Finally forced to call it a day:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/62911876
Greatest of them all IMHO.
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Finally forced to call it a day:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/62911876
Greatest of them all IMHO.
Agreed , don’t think we’ll ever see anyone like him again in tennis .Quote:
Originally Posted by He's here!
Despite what the number of Grand Slam titles might say Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time in my opinion and it was an absolute pleasure to have seen him play on the biggest stage of all, the Centre Court of Wimbledon.
With the exception of Nadal v Djokovic (59 matches), no players have met more often on the ATP circuit than Federer v Djokovic (50 times) and Federer v Nadal (40 times) including arguably the greatest match of all time in the 2008 Wimbledon final. Unfortunately for Federer he did lose that one and also does have a losing record against both players but the records he does hold in his own right are quite remarkable.
To date he is the only male player to;
Reach all 4 Grand Slam finals in one season on three separate occasions.
Win two consecutive years winning three Grand Slam titles.
Win four consecutive years winning 2+ Grand Slam titles.
Reach 46 men's Grand Slam semifinals.
Reach 58 men's Grand Slam quarterfinals.
Reach 10 consecutive men's Grand Slam finals.
Reach 23 consecutive men's Grand Slam semifinals.
Reach 36 consecutive men's Grand Slam quarter-finals.
Reach 25 consecutive victories in Grand Slam quarter-finals.
Reach 4+ consecutive finals at three Grand Slam tournaments.
Reach 6+ consecutive finals at two Grand Slam tournaments.
Win 5 consecutive titles at two Grand Slam tournaments.
Win 5+ titles at three Grand Slam tournaments.
Reach 85+ match wins at three Grand Slam tournaments.
Reach 100+ match wins at two Grand Slam tournaments.
Reach 40 consecutive match wins at two Grand Slam tournaments.
Reach 191 hard court Grand Slam match wins.
Win 8+ Grand Slam titles on two different surfaces.
Reach 12+ Grand Slam finals on two different surfaces.
Reach 369 Grand Slam match wins.
Reach 429 Grand Slam matches played.
Reach 24 consecutive ATP tournament finals won.
Reach 24 consecutive ATP match wins against top ten opponents.
Win 71 ATP hard court titles.
Reach 56 consecutive ATP hard court match victories.
Win 24 ATP 500 series titles
Win 6+ ATP titles at seven different tournaments.
Reach 237 consecutive weeks as world No. 1.
Reach 3 consecutive calendar years as world No. 1.
Become oldest world No. 1 in ATP history.
Reach 15 years ended inside the top 3 of the ATP world rankings.
Reach 18 years ended inside the top 10 of the ATP world rankings.
Win 8 men's singles titles at Wimbledon
Win 6 men's singles titles at the World Tour Finals.
There are no end to the superlatives that you can give to Roger Federer and the sport of tennis will be much poorer without him.
Hopefully we can continue to see him playing a prominent role in tennis for many years to come.
Thanks Roger, it's been a pleasure.
Thanks for that exhaustive breakdown. I think what also set him apart was his impeccable style of play and his respectful demeanour. He was a lovely player to watch in a way that Djokovic certainly isn't, while even Nadal lacks something of Federer's grace on court.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir David Gray
For all that, his gentlemanly air masked a steely fixation on winning.
Exactly what sets him apart for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by He's here!
What a player. He must be greatest grass court player of all time, so elegant in his style of play. I preferred watching him rather than the baseline grind of Nadal, who is the best ever at his game.
:agree: I don't necessarily agree with you about Nadal although I certainly do about Djokovic. It's Federer's class and grace and almost universal popularity which has really irked Djokovic as he knows he will never come close to that and I think it bothers him.Quote:
Originally Posted by He's here!
I really think how someone is viewed amongst their peers speaks volumes about them and Nadal paid a lovely tribute to Federer tonight.
Dear Roger, my friend and rival.
I wish this day would have never come… it’s a sad day for me personally and for sports people around the world. I said it to you when we spoke and now it’s here.
It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court.
We will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still lots of things to do together, we know that.
For now, I truly wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your kids, your family and enjoy what’s ahead of you. I’ll see you in London at the Laver Cup.
Really classy words and sums it up perfectly in my view.
The rivalry these two great players had over many years was incredible but somehow, despite the intense nature of it, they both seemed to maintain a deep friendship and respect for one another which was truly special and seems like it will continue long after they have both hung up their racquets.
Yeh, fully agree that Rafa stands alongside Roger as one of the classiest guys in sport. I just meant that when it comes to aesthetics Federer shades it. Like a living embodiment of how to play the game to perfection.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir David Gray
Ah right got you now, yeah I would agree with that.Quote:
Originally Posted by He's here!
Federer at his peak looked completely effortless in defeating most opponents.
His farewell tonight on Eurosport from 7pm. Andy Murray up first in singles then Federer bows out in doubles.
Just the 81mins for the opening set which Murray wins 7-5 (Laver Cup)
Just seen this thread was updated today, apologies.
I'm in tears watching this tribute to Federer, can't believe it's finally over.
Ellie Goulding was a bad choice 😂 went on forever as well.
Yeah no idea who thought that was a good idea.Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnM1875
Really emotional night though, I was in bits for pretty much all of the post-match stuff particularly when Mirka, the kids and his mum and dad came onto the court.
Yep, we'll not see his like again. A colossus of sport.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir David Gray
Lovely to see the bond between him and Nadal.