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Roger Federer cradles his seventh Wimbledon title. EMPICS Sport

Poll: Is Roger Federer the greatest tennis player of all time?

The 30-year-old added to his legend with Wimbledon win number seven but Rafa and Rod might have qualms with ‘best ever’ claims.

IN CASE THERE was any doubt about the legacy Roger Federer will leave to the game of tennis once he retires, the Swiss maestro won his seventh Wimbledon title on Sunday.

Federer, who turns 31 next month, was without a Grand Slam win since winning the Australian Open in 2010 but was in dominant form to defeat Andy Murray in four sets.

He now has 17 Grand Slam wins to his name and has returned to the top of the world rankings.

Retired tennis player Conor Niland, from Ireland, declared on Newstalk on Monday morning that there could be no doubt now that Federer was the greatest grass-court player of all time.

He added that Rafael Nadal, who is four years younger than Federer and winner of 11 Grand Slams, could justifiably claim to be the best ever player on clay. The Spaniard has seven French Open wins to his name.

The next closest to Federer, in terms of wins at tennis majors, is Pete Sampras (14) and Roy Emerson (12).

Rod Laver is a man spoken about in revered tones by many that saw him play. The Australian has 11 Grand Slam wins and won several major titles in his days as a tennis amateur.

What do you think?


Poll Results:

Roger Federer (1145)
Rod Laver (644)
Rafa Nadal (185)
Pete Sampras (95)
Other (67)
Roy Emerson (50)

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29 Comments
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    Mute Guybrush Threepwood
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    Oct 12th 2017, 3:38 PM

    No interest in the game now but was a Newcastle fan at the time and have to say it’s hilarious to hear Shearer say that as you could practically see him shaking when Keane squared up to him.

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    Mute Anton Friendo
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    Oct 12th 2017, 3:43 PM

    @Guybrush Threepwood: Fun times

    its boring now

    47
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    Mute Stephen Lyons
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    Oct 12th 2017, 5:08 PM

    @Anton Friendo: Yeah that type of game died out in the absence of the likes of Keane, Gatusso, De Jong etc. unfortunately..

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    Mute Guybrush Threepwood
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    Oct 12th 2017, 5:27 PM

    @Guybrush Threepwood: It was the norm in school to support English soccer. Enlightenment happens only when you leave the education system.

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    Mute Niall Browne
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    Oct 12th 2017, 4:22 PM

    If you read craig bellamys autobiography, he played in that game , he said Shearer was the last one off the pitch at the end of the game because he knew Keane was waiting for him

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    Mute Gerry Ivie
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    Oct 12th 2017, 7:31 PM

    @Niall Browne: Bellamy is going to say that isn’t he? Seeing as Shearer battered him in Dawson St when they were over here. Bad mouthed him too when he thought a transfer away from St James Park was happening. Nearly shit himself when it fell through and he had to show up there for training.

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    Mute Niall
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    Oct 12th 2017, 9:25 PM

    @Gerry Ivie: it was Keith Gillespie that Shearer punched in Dublin.

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    Mute James Murphy
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    Oct 12th 2017, 6:03 PM

    Probably a lot bias here. Both great players and true warriors representing their respective teams. Love Keane but also like Shearer for being a great number 9. Hope Kane breaks his record though!

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    Mute Gustave H
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    Oct 12th 2017, 8:33 PM

    Grown ups arguing about one man’s ability to beat up another when the know neither and have never seen either actually fight.

    The level of cringe is spine tingling.

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    Mute Eoin Long
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    Oct 12th 2017, 11:38 PM

    @Gustave H: I don’t think anyone is arguing here. Everyone seems to be in agreement that Shearer looked genuinely afraid of Keane during that particular confrontation. Which was understandable to an extent, because Keane’s lack of self control and reckless abandon was rarely more evident than during that game.

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    Mute Stephen Lyons
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    Oct 12th 2017, 4:30 PM

    Funny considering that you could visibly see the point when Shearer sh*t himself at the time

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    Mute Stonerpug
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    Oct 12th 2017, 3:38 PM

    You wouldn’t have had it in you Alan. Stick to throwing balls at him from a safe distance you coward.

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    Mute The Bloody Nine
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    Oct 12th 2017, 4:50 PM

    @Stonerpug: it was Keane who threw the ball as well as the punch. Shearer did the smart thing and stood there while Roy had a meltdown and got himself sent off in the last minute for no reason.

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    Mute O'Brien Michael
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    Oct 12th 2017, 10:58 PM

    @The Bloody Nine: You are 100% Correct.Shearer was too smart for that nonsense

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