Federer: The Artistry of the World's Top Tennis Ace

The

most impressive aspect of Roger Federer's ascendancy to the top of the tennis world is the way he carries himself as a champion. It's quite unusual. He just lets his racquet do the talking. There's no entourage at his beck and call. He doesn't have a bunch of coaches and trainers micromanaging everything he does. Roger has so much natural talent, they would just disrupt it if they muddled his mind. He exudes energy, and you just know he enjoys the camaraderie of all his competitors. Tennis had lost that positive vibe over the years. His game is so spectacular and graceful—I can't tell you how many times I've asked friends, "Did you see Roger's shot last week, the crosscourt winner he hit a zillion miles per hour?" He has this amazing knack for raising his game just a notch more than an opponent. He never gets rattled if he's down. You can only marvel.

Every time I speak to Roger, I sense no ego on his part. He asks me questions about how I prepared for big matches—Roger has a clear appreciation for the history of tennis. (Plus, these days, I should be the one peppering him with questions. He's the big star!) When you're talking to Roger, he makes you feel important—whether you're a fan, an opposing player or an old geezer like me. People often ask me if Roger, 25, is the greatest player of all time. Let's wait until the end of his career before making the "best ever" judgment. He should definitely be in every conversation. One thing is for sure: he's the best player of his time and one of the most admirable champions on the planet. That's certainly something worth crowing over. The beauty is, Roger Federer won't.

Laver, a Tennis Hall of Famer, is the only player to twice win four Grand Slam singles titles in a year