BeIR/webis-touche2020 huggingface dataset:
Has beaten Nadal 6-0 on CLAY, YES CLAY! And 3 times 6-0

Federer HAS BEATEN Nadal 6-0 on CLAY! 2007 Hamburg Masters. This is possibly biggest thing ever to do against Nadal, beat him 6-0 on CLAY. And I think only Federer can do that and has done that. Add to that till date he has done 6-0 over Nadal three times, all surfaces. Nadal has never beaten Federer in INDOORs fast surface. Why?? Because Nadal's super top-spin does not work there. Nadal exploits Federer's backhand because of his ability to throw bouncy top-spins and hence wins. Take away that one shot and I bet Nadal would possibly have never dominated Federer.
Facts speak for themselves

Federers achievements frankly speak for themselves. He is only the sixth man in Tennis history to win all four grand slam tournaments, and has equaled Pete Sampras record of 14 grand slam victories. He held the ranking of number 1 for a record 237 consecutive weeks. He has contested 15 of the last 16 grand slam finals, and has featured in the semi finals or better at the last 20. In 2007 he equaled Bjorn Borgs record of five consecutive Wimbledon victories and is the only person in history to win five US and Wimbledon championships. He also won a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 for the mens doubles. The list of records and victories could continue into an essay, and after digesting this glittering record of achievement, it is virtually impossible to argue against him being the greatest. Greats like Todd Martin??? I only thank god Federer isn't up against the likes of that :-s And Federer's ascendency came after Hewitt had dominated for a year and a half - Sampras was well gone. I don't really think Federer was at his best in wimbledon 2008 - I was surprised it went to 5 sets. Had he been at his best he would have won. But I still think Nadal at his best would win on clay. 13-7 is really meaningless (read the comments in previous posts). Nadal is 4-4 against Davydenko so are we to assume they are equally great players? Also Nadal hasn't won a tournament in something like 9 months. It's a little annoying that Federer has only played him once in that time (Madrid). So all the other players are getting to spank him - Fed could have really improved his record (but as I said - meaningless) As per today Davydenko is 6-4 against Nadal. Davydenko has no Slams to his credit. Dokovic has beat Nadal 4-0 in final this year twice on clay. Nalbandian always gives fits to Nadal, whereas Federer owes Davydenko and Nalbandian. So this is not the point. It is like saying that Krajickek was better player than Sampras because he has a 6-4 advantage and beat Pete at Wimbledon, wshen Pete was at his best, and in straight sets too. Records, consistency, number of Slams will make the GOAT. No shame to Federer in this record since Nadal is a great defensive player. But what about Nadla having losing records to so so players, that is a real flaw.
He has not won The Grand Slam, the single greatest, and most difficult, feat in tennis.

Saying a player is the greatest because he/she has done something that no one else has is a valid reason so im going to say that Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time because he has won 16 grand slams which no other male tennis player has done before. At first thanks to the previous commentator. Yes, Federer has records which was not done before. The Grand Slam is an strong point for Laver. But to be the greatest its not the only point. Federer has done so many things which was not done by Laver! Federer was world no, one for consecutive 237 weeks, this is an strong point for Federer. Check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_male_tennis_players If any player won The Grand Slam once or twice but he didn't win any more, would it be enough to be the greatest???? It means there is no importance of 16 GS! Considering only one point is not enough. Federer is the only male player in tennis history to win at least five consecutive titles at two different Grand Slam tournaments (2003–07 Wimbledon, 2004–08 US Open),[5] surpassing the old record of 4 consecutive grand slams at two different majors by Borg (1978-81 FO & 1976-80 Wim). Federer is the only male player in tennis history to win at least two Grand Slam titles for four consecutive years and five years overall (2004–07 Wim and US Open, 2009 FO and Wim).[2] Federer's 16 Grand Slams in 8 years (2003–10) is an all time men's record. Sampras won 14 Grand Slams in the span of 13 years (1990–2002). Federer has reached seven consecutive Wimbledon semifinals (2003–09), which is an all-time men's record. Federer is the only male player in tennis history to reach at least five consecutive semifinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments. Federer is the only male player in the open era to reach five consecutive French Open semifinals (2005–09). In the history of tennis, René Lacoste (1925–29), Henri Cochet (1926–30), and Eric Sturgess (1947–52) are the only male players to have done this, with Sturgess holding the all-time record of six. Not to take anything away from the great Rod Laver, but with all due respect to him the game has changed quite substantially from when he won the calendar slam. Rod Laver did not have 4 different surfaces (the US and Australian surfaces are both hard courts but significantly different) to 'master' and the style of play back then is much less taxing on a players body than it is now. So whilst Laver still is the only man to have achieved the calendar slam, Roger's achievement of 16 slams is still greater in the sense that there is a lot of adjusting required to master the changing conditions and surfaces of today's game.
Greatest player ever says Federer is the best

