Sports Illustrated declares Roger Federer best ever; Rafael Nadal rising fast
In the wake of Rafael Nadal’s win at the US Open that secured him the overall No. 1 ranking for 2010, Sports Illustrated has presented its choices for Top 10 Men’s Tennis Players of All Time.
Despite the recent buzz that Nadal has overtaken Roger Federer for the No. 1 spot, SI isn’t so swayed. Federer is a solid No. 1, with Nadal ranked just fourth on its list of all-time greats. It’s hard to argue the point on Federer, even if Nadal has passed him for current best player alive. Sixteen Grand Slams and 237 straight weeks ranked No. 1 tend to have that effect on people.
Pete Sampras is No. 2 on the list, thanks largely to his 14 Grand Slam titles, including seven at Wimbledon in eight years.
No. 3 is Rod Laver, the only man to win the single-year Grand Slam twice – as an amateur in 1962 and a professional in 1969. Nadal is fourth, having just completed his career Grand Slam, which includes an Olympic gold medal won in 2008.
Bjorn Borg is slated fifth, thanks to 11 Grand Slams in just 10 years, including four straight French Opens, five straight Wimbledons and the claim of being the only man to win both those titles for three straight years.
Sixth on the list is an interesting choice – Pancho Gonzalez – who was huge during the 1950s and early 1960s, and overcame opponents and the tinge of racism as a Latin man in an all-white sport.
American icon Andre Agassi fills in the No. 7 spot, winning eight Grand Slam singles and holding the claim to fame of being the only man to win the “Career Super Slam” – all four Slams, the Olympic gold medal and the ATP World Tour Final.
Thought to be one of the most mentally-tough players ever, Bill Tilden ranks eighth on the list. He won seven US Opens and three Wimbledon crowns during the 1920s, despite losing part of a finger in 1922.
The always-demure John McEnroe ranks ninth on the Top 10, with 16 total (seven singles) Slams in his career, one spot ahead of one of his toughest rivals, Ivan Lendl, who won 10 Slams, appeared in 19 Slam finals and went a ridiculous 1,071-239 (.818) in his career with 144 titles.
What do you think of SI’s Top 10? Who would you have ranked higher or lower? Who do you think deserves to be there that was not included?
What's on your mind? Post a comment below.
Posted by Nick on 9/16/2010 2:29:23 PM
Filed under: agassi, andre, bill, bjorn, borg, federer, gonzalez, ivan, john, laver, lendl, mcenroe, nadal, pancho, pete, rafael, rod, roger, sampras, tilden
Current rating: 5 (2 ratings)
Bookmark this page to:        
Share Your Thoughts: Post a comment below.
|