"Roger Federer would be equally successful with a wooden racket" - Stan Smith

 "In my ranking of all time after Roger Federer, I put Rod Laver" - Stan Smith

  • Former US open and Wimbledon champion Stan Smith name Roger Federer as his pick for the greatest of all time (GOAT).
  • Stan Smith also heaped praise on the game and attitude of 19-year-old Jannik Sinner. 

Only Roger Federer will be successful with wooden racquet

Stan who retired in 1985 before the change in racquet technology knew very well on handling wooden racquets. The 73 year old says only Roger Federer can handle the play with wooden racquet. 

"With the wooden racquet the game is necessarily different, less powerful and slower. If you didn't hit the ball in the perfect centre of the frame, it meant trouble. I think only one who would be easily successful with the wooden racquet is Roger Federer. He plays as we did. Clean," Smith continued. 



The GOAT Debate

The GOAT debate in tennis has been raging after Rafael Nadal also won 20 Grand Slam titles at the Roland Garros this year. Despite various opinions, Stan Smith believes Roger Federer is still the Greatest, followed by Rod Laver.  


"Oh yes. In my ranking of all time after Roger Federer, I put Rod Laver, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on equal merit, Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg,"Stan said.

Stan on Jannick Sinner

The 19 year old Jannick Sinner had a very good season at ATP Tour this year. He won his first ATP Title and reached the quarter's of Roland Garros. Many labelled him to be a potential next gen no.1. Stan also had his opinions on this youngster. 

"I've also seen Jannick Sinner in action on TV in New York and Paris. He has an all-court game that impressed me and a good attitude. Now that he won his first ATP title and that Italy is rooting for him, how he manages his success and attention will be decisive. The head is everything in tennis. But it will not be a meteoric (rise)," Smith said. 



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