Rod Laver is the only person to win a real Grand Slam, and he did it twice..., and Pancho Gonzales beat Laver (despite being ten years older than him) in Madison Square Garden in 1971. Jack Kramer said that had they played against each other on the circuit, Gonzales would have beaten Laver regularly. And by the way, Laver was to modest and self-effacing to claim that he himself was the best player ever.
There is more to come

Roger Federer has currently made 30 consecutive Grand Slam Quarterfinals, not to mention his streaks of 25 straight Grand Slam semifinals and two different streaks of straight Grand Slam Finals: 10 (Wimbledon 2005 - US Open 2007) and 8 (French Open 2008 - Aussie Open 2010). He has won more Grand Slam matches and sets than any other player in the Open Era. He has not been ranked outside of the top 4 since 2003. He has not only the most consistent tennis player, but also the most consistent athlete of the past three decades. Plus, he is considered the second most respectable person in the world, after Nelson Mandela.
He has not won The Grand Slam, the single greatest, and most difficult, feat in tennis.

"I still maintain that Rod Laver is the best player who ever played the game because he's done something no one has ever done in the 120 or 140-year history of our sport: he won the Grand Slam as an amateur and he won the Grand Slam as a pro. If someone in some other sport held a world record no one else had, you would say that person was the best in that sport. So in my view, you've got to say Laver is the best player of all time."[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Laver#Place_among_the_all-time_great_tennis_players]] -- Tony Trabert, 5 time Grand Slam tournament winner and 30 year television analyst "Give him credit? Shoot, the only real issue is whether the GOAT [Greatest of All Time] argument is a debate at all, given that posting those two Slams puts Laver in a league of his own." [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Laver#Place_among_the_all-time_great_tennis_players]] -- Peter Bodo, tennis author Therefore until Roger Federer wins at least one Grand Slam, there is no real discussion: Rod Laver is the greatest men's singles tennis player in the history of the game.
Greatest player ever says Federer is the best

Am sorry fed fans but no he is not the greatest of all time, I would argue that both nadal and fed are currently the two players for the first time ever who share the goat title. This is due largely that both men between them have dominated all the surfaces for over a five year period fed, five us opens, six wimbledons and nadals seven french opens. No other rivalry has accomplished this fete of completly white washing all four slams and setting there own records on the way. Between them they hold forty one masters titles. twenty seven major titles, fed has won sixteen slams on all surfaces whilst nadal has won seven french open titles dominating on clay. Between them they have won titles the other hasnt fed has won five end of tour titles whilst nadal was part of four times winnning davis cup team titles and has a gold medal singles whilst fed has the doubles title. In my opinion fed cannot be considered as the greatest of all time as for that to be the case he would solely have to dominate on all three surfaces and have won at least the same on all surfaces such as six on grass and five on hard to his one and only solitary title on clay and only won in the abscence of nadal through defeat to soderling. For me rod laver is the greatest of all time as he has managed to win all four majors at the same time but not just once but twice. However only downside for him the surfaces were similar, so looking at today who would considered the goat my arguement wuold be nadal and fed for joint goat until someone betters there acheivements or the next big rivalry comes along and does better Vamos nadal
There is more to come

Who is really the best tennis player ever? Such question can feed a passionate debate, but, there is a difference between "who is the best ever?" and "whom does everyone prefer, for any reason?". The true answer to the question is relatively clear: the only player who clearly was the best player of his time on all surfaces was Rod Laver, from beginning to end of his career, knowing that he was banned from the Grand Slams for several years in the mid of his career. But he won before and he won after, and scored in total 2 true Grand Slams (the 4 tournaments within one and the same year), and nobody never did this. Competition in Laver's time was strong and these titles were significant from this point of view. Just think of Laver playing today, with modern training conditions and modern equipment, and the same talent: he would probably do it again, possibly with more struggle on clay where the game has changed since Borg. I think all the rest is a passionating but not very objective discussion: Laver has not been equalled. This said, for sure we are lucky with champions like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, who - at least for these first two of them, belong to the major players of all times (let us give some more time to Djoko to confirm his historical position).
Slam success on all surfaces.

