Roger Federer lost the #1 ranking for the second time this year when Rafael Nadal won the Italian Open last Sunday. Federer will regain the top ranking again if Nadal fails to win the French Open this year. Which may happen, who knows. But it any case, it’s more than possible that Federer will be #1 again in the next few months, which would make him the oldest #1 in open-era tennis history. His age combined with his accomplishments – he just won his 20th Slam title in Australia this year – means that his name comes up the most when discussing the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) label. Does Federer think he’s the GOAT? He definitely thinks he’s in the GOAT discussion, for sure. But in a newly published interview with WSJ. Magazine, Federer actually names Serena Williams as his choice for all-time GOAT. Some highlights from WSJ. Magazine (you can read the full piece here, it was a very enjoyable read):
Federer marvels at Serena Williams: “It’s been fascinating to watch. She had a totally different upbringing—I came up through Switzerland with the federation, she did it with her dad and her sister. It’s an amazing story unto itself—and then she became one of the greatest, if not the greatest tennis player of all time.”
Whether he means Serena is the overall GOAT, not just “women’s GOAT”: “Overall,” Federer clarifies. He ticks off the staggering stats of players like Williams and Steffi Graf, which eclipse those of anyone in men’s tennis, especially when one factors in all of Serena’s doubles titles. “It’s not fair to compare [with players in other eras], actually. But we know [Serena] is all the way up there. I’m probably up there with somebody, somehow. Maybe there’s a group, a best of five—and if you’re in that group, you should be pleased and happy. Tennis is a funky sport when it comes to that stuff. I’m in full admiration of Serena. And Venus, too, by the way.”
Serena’s reaction to Fed calling her the GOAT: “I think we can say that about both of us, respectively. He’s done amazing things in his career—I have the utmost respect for him. He’s a wonderful athlete, a great guy. I love what he’s doing [with his foundation] in Africa too. That was really impressive to me.)
Playing at his age: “Rafa’s still playing, I’m still playing, Serena and Venus are still playing—and it seems like they love it more than ever.”
When he’ll end his career: “I’ve long given up that it needs to end in a fairy tale. I don’t need to be ranked [No. 1] or need it to be after a big title. If it happens that way, that’s amazing. But you can’t control it all. You have to put yourself out there, be vulnerable. I play because I love tennis, not because it needs to end with a [perfect] situation.”
Whether he’s afraid to retire: “No. The only thing I wonder is: How will it be, the moment of retirement? How emotional will it be? Where is it going to be? What will lead to it? Is there a process—or do you wake up and decide at once? The unknown. I think that’s quite exciting.”
It does seem unlikely that Serena and Roger – who are only weeks apart in age – would both end up where they are, with the lives they’ve already lived and with kids and side projects and hundreds of millions of dollars and an endless stream of accomplishments. And they’re both GOATs, honestly. I love the respect he has for Serena and Venus, and I love that both the Williams sisters seem to adore him too. Anyway, there you go, Fed fans: your GOAT says Serena is the all-time, overall GOAT. Conversation over.
Photos courtesy of Getty, WENN, cover courtesy of WSJ. Magazine.
And greatest of all time, not women’s greatest of all time. Nailed it. He seems to really adore her and Venus and their story. Cool to see!
He is right , she is the best ever.
It is impossible to compare male and female athletes in Tennis. ( and many other sports) We would enjoy sports a lot more if we didn’t obsess over GOATs. Best of luck to both of them. I don’t know about GOAT but they are both incredible to watch.
He is a class act. I don’t follow tennis much anymore, but watching him was always amazing. He made it look effortless.
GOAT is so relative. Greatest of a generation is more realistic (in my humble opinion of course). Like people comparing (in football) Pele and Maradonna and MEssi), MEssi is the greatest BUT they where the greatest of their time, when sports where different and medicine and training and even food and diets….same here. Martina is the greatest with Stefi GRaff very close of their generation. Serena is of ours with Venus right behind (and Maria maybe third). Same with Federer and Nadal, but who can forget Andre Agassi?…I think Serena is one of the greatest, with the best story of overcoming obstacles for sure.
Totally agree, and also Pete Sampras
Cora- Maria? Only if drugs enhanced play is included in the rankings.
Im not a sports fan, lol, couldn’t remember anymore names, but you get my point 😉
Roger and Serena have been my favorite players for the last two decades so I love them both dearly, but this is a purely political answer from Roger. Anyone who suggests that the title goes to anyone other than Serena gets slammed for undervaluing the contributions of female athletes etc. and it’s skewed a really interesting debate. Before Serena held the slam record it belonged to Steffie, and nobody in their right mind would have suggested that she was the greatest player to play the game, and that’s because she wasn’t. The men’s and women’s games are completely different animals, and this insistence on downplaying that is absurd. Serena is without a doubt a once in a lifetime athlete, who has accomplished many phenomenal things, but that is not the same as being the most skilled, most dominant, or greatest person to ever play the game of tennis. We should be able to recognize and celebrate different achievements without erasing the complexities of the debate.
Two greatest players i grew up watching. Love the mutual respect.
100%
And I love following the happiness she has found in her personal life. She’s the GOAT, beautiful, happy and a true inspiration.
I love her and what’s she’s has to battle?? No damn comparison. She my idol 💖⭐️🙌🏼👑
I love her and think she is the greatest. Federer comes off as a class act all the way. Love them both. Well said Roger.
People are really telling on themselves in these comments. “He can’t possibly mean it, it’s a politically correct answer.” Well… he said what he said.