts 11 months.
Federer is no brute, but he’s conquered a brutal sport. He has combined effortless grace with ruthless efficiency, power with precision and mental strength with stamina. Golfers don’t face the same physical demands, boxers don’t fight every week, Formula One drivers need a winning car and, while various team sports have seen some incredible individuals, they can achieve nothing without their team-mates. Tennis is a lonely sport. Roger Federer stands alone at its peak and atop the list of sport’s all-time greatest.
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COMMENTS
You need to provide more reasons why you think Federer's achievements "go way beyond" those of the other greats you mention. I'm a huge Federer fan, yet I think Michael Jordan was more consistently dominant in his sport. Jordan was never bested by any of his main rivals, whereas Federer has had his fair share of defeats by Nadal and Djokovic. And Donald Bradman is arguably the greatest of all of them, in terms of how far ahead he was statistically of his rivals. In cricket, you're a legend if your Test batting average is over 50, 3 freakish players have had an average of just over 60 -- Bradman's was 99.94. Nonetheless, I do think Federer belongs in this company, especially so now that he's returned to the top in this era of great champions after being knocked off his pedestal. That he did that reveals a psychological strength and maturity that is extremely rare, even in the greatest of champions.
Kelly slater ,is the greatest sportsman of all time. He Redefined the sport of surfing single handedly. Oldest and youngest person to win a world title. 11 world titles in total and a domination of the sport that has lasted two decades. Numerous other records ,most tour wins, first perfect score in a heat, to name but two. He is also a fantastic ambassador of the sport and carrys himself like a true champion.Federer is good but will he dominate for two decades? I think not.
Love the article and I 100% agree.
Indeed he is the greatest sportsperson for the sheer reasons you have mentioned in the concluding paragraph.
Beating Djokovic was huge and confirmed his already legendary status.
nice piece.probably right. likable and humble guy. you probably wasnt around during the Ali era. apart from boxing, he really did shake up the world. civil rights, black pride. the most remarkable person.
I'll take nothing away from the lad and his record speaks for itself but to compare a Tennis player and a Boxer is fucking ridiculous. Both demanding but you just can't even begin to liken the demands on the body.
Surfing is not defined by competition. Kelly slater would run and hide from that comment. Have you ever heard of Buttons or Rabbit Bart? They invented modern surfing. Then there was tom curren, tom caroll, occy. I love slater but you are embarassing him
How many tour wins did slater or anyone else have when the surf is 3 to 4? & jerry lopez surfing pipe or indo with kelly. Fucking contest surfing is nonsense.
Comparing sportspersons from different disciplines is probably a bit far-fetched. However, if anyone ever qualified to transcending disciplines and be named the greatest ever sportsperson, it has to be Roger Federer.While on the one hand his records and stats are mind boggling, the consistency over such a long period is what mesmerises. Perhaps one reason is teh way he plays the game. His poise, balance, taking the ball early and anticipation, do not put pressure on his body. He was "made" to play tennis as it were. Which also explains why he is not susceptible to injury as any other athlete. Nadal, who is often called the nemesis of Federer has had a spate of injury problems, largely because of the way he punishes his body. If you remove the French open titles, he has only four titles in 8 years. Federer has won 5 US opens and seven Wimbledons!A large number of people who follow tennis have no doubts that Federer is the greatest ever to hold a tennis raquet. But just for the benefit of the doubting Thomases, Federer needs to defeat Rafa convincingly in the slams. As often as possible.He would have probably done it too this year at Wimbledon. Thanks for the article - it just reiterates what I had always felt.
No , Michael Phelps is the greatest athlete of all times.
http://cisurfboards.com/blog/2012/kelly-slater-greatest-athlete-of-all-time/
Mikie, surfing means different things to many people. Some say Art some say sport, However those surfers who chose to compete (curren , occy, carroll) are considered sports men and will be jusged on results. Surfing has been in a state of evolution since the 60s each generation building on what the last has done. Mr slater just took it in a completely new direction and to a higher level , which is why he's the man.