Ultimately Federer has not only won on all court surfaces but he has the widest variety of shot adaptability known to the game, this in part explains some of his success on all types of court but also invariably does the fact that there is no wasted movement, he is biomechanically perfect and mentally near faultless (the psychological/mental edge Nadal has over him-the only negative); this is his only blemish. The strength and depth in mens tennis and his continued consistent success make him the best ever.
He is the all-time career money leader

Since his debut on the ATP tour in 1998, Federer received $61,838,732 (2011) which is the all-time record for prize money earnings in the history of the ATP circuit. Following chart shows the top 15 tennis players regarding money earnings, inflation already included: Player Prize money Inflation adjustment Year for adjustment 1. Roger Federer $61,838,732 $61,838,732 2011 2. Pete Sampras $43,280,489 $51,291,143 2003 3. Rafael Nadal $37,684,949 $37,684,949 2011 4. Andre Agassi $31,152,975 $33,695,898 2006 5. Boris Becker $25,080,956 $32,827,449 1999 6. Yev. Kafelnikov $23,883,797 $28,304,376 2003 7. Novak Djoković $22,851,351 $22,851,351 2011 8. Ivan Lendl $21,262,417 $31,284,734 1994 9. Stefan Edberg $20,630,941 $28,672,406 1996 10. Goran Ivanišević $19,876,579 $22,944,454 2004 11. Andy Roddick $19,427,260 $19,427,260 2011 12. Michael Chang $19,145,632 $22,689,238 2003 13. Lleyton Hewitt $18,907,516 $18,907,516 2011 14. Andy Murray $15,089,896 $15,089,896 2011 15. Gustavo Kuerten $14,807,000 $14,996,332 2008 After considering inflation, Federer outlasts other players by millions of dollars, and he is still earning money which will result in an even bigger and more impressive difference and higher record. This argument goes hand in hand with how consistent and dominant Federer has been over the past 12 years and how dominant he will continue to be. A person who has the record for all-time grand slam wins, the record for consecutive grand slam semi finals or better, and the record for all-time career money leader should be named the greatest tennis player of all time.
6 Year End Champuonships

Only 3 three men have won the Year end championship 5 times; Ivan Lendl, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer. Last year Federer won it a record 6th. Most player will tell you that this is the hardest tournament to win, maybe harder than any grand slam. Only the best 8 players in the world that year get to participate, so there is no easy draw. Sometimes in grand slams the top players get to breeze through the first rounds and only play top players in the quarters, semis and the final. Djokovic won this tournament once and Nadal is still looking for his first one. If Nadals 7 French Opens is incredible (with easy opponents during the first four rounds of play), then Federer's 6 year end championships is just as unbelievable. This achievement in itself makes the argument that no has dominated the sport like Federer has during the last 9 years. Let's see what other records he will break.
He has dominated like no one else before

samprass has 286 consecutive days at No.1 samprass and federer are both the longest consecutive days at No.1 samprass 286 days federer 237 days no one else just them 2 so the stats say samprass No.1 federer No.2 but you will all keep saying samprass is best borg is best this person is best but they are all better than you or me so for me they are all No.1 but stats say samprass is
Federer is the Greatest EVER!

What makes a sportsman better than any other in their trade? Is that determined by the titles he wins, the money he earns, or even the amount time he spends at the top of the rankings? There is one name in tennis that would single handily be the decisive answer to all three of these statements. Roger Federer has won 17 Grand Slams more than any other, he has earned over £73 million in prize money, more than £20 million more than Nadal and along with this no other player has held the top spot for more consecutive weeks than Federer which lasted for an amazing 296 weeks or just under 6 years!
Consistency In Majors

What an excellent argument against -------------> As it comes from a Nadal fan I thought I'd write a comment to praise Rafa on his skills on the court. Nadal is not the number 1 tennis player, however Federer will one day (probably soon) lose that title and I hope it falls to Rafa. He has achieved much and is still only 23 which many forget, what with the arrival of younger players. I hope he recovers from his injury and is able to compete as it has been quite a sorry sight seeing the slim version being battered about by players who really wouldn't stand a chance against him were he fully fit. I hope 2010 is good for him and we have some proper Fed v Rafa matches. ---------------------------------------- The best argument that Roger Federer is not the greatest tennis player of all time is that there is no such thing as a best player of all time. Comparisons across eras are insufficiently meaningful. The next best argument is Rod Laver. You can dismiss his first grand slam because it was only contested against amateurs, but he then proceded to dominate every single one of the professionals for seven years. Who knows how many majors he would have won had he been allowed to compete from '63-'68 and had contract issues not limited him to playing in 5 majors from 1970-1972? His second Grand Slam was against all comers and remains unmatched. He even won the major hard court and indoor tournaments of his day (including in 1969, for a sort of super-Grand-Slam). Despite the fact that he was 30 when the Open Era arrived, he still won 45 open-era tournaments and had an Open-Era won loss percentage of 80%. Amongst people who saw both Laver and Federer play opinion is split as to who was better. Roger's not done yet. If he accomplishes much more it will become ridiculous to argue against him. But as of now his case for Greatest of All Time is merely good, not conclusive.
Lack of serious competition

