For me, Fed has surpassed Jordan, Brady and Gretzky

[McEnborg]

20 major titles. 30 major final appearances. 6 year end championships, 10 year end finals appearances.

In his last FIFTY SIX major appearances, he's been to at least the QF's or better FIFTY times...FIFTY.
In his last fifty six major appearances, he's been to the Semi-finals or better FOURTY-FOUR TIMES!!!
He has a 90% winning percentage in slams since mid-2003.

He's been in 145 professional tournament finals, winning 96. His major wins are now 14 1/2 years apart.
He's won doubles Gold. He's led Switzerland to the Davis Cup title. He's led his team to 2 Hopman Cup wins.
He's missed TWO slam events in over 16 years.

We all know about his ranking longevity at Number 1 or 2 or 3.

He is the greatest in his sport, without question. He's been far more consistent than Serena ever was...there's no comparison there (and he has 24 more titles than her).

For longevity and consistent excellence, he's the greatest of the last 100 years. Who is better? And, he'd have 5 or more French Opens if he didn't have to go against the greatest clay court player ever...BY FAR.

And even when Novak was dominating in stretches, Fed always found ways to beat him in Masters events. Fed was right there with him, as he's always been with Rafa...whom he's now beaten FOUR times in a row. If anyone can't give him his props or is still unwilling to call him the greatest without question, you seriously have an unhealthy need to rebel for the sake of rebelling...it points to your own stubborness, arrogance and pride.

 

[BGod]

He did that for me with Aussie Title last year.

He has more records in his sport than any other athlete in theirs.

 

[Booger]

I put him 3rd behind Jordan and Usain Bolt.

 

[DreddyTennis45]

Brady lol. He's a cheater who plays a crap sport

 

[Tennisanity]

Jordan is overrated, Bird owned him until he retired. Fed is GOAT of GOATs. Gretzky and Bolt are close.

 

[NuBas]

Completely different sports but I agree no comparison and even funnier if compared to WTA GS totals.

 

[Slightly D1]

Meh, it’s hard to compare different sports legends because people will always have their opinions and it comes down to favorite sports.

The only seriously annoying thing is when people who have no idea about tennis are pushing women greats ahead of men greats.

 

[Soul_Evisceration]

Meh, it’s hard to compare different sports legends because people will always have their opinions and it comes down to favorite sports.

The only seriously annoying thing is when people who have no idea about tennis are pushing women greats ahead of men greats.

Which is basically everyone from ESPN (Around The Horn, Pardon The Interruption, etc...)

 

[acintya]

lol

cheezy again

 

[citybert]

Jordan definitely benefited from a weak era. Not saying he wouldnt still be NBA goat but it did help

 

[Deleted member 756486]

20 major titles. 30 major final appearances. 6 year end championships, 10 year end finals appearances.

In his last FIFTY SIX major appearances, he's been to at least the QF's or better FIFTY times...FIFTY.
In his last fifty six major appearances, he's been to the Semi-finals or better FOURTY-FOUR TIMES!!!
He has a 90% winning percentage in slams since mid-2003.

He's been in 145 professional tournament finals, winning 96. His major wins are now 14 1/2 years apart.
He's won doubles Gold. He's led Sweden to the Davis Cup title. He's led his team to 2 Hopman Cup wins.
He's missed TWO slam events in over 16 years.

We all know about his ranking longevity at Number 1 or 2 or 3.

He is the greatest in his sport, without question. He's been far more consistent than Serena ever was...there's no comparison there (and he has 24 more titles than her).

For longevity and consistent excellence, he's the greatest of the last 100 years. Who is better? And, he'd have 5 or more French Opens if he didn't have to go against the greatest clay court player ever...BY FAR.

And even when Novak was dominating in stretches, Fed always found ways to beat him in Masters events. Fed was right there with him, as he's always been with Rafa...whom he's now beaten FOUR times in a row. If anyone can't give him his props or is still unwilling to call him the greatest without question, you seriously have an unhealthy need to rebel for the sake of rebelling...it points to your own stubborness, arrogance and pride.

