Federer shocks by naming the 5 greatest tennis players of all time

The discussion about the greatest tennis player ever is probably endless.

Roger Federer has just revealed the five players he considers the greatest of all time. True to his humble nature, he did not include himself on the list. Instead, the Swiss legend picked longtime rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, along with Pete Sampras and Boris Becker.

Up to this point, the choices seem predictable. But his fifth pick is truly surprising. “I have to go back to those who inspired me”, Federer said on the YouTube channel Complex.

Federer explained that he always needed role models to look up to, icons whose pictures he once hung on his wall and dreamed of becoming like. “For me, it was Stefan Edberg, the Swedish player,” Federer stated.

The Swiss legend also revealed that his graceful playing style was partly inspired by Edberg.

After Edberg, Federer continued to mention names that shaped his childhood and career: “Boris Becker from Germany – he and Edberg often faced off, and I watched them on TV. Then Pete Sampras from the US. And of course, Nadal and possibly Djokovic.”

Although not often listed among the top candidates for “greatest of all time,” Stefan Edberg had an impressive career. Between 1985 and 1992, he won six Grand Slam singles titles, including two Wimbledon championships.

Edberg is regarded as one of the best serve-and-volley players in history, known for his quick movement and smooth, elegant style—a style later reminiscent of Federer himself.

Like his Swiss junior, Edberg used a one-handed backhand with great artistry. However, unlike Federer, his shot was nearly “surgical” in precision—becoming a formidable weapon alongside his famous forehand.

Despite his outstanding talent, Edberg never dominated tennis as some of his contemporaries did. In the Open Era, ten players have won more Grand Slam titles than him, including two fellow Swedes: Bjorn Borg with 11 titles and Mats Wilander with 7.

Other famous names Federer left out include Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi, and John McEnroe—each having won eight Grand Slam titles.

By numbers, Djokovic leads with a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles. Nadal follows with 22, and Federer ranks third with 20. At different times, all three held the record as the most successful male player in history—a title once held by American legend Pete Sampras, who had 14 titles before Federer surpassed him in 2009.

The fact that Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic have far outpaced previous legends not only proves their extraordinary talent but also shows incredible durability.

Achieving a Grand Slam count far beyond icons like Sampras, Borg, and Edberg—and maintaining peak performance for nearly two decades—is a testament to a rare combination of skill, consistency, and mental strength that may never be repeated.

Notably, despite having faced each other countless times at the sport’s highest level, the trio of legends never developed intense or fiery rivalries like those of the past, such as Connors versus McEnroe. On the court, they compete fiercely, but off it, mutual respect has always been maintained to this day.

“I feel truly happy and fortunate to have played against them around 40 to 50 times each, so I have many memories from those matches, those amazing battles,” Federer shared about Nadal and Djokovic in 2023.

“I have answered questions about them countless times and can only say the best things. It’s been wonderful to share the court with them over many years.”