Roger : best ever, The four of us? That’s a really difficult call.

[tennissportsrog]

An interview with: ROGER FEDERER
Saturday, August 25, 2012

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.


Q. Both McEnroe and Agassi said in the World Team Tennis match this July that tennis right now at the top, men’s tennis is the toughest ever. Do you think you four guys are the toughest maybe in history in terms of competing against each other and winning events?



ROGER FEDERER: I’d say no, but I don’t know. Just because you look back maybe 15 years, then you have Sampras, Edberg, Becker, and Agassi, I don’t know who else. Those guys weren’t good or what? Do you know what I mean?

You look back, further back, 20 years, and you have the Connors and the Lendls. Those weren’t good either? I mean, I don’t know. So for me I think that’s respectful. It’s just different times and definitely more athletic, there’s no doubt about that. But then again we don’t play doubles. We don’t play mixed. Maybe we play less matches today because it’s more taxing, but we do play less best‑of‑five set tennis than they used to play. You can’t compare really.

but we have somewhat of a golden era right now. I feel that truly. It’s nice to see Andy making his move at the Olympics, nice to see Novak having an absolutely ridiculous year last year, and then Rafa and myself still being around. It’s definitely good times. Past that you still have great champions as well. It’s very interesting at the top right now, and the depth I think has never been greater than right now. There’s no doubt about that.

But then best ever? The four of us? That’s a really difficult call.



http://richtweets.com/2sloc

[tennissportsrog]

wise and humble Roger

true great.

[tennissportsrog]

Originally Posted by tennissportsrog

An interview with: ROGER FEDERER
Saturday, August 25, 2012

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.


Q. Both McEnroe and Agassi said in the World Team Tennis match this July that tennis right now at the top, men’s tennis is the toughest ever. Do you think you four guys are the toughest maybe in history in terms of competing against each other and winning events?



ROGER FEDERER: I’d say no, but I don’t know. Just because you look back maybe 15 years, then you have Sampras, Edberg, Becker, and Agassi, I don’t know who else. Those guys weren’t good or what? Do you know what I mean?

You look back, further back, 20 years, and you have the Connors and the Lendls. Those weren’t good either? I mean, I don’t know. So for me I think that’s respectful. It’s just different times and definitely more athletic, there’s no doubt about that. But then again we don’t play doubles. We don’t play mixed. Maybe we play less matches today because it’s more taxing, but we do play less best‑of‑five set tennis than they used to play. You can’t compare really.

but we have somewhat of a golden era right now. I feel that truly. It’s nice to see Andy making his move at the Olympics, nice to see Novak having an absolutely ridiculous year last year, and then Rafa and myself still being around. It’s definitely good times. Past that you still have great champions as well. It’s very interesting at the top right now, and the depth I think has never been greater than right now. There’s no doubt about that.

But then best ever? The four of us? That’s a really difficult call.



http://richtweets.com/2sloc

And, This.


I'm not greatest player - Roger Federer


"I don't feel better than anyone, because we need past champions to pave the way for our generation and we have become very professional," he said.


"They have led the way and inspired myself and other players to chase the big records out there.


"Back in the day they weren't doing that, they were just playing to play tennis. Things have changed dramatically with the press reminding us 'you should do this and win that and you'll be considered the greatest of all time'.


"And anyway I don't think you can compare different eras in tennis."





http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/18764325

[Dan Lobb]

Originally Posted by tennissportsrog

An interview with: ROGER FEDERER
Saturday, August 25, 2012

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.


Q. Both McEnroe and Agassi said in the World Team Tennis match this July that tennis right now at the top, men’s tennis is the toughest ever. Do you think you four guys are the toughest maybe in history in terms of competing against each other and winning events?



ROGER FEDERER: I’d say no, but I don’t know. Just because you look back maybe 15 years, then you have Sampras, Edberg, Becker, and Agassi, I don’t know who else. Those guys weren’t good or what? Do you know what I mean?

You look back, further back, 20 years, and you have the Connors and the Lendls. Those weren’t good either? I mean, I don’t know. So for me I think that’s respectful. It’s just different times and definitely more athletic, there’s no doubt about that. But then again we don’t play doubles. We don’t play mixed. Maybe we play less matches today because it’s more taxing, but we do play less best‑of‑five set tennis than they used to play. You can’t compare really.

but we have somewhat of a golden era right now. I feel that truly. It’s nice to see Andy making his move at the Olympics, nice to see Novak having an absolutely ridiculous year last year, and then Rafa and myself still being around. It’s definitely good times. Past that you still have great champions as well. It’s very interesting at the top right now, and the depth I think has never been greater than right now. There’s no doubt about that.

But then best ever? The four of us? That’s a really difficult call.



http://richtweets.com/2sloc

Just for the record, Rosewall himself rated Roger number four all-time, behind Hoad, Gonzales, and Laver.
I think that Ken is a little more objective than Fed, because he is no longer concerned about current results.

