The man is a machine on the court - best ever, in my opinion. And he comes along at a time when US men's tennis is incredibly weak - the worst ever. The only way he won't win 20 is if he has a career-ending injury.

You people are nuts. Almost half think he will win more than 20 grand slams. Do you know how hard it is to do that? Even given how weak the mens tennis is, Federer already has a lot of mileage. It's really hard to be the best, to be the man. To achieve more than 20 he would have to win 5 more slams. There are super talented guys that are lucky to win one or two let alone 5.

He just won his 16th today, and if he pulls off a grand slam this season he'll end up with 19. That's possibly right around the corner, because that's the only thing he hasn't achieved in his career.

I believe he will hit 20 and retire. I think he can win 4 more slams in a 3-4 yr period.

Is there any sign at all that his man is slowing down? I don't think the poll goes high enough. I'm thinking 23 or 24 at this point.

I still think the is very clearly the greatest of his generation, but not the greatest player. I still think that was Sampras. There is so little competition for him, that I expect him to go past 20 GS titles.

You've got to be kiddn' right?!? NOT the best ever? What on Earth does Federer need to do? Beat Sampras at a Slam duuh let's see I think Roger did that didn't he?!?! Really not sure what you're watching Dude but its not Tennis.

federer is so dominant that he is a freak. he is the best athelete in the world hands down past tiger, kobe.james -everyone. 22 is my number, minimum but probably closer to 24

I have been watching Tennis for 25 years. I have seen Becker, Sampras, Agassi, Edberg, Lendel. I have respect for all these guys. I admire Sampras for his brilliant serve and volley game. I think he is the best in that type of game, no one can match his serve in my opinion. I like Agassi for his tenacity to comeback, it's not easy to go back to 105 and 100 in word rankings from top5 and come back again to gain the number 1. In my opinion he is the best in service return. Every one knows Edbergs and Beckers's rivalry on grass courts and Lendel's amazing consistency in reaching grand-slam final rounds.

But no one come near Roger Federer being a best Tennis player ever to set foot on the court. I can't Imagine what else he needs to do to clear the doubts from any ones mind who does not believe that he is the greatest player ever. How can any player reach 23 Grand slam semi finals not stop. This is ridiculous. I won't agree with any one who claim that competition is not good enough these days. I will ask them to talk to Andy Rodick, Rafel Nadal, Andy Murry and whole bunch of other players that were playing last 8-9 years in t he circuit. They will tell their stories about how many grandslams they would have won if they were born in any other time where there is no Roger Federer is not playing. I bet Andy would have won 3-4 grandslams easily by this time. Rafel would have won couple of more Wimbledon's. Majority of the people agree that Rafel Nadal is the best clay court tennis player ever. If Roger is was able to meet him 3 times in the final and 1 time in semis tells the story how good is he. He would have won more grandslams had he not faced the best clay court tennis player of all time. Look at Sampras, he struggled to evern reach one final of the French Final, forget about wining it.

I can write for another hour like this talking about why he is the best tessnis player ever set foot on the earth so far. I rather prefer his racket keep proving that all our words and discussions about that. Already all the legends including Sampras agree it, what else we need to talk about it?

I find it stunning when people write about Federer being lucky enough to win slams because of a lack of competition. I've been an avid fan, player and teaching pro since the mid 70's, and I have never seen competition this fierce and deep. Federer has beaten Philippousis, Safin, Roddick, Hewitt, Agassi, Baghdatis, Nadal, Gonzalez, Nadal, Djokovitch, Murray, and Sodderling to win Grand Slam Finals. That's 12 different opponents. Sampras only met 9 different opponents in his winning finals. Combine that with Feds 23 straight semifinals and his career slam and you end up with the greatest of all time.

Roger gets tough competitors but he has such a command of all facets of the game. Some players have the big serve or the big forehand or an advantage left-handed but Roger smashes, volleys, serves and returns in total better than his competition. He also is a great tactician on the court and adapts to his opponents. I loved the way he looked at Murray during his remarks to Murray; what a gentlemen!

Anyone who thinks that Federer isn't the best player to pick up a racket is a moron. Fedex has won 16 slams and could easily play 2 or 3 more years. His forehand is likely the best shot in the history of men's tennis. The Fedster move extremely well, has improved his backhand, and has a clutch serve. He can play on all surfaces and is a class act. That doesn't mean he would have a winning record against every single player. Fed hits a lot of winners against most guys but can't against Rafa because he is so fast. Pete may be able to give Roger some trouble as well. But in terms of results and shotmaking, Federer is by far and away the best and most talented player in the history of tennis. Audi 5000 and anyone who disagrees with anything I have written is not very smart at all. So there.

I add a demension to the greatest ever comments.
Federer is great at acknowledging opponents who beat him
Sampras never gave his victorious opponent much credit. He always had an excuse about his own game on a given day
He really wore thin!!

I, too, have seen many tennis players from Ashe to today, even watched some film of Laver and that era and I have never seen a more complete, balanced tennis player as Roger. What he has done on court is a no-brainer. The records speak for themselves. What I also like about Roger is his off-court demeanor.

It says something about a player who beats you to death on the court, and then you turn around and vote him as the best sportsman -- year after year after year after year...(you get the point). I loved Pete when he played, but I have read that other players didn't really 'like' Pete in the locker room or didn't want to 'hang out with him'. They said Pete treated the other players aloof - as to say "Yes, I'm #1 and you're beneath me" (putting it in my words). They said he wouldn't have anything to do with the players in the locker room; wouldn't say 2 words to you, etc. And that worked for Pete, but after he retired, he himself said he wish he would have "enjoyed" it a little more and got closer to the other players.

Roger is just the opposite. Everyone in the locker room said he speaks to them, makes it a point to learn about them. (one person said he wished her well after her surgery and she was shocked that he even knew about her surgery). From what I have heard, he is the best loved "#1" player ever. Roddick even said he would love to hate Roger but he's just too nice. Blake said when he was in the hospital he got ONE card for a player and that was from Roger; Roger has organized so many charity events for the players (Haitti being the last one)...so in addition to all his on-court tennis records - combine it with what the man has done and is doing - He's by far my greatest tennis player ever.

I actually think Federer is better now than he was 5 years ago. The big improvements are in his serve and backhand. Besides adding a few more mph he seems to get more free points off the first serve. Also, he seems more comfortable hitting over the backhand in rallies and can move his opponent around with the backhand as well as the forehand. The slice adds some variety but he seems to hit it a bit less than he used to. Federer will remain a threat to win every grand slam he enters for the next 3 years. My guess is that the Fedster may "only" get 2 or 3 more GS titles because there are so many guys out there that can knock the cover off the ball.

Even though I think he's not a very likeable person, Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player I have ever seen. He can easily continue his quest to grab as many grand slam titles as he can, and nothing can get in his way but himself...and Nadal...and maybe Del Potro.

are you a buddy of his --i mean hes not likeable. you must be in the know or in the clouds dumas