The Fed

Is asking whether he is the greatest ever now rhetorical?

Results since 2003 (Australian, French, Wimbledon, US)

A (4,W,SF,W,W,SF,F)
F (1,3,SF,F,F,F,W)
W (W,W,W,W,W,F)
U (4,W,W,W,W,W)

So since his first major title in 2003.

He has made it to the semi-finals 22 out of 24 times.
He has made it to the finals 19 out of 24 times.
In those 19 finals, he has won 14 and lost to only one man... Nadal, 5 times.
He was in 10 finals in a row, lost in the semis in Aus, and has been in the last 5.
So, he has been in 15 of the last 16 finals.
He has made it to the semi-finals of the last 20 Grand Slams.

It would have been great for him to have beaten Nadal in this French Open Final. He did beat him in the last clay court game they played. That said, there is no doubt that Nadal is arguably the best ever clay court player despite being in his era... Fed's record at the French Open is far from shabby.

I am no tennis fundi. In fact I only ever used to watch Wimbledon... but one crazed if somewhat cynical supporter and the magnetism of Nadal v Federer clashes has led to many heart palpitations as I have watched Rodger extend his record over the last 3 years.

I do sometimes wish I had been watching from earlier to see some of the easy victories, to make up for the suffering as he 'goes walkabout' during some of the later matches. When he turns it on, he is magic. When he suddenly gives up like in the last set of the Australian Open, it is painful.

How ever you describe it, Federer has contributed to some of the most painful and most memorable sporting memories I have had.

Go you good thing!