I am a huge Federer fan but he is of the moment. No Q he is the greatest currently active sportsman. Here's one who I think pips him...Jahangir Khan. DYOR but unbeaten in 555 consecutive matches including a win in a major int. tourney w/o dropping a point during one of the strongest and most popular eras in squash. Hmmn, think he deserves consideration.
Bjorn Dunkerbeck anyone? There is no other athlete I can think of who has won so many world titles over such a long career and been such a dominant force within his sport for so long.. 41 world titles overall In a career that spans 4 decades yet he's still only 43..... and still winning with another world title under his belt last year. Well known? No Up there with the greatest athletes of all time? 100%
Fancy writing us a piece on him? Contact sabotage@sabotagetimes.com
I respect the article but there are things that you should know. I am a big fan of federer Jordan and Ali but the players you have mentioned do not have one requirement and that is the longest winning streak. Check out Jahangir Khan the champion squash player who did not lose a single match in 5 1/2 YEARS
@ mikie and Jack. Baha... Two surfers arguing about who's the greatest surfer on a post that's about who's the greatest sportsmen... Love it! @jack, as much as I think competition surfing goes against the original spirit of surfing, I do love watching comps, and Kelly surely has not only re-defined the sport (just look at how many surfers were surfing elf-shoe rocker potato chip boards in the nineties because of Kelly) but he keeps re-inventing his own surfing, and is every bit as current today with his style as he was when he was 19! Two decades of dominating his sport, and I believe he deserves a mention among the other so-called greats...
With respect no, Micheal Phelps, Senna, Colin McRea, James Hunt, Pele, Messi etc etc etc...., Federer (The guy that just lost to Murry) nah sorry.
Federer the best tennis player in history, but his time is passing. I'm still not one hundred sure about Murray, he is on a roll, but can he prove to be consistent over time?
Federer is the greatest of all time NO doubt about that. He makes it look so easy. We should appreciate him while he is still around. There will never be another ROGER FEDERER.
Michael Phelps. If you add the last century you have Pele, Mark Spitz, Carl Lewis, Michael Jordan, Larissa Latynina...
You bloody fool. Bradman was a statistical freak, a one in 1000-years performer. Statistically, nobody else who has ever played,fought, run or swum comes close. Federer is a great player, possibly the greatest tennis player of all time, but only a buffoon hooked on recentism would give him the title of greatest sportsman of all time. I bet you think your last meal was the greatest dinner of all time, too.
Federer for me Could Phil Taylor be thrown into the mix? 16 times world champ etc
First, I'm biased, as I love tennis. Secondly, I'm an idealist, so I hold a deep-rooted hope and belief that a concept of 'the greatest' exists, but, that aside, I think there is a strong case for Fed. Let's start with the case for tennis itself - it's athletic, skill-based, adversarial, with a relentless schedule and it's a cash-rich sport, meaning it's more likely to attract a higher general level of talent. It's also a lonely sport. As people have said, boxing is infrequent, motor-racing technology-reliant, football is a team game and pure athletics (inc. swimming and cycling) one-dimensional. Next, let's look at the era we're in - it was built on the legacy of Agassi, Sampras and others and has the highest levels of competition and athleticism we've ever seen - not progression, but step-change. Finally, Federer - if I'm right about the sport and the era, then, if the statistics don't speak for themselves (google: atp tour records), Jimmy Connors said it best - in tennis, you're either a clay court specialist, a hard court specialist, a big server, a big returner, a great volleyer, or your Roger Federer. I love all sport, but I'll be telling the grand kids that I saw this leviethan play. Long may the debate continue and long may we live in hope that someone better in any sport comes along.
Any discussion about the greatest sportsmen ever is not complete without bringing up Jahangir Khan's name. He had a 5 year unbeaten run of 555 unbeaten matches (Squash). In 1982, he won the International Squash Players Association Championship without losing a single point. No one comes close to this level of domination by one single individual. Next up woul be Edwin Moses - 122 unbeaten consecutive 400 meter hurdle races. Third up would be Arsenal's 49 unbeaten league matches. In my eyes, Federer does not even come close.
Fedex is "GOAT" ever and forever.
SABOTAGE
