"Roger will leave a bigger dent than Djokovic, he's a bigger icon than Nadal" - says Berdych
ATP
Former ATP World No. 4 player Tomas Berdych thinks that Roger Federer's legacy will always be bigger than that of his rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nada.
Berdych recently talked about Federer and the Swiss Maestro's tennis career in an interview with the Czech publication iDnes. In the interview, the Czech player explained how the Swiss great compares to the other members of the Big Three.
Berdych retired from tennis in 2019, and Federer joined him as a retired player recently in London. The Czech player had a chance to witness the Big Three competing both on the tennis courts with them and also as a spectator.
According to Berdych, regardless of their achievements, Federer left "a bigger dent" than his other two rivals. The Swiss player has won fewer major titles than his two biggest rivals, but many, like Berdych, argue that his legacy extends way past the number of Grand Slam titles he managed to win.
"Those who wanted to compare the greatest aces by numbers would find arguments for different players. The number of Grand Slam titles may be the most objective measure, but there are athletes who have left a huge mark."
"I think Roger will leave a bigger dent than Djokovic. I think he is a bigger icon than Nadal. Maybe because he started this great era. What he did for tennis cannot be outweighed by any results."
Federer often drew the biggest crowds, and he was loved everywhere he went. Berdych understands why some fans love Nadal and Djokovic, but to him, the Swiss player was just a level above.
"There were a lot of people who watched matches or started playing themselves because of his skill and performance on the court. That's what makes him superior to others. Though, of course, I can understand if a fan finds something special about Nadal, Djokovic, or other players."
