greatest of all time

The Apprenticeship of Federer: Long, Arduous and Fruitful

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16 Grand Slams to his name and still counting, Roger Federer, the Swiss champion, is master of all he surveys. One French Open, six Wimbledons, five US Opens and four Australian Opens (66 ATP titles); you could hardly call his trophy cupboard bare. His rivalry with Nadal is the stuff of legend and an enduring story for the ages. His challenger needs just one more Slam to move into double digits and Borg territory.

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Federer Versus Nadal: The War Of The Report Cards

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I have shied away from tackling the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) debate for some time because:

1> I think it’s been done to death.

2> It’s gotten to be tiresome; there’s little new under the sun to be said about the great Federer – Nadal rivalry.

3> It’s the season end and just as the players will be taking a well-deserved break , so should B/R writers take a rest from this acrimonious topic.

4> I feel the other players deserve some space and time devoted to them.

But since there seems to be no abatement of interest in the subject , I will have another dekko at the risk of seeming repetitive.

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Rafael Nadal: How Our Disbelief Obliterates His Many Achievements

Now that Rafael Nadal has staked his claim to being the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT), let us examine the reasons why tennis aficionados are still leery of anointing him the heir to  Federer’s not yet vacated throne.

Is it that he is a Spaniard not too familiar with the nuances of the English language?

Is it that he does not typify the usual tennis player? Is it that he appears to be a muscle-bound hulk?

Is it that he’s built more like a boxer or a sprinter?

Is that what blinds us to his ever improving court craft?

Or are we just peeved with the alleged illegal coaching by his Uncle Toni from the sidelines?

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