Who is the greatest tennis player of all time?

[BillVol]

It's easy to name the current star as the best ever. But is Federer better than Borg or McEnroe or Connors? (Don't bring up Sampras' name, since he shouldn't be mentioned with these three in the same breath.) I don't think Rod Laver or Don Budge ever won a major on a hardcourt. So just who is the best tennis player of all time? I have to go with the "Rocket," Rod Laver, as the best of all time.

[guru]

Nadal claims Slam #19, and at "just" 33 years old may well pass Serena Williams/Margaret Court by the time he's done. Certainly 25 is reasonable, with 2 or 3 more French titles likely, and at least a couple more hard court slams doable(if he stays healthy).

[Atticus]

Nadal claims Slam #19, and at "just" 33 years old may well pass Serena Williams/Margaret Court by the time he's done. Certainly 25 is reasonable, with 2 or 3 more French titles likely, and at least a couple more hard court slams doable(if he stays healthy).

When he lost sets 3 & 4, I thought he was toast. Great 'comeback'.

[jazzcyclist]

When he lost sets 3 & 4, I thought he was toast. Great 'comeback'.

I did too but then they showed the stat that Nadal was 208-1 when winning first two sets and the other guy was 0-4 when losing the first two sets. I don't know who the GOAT is in men's tennis but IMO, he's definitely an active player, not a retired player. As for Serena, it's amazing that she can still play at such a high level at her age when you consider how long her contemporaries (eg. Clijsters, Henin, Hingis) have been out of the game.

[Atticus]

I did too but then they showed the stat that Nadal was 208-1 when winning his first two sets and the other guy was 0-4 when going losing the first two sets. I don't know who the GOAT is in men's tennis but IMO, he's definitely an active player, not a retired player.

Interesting counter-intuitive stat.
I agree on the GOAT, but I keep rotating through Fed - Djo - Nad!

[jazzcyclist]

Interesting counter-intuitive stat.
I agree on the GOAT, but I keep rotating through Fed - Djo - Nad!

I think it will remain an open question until all 3 hang up their racquets for good. If the jury had to come back with a decision today it would declare a mistrial.

[CookyMonzta]

I did too but then they showed the stat that Nadal was 208-1 when winning first two sets and the other guy was 0-4 when losing the first two sets. I don't know who the GOAT is in men's tennis but IMO, he's definitely an active player, not a retired player. As for Serena, it's amazing that she can still play at such a high level at her age when you consider how long her contemporaries (eg. Clijsters, Henin, Hingis) have been out of the game.

Clijsters (36 and 7 years retired) is about to rejoin the fray, seeing how Club Fed (38-39 next season) and the sisters (Serena 38 next season; Venus 39-40 next season) are still in business.

[jazzcyclist]

Clijsters (36 and 7 years retired) is about to rejoin the fray, seeing how Club Fed (38-39 next season) and the sisters (Serena 38 next season; Venus 39-40 next season) are still in business.

I like it. Do you remember how she embarrassed Serena the last time she returned from maternity leave?

[502CD]

If I needed one match to win the world I'd still go with Sampras, unless it was clay then I'd go Nadal.

[bambam1729]

There was an interesting commentary in the booth last weekend between matches. It was Chris Fowler, Patrick McEnroe and Brad Gilbert and they were discussing who was the GOAT. All 3 picked Federer. They Fowler asked, "One match with your life on the line - who do you want to play it?" All 3 picked Nadal. In the discussion their reasoning was, he will never quit, he will compete 100% on every shot, and he will never give up.

I agree on the 2nd one - hard to call the GOAT I think, and I think jazzy is right that it's too close and too early to call. However, Nadal has been my favorite athlete, any sport, and maybe of all-time, for up to 10 years now - my wife says I have a bromance with him. He reminds me of Connors with his effort but much more talent than he had.