Roger Federer big debate on the GOAT race, what next after retirement

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The day was always going to come sooner rather than later but the announcement of Roger Federer’s retirement still caught many off guard. There was always some hope that he would give it one more final go at a Grand Slam before calling time on his career.

But it’s clear that Federer doesn’t feel his knee will be able to hold up having been trying to recover from a third knee operation since last year. Next week will now be a celebration of Federer when he teams up with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray before bringing an end to his incredible career.

Express Sport takes a look at the big talking points from Federer’s retirement.

What is Roger Federer’s most iconic match?

Yasmin Syed: I know everyone will think 2008 Wimbledon final but I’ll go 2017 Australian Open final because 1. he won it and 2. it was the most ridiculous comeback and throwback match with Nadal.

Stuart Ballard: The 2008 Wimbledon final is often labelled the greatest tennis match of all time but the 2017 Australian Open final is a personal favourite due to the issues he overcome in the months prior. He recovered from his first knee surgery in time to make his return to Melbourne, but nobody would predict the outcome where he’d come out victorious against Rafael Nadal. It also proved to be a milestone achievement against his arch rival with this being Federer’s first win over Nadal at a Grand Slam since 2007.

Andrew McLean: I am ashamed to admit that I was one of the many who believed Federer’s career at the top was over after his defeat in the Wimbledon semi-finals to Milos Raonic in 2016 and subsequent six-month injury break. How wrong I was. 2017 saw a renaissance to rival any other in sporting history with no match capturing it better than the Australian Open final win over Rafael Nadal. What better way to announce your return to the top of the sport than beating your greatest rival of all time in a five-set epic? His success was made all the more impressive after he overcame being a breakdown in the final set and beat the Spaniard for the first time since 2007 in a Grand Slam. Another year of being tennis’ undisputed best player followed – an achievement which may not have been possible had it not been for this match.

Archie Griggs: Federer’s historic win over Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon final back in 2009 will be remembered for just how determined the Swiss icon needed to be to deliver the goods under an inconceivable amount of pressure. He managed to recover from the previous year’s defeat at the hands of Rafael Nadal to down Roddick in four hours and 17 minutes, with 30 games being contested in the last set, to clinch his sixth Wimbledon title in the space of just seven years.

Charlie Gordon: 2012 Wimbledon final vs Andy Murray – The 2008 battle with Rafael Nadal was timeless but he came out on the losing side. 2012 was a classy four-set victory full of iconic moments, including Andy Murray’s tearful post-match interview.

Where does he rank among the GOATs?

CG: Third in terms of raw numbers but he may well pip Rafael Nadal to be considered the people’s champion due to his elegance on the court and conduct off it.

SB: From a pure sporting achievement standpoint, Federer will just miss out on being called the greatest of all time. But on a pure popularity basis, nobody comes close to the level that Federer has achieved in his career other than maybe Serena Williams. In the men’s game, despite the success of both Nadal and Djokovic, Federer reins supreme and has transcended the sport all over the world and brought in new fans to tennis. His departure from the ATP Tour will be the toughest felt of any of the current ‘Big Three’ and that gives a strong indication of his place on the GOAT list.

AG: The GOAT debate in tennis draws plenty of similarities to the argument in football about who is better out of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Although it is tempting to pick one over the other, it would be impossible to do so without giving due credit to both players. It is a similar story in tennis and it would be wiser to class Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as the joint-greatest of all time rather than choosing one ahead of the rest, with all three players able to make convincing cases.

YS: Second of all time to Serena Williams, but the GOAT in men’s tennis.

AM: Tennis is perhaps the most difficult sport of all time to choose the all-time greatest player such is the quality of Federer, Djokovic and Nadal. The Swiss icon is undoubtedly the romantic pick, no one has ever been or will ever be as graceful on a tennis court as him. However, it is perhaps too far to call him the overall GOAT. Instead, I am going to sit squarely on the fence and label them all co-GOATs, each given the title for their favourite surface. Nadal is naturally the greatest on clay, Djokovic takes the hard crown while Federer has earned his status as grass’ best. This seems like the happiest middle ground and one I am going to stick to.

What should/ will Federer do after retirement?

YS: He should stay involved with tennis and coach or be a pundit. But he’ll definitely become even more of a classic Phil Dunphy-like dad / family man, and he’ll do a lot with his Roger Federer Foundation. I think that’s why he said he’ll keep playing tennis but not professionally – there will still be some charity exhibitions.

CG: His expertise could be put to good use coaching tennis’ up-and-coming talent but it would be great to see him on our TV screens providing insight and opinion around major tournaments.

SB: Nobody wants to see Federer completely disappear from tennis and a role as a pundit would be ideal for the Swiss tennis icon. Having Federer in attendance at every Wimbledon tournament for the forseeable future as a pundit/ commentator would be the ideal scenario. But more than likely, Federer will take up a more business-like mind to retirement with the occasional guest appearance at majors here and there. He’s already got his Team8 management firm, who represent Coco Gauff among other top tennis stars. A coaching role could be out of the question too with his management company likely to take up most of his time.

AM: Federer is perhaps only one of the people in the world to hold a greater reputation at Wimbledon than broadcasting legend Sue Barker and would the fun choice to fill the massive shoes she has left behind. Sure, he might not have the training or time to take on the role but fans will love it, as importantly would Sue herself. Go on Roger, please!

AG: It would be nice to see Federer follow in the footsteps of John McEnroe by offering his unrivalled insight on our TV screens by moving into a punditry role at some point in the near future. However, nobody would blame the 41-year-old for putting his feet up and enjoying his retirement after an outstandingly successful 24-year career at the highest levels of the sport.

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