Rosset reveals why Roger Federer is still the goat
Roger Federer is undoubtedly the most beloved tennis player of all time, succeeding in the feat of transcending his sport to become a global icon. The 20-time Grand Slam champion played his last match at the 2022 Laver Cup, which took place in the wonderful setting of the O2 Arena in London.
Despite this aspect, the Swiss Master is perhaps the tennis player who had the greatest impact in the history of tennis. Thanks to his elegant and comprehensive playing style, King Roger has entered the hearts of fans becoming one of the most iconic athletes of all time.
Marc Rosset on the GOAT debate
In a long interview with Tennis Magazin, former ATP ace Marc Rosset discussed his relationship with Roger Federer: “We had an agreement. When I won the Olympic Games, I said that he could win everything except the Games (laughs). Seriously, it was a shame he couldn’t achieve it, I would have liked him to win in 2012, in London. It would have been exactly twenty years after my greatest success, so it would have been very nice to share it with him. I’m not really the type of person who prefers to be the only one to win a gold medal.”
He also reflected on the GOAT debate: “It all depends on what being the best means. If we look at Grand Slam numbers, then Nadal and Djokovic are better. If we consider the player with the greatest influence in the sport, for me, it’s Roger. Much of what makes up this sport now, like the attention or the prize money, we owe to him. In basketball, there was a before and after Michael Jordan. People who love Federer will say Federer is the GOAT, but those crazy about Novak will tell you it’s Novak. Those who support Nadal will outright say he has won everything.”
Federer is getting some rest
Over the years, Federer has created a beautiful relationship with his eternal rival Rafa Nadal. The two champions have played memorable matches that have entered the history of tennis, but have always maintained a great mutual respect. “I think the world is a bit puzzled sometimes how we can be good friends. But I think it’s possible to play tough and fair, but yet on the side be friendly. When he hit the tour, you could feel that there was something really special there. He was going to win Slams, we knew it. I was at the top at the time, so for him to respect me was a very natural, normal thing,” Federer said in his documentary.
“I just couldn’t quite figure him out and unlock him. I remember him as a young boy being very shy, struggled to give you the eye contact, you know and all that. And he always said, “Oh, whatever Roger wants, I’m happy with that.” And then as time went by, he became a very strong personality, more confident as well and wanted his own ways, which I was happy to see. So I have to really find a way and dig deeper and look into myself, saying, like, “Okay, how am I going to deal with this now” – he added.
King Roger is on holiday in Italy after attending the Coldplay concert at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The 20-time Grand Slam champion then went to Sicily to enjoy a few relaxing days with his family. Fans hope that the Swiss will arrange some exhibition matches with his old rivals in the coming years, but this decision is linked to the condition of his knee. Meanwhile, Federer is expected to attend the 2024 Laver Cup in Berlin. Rafael Nadal will also be present at the event, who has not yet decided whether to continue playing after the Paris Olympics. The Spaniard is enrolled in the US Open, but his presence is not certain.
