Is Roger Federer the best Tennis player in history?

“Roger gave me a lesson in tennis today and he is truly the best player in history.” These were the words that French Open 2009 runner up Robin Soderling had for the victor Roger Federer. Today marked the day that Federer made Tennis history, becoming just the 6th man to have won all four grand slams, and equalling the grand slam record of 14 set by Pete Sampras.

Last summer at Wimbledon, Federer fought Nadal in a breathtaking match that saw Federer taste defeat in a Wimbledon final for the first time in his career. This was seen by many as a pivotal point in his career, because it was here that Federer’s ranking began to slip (albeit to second) and Rafael Nadal began to become recognised as the best tennis player in the world. Some were even questioning if Federer had lost it, and if it was the beginning of the end of the Swiss man’s career.

Those that were asking this question must have forgotten that at the time, he was only 26 years old and Federer is not a quitter. He proved this just a couple of months later at the US Open when he beat Andy Murray to take his grand slam total up to thirteen, leaving just one more to go to reach Sampras’ 14 grand slam record. Sadly for Federer, he was unable to reach that goal at the next grand slam, the Australian Open, as he was once again beaten in five sets by Rafael Nadal. But it was the French Open, the one grand slam that had alluded Federer for his entire career, where history would be made.

After Nadal’s shock defeat to eventual finalist Soderling, many believed that it was now Federer’s time, and after a three set final, Federer not only completed THE grand slam, but also put himself aside Sampras as the best grand slam tennis player in history. But looking at the facts, many could argue that Federer is better than Sampras, as it took Sampras 51 grand slams to reach the goal at the age of 31, whilst Federer managed it at the age of 27 after just 40 grand slams. Federer, like Sampras’ rival Andre Agassi has won all 4 grand slams, ultimately arguing that he  is a better complete tennis player than Sampras was.

Part of Federer’s appeal is the way that he plays tennis, and the way that he carries himself. Federer not only respects his fellow tennis players, but the sport itself, and it is said that the mark of a good player is the impact that the player leaves on the sport, and Federer leaves his heart and soul on a tennis court every time he plays. Not only that, but he inspires youngsters to both take up and follow the sport of tennis.

I believe that it is Federer’s destiny to reach that milestone of fifteen grand slams in a few weeks at Wimbledon, and it would be a fitting tribute to the man that I believe is the best player to ever grace a tennis court.

Advertisement