Ion Tiriac
considers Roger Federer to be in a ‘category apart’ compared to Rafael Nadal
and Novak Djokovic. The Swiss Maestro will soon reach two years since his
retirement at the 2022 Laver Cup.
Tiriac, a
former Romanian tennis player, recently gave an interview with We Love
Tennis where he mentioned that the Swiss is physically behind his two great
rivals, but in terms of talent, no one can match him: “Actually, I know very
little about Roger Federer, but he always respected me,” said Tiriac. “Like the
other stars on the tour, he calls me the chef.”
Tiriac praises Federer’s unique talent
The
Romanian businessman is recognized as a former French Open doubles champion,
alongside Ilie Năstase in men's doubles in 1970. Additionally, he owned the
Madrid Open between 2009 and 2021, being responsible for turning it into a
combined men's and women's tournament, as well as changing the tournament's
date from October to its current position in May.
Tiriac also
owns the Tiriac tournaments and is considered the richest man in tennis. In his
recent interview, he spoke about the rivalry between Federer, Nadal, and
Djokovic and did not hesitate to choose the Swiss as the most talented: “I
sincerely think that he is really in a category apart if we compare him to
Nadal or Djokovic, for example. He’s a player who invented things on a tennis
court that didn’t exist.”
“Physically,
he was always a little below Djokovic and Nadal, but the talent he had in his
hands is a certainty,” Tiriac added regarding Roger Federer.
Federer
ended his career at the age of 41 after 310 weeks as world No. 1, with 103 ATP
titles, including 20 Grand Slam titles, which for several years made him the
greatest Slam champion of all time until he was surpassed by Rafael Nadal (22)
and Novak Djokovic (24).
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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