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Messi still hasn't won a World Cup, which is something Mardona and Pele have over him. There's nothing of importance--records wise--than anybody has over Roger Federer.
Just because he hasnt won a world cup doesnt mean he isnt the dominant player, its a team sport and he has 10 guys to rely on. You cant compare that with Federer (sp) who can win championships in a single player sport. If youre talking domination and not tourney wins it would be Messi.
Just because he hasnt won a world cup doesnt mean he isnt the dominant player, its a team sport and he has 10 guys to rely on. You cant compare that with Federer (sp) who can win championships in a single player sport. If youre talking domination and not tourney wins it would be Messi.
What does it matter if it's a team sport or not? People are held to the same standards in all team sports. People knock Dan Marino because he never won a Super Bowl? Was that all his fault? No, other teammates were also responsible, but it's considered a mark on his record. The same is true for plenty of athletes in team sports who were unable to reach the highest of heights through no fault of their own.
Nobody has been as dominant as Roger Federer in the 21st Century. Unlike Messi, he's done all that there is to do in his sport.
I'd go with Woods or Federer. And perhaps not being in a team sport helps in this way as all accomplishments are credited to you, and only you. But they have certainly been the two top names mentioned most when it comes to sports accomplishments in the last 15 years.
And between the two, you'd have to tip the hat to Federer since he has more majors in Tennis than Woods does in Golf (and Woods is still #2 in golf majors won vs. #1 for Federer in Grand Slams won). So Tiger does have 'more to do' (most majors, and most tournaments won) vs. Federer.
As a golf fan, the only counter to the above is that Woods has won every major at least 3 times. And he is the only person to have ever held all 4 modern golf majors at the same time (albeit not in the same calendar year) - the 'Tiger slam' vs. the "Grand Slam".
No matter how much I hate him, I'm surprised Tom Brady is not up there.
I was the first to reply on this thread and do not remember actually seeing a poll with names when I did. I just picked Lebron James thinking the OP was only asking from major sports. Not knocking the other sports though.
Michael Phelps gets my vote.
As an avid swimming fan, nobody has dominated across so many events like he has.
He is unquestionably the greatest Olympian of all time.
On swimming, on individual events - Ian Thorpe for instance was never beaten over the 400 metres Freestyle event since he won the World Championships as a 15 y.o., complete domination of one event.
On the subject of tennis - Rafael Nadal's complete domination of one event - the French Open, a record of 66-1 there, is an absolutely extreme record too. He took Sampras and Federer's records at Wimbledon (7 titles) to a new level of extreme domination at RG (9 titles).
The word ""King of Clay"" - does not even do him justice, and I am an avid Novak Djokovic fan! (he just keeps continuing to break the Djoker's heart in Paris).
Last edited by Derek41; 03-12-2015 at 01:14 PM..
Reason: deletion - non-21st Century athlete -Edwin Moses
No matter how much I hate him, I'm surprised Tom Brady is not up there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jazzy jeff
I was the first to reply on this thread and do not remember actually seeing a poll with names when I did. I just picked Lebron James thinking the OP was only asking from major sports. Not knocking the other sports though.
Just to give some perspective on Federer's consistency over the years. For a 3-year stretch, Federer was in the final of almost every Slam. For a 6-year stretch, he was in the semis of nearly every slam. And over a 9-year stretch, he was in the quarters of every slam. He has never missed a Slam due to injury or any other reason during his career.
Consecutive Grand Slam Finals
Roger Federer - 11
Rod Laver - 6*
Bjorn Borg - 6
Rafael Nadal - 5
Andre Agassi - 4
Novak Djokovic - 4
Pete Sampras - 3
Jimmy Connors - 3
Mats Wilander - 3
Stefan Edberg - 2
Consecutive Grand Slam Semifinals
Roger Federer - 23
Rod Laver - 14*
Novak Djokovic - 14
Bjorn Borg - 6
Rafael Nadal - 5
Andre Agassi - 4
Pete Sampras - 3
Stefan Edberg - 3
Jimmy Connors - 3
Mats Wilander - 3
Consecutive Grand Slam Quarterfinals
Roger Federer - 36
Rod Laver - 25*
Novak Djokovic - 23
Bjorn Borg - 12
Andre Agassi - 6
Rafael Nadal - 11
Pete Sampras - 10
Mats Wilander - 7
Stefan Edberg - 5
Jimmy Connors - 3
*Tally includes amateur, pro and open era career
Last edited by BajanYankee; 03-12-2015 at 04:40 PM..
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