Roger Federer makes shock inclusion when naming five greatest tennis players ever

Roger Federer has revealed who he believes are the five greatest tennis players of all time - and, in a display of trademark humility, he left himself off the list. Instead, the legendary Swiss included long-term rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, as well as Pete Sampras and Boris Becker.

So far so predictable. But it was his fifth choice that raised a few eyebrows. "I gotta go back to, you know, who inspired me," Federer said on the . "For me, I needed my GOAT people, who were on the wall at home and I wanted to be like them. And for me, that was Stefan Edberg, Swedish guy." Offering a glimpse into how his own graceful playing style evolved, Federer added: "He was super elegant. He was the coolest."

He then moved on to his other picks. "Boris Becker, from Germany. They [Edberg and Becker] used to play against each other, so I used to be watching them on TV. And then Pete Sampras was the next one, from the US. And then, of course, Nadal and maybe Djokovic."

Despite not often featuring in debates about the greatest player of all time, Edberg boasts a resumé worthy of any era. Between 1985 and 1992, he captured six Grand Slam singles titles, including two triumphs at Wimbledon. He's also remembered as one of the finest serve-and-volley players the sport has ever seen - with his lightning-fast footwork allowing him to glide across the court and cover ground with effortless grace - much like Federer himself.

Also like Federer, Edberg wielded a one-handed backhand, but unlike the 20-time Grand Slam winner, his was a weapon of surgical precision - one of his signature shots, every bit as formidable as his forehand.

But as brilliant as Edberg was, he never quite reached the relentless, trophy-hoarding heights of some of his peers. In fact, 10 players in the Open Era have won more major titles than he did - including two fellow Swedes: Bjorn Borg, who won 11, and Mats Wilander, who lifted seven.

Among the other notable omissions from Federer's list were Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi and John McEnroe - each of whom captured eight Grand Slam titles.

In terms of sheer numbers, Djokovic leads the way with a record 24 major singles titles. Nadal follows with 22, while Federer sits third with 20. All three have, at different times, held the record as the most successful male player in history - a distinction once owned by American great Sampras, whose tally of 14 Slams stood for several years before Federer surpassed it in 2009.

That Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic have so thoroughly eclipsed the legends who came before them is a testament not only to their extraordinary talent but also to their relentlessness. To amass Slam tallies that far outstrip those of icons like Sampras, Borg and Edberg and to continue winning at the highest level for nearly two decades, speaks to a combination of skill, consistency and mental toughness that may never be seen again.

Remarkably, despite spending so many years battling each other at the very top of the game, the trio never had the kind of bitter, fiery rivalry that defined past clashes such as Connors vs McEnroe. Though competition was always fierce on the court, it remained respectful off it, as it is to this day.

"I was really happy and fortunate to play against them almost 40 to 50 times each so I have a lot of memories from a lot of great matches, battles," Federer said of Nadal and Djokovic in 2023. "I have answered questions about them so many times and I can only say the best things about them. It has been great to share the court with them for so many years."