
“It’s
uncanny—he’s never out of place.”
—Tennis legend Rod Laver
"Oh, I would
be honored to even be compared to Roger. He is such an unbelievable talent,
and is capable of anything. Roger could be the greatest tennis player
of all time."
—Laver
The game needs
him…let’s hope he has the same drive that Sampras had for
so long.”
—Hall of Famer Jack Kramer
“He’s creating every point as it should be.”
—Former Swiss Davis Cup coach
Jakob Hlasek
“This is a guy
who buys drinks for photographers and thanks reporters who show up for
his press conferences.”
—Sportswriter Rene Stauffer
“Roger has this
natural instinct for getting better—and he did. I find that incredible.
I always had someone to tell me if something was wrong. He just feels
it.”
—Swiss star Martina Hingis
“He stays back
better than me, his backhand is better, and his forehand is just as good.”
—All-time great Pete Sampras
“For the next
four or five years, his competition will be the record books.”
—Sampras
“He’s
a really great guy. He respects people.”
—Doubles partner Jonas Bjorkman
“His shot-making
is second to none.”
—Australian star Lleyton Hewitt
“I wish I could
play like Roger Federer.”
—Superstar Serena WIlliams
“Tennis has
never seen anything quite like him.”
—Sportswriter S.L. Price
“In this age
of nuclear equipment and super-sized players, Federer plays with the deftness
of long-ago men of modest size in long white slacks, rolled-up shirtsleeves
and wooden rackets.”
—Sportswriter George Vecsey
"He's the most
gifted player that I've ever seen in my life. I've seen a lot of
people play. I've seen the (Rod) Lavers, I played against some of
the great players—the Samprases, Beckers, Connors, Borgs, you name
it. This guy could be the greatest of all time. That, to me, says it all."
—Tennis
legend John McEnroe
"If
you want to be a tennis player, then mould yourself on Roger Federer.
I won three Wimbledon titles and I wish I could play like him."
—McEnroe
“This guy is
the real deal, and his game is the whole package.”
—Broadcaster Patrick McEnroe
“He can hit
from anywhere on the court and plays with elegance.”
—McEnroe
“You can talk
to Roger like a simple man on the street.”
—Swiss tennis official Roger
Brennwald
“Roger is a magician.”
—Russian star Marat Safin
“He’s
young and explosive and has a powerful game.”
—All-time great Andre Agassi
“He’s
a genius.”
—2004 French Open ChampionGaston
Gaudio
"We have a guy
from Switzerland who is just playing the game in a way I haven't seen
anyone - and I mean anyone - play before. How fortunate we are to be able
to see that. If he stays healthy and motivated - and the wonderful feel
he has stays with him - he is the kind of guy who can overtake the greatest."
—All-time great Boris Becker
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