One of the difficulties in determining the ‘greatest player of all time’ in tennis is the significant difference between eras. Playing with wooden rackets is not the same as using modern ones made of graphite or carbon, and playing styles have also evolved. However, according to legend Stan Smith, there is one player who could have been successful in all eras and is, therefore, the greatest of all time.
Smith is considered one of the biggest tennis players ever. He is one of the few players who became World No. 1 in both singles and doubles, having won seven Grand Slam titles in total. In singles, he conquered the 1971 US Open and the 1972 Wimbledon. In doubles, he won five US Open titles (1968, 1974, 1978, 1980) and one Australian Open (1970).
The 78-year-old legend discussed the GOAT debate with Corriere Della Sera in November 2020 (via Sportskeeda), and said that he thinks Roger Federer could have been equally successful with a wooden racket as well. “In my all-time rankings, I put Roger Federer ahead of Rod Laver, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg,” Smith said.
“The game was different in the past with a wooden racket, less powerful and slower; if you didn’t hit a ball in the perfect center of the head, you would miss. I believe that the only one who would be equally successful with a wooden racquet is Roger Federer; he plays clean and flat, as we did,” he explained.
While Federer is still regarded as one of the most complete, creative and elegant players in the history of tennis, many stars and legends have started considered Djokovic as the best player ever due to his best numbers in Grand Slam titles (24), as well as other stats, including his head-to-head against the Swiss star and Rafael Nadal.
Federer’s impressive career: ‘I don’t need all the records’
Speaking of his impact on the sport with Sky Sports ahead of his retirement in 2022, Federer reflected on what he and Serena Williams, also born in 1981, did for tennis. “I think we are definitely the bridge, you know, for a very long time, from the older generation to the new generation, which I think has been a privilege for me, to play across generations like this,” he said.
“Same for her. She brought the power game in like no other and she’s obviously been so instrumental with that,” he added. Certainly, both Federer and Serena Williams, especially her, started winning titles when they were young against older stars such as Andre Agassi or Steffi Graf.
However, despite ending third in the Grand Slam race, Federer said in the same interview that he was happy with his career. “The last few years have been what they have been, but I’m very happy that I was able to win another five slams from 15 on. For me it was incredible,” Federer said. “Then I made it to over 100 titles, and all that stuff has been fantastic. Then just my longevity is something I’m very proud of. Don’t need all the records to be happy; I tell you that.”
While Djokovic and Nadal surpass Federer in Grand Slam titles, the Swiss star will always have a place in history as the first of the three to achieve certain feats, such as reaching 20 majors and extending his career while remaining at the top beyond the age of 35. However, he still holds some impressive records, including being ranked World No. 1 for 237 consecutive weeks and winning eight Wimbledon titles.