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Tennis and stuff. > August 2010

Roger Federer's Quest for 20 Grand Slams

One big obstacle in his way

First the pink shirt, now the red-letter number.

Roger Federer, fresh off another win at the Rogers Cup Thursday, made it known that his sights are set on retiring with 20 Grand Slam singles crowns. That means he’ll have to win four more before he hangs up the “RF” playing gear for the final time, a lofty goal even by his standards, considering he just turned 29 years old.

To do so, Federer will have to do what only two men have done in the Open Era – win at least four Grand Slam titles after turning 29.

The two?

Rod Laver, who did all his post-28 damage in the beginning of the Era, and

Andre Agassi, who defied all logic and reason to win five Slams between the ages of 29 and 33.

The biggest obstacle to Federer’s new quest isn’t his age, his health or even his mental game. It’s a fellow by the name of Rafael Nadal Parera, who has piled up five Slams in the last three years, and who at the tender age of 24 is the only realistic possibility to catch Federer’s career mark of 16 majors won.

Nadal’s presence is the fly in the ointment of Federer’s plan. As much as I admire what Agassi did in his later years, he was able to pile up a lot of titles in a dead zone in the ATP. We can consider the span from 1999-2003 as the eye between two huge hurricanes.

Pete Sampras had slowed down and Federer hadn’t quite ascended the throne. It was the perfect time for someone else to swoop in and clean up.

Jimmy Connors won three Slams after age 28, but his endurance and durability might have been unprecedented in all of tennis history. Hell, the guy made the semifinals of the US Open at age 39! Ivan Lendl and Sampras won two each Slams each after age 28.

Federer has proven himself one of the greatest players of all-time to reach 16 Grand Slams. To make his new goal of 20, he’ll have to be even greater.

What's on your mind? Post a comment below.

Posted by Nick on 8/13/2010 7:33:25 AM

Filed under: agassi, andre, connors, federer, grand, ivan, jimmy, laver, lendl, nadal, open, pete, rafael, rod, roger, sampras, slam, us

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Comments

	Valdde
	THATS A BIG GOAL TO COMPLETE WHEN YOU HAVE NADAL IN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BRACKET AND HE IS 5 YEARS YOUNGER.
	8/13/2010 2:14:38 PM

	marvin
	maybe he can still accomplish it, but still at his age now, i'll bet 21 grand slam singles title, how about that !! haha
	8/30/2010 1:19:06 AM

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