Tennis, anyone.....?

[Enoch]

Glad to see there was nothing much to miss there.

It was certainly a day for going to the wire.

Quality final. Two great champions.

[Prufrock]

Undoubtedly so, though I've never been able to warm to Djokovic. I think he's probably the one who is the best of all time, but feel nowhere near the investment as with Federer or particularly for me Rafa.

[Montreal Wanderer]

Undoubtedly so, though I've never been able to warm to Djokovic. I think he's probably the one who is the best of all time, but feel nowhere near the investment as with Federer or particularly for me Rafa.

This best of all time strikes me as a bit over the top (and you said earlier the best 3-5 of all time are still playing). The joker is possibly the greatest player of his generation, but I wonder how he would do with a wooden racket, catgut strings and plimsolls against a Rod Laver, definitely the greatest player of his generation. I don't think you can compare different generations in any meaningful way.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Undoubtedly so, though I've never been able to warm to Djokovic. I think he's probably the one who is the best of all time, but feel nowhere near the investment as with Federer or particularly for me Rafa.

This best of all time strikes me as a bit over the top (and you said earlier the best 3-5 of all time are still playing). The joker is possibly the greatest player of his generation, but I wonder how he would do with a wooden racket, catgut strings and plimsolls against a Rod Laver, definitely the greatest player of his generation. I don't think you can compare different generations in any meaningful way.

I totally agree Monty. In any sport you cannot possibly compare across generations. It's especially unmeaningful when technology plays a hand, as it undoubtedly does in tennis.
I remember the visceral arguments that used to take place between two of my uncles as to who, between Cassius Clay/Mohammed Ali and Rocky Marciano, was the undoubtedly best heavyweight champeen of ze world ever. And there was no technological advantage even...! Just different generations who never met. It's impossible to tell, and therefore utterly totally meaningless to say that any percentage of today's top players are all-time best - that's just bollox.

[Prufrock]

You certainly can't come up with a definitive unarguable answer but you can definitively have the conversation. It certainly is not "just bollox".

It seems a particularly odd line to take as well on a football forum. No room for qualitative, subjective bar-room type debate here!

I think Djokovic probably is the best tennis player of all time. I also think he almost certainly isn't the most loved or lovable. So ner.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

You certainly can't come up with a definitive unarguable answer but you can definitively have the conversation. It certainly is not "just bollox".

It seems a particularly odd line to take as well on a football forum. No room for qualitative, subjective bar-room type debate here!

I think Djokovic probably is the best tennis player of all time. I also think he almost certainly isn't the most loved or lovable. So ner.

Well Mr sensitive, did I deny you room to develop an argument? By stating something is "just bollox" doesn't stop an argument dead, as you've just proved, so why get precious about it?
My argument is that it's absolutely impossible to prove across generations who is better at whatever - it's not even a particularly pretentious or controversial or right-wing or 'anythingyouinparticularhateism' view for fxck sake. Obviously upset you though. So ner to you.

[Prufrock]

I mean, you've taken what I said and you've run with it, for sure.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

I mean, you've taken what I said and you've run with it, for sure.

I'm glad we agree.

[Harry Genshaw]

I think Djokovic probably is the best tennis player of all time. I also think he almost certainly isn't the most loved or lovable. So ner.

He wasn't even the best player in Wimbledon yesterday! He's a cracker, undoubtedly but behind Federer & Sampras (also quite unloveable) for me.

[Enoch]

Bollox or no, there is no debate as to who was the greatest tennis player of all time.

Here.

[Prufrock]

Go on Andy lad! He almost certainly won't get back close to where he was, but to win an ATP final against a proper top 10 player in Wawrinka 9 months after hip surgery is yet another phenomenal achievement.