Brady and Gretzky? Absolutely but Jordan? Sorry but not in my opinion.

 

[tacou]

Brady and Gretzky? Absolutely but Jordan? Sorry but not in my opinion.

20>6

 

[Soul_Evisceration]

Better than Brady no question asked.

Gretzky and Jordan? That's a little tough.

Gretzky has all the records imaginable while Federer being close to a GOAT in tennis (still needs either a YE#1 or another Grand Slam for me to declare this) is why I have him behind Gretzky.

Jordan is the most marketable and amazing athlete I have ever witnessed but Federer's willing to win majors at 36 is absolutely remarkable.

Below Gretzky's and Jordan for me personally but that can change by the end of this year.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Still a long way to go before he gets Taylor.

 

[AndyFtw17]

The Swedish GOAT.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

20>6

There are 4 slams a year, compared to only one NBA championship a year.

 

[Red Rick]

Comparisons of different sports are very dumb by default.

 

[tacou]

There are 4 slams a year, compared to only one NBA championship a year.

Yeah that is why it is very difficult and ultimately pointless to compare tennis and basketball players. But I certainly do not think 1 Finals = 4 majors, if that is what you are suggesting.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Yeah that is why it is very difficult and ultimately pointless to compare tennis and basketball players. But I certainly do not think 1 Finals = 4 majors, if that is what you are suggesting.

It’s very hard to compare both and both sports are completely different.

But with that I’d say Michael Jordan is a superior athlete to Fed.

 

[FD3S]

As much as I love Fed, Wayne Gretzky was truly something else. Not only could he score outright (50 goals in 39 games one year, 894 overall) the man has more assists than any other player has points; take away his goals and he's still the all-time NHL scoring leader. 13 times in the league's history did a player get 100 assists in one season - Lemieux and Orr both did it once, and Gretzky did it 11 times.

In a row.

Also, he was the fastest player to hit 1000 points, doing it in 424 games. The second fastest player to do so is also Gretzky, taking 433 games to run his point total up from 1000 to 2000. His numbers are mind-boggling.

 

[Sudacafan]

Though with less Slams than Serena, he is greater than her because of the lack of competition Serena had in women tennis.
Serena did not have to compete with rivals of the importance of Nadal and Djokovic in her tour.
Imagine the analogy of Federer having the type of competition Serena had. How many Slams would he have had? 25/30+ is not a crazy number to figure.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

20 major titles. 30 major final appearances. 6 year end championships, 10 year end finals appearances.

In his last FIFTY SIX major appearances, he's been to at least the QF's or better FIFTY times...FIFTY.
In his last fifty six major appearances, he's been to the Semi-finals or better FOURTY-FOUR TIMES!!!
He has a 90% winning percentage in slams since mid-2003.

He's been in 145 professional tournament finals, winning 96. His major wins are now 14 1/2 years apart.
He's won doubles Gold. He's led Sweden to the Davis Cup title. He's led his team to 2 Hopman Cup wins.
He's missed TWO slam events in over 16 years.

We all know about his ranking longevity at Number 1 or 2 or 3.

He is the greatest in his sport, without question. He's been far more consistent than Serena ever was...there's no comparison there (and he has 24 more titles than her).

For longevity and consistent excellence, he's the greatest of the last 100 years. Who is better? And, he'd have 5 or more French Opens if he didn't have to go against the greatest clay court player ever...BY FAR.

And even when Novak was dominating in stretches, Fed always found ways to beat him in Masters events. Fed was right there with him, as he's always been with Rafa...whom he's now beaten FOUR times in a row. If anyone can't give him his props or is still unwilling to call him the greatest without question, you seriously have an unhealthy need to rebel for the sake of rebelling...it points to your own stubborness, arrogance and pride.

2 Hopman cups over a decade apart!

Sweden for the win

 

[falstaff78]

He's led Sweden to the Davis Cup title

you were on such a roll but then I stopped reading lol

 

[World Beater]

the only comparable athlete is gretzky.

as great as jordan was...he did quit twice...he missed years of winning more championships and setting bigger records.

jordan was incredibly dominant BUT he doesn't have the same longevity records that others in his sport do.

