This Classic Million Dollar question is very much for public debate for all sport’s, who is the greatest ever since ages. Who is the greatest Athlete, Tennis player, Footballer, Cricketer, Hockey Player......Ever!!! But this question is not that simple objective type to answer. You go for a poll and you will find people are evenly divided on names of greatest ever in every sport. Yes the achievement of Roger Federer is a Record now. 15 Grand slams, 6 Wimbledon that too 5 consecutive which equals Bjorn Borg record, 5 US Open, 3 Australian & 2009 French Open Championship. Federer will go on 2-3 years more with his winning spree thus atleast 5 more grand slam will come to his bag hopefully. There are 5 All time best players Bjorn Borg (11 Grand slam, 63 Single wins), Pete Sampras (14 GS, 64 SW), Roger Federer (15 GS, 60 SW), Rod Laver (11 GS) & Roy Emerson (12 GS) in which last 2 were just part of open & amateur era. All are great champions in different decades. As time changes thus the dynamic of game also changes, even if it’s not in a drastic way, but it changes in power, style and technique each passing decade for sure. We should also take into consideration the fact that who were rivals of these great geniuses at that particular time and how tough were their challenges to these champions. Many sports analysts, tennis critics, former and current player consider Federer to be the greatest Tennis player of all time. Federer’s versatility is epitomized by Jimmy Connors statement, “In an era of specialists \" you’re either a clay court specialist, a grass court specialist, or a hard court specialist ….or you’re Roger Federer” His forehand is referred by McEnore, “the greatest shot in our sport”. Whilst Pete Sampras was an all court player who would often serve-and-volley. He was known for producing aces on critical points, even with the second serves. He had an accurate and powerful first serve, one of the best of all time. His second serve was nearly as powerful as his first, possibly his most dangerous weapon.
Tennis is filled with instances of precocious achievement and championship but none is as impressive as those of Bjorn Borg. Before reaching the age 21, Borg registered feats that would set him apart as one of the games great. A mystery to many, certainly a genius on all surface who left the game at the age of 26!!!! On his retirement at the age of 26, Borg told, “I have a feeling that winning or losing doesn’t matter to me now. I thought it’s time to say good bye to the game.” He played once in Australian Open in 1974 at the age of 18 and lost. He never played in Australian Open after that. If he had played on that tournament then he might crossed even 15 Grand slam title??? Borg had one of the most distinctive playing styles in the open era. Borg played from the baseline with powerful ground-strokes and a double handed backhand (very rare at the time and unorthodox).He was one of the first top players to use heavy topspin on his shots consistently. Complementing his consistent ground-stroke was his fitness. His physical conditioning was legendary as he could outlast most of his opponent under the most grueling condition. Some expert attributed his dominance on Wimbledon to his consistency, an underrated serve, and his adaptation to the grass court. Another trait usually associated with Borg is his grace under pressure. His calm court demeanor earned him the nickname of the “Ice Man” or “Ice Borg”. In 2008, ESPON.COM asked tennis analysts, writers and former player to build the perfect open era player. Borg was the only player mentioned in 4 categories-Defense, Footwork, Intangibles and Mental Toughness. His Mental Game and Footwork singled-out as the best in open era history. So this question of greatest ever can’t be answered in any way. All these greats have their own playing technique, style and temperament which make them exclusive and extra ordinary with great fan followings.
Posted by IBNLive at 09:41 AM, Jul 06, 2009 | Updated at 09:49 AM, Jul 06, 2009 in Sports
srikantiah (4478 posts)
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