Why Is Roger Federer Considered To Be The Best Tennis Player?

Have you ever wondered why one of the first names that come to your mind when you hear the word “tennis” is Roger Federer? Even though he doesn’t stand on the podium in 2020 (he’s fifth according to ATP ranking), his name can’t be omitted in the heated discussions over Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) in tennis. 

But what does it mean to be the greatest? Is it only about the statistics? Can we compare the players from twenty years ago with the contemporary ones? Those questions still pop up during quarrels about whether Djokovic or Nadal can take Federer’s title.  

Millions of fans cheer Federer on during the Grand Slams transmissions on the TV or tennis live stream each year. Despite being almost in his 40’s, he is still the icon that we love and admire. Why are there still so many Federer loyalists? 

What Does It Mean to Be an Icon?

Roger Federer took his first steps on the court almost 20 years ago. Till now, he has won 20 Grand Slams, which is more than any other male player. He spent 310 weeks at the number one spot of the ATP rankings. As numbers show - that’s something. He possessed one of the biggest forehands in tennis and was titled as unbeatable in the mid-2000s, winning 12 out of his 18 Slams. By then, he has already been considered the most extraordinary tennis talent ever. But then, suddenly, on the court appeared a teenager able to catch up with him - Rafael Nadal.

There are rumors and predictions that Rafael Nadal is likely to equal and maybe even beat Federer’s most significant achievement (the 20 Grand Slams) soon. However, sport is not only about numbers, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that he is the greatest. Nadal is much younger, and, naturally, there will be someone who beats the champions at some point.  

To be an icon is to evoke certain emotions in the audience. If you are a fan that grew up with Federer being on the top, it’s not easy to get rid of that vision regardless of his current position. It’s always like that in sport, not only in tennis. Back in the day, when Diego Maradona was considered to be the greatest football player, everybody thought of him as the most shining star, even when his career was slowly collapsing.

The Elegant Role Model

Tennis is one of the most elite sports. There is a claim that it’s a “sport for the rich.” It’s elegant, classy, and so is Roger Federer. With his appearance and personality. He’s just an embodiment of all the associations with this sport and its concept. 

In the past, all the players had to play in white clothing. It was Andre Agassi who broke this rule, and other players slowly started following him. Even though Federer stood against the white dress, his personality is white - the way he answers during interviews, and how he adheres to his fans. He is humble and just “human.” And that’s the reason for his fans’ worship.

Moreover, he plays tennis beautifully and elegantly. He doesn’t run all over the court, and the way he moves is economical and not as aggressive as his opponents. He maneuvers the racket with grace, and his backhand is classy, smooth, and looks as if it was effortless. That’s what we love when we think about icons. Not only the success but being a role model to admire.  

The Best on All the Courts 

Playing on clay courts is different than on the grass or the hard surface. Usually, tennis players master one of those, so they win either the French Open, US Open, or Wimbledon - the last one being the only one played on grass. Roger Federer has a unique, versatile talent, as he can master all the surfaces. 

Wimbledon is his cup of tea. However, it doesn’t exclude Federer’s excellence on the clay as he was also second-best on 5 French Open Finals. As it was once told on the BBC: “you’re either a clay court specialist, a grass court specialist, or a hard-court specialist… or you’re Roger Federer.” That’s what makes him the GOAT - using the racket as a wand regardless of the conditions.  

The Bottom Line 

Sport evokes in us extreme emotions. We watch tournaments and games with the whole family, pets, and partners and support our favorite players or teams. Consequently, the role models in sport are of such importance. There is no other area in which we would idealize the icons to that great extent.

Roger Federer is embedded in our culture as a tennis symbol; he’s almost synonymous with this game. The whole cult over his persona and his talent has been growing for nearly twenty years, and regardless of the outcome of the next Grand Slam, he would remain the greatest tennis player in the eyes of his fans.