Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic (Photo : REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Tags: SPORT TENNIS))
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova weighed on the greatness of former world's no.1 Roger Federer, believing the Swiss Maestro could have racked up more clay-court titles - including French Open crowns - had not Rafael Nadal dominated the surface for more than a decade.
Navratilova, who is currently serving as head trainer for top-10 women's singles netter Agenieszka Radwanska, has no doubt Federer has not only demonstrated excellence on grass court but on the red clay as well, considering the Swiss as the 'greatest clay court player" behind Nadal in their generation, if not all time.
"Sure grass perfectly adapts to Roger"s game and makes it easier for him. But it also had to be said that Roger is probably the greatest clay court player of all time right after Rafael Nadal. Ok, maybe not of all time, but of his generation for sure," Navratilova said in an interview via Tennis World USA.
"If Nadal wasn"t there he would have won a lot more on clay. Last year against Djokovic he fought hard and was close to win the Championships again. For Roger now a good draw is very important. If he is in good health and condition there is nothing impossible for him to achieve"
As to who is the greatest tennis player of all time, the 18-time Grand Slam winner asserted that it would be hard to determine who is really the best player to ever wield a tennis racket because there are other men that stood out in different era. Nevertheless, Navratilova is confident Federer can add another Grand Slam title to his trophy haul, probably at this year's Wimbledon Open.
"It is indeed hard to say if there is a GOAT in tennis or not. When you try to compare players who played in different times and you try to compare different generations it becomes very tough to decide whether there was a player greater than anyone else. I don"t even think Roger Federer considers himself as better than Rod Laver. I think Federer has a very good chance to win Wimbledon again" said Martina, who then continued."
