Who Is The Greatest: Roger Federer Or Steffi Graf?
By Anton Lagani, Lawn Tennis Correspondent, Posted: Monday, November 26, 2007 7:01am CST USA
Whenever world number one Roger Federer of Switzerland loses a
tennis match, it's a shock and a major upset, as he so dominates the game of tennis today. But not long ago, in the late 80's and early 90's another
player who I think was even greater than Federer was more or less unstoppable when she was on her game, Steffi Graf of Germany.
I give Graf the edge as the best tennis player ever over Federer in part due to her better clay court record, more impressive career record and total
number of grand slams won. I also think Venus or Serena Williams could in theory claim the best ever; should one sister outplay the other for a period of
years which is unlikely as they both are excellent players.
Best Year: 27-1 in both 2006 and 2007 at the grand slams losing in both French Open finals.
Graf of Germany
Best Year: 28-0 in 1988 at the grand slams plus won Olympic Gold in singles.
Tennis Player
Roger Federer
Steffi Graf
Birthdate
August 8, 1981
June 14, 1969
Age
26
30 (Age upon retirement)
Height
6' 1'' (185 cm)
5' 9" (1.76 m)
Weight
177 lbs (80 kg)
141 lbs (64 kg)
Place Of Birth
Binningen, Basel-Land, Switzerland
Mannheim, West Germany
Residence
Oberwil, Switzerland
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Plays
Right-handed
Right-handed
Turned Pro
1998
1982
ATP/WTA Tour Rank
1
Retired in 1999 at No. 3 as the highest ranked player to retire.
Career Record
551-134
902-115
Weeks Spent At Number 1
200 (currently ranked number 1)
377
Singles Tournaments Won
53
107
Career Earnings
$38,707,078
$21,895,277
Grand Slams Won
12 (Australian Open-3, Wimbledon-5, US Open-4)
22 (Australian Open-4, French Open-6, Wimbledon-7, US Open-5)
Weapon
Forehand, all court game, consistency
Forehand, movement, all court game
Only Player Ever To
Win the Wimbledon and US Open singles titles back to back for four consecutive years.
Win the Golden Grand Slam (in 1988 won all four glam slams plus Gold in Olympic singles).
Power Statistic
Has reached the final in his last 10 grand slams.
Only person ever to have won at least four singles titles at each grand slam event.
Has Never Won
French Open (best result: Finalist 2007)
Won every significant tournament attempted
Facts
Currently ranked World No. 1 since February 2, 2004 for a male or female record of 200 consecutive weeks. Match records for 2005 and 2006
81-4 and 92-5.
Nicknamed "Fraulein Forehand" for her powerful forehand. Won 66 matches in a row (1989-1990), Finished 1987 and 1989
with records of 75-2 and 86-2.
