Andre Agassi Says Refael Nadal Greatest Tennis Player Ever

HacheMan · May 11, 2014

Andre Agassi tabs Nadal No. 1

SINGAPORE -- Andre Agassi says Rafael Nadal should be considered the greatest tennis player ever, not Roger Federer.

Agassi made the comments in an interview with Singapore newspaper Straits Times, saying Nadal's achievements are more impressive because he has had to deal with tougher competition.

Federer has 17 Grand Slam titles to Nadal's 13, although the Spaniard leads his Swiss rival 23-10 in head-to-head meetings.
Agassi is quoted as saying that "I'd put Nadal No. 1, Federer No. 2," adding that "it's just remarkable to me what he has done, and he has done it all during Federer's prime."

"Nadal had to deal with Federer, [Novak] Djokovic, [Andy] Murray in the golden age of tennis," said Agassi, himself a former world No. 1. "He has done what he has done, and he's not done yet."

HacheMan · May 11, 2014

I was an Agassi fan, but I'm a little disappointed in his opinion.

I'm guessing that Andre thinks his & Nadal's style are much more similar, thus the reason he said this.

I know lots of you guys like Nadal, and I totally respect that, but I've always thought he was a bit arrogant and this can only blow his head up even more...

donkeybucks · May 11, 2014

Ladeda · May 11, 2014

I'd have to agree with him. I've always been anti-Nadal and still am. I just don't like him for some reason. I've always liked Federer. This has lead to so much frustration rooting against Nadal all the time, it's like setting yourself up for dissapointment time and time again rooting for Federer in those matches. He literally has zero chance to beat Nadal no matter what the odds say. It's similar to rooting against Floyd Mayweather for years because he is a douche.

bigtendominator · May 11, 2014

Ladeda said:
I'd have to agree with him. I've always been anti-Nadal and still am. I just don't like him for some reason. I've always liked Federer. This has lead to so much frustration rooting against Nadal all the time, it's like setting yourself up for dissapointment time and time again rooting for Federer in those matches. He literally has zero chance to beat Nadal no matter what the odds say. It's similar to rooting against Floyd Mayweather for years because he is a douche.

Unfortunately, I agree with you on all counts. I am big RF fan, but Rafa is better than RF. The worst part when they play, is the huge mental edge that Rafa has. Roger always looks defeated before the match even starts vs Nadal.

Vlad the Impaler · May 11, 2014

I agree and think how many tournaments Nadal has missed due to injury.

SmallDaddy · May 11, 2014

He'd better not mush Nadal for today, cause when Mcenroe said the same thing, Nadal lost to Rosol the next match@)

snoop · May 11, 2014

Vlad the Impaler said:
I agree and think how many tournaments Nadal has missed due to injury.

He punishes his old body with his styles.

Vlad the Impaler · May 11, 2014

Nadal was also rare to come in form so quickly. Most guys don't hit their prime until 22 or so. He was 17 when he was winning Monte Carlo, Rome, Costa de Saupe, Aculpulco, got to finals of Miami all at 17. Won French the week he turned 18.

festeringZit · May 11, 2014

I've been saying this for years, and people laughed at me.

bigtendominator · May 11, 2014

festeringZit said:
I've been saying this for years, and people laughed at me.

I don't know who was laughing at you, but I just have difficulty admitting it. I knew when he beat RF in that epic Wimbledon final, RF would never be able to edge Rafa long-term.

festeringZit · May 11, 2014

bigtendominator said:
I don't know who was laughing at you, but I just have difficulty admitting it. I knew when he beat RF in that epic Wimbledon final, RF would never be able to edge Rafa long-term.

Read through the thread I bumped about Roger not being the greatest ever, not even the greatest player of his era - you'll see what people were saying in 2010.

HacheMan · May 11, 2014

Surprised Andre didn't give more credit to guys from his own era and before...

nuckers · May 11, 2014

It's not even debatable to me. If you aren't even competitive with your closest rival h2h how can you be the best. A few cake walk years to pile up stats has built his lead but if Rafa stays healthy he'll be the goat.

CarolinaKid · May 11, 2014

been watching tennis all my life and imo Nadel is the best i have ever seen, if you guys get a chance what this guy in person

nuckers · May 11, 2014

ckid said:
been watching tennis all my life and imo Nadel is the best i have ever seen, if you guys get a chance what this guy in person

tennis like hockey is a sport that loses something on television, you don't appreciate the speed and talent truly until you experience it up close.

Vlad the Impaler · May 11, 2014

If you watch tape at him at 14 or so, you would never have known he would be one of the greats of all time. Of course I don't watch a lot of 14 year olds play but he seemed like an above average 14 year old that only could keep the ball in play.

MagiCap · May 11, 2014

It is impossible to say Nadal or even Federer is best ever based on their titles won. There is much less competition these days.

EveryGamblersDream · May 12, 2014

festeringZit said:
I've been saying this for years, and people laughed at me.

Yet people wanted to argue with you even though facts proved you were right about it.

phdinsports · May 12, 2014

I used to think this, but the last few years has shown that the tour isn't all it's "cracked up to be!" For example one year you have Fed threatening Mac's record, a couple years later you have Rafa doing the same. Then you have Joker doing the same all in the span of 5-6 years! Where's the depth! What cemented my opinion is when a journeyman at 31 reaches a grand slam final without dropping a single set and only one tiebreaker!!!!!! This never happened in any previous open era!! I would have to vote for Borg as the greatest ever for the simple fact that is winning % is unmatched (minus his pathetic attempt at a comeback) and he won all his slams on the two most contrasting surfaces prior to 2001; when they changed the Wimbledon grass to 100% perennial rye instead of the 70% previously, thus slowing down the court! Had the courts not been slowed down, don't know if Nadal wins with his game! Players today would probably be hitting 30-40 aces every match on the old grass!