Federer and gretzky have both dominance and longevity...they also didnt miss huge stretches to go play another sport...

 

[metsman]

Though with less Slams than Serena, he is greater than her because of the lack of competition Serena had in women tennis.
Serena did not have to compete with rivals of the importance of Nadal and Djokovic in her tour.
Imagine the analogy of Federer having the type of competition Serena had. How many Slams would he have had? 25/30+ is not a crazy number to figure.

Seriously. Federer got to take advantage of a weak era only when he was 36 years old (17 AO was obviously not a weak slam). Serena has had one since like 09/10 or whatever it's been. Can you imagine Nadal and Djokovic disappearing off the face of the earth after 2010 and Murray being Federer's toughest competition? Even if we try to equate the men's and women's game there is still no comparison.

 

[Shaolin]

20 major titles. 30 major final appearances. 6 year end championships, 10 year end finals appearances.

In his last FIFTY SIX major appearances, he's been to at least the QF's or better FIFTY times...FIFTY.
In his last fifty six major appearances, he's been to the Semi-finals or better FOURTY-FOUR TIMES!!!
He has a 90% winning percentage in slams since mid-2003.

He's been in 145 professional tournament finals, winning 96. His major wins are now 14 1/2 years apart.
He's won doubles Gold. He's led Sweden to the Davis Cup title. He's led his team to 2 Hopman Cup wins.
He's missed TWO slam events in over 16 years.

We all know about his ranking longevity at Number 1 or 2 or 3.

He is the greatest in his sport, without question. He's been far more consistent than Serena ever was...there's no comparison there (and he has 24 more titles than her).

For longevity and consistent excellence, he's the greatest of the last 100 years. Who is better? And, he'd have 5 or more French Opens if he didn't have to go against the greatest clay court player ever...BY FAR.

And even when Novak was dominating in stretches, Fed always found ways to beat him in Masters events. Fed was right there with him, as he's always been with Rafa...whom he's now beaten FOUR times in a row. If anyone can't give him his props or is still unwilling to call him the greatest without question, you seriously have an unhealthy need to rebel for the sake of rebelling...it points to your own stubborness, arrogance and pride.

To me Fed has now surpassed even Chuck Norris which is the ultimate accomplishment.

He now stands alone atop GOAT Mountain.

 

[zagor]

It's hard enough comparing different eras within the same sport. How the hell can you actually compare achievements across different sports? What exactly do basketball and tennis have in common?

 

[Red Rick]

Seriously. Federer got to take advantage of a weak era only when he was 36 years old (17 AO was obviously not a weak slam). Serena has had one since like 09/10 or whatever it's been. Can you imagine Nadal and Djokovic disappearing off the face of the earth after 2010 and Murray being Federer's toughest competition? Even if we try to equate the men's and women's game there is still no comparison.

Murray winning more stuff?

HERE TAKE MY KIDNEY, WHERE DO I SIGN

 

[MeatTornado]

Brady and Gretzky? Absolutely but Jordan? Sorry but not in my opinion.

The only logical reason someone would rate Jordan above Gretzky is if they only watched basketball and didn't care about hockey.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

The only logical reason someone would rate Jordan above Gretzky is if they only watched basketball and didn't care about hockey.

I know very little about hockey so you’re probably correct.

 

[MeatTornado]

I know very little about hockey so you’re probably correct.

That's why I don't like these discussions. There's not a human on Earth with the amount of necessary hours dedicated to every sport to make an informed decision.

No one is an expert in baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, tennis, golf, boxing, MMA, cricket, lacrosse, rugby, NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, all the Olympic sports, and about six dozen others I can't think of all at once.

 

[T1000]

Lmao at any of those guys being better than Gretzky. The gap between Gretzky and the number 2 on the all time points list is greater than the gap between number 2 and number 50. Let that sink in

 

[Deleted member 756486]

That's why I don't like these discussions. There's not a human on Earth with the amount of necessary hours dedicated to every sport to make an informed decision.

