Federer Edges Out Woods as Greatest Player

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 6, 2009 2:09 PM CDT

(Newser) – It may be apples and oranges, but if judged by the cold reality of “winning big tournaments,” Roger Federer is “the most dominant athlete of any major sport,” Shaun Powell writes for NBC Sports. His 15 Grand Slam titles edge out friend Tiger Woods' 14, and when it comes to measuring greatness, these tourneys are “about the only thing Federer and Woods care about, and all that matters at this stage of their careers.”

Federer’s win at Wimbledon cements his dominance. “He’s now made the semifinals or better in 21 straight major tournaments,” Powell writes. “While nobody can win all the trophies all the time, Federer gives himself a chance like nobody else, Tiger included.” Now he has surpassed Pete Sampras as the most winning tennis player ever. "Tiger’s main purpose for playing golf, besides the love for the sport and the almighty dollar, is to pass Nicklaus. In that respect, Tiger wants to be like Federer."

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Tiger Woods poses with the trophy after winning the AT&T National golf tournament. (AP Photo)

Roger Federer celebrates his win at Wimbledon. (AP Photo)

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Fifteen Slams and a box full of minor tournament victories and No. 1 rankings doesn’t seem like much when there’s no real threat on the other side of the net. By pushing Federer to the limit, even to tears, Nadal gave Federer a dose of legitimacy.
- Shaun Powell

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

jaguarj

Jul 6, 2009 9:02 AM CDT

G-O-O-O Roger!!

GDizzle

Jul 6, 2009 8:06 AM CDT

There a lot more players in a golf tournament than tennis. Tiger cannot be compared to Federer

RobN

Jul 6, 2009 7:42 AM CDT

Hard to imagine an actual sports writer would even bother making such a comparison. He admits it's apples and oranges, thereby invalidating his entire argument, but goes on to make it anyway. He seems to have no actual understanding of either sport.

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