Third to Lance and Tiger? Feds is second to none
Roger Federer
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Fan favourite Fed picks up three gongs in a day
After matching his 62 titles with as many winners to dispatch Victor Hanescu in Indian Wells, Federer was honoured post-match with a trio of awards
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By what must qualify as a landslide, Tiger Woods has been voted ‘Athlete of the Decade’ on Wednesday night by the great and the good of the Associated Press news agency.
His 56-vote share of the 142 ballot slips put the winner of 14 of golf’s majors head and shoulders above seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong with 33 votes, and one Roger Federer – third, with 25, ahead of swimmer Michael Phelps, American Football star Tom Brady and sprinter Usain Bolt.
Hang on a minute. Roger Federer, third, in an athlete of the decade ballot? Roger fifteen-slam, 61-title-winning, five-time-year-end-world-No.1 Federer? Sorry, no cigar AP. Wrong.
Before we go any further: yes. Even without bringing Woods’ recent transgressions into the mix, and ignoring the unqualified questionmarks that stalk Armstrong’s legacy as cycling repairs its damaged image following numerous doping scandals, as we’re bona fide tennisheads there is probably an element of bias in all of this.
So in an effort to be fair, lets break down exactly what we are talking about when we think about what it takes to be considered the supreme sports performer of the last ten years.
We’ve compiled ten categories of athletic excellence and compared Federer, Woods and Armstrong across the board, awarding three points for the best, two for second and one for third to define our own athlete of the decade. Right, here we go…
Indomitable spirit
Lance 3, Tiger 2, Feds 1
Not a good start for Roger, but frankly there was only ever going to be one winner in this category. Armstrong’s record seven Tour de France victories is remarkable enough, but to achieve that after battling cancer is on another level.
Woods pips Federer after his emotional victory at the British Open following the death of his father, backed up by his US Open triumph in which he played most of the weekend with a shot left knee. And after blubbing at the Australian Open, Feds was always struggling…
One man against the world
Feds 3, Tiger 2, Lance 1
A pretty arbitrary category, but one in which Federer stands apart. They may clock individual victories, but out on the track Lance has his teammates, while Woods has his caddy on hand during a round. Federer takes players on alone – no-one for aid or advice.
Brain over brawn
Feds 3, Woods 2, Lance 1
Another Federer mainstay. What Lance does is awe-inspiring, but Feds and Woods can leave your jaw on the floor with one swing. The Swiss edges out Tiger purely and simply because the ball he hits is moving when he slots another mindbender away for a winner.
Brawn over brain
Lance 3, Woods 2, Feds 1
And this isn’t just a simple reversal of the cerebral appreciation above. Federer has never professed to hitting the hardest ball out there, but Woods has redefined the boundaries of the tee shot during his career. Both, however, must bow to Armstrong, who possesses quite probably the most advanced cardiovascular system known to man.
Dominanting the landscape
Dead heat! 2pts apiece
Let’s not kid ourselves. These guys are the top three choices – by a margin – for good reason. No splitting them here.
Artistry
Feds 2.5, Woods 2.5, Lance 1
That tinge of bias may be rearing its head once more, but while an appreciation for what Armstrong’s mind and body are capable of enduring, along with his drive and tactical acumen, his cycling doesn’t do it for us in the aesthetic stakes.
But Woods and Federer? The picture-perfect swing of his driver, or the balletic grace as he traverses the baseline…art. We all swoon – because they stand apart from everyone else. Honours even.
Rewriting the history books
Lance 3, Feds 2, Woods 1
Woods’ future looks unsure following the events of recent weeks, but in any case he is still trailing Jack Nicklaus’ record haul of 18 Majors by four. And if we’re clutching at straws, he’s only won 12 since the turn of the millennium. Only 12.
Federer’s 15 since 2003 not only outscores Woods but leaves him unrivalled as the most decorated Grand Slam champion in Open era tennis history. But Armstrong tips it – his seven Tour de France titles take him two clear of the peleton, while Feds has edged past Sampras by one just now.
Changing the face of the sport
Feds 3, Tiger 2, Lance 1
Correct us if we’re wrong, but while Armstrong’s exploits have raised the bar for elite cycling, they have done little to change the sport itself. But Woods and Federer most certainly did.
Woods’ long-ball game off the tee allowed him to play a completely different short game to the rest until everyone joined the grand-driving brigade. But Federer’s dismantling of the power-hitters, baseliners and serve-volleyers at a trice has forced players across the board to diversify to raise their games.
The result? Tennis the likes the world has never seen before – not just from Federer, but the likes of Nadal, Murray, Djokovic, and Co. As the pioneering catalyst for that, Federer deserves due credit.
Changing the fanbase of the sport
Woods 3, Feds 1.5, Lance 1.5
Federer and Armstrong may have become superstars within the sporting realm, but neither has had such an impact on the sporting landscape as Woods.
The American became the first black athlete to dominate what was, and still is, a predominantly white sport, and deserves due credit for the positives to have emerged as a result. He also attracted a new, younger, diverse audience to the global game. Tip of the cap, Tiger.
Consistency
Feds 3, Lance 2, Woods 1
Woods may have more titles (64 to Federer’s 61), and Armstrong’s seven in a row is nothing short of astounding. But Federer’s big game consistency can be summed up in one stat: 22 consecutive Grand Slam semi-finals. Different surfaces, conditions, and opponents for over five years.
Just for good measure, winning 21 of those 22 final-four appearances, all of which gives him a 159-11 Grand Slam record since winning Wimbledon for the first time in 2003 – a 93.5% win-loss percentage.
Not enough? How about 237 weeks at No.1, fourth in the all-time list, and six months away from topping it. 24 consecutive tournament final victories. 56 straight wins on hard courts. And 65 straight wins on grass. Quite simply, different class.
FINAL SCORE:
Roger Federer: 22pts
Tiger Woods: 19.5pts
Lance Armstrong: 18.5pts
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the athlete of the decade.
(What are you talking about blinkered?)
Fans' Comments
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Tops Dec 18, 12:02 PM
Well said! Feds is magnificent.
MK Dec 21, 03:05 AM
Kudoes for being objective. Federer or Armstrong should have received this recognition. Tiger’s highly skilled, BUT a pro golfer is not an athlete in the same league as a marathon cyclist or a pro tennis player! Absurd. “No cigar, AP” indeed lol.
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