No one is an expert in baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, tennis, golf, boxing, MMA, cricket, lacrosse, rugby, NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, all the Olympic sports, and about six dozen others I can't think of all at once.

Skip Bayless would say he’s an expert in all those sports lol.

 

[metsman]

That's why I don't like these discussions. There's not a human on Earth with the amount of necessary hours dedicated to every sport to make an informed decision.

No one is an expert in baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, tennis, golf, boxing, MMA, cricket, lacrosse, rugby, NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, all the Olympic sports, and about six dozen others I can't think of all at once.

Most of those sports don't matter in this discussion (imo only the first 6 do), but overall the point stands.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Most of those sports don't matter in this discussion (imo only the first 6 do), but overall the point stands.

Boxing is definitely important in this discussion.
Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Floyd Mayweather, Rocky Marciano, etc. Are all some of the greatest athletes that ever lived imo.

 

[sliceroni]

Well MJ and Federer obviously have mutual adulation toward each other so we're not the only ones who feel they are on the same level. You'd probably also see Ali, Gretzky, Brady, Williams n Graf, Tony Hawk, Bruce Lee among a few others at the party.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

Lmao at any of those guys being better than Gretzky. The gap between Gretzky and the number 2 on the all time points list is greater than the gap between number 2 and number 50. Let that sink in

Which sport does Gretzky play?

 

[AiRFederer]

Lol Jordan is probably one of the most overrated athletes of all time.

You say Fed had a weak era? Jordan was feasting on franchises whose top dudes were known perennial chokers and would retire without a damn ring in Barkley and Malone.

People accuse of Fed and Rafa ducking each other? Jordan was busy playing baseball when Hakeem Olajuwon and the rockets went to town and won back to back rings.

You complain that Fed is arrogant? Rafa isnt gracious in the jaws of defeat or Nole celebrates too much? Jordan not only punched his teammate and didnt get any flak for it, he was deep into gambling addiction which might have had something to do with the death of his own father.

And oh, notice why I didnt compare accomplishments too much? That's because Roger is a tier or two above MJ. If you cant recognize that, you are either ignorant of basketball or just a plain blinded hater.

 

[McEnborg]

My bad about the "Sweden" reference. I've certainly known Roger is Swiss. Just a mistake.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Which sport does Gretzky play?

Hockey. (It’s a sport that only Canadians play)

 

[MeatTornado]

Most of those sports don't matter in this discussion (imo only the first 6 do), but overall the point stands.

Do you understand how many people would say only the first 5 count? Or the first 4? In the US tennis is a non-factor with general sports fans.

 

[MeatTornado]

Lmao at any of those guys being better than Gretzky. The gap between Gretzky and the number 2 on the all time points list is greater than the gap between number 2 and number 50. Let that sink in

If you took away every goal Gretzky scored in his entire career, he would still be the all-time points leader

He's not even on a different planet, he's in another universe.

 

[metsman]

Lol Jordan is probably one of the most overrated athletes of all time.

You say Fed had a weak era? Jordan was feasting on franchises whose top dudes were known perennial chokers and would retire without a damn ring in Barkley and Malone.

People accuse of Fed and Rafa ducking each other? Jordan was busy playing baseball when Hakeem Olajuwon and the rockets went to town and won back to back rings.

You complain that Fed is arrogant? Rafa isnt gracious in the jaws of defeat or Nole celebrates too much? Jordan not only punched his teammate and didnt get any flak for it, he was deep into gambling addiction which might have had something to do with his father.

And oh, notice why I didnt compare accomplishments too much? That's because Roger is a tier or two above MJ. If you cant recognize that, you are either ignorant of basketball or just a plain blinded hater.

Barkley was not a perennial choker. The one time in his prime he had a decent team he was a Paxson 3 away from getting to game 7. And 93 was probably only his 5th best year on top of that.

But yes Jordan's finals competition was probably on the weaker side in that he never had to face a GOAT-level team in the finals, while being on a couple of them himself. That and his relative lack of longevity compared to the other contenders probably takes him out of the discussion. Still the basketball GOAT though at the moment.

