Follow us on Google Discover Roger Federer is one of the greatest sportsmen to ever exist, and his legacy in tennis continues to live on.
Federer played in an exhibition at the recent Shanghai Masters, and that has got the juices flowing among tennis lovers everywhere over a comeback of sorts.
It’s been mentioned that a seniors tour featuring Federer and Rafael Nadal could be in the offing, and it remains to be seen what happens on that front.
When it comes to discussing Federer, Nadal and Novak Djokovic, everyone has their favourite from the three.
There is never a right or wrong answer, but what about the players who have come up against the Big Three during their careers?
Juan Ignacio Chela has no doubt as to why Federer comes out head and shoulders above anyone else.
Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty ImagesJuan Ignacio Chela explains why Roger Federer is the best ever
Anyone associated with tennis will always have their favourite players when it comes to the big three.
Andy Roddick made his decision on the best ever in 2009 and even though Djokovic is still playing, the greatest ever discussion is still one that is ongoing.
Chela came up against Federer six times during his career and managed to win just a single set against him.
Now, in an interview with Punto de Break, he’s pledged his allegiance to Federer when it comes to the greatest ever tennis player.
He said: “They beat him in numbers, but for me Roger is the greatest. I experienced it firsthand. I only won a set against him, once, in Miami: I couldn’t stand on the court against him.
“He took me off the baseline: with his serve, with a drop shot, he took time off me on the forehand, on the second shot after the return… if you ask Chat GPT to make you the ideal tennis player, I think he makes Roger.
“The others surpassed him in numbers, but for me, no one has the ease, talent and class of Federer.”
YearTournamentScore2011Indian Wells6-0, 6-22010Canadian Open7-6, 6-32006Rome Masters6-2, 6-12004Indian Wells6-2, 6-12003Miami Open6-1, 3-6, 6-12002Sydney Open6-3, 6-3Roger Federer wins vs Juan Ignacio ChelaThe greatest ever debate will rumble on
As with any sport, there will always be a division when it comes to choosing the best player to ever play in their respective field.
Tennis is perhaps slightly different in the sense that Nadal was clearly the best player on clay, Federer was the king on grass and Djokovic simply has the most Grand Slams of the three.
With Djokovic having no intention of retiring, this debate will stand up to the test of time and it seems clear that nobody is matching his haul of major titles any time soon.
Chela’s comments will simply prove what everyone has always said about Federer, however, in that his elegance and class are better than anything seen before.
PlayerAustralian OpenFrench OpenWimbledonUS OpenRoger Federer6185Novak Djokovic10374Rafael Nadal21424The Big Three Grand Slam titles
Whilst Djokovic and Nadal gave every last drop of their being to be successful, things seemed to come more natural to Federer.
It rarely looked like the Swiss superstar broke sweat with his trademark headband arguably the most pointless sporting attire in history given that there was rarely any sweat to mop.
These comments will naturally further spark the debate and perhaps Federer also remains the most iconic player to ever use a racket and that might not change any time soon.