Follow us on Google Discover Roger Federer continues to be in the tennis discussion despite retiring in 2022, largely for his efforts on the court.
Former world number one Federer won 103 ATP titles during his phenomenal career, including 20 Grand Slam titles.
Only Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are ahead of the iconic figure on the all-time list, although Federer made many opponents the most nervous among the trio.
Djokovic tops the pile with 24 titles, one away from the all-time tennis record, with Nadal boasting 22 triumphs.
Federer returned to the court at the Shanghai Masters earlier this month, showcasing his skills in an exhibition match in front of adoring fans.
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What Roger Federer did in a match against Steve Johnson in 2020 which was ‘remarkable’
He remains a key figure within the sport despite not playing competitively, with Federer now the subject of nostalgia from his fellow former player Steve Johnson.
The American recalled on The Changeover Podcast: “I played him in Indian Wells in 2017 and lost 6-6 but it was frustrating as I had looks in both sets to win it, which was a bit frustrating as I actually had a good game plan.
“I was playing really well, I used my slice extremely well. It was frustrating him to a certain degree. He was not as comfortable as he had just beaten me eight months prior at Wimbledon, pretty routinely.
“So I left that match in 2017 thinking that I have a good game plan and I really want to play him again, I know what I can do.
“I then played him in Australia the next year and he beat me 2, 2 and 2. Something like that. Like bad. Like bad, bad. And he is able to change.
“I was trying to do similar things that I did in Indian Wells and he just said absolutely not, I am not going to let you do this. He got out of those patterns so quickly and I was like what do I do now?
“This was working and now I can’t get into this pattern. He was able to change the game plan and change what he does effortlessly.
“I was using my chip really well in Indian Wells and he was kind of getting flustered, letting me hit a couple and then I would really attack his forehand first ball.
“Go into his forehand to open up his backhand and I was doing it very well. At that time Indian Wells had really lively and bouncy courts, I was using good kicks.
“Getting it up and out of his strike zone and hitting a chip below his knees. But he would not let me do that.
“Every time in Australia, I would go good chip and deep cross, he went chip line immediately, so I was on the run.
“He would not even let me get to the second slice to then chip it down the line to get him moving. It was really remarkable. I left that match and Craig [his coach] and I were thinking he changed tactics very well.”
Who is four-time ATP champion Steve Johnson?
Like most of the ATP Tour players during Federer’s career, Johnson couldn’t replicate the feats of the Swiss legend.
But the American did manage to win four ATP titles during his time on the court, and reached number 21 in the world rankings.
He finished his career with 197 wins and 204 losses, and earned over $8million from his singles and doubles efforts combined.
A fourth round venture to Wimbledon in 2016 represented his best Grand Slam finish, while Johnson reached the third round of the other three tournaments.
YearWinnerTournamentRoundSurfaceScore2020Roger FedererAustralian OpenRound of 128Outdoor Hard63 62 622017Roger FedererATP Masters 1000 Indian WellsRound of 32Outdoor Hard76(3) 76(4)2016Roger FedererWimbledonRound of 16Outdoor Grass62 63 75Steve Johnson vs Roger Federer head-to-head record
It was indeed 2020 when Johnson met Federer as opposed to his recollection of 2018, while the Swiss star won their match 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
But the ruthlessness of Federer remains the same, with Johnson certainly not the only player to have been on the receiving end of such a masterclass on the court.