Roger Federer

[Shaggy]

It makes you sick doesn't it. He was on FC Basel's books and had to choose between tennis and football. Reckons he prefers football an all, he was just "slightly better at tennis"!!!!

[Red Chilli]

He's the tennis equivalent of Phil Taylor.

It'd be interesting to watch a Sampras v Federer Wimbledon final with both players at their peak

[Shaggy]

Rog'd beat him in straight sets!

[Red_Al_77]

Thing is I don't think we've even seen the best of Federer yet. Probably a couple of years from his peak.

[Shaggy]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A19225947?s_fromedit=1

My colleague Matt Slater was on these 606 pages the other day suggesting, among other things, that Andy Murray is over-hyped.

Matt may be right and I would suggest that all those people who, in the wake of his valiant defeat to Rafael Nadal, hailed Murray as a dead cert to win Grand Slam titles were conveniently forgetting one man.

Roger Federer.

While he is fit and motivated, the best Murray, and indeed anyone else, can hope for is to be the second best in the world.

Federer was mind-blowing in his annihilation of Andy Roddick on Thursday . If you didn't see it, watch the highlights. On second thoughts, watch the whole thing - it'll take less than an hour and a half of your time.

BBC analyst John Lloyd reckons it's the greatest individual performance he's ever seen - better than John McEnroe's defeat of Ivan Lendl in the 1984 US Open final.

I am struggling to think of a better one.

This was a Grand Slam semi-final against an in-form player, a player who has made big strides since linking up with Jimmy Connors after Wimbledon, a player who has tested Federer in the past and was expected to do so again.

But Federer established his authority in a close first set and then pounded winner after outrageous, miraculous, breathtaking winner past a despairing Roddick. He was, as he himself admitted later, unbeatable.

I've heard many people call Federer's dominance boring. It is true, he has no genuine rivals and in the form he is in, he is overwhelming favourite to win any tournament he enters - with Nadal apparently hitting a plateau, who would bet against him winning Roland Garros in June?

But I say, celebrate it. Roger Federer is probably the greatest tennis player that ever lived - and he happened in our lifetimes. Tell me what's boring about that..

[Maestro]

He's the tennis equivalent of Phil Taylor.

It'd be interesting to watch a Sampras v Federer Wimbledon final with both players at their peak

[disco]

Enjoy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/sol/newsid_6290000/newsid_6299000?redirect=6299069.stm&news=1&bbwm=1&bbram=1

Ridiculous

[AFII]

Federer is the greatest tennis player ever. Sampras had a booming serve and his game was based around that to an extent. Federer has everything.

I agree with you. The other top players have a weakness but Federer doesn't and that make it very difficult to come up with any tactic against him.

He could probably win playing a serve-volley game. The only player that have any chance against him is Nadal on clay.

[mick the click]

I've just watched it - Federer had total control - annihilated Roddick. Then again, he's stuff anyone playing like that. Some of his shots were unreal.

Fekkin genius!

[Guest]

There were very strong suspicions about doping charges on Nadal approx. one year ago. (From the same doctor who accused Lance Armstrong)

Since then, Nadal has lost weight and has not won anything.

[AFII]

There were very strong suspicions about doping charges on Nadal approx. one year ago. (From the same doctor who accused Lance Armstrong)

Since then, Nadal has lost weight and has not won anything.

I also heard about that. He hasn't won much else than on clay so we will have to wait until the clay season starts to see if he is still as good as before.

I think that Federer will win all four Grand Slams this season.

[SouthAfricaRed]

I think that Federer will win all four Grand Slams this season.

That would be the ultimate proof that he's the Best EVER (So Far anyway )

[Red Chilli]

That would be the ultimate proof that he's the Best EVER (So Far anyway )

Not really, Rod Laver did it and he won more Slams.

[SouthAfricaRed]

Not really, Rod Laver did it and he won more Slams.

I think the competition is a lot better these days. To repeat Laver's feat is a lot more difficult today.

Personally I think, Federer has the potential to be the Best ever, but he's far from confirming it.

Sampras holds that spot for me - For Now anyway

[SouthAfricaRed]

So much better it's untrue.

I'm unlucky enough to have seen only clips from the Roddick destruction, but as I said in the Aus Open thread, he's the greatest sportsman on the planet today. He plays incessant jaw-dropping shots and he's a ****in joy to watch. Complete and utter control, perpetual motion, elegance and an absolute master of his trade.

The Game against Roddick reminded me of the Sampras/Aggasi Final at Wimbledon. It was the 1999 Final. Sampras also played Perfect Tennis and Destroyed Agassi who was the Number 2 in the World at that stage. Same pattern - Aggasi was in the game in the First Set and after that it was one way traffic