Roger Federer is not merely a tennis legend; he embodies dominance, grace, and has redefined the sport with his era. For decades, he ruled the courts, leaving opponents in awe as he made the impossible seem effortless with his silky smooth one-handed backhand and unwavering composure. Even after his retirement, his aura still shines brightly. Let's delve into the insights shared by former American star James Blake.

Admiration and Tough Match-ups

In the December 7th episode of the Nothing Major podcast, the 44-year-old engaged in a wide-ranging discussion. He spoke about his playing days, pranks on the courts, and his time as John Isner's landlord. But what grabbed everyone's attention was his honest admission about Federer. When asked about his toughest match-up, Blake didn't hesitate to mention the Swiss Maestro. As he said in the interview, "Roger was my toughest matchup I think." He continued, "I did win him once, but the guy I hated playing." And indeed, Blake and Federer faced each other 11 times on tour, with Federer winning 10 encounters. The only time Blake emerged victorious was at the quarterfinal clash at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and by enjoying a walk-over at the Paris Masters that year.This isn't the first time Blake has expressed admiration for the tennis maestro. On his X account, he shared a post with a 'same-day-that-year' trivia. It detailed how Federer defeated Blake in the Tennis Masters Cup Final in Shanghai. Commenting on it, Blake wrote, "Clearly the 'before' pic since I was still smiling. If he wasn't such a nice guy, I would have hated him for what he did to me that day." It was one of the best seasons for Blake when he achieved a career-high ranking of 4, and facing defeat in a crucial encounter must have been a heartbreak. Additionally, he paid a heartfelt tribute to Federer on his retirement in 2022. He wrote, "Roger, there was and never will be anyone like you. You crushed me on the court, but were so nice and genuine that I couldn't hate you for it. You made the game better on and off the court and you will be missed. Good luck, you have earned all the success and joy in the world."

Iconic Gestures Off the Court

Roger Federer is renowned not only for his remarkable skills but also for his iconic gestures towards his fellow players. One such incident was revealed by Blake. In 2004, during a training session at the Rome Masters, Blake suffered a broken neck. Federer made a remarkable gesture by visiting him in the hospital during the tournament. In 2006, Blake detailed this, saying, "I think everyone has realized how great a tennis player he [Roger Federer] is, but I want to tell a quick story. About a couple of years ago, I was injured in a hospital in Rome. It's at a time when everyone else is concentrating on their tennis and playing as well as they can, and I got one note at that hospital room and it was from the number 1 player in the world, Roger Federer, wishing me the best. Just a note on how classy he is, too." When his comments gained attention a few years back, he once again praised the master player, saying, "I've told this plenty of times just as one of many examples that the bar was set so high for an iconic athlete to also be an iconic human being. That bar is almost impossible to get over that you set @rogerfederer thank you for a new standard."For now, it will be intriguing to see if the Swiss Maestro responds to Blake's latest comments on his greatness. One thing is certain: Federer's legacy, from on-court to off-court endeavors, remains unrivaled.