The Number 1 Player

Based on my findings earlier, I decided to run a poll on who you guys think was the best World No.1 in the Mens game? I decided to short list on the players who's slam victories coincided with their no.1 ranking below 50%.

I went for Roger Federer. I think he certainly dominated the slams from 2004-2008. He did with such comfortability and ease. Can't say personally I have seen anyone in my lifetime that dominated in such a way. Sampras runs him a close 2nd.

Depends on what you mean by best; federer was certainly the most dominant number 1.

On THIS list, Federer.
His brand of beautiful ,elegant mezmerising tennis has injected a shot of new life into ATP.
He carried his number one status brilliantly, although a bit too arrogant at times, still, I forgive him

Federer by a mile!

Fed for various reasons - longevity at number one (surely no one will beat the 237 weeks in a row which will be harder to overcome than the total weeks tally currently held by Sampras)
Secondly, amazing grace and stunning shot play.
Third - ability to win quickly to conserve energy and preserve fitness.
(worst number one ? - Jim Courier)

Some great players up there but Fed takes it.

* 16 Slams, across all surfaces,
* 4 losing Paris finals and only losing there to Nadal in 6 out of 7 years (proving that his "weak" Slam wasn't actually weak) .
* 18 Slam finals in 19 events (the other being a semi).
* Some insane number of consecutive Slam semi-finals.
* A crazy number of consecutive wins in tournament finals (20-odd I think).
* periods where his points tally was double the #2

mean this is the most dominant player in the history of the game.

Definitely Federer by a mile !

Federer with maybe Laver his closest rival....though some will argue probably rightfully that Pancho was better than Laver.

Roger Federer definitely - for all the reasons bogbrush has mentioned above and the fact that he won 3 out of 4 slams in three different years - even if Rafa can equal his total number of majors, the semi final and quarter final record will not be broken in the foreseeable future. Put in perspective by Lendl being second on semi list with 10 to Fed's 23.
He holds the record for consecutive major finals - 10, and the second on the list is Roger Federer again with 8 - insane!
Add in equalling Sampras and someone else with 5 Masters Cup/WTour Finals and it is an unparalleled legacy.

Well the best World No.1 is the one with the most Year End No.1 record and that's Pete Sampras.

Simple_Analyst wrote:Well the best World No.1 is the one with the most Year End No.1 record and that's Pete Sampras.

Did it take you long to find this stats that Pete owned and no other had?

Maybe Pete is the best number 1, but he never won the FO.

Anyway the best number 1 in recent years was JC Ferrero

Come on Josiah,

I'm sure you don't really mean that.

Well he did beat Martin Verkerk to win the FO, which leaves no doubt whatsoever of his GOAT credentials.

Actually.. I was referring to the bit about Pete.