Long Live Roger Federer

[octobrina10]

Many people started following Tennis just because of Federer. He was the magnet that attracted uninterested public to sport. No need to mention many fans who had lost interest after departure of Sampras got involved again. Federer made Tennis much more popular than it was before..

Many people who had lost interest in tennis started to follow it again because of Rafa, who is a warrior and brings energy to the court.

 

[3loudboys]

Many people who had lost interest in tennis started to follow it again because of Rafa, who is a warrior and brings energy to the court.

Yes but Fed came before Rafa - and both increased the popularity of the game. Should of guessed the Rafa angle. Just because someone recognises Feds achievements doesn’t mean they are putting down Rafa.

 

[TennisManiac]

@initialize @Born_to_slice

Not exactly. It was actually 7 of the last 8 matches. He started beating Rafa regularly after 2014. After his move to a larger racket head size. The only loss after 2014 came at RG in 2019.

Correct

 

[Roubaixcomp]

Thanks for the nice words OP. Proves that irrespective of which fan base you belong to, you can show respect and grace when a legend hangs up their boots. Need more of you here. Tbf, most of the fans from the other fan bases have been gracious and respectful of Federer and his contributions. Heartening to see. And then there are the trolls.. but who cares lol.

There won't be a GOAT between the three. Clearly the respect for all three on and off the court is such that nobody will disrespect the other 2 saying there is a GOAT. What will happen is people will say they are equals with each GOAT on one of hard clay and grass.
I can't get invested in comparing the 3 after the Laver Cup. Seeing the three of them without their game face on just showed three wonderful guys who deserve nothing but adulation love and respect for eternity for what they gave to the game. Maybe if they disliked each other it would be different. But they clearly get on great with each other.
Federer is a global icon. Records or not his legacy is what it is and really his standing In the game would be the same with or without the slam record. The sporting world came to a standstill to see his retirement. Says it all.

 

[davced1]

Federer got surpassed because of Vacuum era. If couple of ATG level players made breakthrough 5-6 years back - Federer would retire on top. 20 Slams was more than enough but who knew there would come time when players born in entire decade would win just 2-3 Slams.


Anyway bottom line is Federer will always remain best player on grass, fast hard and indoors. He peaked way higher and achievements are superior.

I used to reason like this but then watching Djokovic yesterday at Laver cup it's a tough ask on any generation to reach that level. Maybe at some point we just have to admit Djokovic and Nadal were just too good and fully deserved every title.

 

[D.Nalby12]

Many people who had lost interest in tennis started to follow it again because of Rafa, who is a warrior and brings energy to the court.

This Post has insecurity written all over it. Lol.

 

[D.Nalby12]

I used to reason like this but then watching Djokovic yesterday at Laver cup it's a tough ask on any generation to reach that level. Maybe at some point we just have to admit Djokovic and Nadal were just too good and fully deserved every title.

Nadal won last two slams with below average level. It wouldn't happen 10 years back.

Djokovic however is very good for his age but still not having younger ATGs to compete with helps him. Tifo is nobody - so beating him is not big deal.

 

[guanzishou]

Long Live Greta Thunberg !

 

[Patogen]

Without him the game would not be as popular as it is now and his greatest rivals would not be anywhere near the players they are today. His name is synonymous with tennis.

The bolded -- for people who started watching/playing the game because of him.

All in all, while this has some truth to it, the whole truth is that before Federer-Nadal rivalry fully blossomed, few people gave a damn about Federer beating whoever he was beating before Nadal. Federer the icon is as much a product of the Fedal rivalry as Nadal is.

 

[3loudboys]

The bolded -- for people who started watching/playing the game because of him.

All in all, while this has some truth to it, the whole truth is that before Federer-Nadal rivalry fully blossomed, few people gave a damn about Federer beating whoever he was beating before Nadal. Federer the icon is as much a product of the Fedal rivalry as Nadal is.

Agree all 3 are intrinsically linked and have mutually benefitted from the rivalries. He provided the target for them to chase. Tbh I think that pre Nadal yes he wasn’t as widely recognised but their was a lot of excitement about him and his elegant attacking style.