Rod Laver saluted Roger Federer's feat of winning a 15th Grand Slam as an unbelievable effort.
Rod Laver saluted Roger Federer's feat of winning a 15th Grand Slam as "an unbelievable effort".
But Australian Laver, who won two calendar Grand Slams during his distinguished career, stressed it was impossible to compare players from different eras.
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Famous Four: Roger Federer poses with the Wimbledon Trophy with former tennis champions Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras and Rod Laver at the All England Club in London yesterday. |
Federer (27) broke the record of 14 career Grand Slams, which he shared with Pete Sampras, to become the most successful player of all time.
Laver (70) said: "It's amazing what sorts of shots he can come up with from impossible positions. It's a great feeling to watch the talent he has and the opponents he beats comfortably, where other players have such a tough time. With a player like (Ivo) Karlovic, the other players can't get his serves back but how come Roger can?
"He's just naturally talented and can change where he has to change. It's an unbelievable effort to have 15 Grand Slam titles.
"Pete Sampras has got 14, which was an unbelievable effort right there."
Laver won 11 Grand Slam titles but from 1963 to 1967, during his peak years, was prevented from playing at Wimbledon, the Australian, US and French Opens, which were only open to amateurs.
