Is Roger Federer the greatest tennis player of all time?

Roger Federer is for sure the greatest player of all time because of record he has broken those many years, his talent, his classy style, his fair-play, his elegance, his power... I hope he will continue the same way. If Federer wasn't in Nadal era, he would have won 20 grand slams at least. But don't forget other eras are also difficult with Sampras, Agassi, McEnroe, Borg...

YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS! What are you talking about "Sampras had tougher competition"? WHO? Courier? Agassi? Come on? I can give you five, right off the top on my head who are easily tougher competition than anyone Sampras faced: Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Nalbandian (we tend to forget how good he was in his prime) and Roddick (and if you want to argue with him, who else during the Sampras era served at 135 mph?). This thing about, oh he just won the French because Nadal didn't make the finals is BS. That's the way the game is played. You play 7 matches and have to win them all and that's that. Injuries happen. Say Roddick wins Wimbledon this year because both Federer and Nadal are out, does that make his win any less of a win? How many matches did Sampras win because one of his opponents was hurt? If that isn't enough, both Agassi AND Sampras have said in the press that Federer is the best ever. That's enough for me. I know this will never be chosen as the best answer though, because no matter how many arguements are put forward to support Federer as the greatest ever, your mind is made up and nothing will convince you otherwise. You will choose someone who is equally in denial, a Raffa fan no doubt, and will probably sign off on his answer "Vamos Raffa!"

Why do some answerer compare the old era with this era? Tennis now is more difficult and require more stamina and skill than the past. If Federer played in the old era, I'm sure that he can win 20 Grand Slam or over (Pro Slam in the old era).

Federer is the greatest

Probably, at least in the modern era. Donald Budge and some others were pretty awesome in the early years. But those were the days of wood rackets, so it's hard to compare. I think Roger is also the most boring to watch, as he's so precise and methodical. I'd rather see McEnroe throwing a few tantrums.

I love Federer but I wouldn't say he's the greatest of all time.He's on the list among the greatest players but he's the best in this era. I'm so happy he's #1 again.

Yes without a doubt, is they any more records for this legend to break? Its a pleasure to watch him play

Since all time is not yet ended we can never know. There is always someone better in the pipeline.

roger federer is simply the best of all time. nuff said.

Elie just said everything I wanted to say :)

Tough to knock Laver off that mountain...different eras - and all that - but "Rocket Rod" gets the nod.