KEY POINTS

  • Roger Federer has won 20 Grand Slam titles
  • Federer is currently out of action after undergoing a few surgeries
  • Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic are called the 'Big Three' in tennis

Former World No. 7 tennis player Fernando Verdasco has hailed Roger Federer, calling the Swiss Master the "most talented player in history" of the sport.

In a recent interview, Verdasco spoke about the 'Big Three' in tennis – Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, where he said all three with all their talent could only reach their legendary levels due to absolute hard work.

Federer trails Nadal and Djokovic in the Grand Slams tally. While Federer was the first among the three to reach 20 major titles, he has been stuck there for four years now. In the meantime, Nadal has raced to 22 Grand Slams, while Djokovic is one behind the Spaniard.

"All players have to work hard if they want to break into tennis. Sport is work and effort, talent is not enough. Roger Federer is probably the most talented player in history and plays great tennis, but I can assure you that he worked hard to get to the top. The same goes for Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic," Verdasco told Mundo Deportivo.

In the first six months of 2022, Nadal clinched four titles, including two Grand Slams: Australian Open and Roland Garros, and took his tally to 22. While he was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon just ahead of his semi-final clash, Djokovic won the All England Club event and cut the deficit to one.

In the same interview, when asked to choose the best match of his career, Verdasco said, "When I am asked this question, I always think back to the 2009 Australian Open semi-final against Nadal. Even though I lost, it was the most iconic match of my career. We played for five hours at an impressive level. It was the semi-final of a Grand Slam against the number 1 in the world, without forgetting that it was a derby."

Novak Djokovic (right) and Roger Federer both have 20 Grand Slam titles
Novak Djokovic (right) and Roger Federer are counted among tennis' 'Big Three' AFP / Greg Wood

The 38-year-old, who has won three Davis Cup titles with Spain, went on to add that "even though it's been 13 years, people still talk to me about that match when they meet me on the street."

Federer, who has not played since Wimbledon 2021, is expected to make a comeback at Laver Cup next month.

Nadal has recovered fully from his abdominal injury and has confirmed his participation in the upcoming ATP Cincinnati Open. Following that, he'll give it a shot to make it Grand Slam No. 23 at the US Open, which is scheduled to begin on Aug. 29 at New York's Flushing Meadows.