Legendary 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams weighed in on the debate surrounding the greatest male tennis player of all time in 2021.
Tennis fans often argue among the Big Three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who have won 294 titles overall, with Federer winning 103 before retirement, Nadal ending his career with 92 and Djokovic currently bidding to win his 100th title at the ongoing 2025 Australian Open.
Speaking five years ago during a press conference at the Williams Emilia-Romagna Open in Parma, Williams ultimately chose Federer, citing the 103-time titlist’s exceptional talent, on-court elegance and impact on the sport.
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“I think two words sum it up: Roger Federer,” Williams said in 2021. “He’s just a synopsis of greatness and class and amazing and really changed the game. You see players playing like him, moving like him, doing his techniques. The guy is a genius.”
“I just feel like he is really the greatest player. You can’t not like the guy, that’s how I feel. His game is so fantastic. If I could only play like him.”
Williams retired from tennis in 2022, with her final match against Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the US Open.
