Roger Federer stands in a “category apart” when compared to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, according to influential tennis figure Ion Tiriac.
Though it’s been nearly two years since Federer retired at the Laver Cup in 2022, his legacy continues to loom large over the sport. The Swiss maestro, who spent 310 weeks as the world No. 1, captured 20 Grand Slam singles titles, a Davis Cup victory for Switzerland, and 103 ATP Tour singles titles. Revered for his elegance on the court, Federer remains one of the most graceful tennis players ever, a status underscored by the release of the documentary 12 Final Days earlier this year.
Federer’s career is often defined by his fierce rivalries with Nadal and Djokovic, both of whom have surpassed his Grand Slam tally in recent years. However, former player, agent, and tournament owner Ion Tiriac—widely regarded as the wealthiest man in tennis—believes that Federer remains distinct from his Spanish and Serbian counterparts in one key aspect.
In an interview with We Love Tennis, the Romanian remarked that while Federer may have lagged behind Nadal and Djokovic physically, no one could rival his sheer talent. “I don’t know Roger Federer well, but he always respected me,” Tiriac noted. “Like the other stars on the tour, he calls me ‘the chef.’
“I sincerely believe he is in a category of his own compared to Nadal and Djokovic. Federer is a player who invented things on a tennis court that didn’t exist before.
“Physically, he was always a bit behind Djokovic and Nadal, but his talent was undeniable.”
Federer faced Nadal 40 times, with a head-to-head record of 16-24, and competed against Djokovic 60 times, holding a 23-27 record against the current world No. 2.
Despite losing ground to 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal and 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic in the GOAT debate, Federer continues to be held in high regard. In a ranking by ESPN of the 100 greatest sports stars of this century, Federer was placed sixth, higher than both of his rivals, with Djokovic at 11th and Nadal at 12th.