[tennissportsrog]

Originally Posted by Dan Lobb

Just for the record, Rosewall himself rated Roger number four all-time, behind Hoad, Gonzales, and Laver.
I think that Ken is a little more objective than Fed, because he is no longer concerned about current results.

Rosewall ..

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by Dan Lobb

Just for the record, Rosewall himself rated Roger number four all-time, behind Hoad, Gonzales, and Laver.
I think that Ken is a little more objective than Fed, because he is no longer concerned about current results.

Where's the evidence for what you said ?

[Dan Lobb]

Originally Posted by Iron Man

Where's the evidence for what you said ?

We've been over this before.
It was an interview Rosewall gave to an Italian magazine at the 2010 Australian Open, and appeared online in Italian.
I read it in translation.
It was around for about a year, but disappeared about eight months ago.
I saved it on my computer, but my wife and I moved to our new house two months ago, and it was wiped out of the computer.
If you have any doubts about this story, there is an easy way to check it out.
Rosewall is still with us.

[TMF]

Whether Rosewall said it or not, he's just one guy. All the ex-players don't agree with him(eg Laver, JMac, Lendl, Borg, Agassi, etc..)

[Dan Lobb]

Originally Posted by TMF

Whether Rosewall said it or not, he's just one guy. All the ex-players don't agree with him(eg Laver, JMac, Lendl, Borg, Agassi, etc..)

Laver rates Hoad number one for the pre-1968 era, and says that if Hoad and Fed played each other, it would be the greatest confontation of all.

[TMF]

Originally Posted by Dan Lobb

Laver rates Hoad number one for the pre-1968 era, and says that if Hoad and Fed played each other, it would be the greatest confontation of all.

To me, best player in the open era would BEAT best player in the pre-era.

Just like Graf(best in the open era) would beat Court(best in the pre-era).

It's no contest.

[Dan Lobb]

Originally Posted by TMF

To me, best player in the open era would BEAT best player in the pre-era.

Just like Graf(best in the open era) would beat Court(best in the pre-era).

It's no contest.

Give Fed and Graf a wooden racquet to play with, and about 150 matches to play each year against the top ten players ONLY, and you would create something like the old tours.

[kiki]

Originally Posted by TMF

To me, best player in the open era would BEAT best player in the pre-era.

Just like Graf(best in the open era) would beat Court(best in the pre-era).

It's no contest.

Court won the big four in 1970

[kiki]

Imagine Hoad and Gonzales were in great shape in 63-64 and adding prime Laver and prime Rosewall you have the best quartet ever
Others:
Budge,Crawford,Perry and Vines
Tilden and 3 mousk
Kramer,Sedgman,Gonzo and Trabert in early 50
Borg,Connors,Lendl and Mac early 80
And the early 90 foursome of AA,BB,Sampras and Edberg

WOMEN
2 Williams,Sharapova and Clijsters
Seles,Graf,Hingis and Davenport
Evert,Austin,Navy,Mandlikiva early 80
Gibson,Mo,Marble and Hart in 50
And the toughest ever, in 70:
EVERT,COURT,GOOLAGONG,BJK

[CyBorg]

Originally Posted by TMF

Whether Rosewall said it or not, he's just one guy. All the ex-players don't agree with him(eg Laver, JMac, Lendl, Borg, Agassi, etc..)

Yes, because you've done a complete survey of ex-players.

[Dan Lobb]

Delete this.

[Dan Lobb]

Delete this.

[TMF]

Originally Posted by CyBorg

Yes, because you've done a complete survey of ex-players.

I don't need to, but just read what they have said.

[kiki]

Playing on the WEAT and a losing record vs big time rival suffices to put Roger straight into second or third tier where he will find another lucky fellow named
Roy Emerson

[hoodjem]

Hoad
Laver
?
Federer



(peak-level play)

[pc1]

Originally Posted by hoodjem

Hoad
Laver
?
Federer



(peak-level play)

So many choices for top level play. Question to ask, can Federer really have a top peak level for one match if you may favor at least one current player over him on many surfaces even when playing his best? To me peak level means no matter what an opponent does, the inevitable loss will happen whether you hit to the forehand, backhand, use junk or anything else.

A good example of this is how Arthur Ashe described Rod Laver from his superb book "Arthur Ashe-Protrait in Motion." "When Laver goes on one of those tears, it's just ridiculous. He starts hitting the lines, and then he starts hitting the lines harder--and harder and harder. NO ONE CAN STOP HIM."
The key words to me here is "No one can stop him."

Now if you argue for a year or a few years, I can go with that for Federer. But if you argue that then clearly Tilden, Borg, Gonzalez, Rosewall and a number of others belong in the equation.

Since many players argue for one match for their life they would pick Pancho Gonzalez I think you may have to put him in the peak level for one match category too.