A quick look over the past five years or so shows that Mens tennis has been virtually monopolised by Federer and Nadal. Only the Australian open has had someone other than these two win the title since 2004. The other three grand slams of Wimbledon, French and the US have been totally dominated by these two, with many of the finals being competed by them aswell. A look at the points on the ranking system also shows a significant gap between them and Andy Murray who is third. This lack of serious competition, which may not have been experienced by other greats such as Borg, Connors, Sampras etc is a further argument as to why the Swiss cannot lay claim to the title of greatest ever.
He has dominated like no one else before

Starting from 2002 to date Federer is a serious threat at grandslams. Winning 11 majors in 4 years on variety of surfaces is seen for the first time probably in mens tennis. It is even not exaggeration saying that it is he who has taken tennis to a different level and Rafa, Djo are mere followers. It is a big mistake to say he had no competetion. He plays gracefully to make things look easy. Apart from his numerical achievements, his fitness is amazing. I dont think Rafa or Djo can play the same way when they are 30, with the effortful game they play. Federer is still competetor as the kind of skill he possesses makes him play effortlessly. Rafa has been winning slams since his teen age and the guy is still on course to reach federer i.e. 7 years comparatively federer started in 2002 and ended at 16 in 2010. It all takes common sense that Federer is the Greatest of All Time. True that u cant compare generations and thus have to just base on facts. When it comes to the current generation he has been the absolute dominator. So both ways he is the GOAT. Cheers Leo
Borg and other players could have won more if they played the Australian Open

Without the four Australian Opens, Federer has only won 13 Slams. Still a great number but Borg won 11 other Slams and Nadal 10 by the age of 26. It was not until the 1970s that the Australian Open was attended by more and more foreign players and even then McEnroe and Connors (who could have won it at the time) were among those who skipped it. Seeing as most players usually played three Slams a year, Federer has had more of a chance to win more.
Rod Laver is without doubt the greatest ever!

After reading so many things about Federer, Nadal, Sampras, etc., I researched everyone of the older guys to see what they had for these young bucks that we all know and follow today. After doing a Wikipedia check on Laver, I was absolutely astonished. After winning the Grand Slam in 1962, he turned pro and was not allowed to actually play any of the Grand Slams until the Open era began back in 1968. So, for 5 years, he was not allowed to play the Slams, but there were professional tournaments held that were the equal of the Slams and he absolutely owned them for years. His tournament win record was psychotic. -He won the U.S. Pro Championships (the equivalent to the U.S. Open) 5 times. -He won the Wembley Pro Championships 4 times. -He won the French Professional Championships 2 times. None of those were counted as Grand Slam wins, even though Lew Hoad, Rosewall, and many of the greats we all knew played in the professional events. He beat the best to win those professional events and then came back and won the calendar Grand Slam again! That is crazy!!!!! Had those professional championship tournaments been counted towards his Grand Slam total, he would have won an unprecedented 22 Grand Slam singles titles and that includes 2 calendar year Grand Slams!!!!! That is unbelievable to say the least. He very much has a say in being voted the very best of all time. The guys today are phenomenal, but when putting a vote in for the greatest, we'd all better keep up with Laver's stats. They are ridiculous.........
Consistency In Majors

If the measuring stick is consistency in the majors then it's hard to argue against Federer as at least the greatest of the Open era. Gonzalez was probably as dominant on the pro circuit from the mid-50's to early 60's as was Laver from 1964-69. If, on the other hand, the comparison is by surface, the debate becomes trickier. At his best, I would pick Federer against anyone on hard courts. On grass, however, I would put him a notch below Sampras and just a hair above Borg, McEnroe or Edberg. Clay is more difficult: he's clearly the 2nd best of his era but I can't say with any conviction that he's better on the surface than Lendl, Wilander or Kuerten at his best. All of this said, I'm still inclined to give him the overall nod for his longevity at the top as well as my belief that his competition hasn't by any means been weak. Replace Federer in this era with any of the other greats from the past and I have a hard time picturing them duplicating his results. ______________________________________ If the measuring stick is consistency Federer is making a strong case for being the greatest tennis player of all time. Besides winning 16 grand slam titles (March 2011), Federer appeared in 22 grand slam finals since his professional tennis career began in 1998. No other male tennis player had won more grand slam titles than Federer, which by itself is already a great argument in this debate. However, the probably even best argument to use is another record that Federer is able to claim his own. From 2003 till 2010 Federer reached 23 consecutive grand slam semi finals or better which shows how great of a player he really is. Now that Federer seems to struggle, he still reached the US Open semis in 2010, won the ATP World Tour in 2010, and reached the semi finals at the AUS Open in 2011. Not to mention that he won five titles in 2010 and so far two in 2011. A struggle that a lot of players would love to go through.