Roger Federer: Bjorn Borg would have overtaken Swiss legend if he did this - Clarey
ROGER FEDERER is the most popular champion in the history of tennis… only because Bjorn Borg retired so early, says journalist Christopher Clarey.
Bjorn Borg may have been more popular than Roger Federer if he had a longer career, says Clarey
Federer has won a men’s record 20 Grand Slams after winning the Australian Open for the second successive year last month.
The Swiss legend has also overtaken Rafael Nadal at the top of the ATP rankings after his quarter-final win over Robin Haase at the Rotterdam Open last Friday.
Federer has become the oldest man to be world No 1 at the age of 36, breaking Andre Agassi’s record.
Borg won 11 Grand Slams in his career, leaving him joint sixth in the all-time list, nine behind Federer.
Borg might have got there if he had stuck around, but Roger has stuck around
However, the Swede hung up his racket at just 26 years of age.
Clarey says Borg may have been as popular a figure, if not more, as Roger Federer if he had a longer career.
But the journalist has paid tribute to the dedication Federer has given the sport to get where he has.
“He’s kept plugging away all these years, selling the game of tennis worldwide in so many places,” Carey said on The Tennis Podcast.
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Roger Federer became world No 1 at the age of 36 last week
“I think at this point you have to say he’s the most popular tennis champion in history.
“Borg might have got there if he had stuck around, but Roger has stuck around.
“It’s a great reward for his great planning, great talent and great persistence.”