2026-08-28 08:39:45

Roger Federer can accept being ranked behind Novak Djokovic in the men’s tennis GOAT debate.

The Serb’s 24 Grand Slam wins have seen him surpass rivals Federer and Rafael Nadal as the greatest of all time in the eyes of many fans and the Swiss icon has no issues with the verdict, particularly as his former rival continues to impress on the court.

Federer, who won 20 majors during his glittering career, told ESPN: “That’s OK. He has done incredible.

“It’s amazing what he has been able to do, and still now. I would have thought that maybe he was getting to a place where all of a sudden we would see a much bigger decline.

“But last year he reached the semis of the four majors and then again this year again very strong. It’s fascinating to see how he is able to keep himself in shape and he is playing less and less but still able to come through.

“He’s an amazing player who has solidified himself so well. Not only on the hard courts that he is famous for but on grass and clay. He has made so many improvements throughout his career. I saw the flaws he used to have in his game and how he was able to iron those out. It’s amazing and biggest congrats to him.”

Meanwhile, Federer explained that the 2008 Wimbledon final defeat to Nadal and his loss to Juan Martin Del Petro in the 2009 US Open final are the Grand Slam results that haunt him the most – even though he squandered two championship points in his 2019 Wimbledon showpiece defeat against Djokovic.

The former world number one: “I think the US Open final here in 2009 against Delpo haunts me more.

“Because it broke an incredible streak of five (US Open victories), and I knew I was never going to get that back. I felt that I missed out so many chances throughout the match. And that for me is a big regret I have. And maybe the Wimbledon finals against Rafa in 2008 as well, which also snapped a super-streak.

“So funnily enough I have more regrets against Rafa and Delpo than I have with the Novak matches because there were also two matches here [at the US Open] where I had match points.

“I’m the king of missing match points it seems like. I don’t know what happens in those match points but it’s OK, no problem.”

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