For five years, the collective tennis world has been captivated with watching Roger Federer compete for the title of the greatest tennis player of all time.
While Federer is still just shy of Pete Sampras’ record, 2009 could be the season that he surpasses Sampras’ record of fourteen Grand Slam titles.
Some critics believe Roger will be the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time) if he can do one of two things: win fifteen majors or else win Roland Garros. Roger could do both next year, but he will still fall short in his pursuit of the GOAT distinction. Pete Sampras was a remarkable champion, but he too was eclipsed by another player.
Twenty years ago, a West German woman by the name of Stefanie Graf accomplished a feat that has never been rivaled since—the Golden Slam. If winning a calendar year Slam is a miraculous accomplishment, imagine capping it off with an Olympic gold medal?
Even if Federer were to accomplish this in 2012 (unlikely given the current depth on the ATP Tour), he might still fall short of Graf’s legacy. Federer currently has thirteen Grand Slams, only one behind Pete Sampras. When Graf retired in 1999, she ended her distinguished career with twenty-two Grand Slam singles titles.
A quick comparison between Graf, Sampras, and Federer only highlights her superiority.
Career Grand Slam Singles Titles
Graf: 22
Sampras: 14
Federer: 13
Overall Weeks at No. 1
Graf: 377
Sampras: 286
Federer: 237
Career Non-Grand Slam Singles Titles
Graf: 85
Sampras: 50
Federer: 43
Roland Garros Titles (The litmus test for the ATP GOAT)
Graf: 6
Sampras: 0
Federer: 0
Remember, Graf did not accomplish these achievements during years of player drought on the Tour. Many of her contemporaries, including Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, and Monica Seles are also considered some of the most successful players of all-time.
I wholeheartedly agree! Steffi Graf is often overlooked in the category of Greatest of All Time when she clearly dominated the sport and her peers. Her achievements are unparalleled by either male or female and she always demonstrated class and sportswomanship on the court.
It’s hard to just say this or that player is the greatest with any confidence. I prefer to think of a number of great players who where faces of the tennis epochs. Faces that I and many others grew up. Martina and Steffi in the womens side, and one or two others. Pete, Roger and a few more on the mens. I guess some see Steffi’s achievements as somewhat devalued by the competitive loss of Monica after the stabbing. But that’s unfair to Steffi.
I totally love STEFFI GRAF! She’s the bestest player ever!
I hope she gets to read this.