Back to Gretzky, while his combination of peak+longevity is easily GOAT level, you can argue that two guys had more impact than he did at their peaks (Hasek and Orr). Federer has the GOAT peak and will likely have the GOAT longevity as well.

Ted Williams should be on this list too. Hitting a baseball is the hardest thing in sports and Williams mastered that to a comical degree despite spending 5 prime/peak years at war. Or Willie Mays if you are going for a more all around baseball player.

 

[McEnborg]

And yet, Gretzky won 4 Cups while Jordan won 6 NBA Championships. I followed Jordan closely. Larry Bird's Celtics owned the Bulls, as did the Pistons, in Jordan's early career. But BIRD NEVER OWNED JORDAN...for whoever said that. Jordan was unquestionably the greatest player ever in basketball. He was fierce, amazingly clutch and just a phenomenal athlete.

It's hard to compare him to Fed as far as individual vs. team sport. But, for how long Fed has been excellent, I have to give him a slight nod.

 

[AiRFederer]

Barkley was not a perennial choker. The one time in his prime he had a decent team he was a Paxson 3 away from getting to game 7. And 93 was probably only his 5th best year on top of that.

But yes Jordan's finals competition was probably on the weaker side in that he never had to face a GOAT-level team in the finals, while being on a couple of them himself. That and his relative lack of longevity compared to the other contenders probably takes him out of the discussion. Still the basketball GOAT though at the moment.

Back to Gretzky, while his combination of peak+longevity is easily GOAT level, you can argue that two guys had more impact than he did at their peaks (Hasek and Orr). Federer has the GOAT peak and will likely have the GOAT longevity as well.

Ted Williams should be on this list too. Hitting a baseball is the hardest thing in sports and Williams mastered that to a comical degree despite spending 5 prime/peak years at war. Or Willie Mays if you are going for a more all around baseball player.

Considering how people here love to throw the terms mug, choker, etc. Barkley is definitely one as well. Heck if you look at it at a simplistic view, Cilic is much less a choker than him because he actually won the biggest prize in his sport.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

 

[McEnborg]

I put him 3rd behind Jordan and Usain Bolt.

No way about Bolt. Usain has been incredible...but it's a very specific skill and he did it over an 8 year stretch. In tennis, there is so much more required in terms of quickness, agility, strength, balance, soft hands, skilled hands, explosiveness, leaping ability and much more. MORE is required to do what Fed has done compared to what Bolt had to do. Not diminishing Bolt, but he doesn't compare to Fed.

 

[metsman]

Do you understand how many people would say only the first 5 count? Or the first 4? In the US tennis is a non-factor with general sports fans.

And in the whole world football is a non factor but it should still count (even though I don't think any football player comes close to being GOAT athlete partly because the roles in the game are so limited) because it still draws the best athletic talent at least in the necessary disciplines for football. A two week US tennis tournament generates over a quarter billion in revenue, that would not be the case if it was a non-factor with US sports fans. The biggest US sports network spends 80 million a year to broadcast the USO, that would not be the case if it was a non-factor. Very few people in the US don't know who Federer is.

Sports that are basically second rate sports in terms of popularity and revenue shouldn't really be in this discussion because they most likely don't draw the best talent. Lacrosse (LOL), rugby, swimming, track, mma etc.

 

[metsman]

No way about Bolt. Usain has been incredible...but it's a very specific skill and he did it over an 8 year stretch. In tennis, there is so much more required in terms of quickness, agility, strength, balance, soft hands, skilled hands, explosiveness, leaping ability and much more. MORE is required to do what Fed has done compared to what Bold had to do. Not diminishing Bolt, but he doesn't compare to Fed.

Not to mention that no one gives a crap about track besides once every 4 years.

 

[metsman]

Considering how people here love to throw the terms mug, choker, etc. Barkley is definitely one as well. Heck if you look at it at a simplistic view, Cilic is much less a choker than him because he actually won the biggest prize in his sport.

So tell me, when did Barkley choke? Barkley was a top 3-5 player in the NBA for years, Cilic never came close to that.

Evaluating team sport athletes based on # of championships is garbage anyways.