Exclusive – F1 champ Jenson Button on his love of tennis and the Federer vs Nadal debate
Formula 1 ace Jenson Button has admitted he is ‘in awe’ of the tennis giants of the modern era, as he gave us his verdict on the enduring debate over who should be hailed as the greatest player of all time.
2009 F1 World Champion Button was been a regular attendee at the All England Championships at Wimbledon down the years and his love for tennis shone through as he sat down for an exclusive Zoom interview with Tennis365 from his home in Los Angeles.
While motorsport will always be his first love, Button told us that his admiration for the tennis greats runs deep, as he spoke to us as he launched the latest collection of his Dare 2b Edit clothing collection.
“I have been at Wimbledon a few times and I just love the atmosphere of the event,” Button told us. “Then you get the duel on the court when two players are looking at each other and doing battle. It’s just great.
“It’s obviously very different from my sport and while it is an individual controlling his own destiny, the challenge on a tennis court is so different.”
When we asked him to pick out who has earned the right to be hailed as the greatest player from a generation universally recognised as the greatest in the history of the sport, he was torn between selecting Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal, while also offering up a special mention for Britain’s Andy Murray.
“Ask me to pick between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and I just can’t do it,” he added. “They are both just unbelievable sportsmen and we have been privileged to watch them down the years.
“It feels like they have been there forever and it is two decades that we have all been watching them. To see them so competitive at this stage of their careers is just amazing.
“When they both reach a final of a tournament, there is such great respect between them and it is a real thrill to see them go at it, given the history they have.
“Djokovic is also an incredible champion. He may have done a few silly things down the years and attracted some negative publicity, but he is a wonderfully skilful sportsman.
“I also have to say a few words about Andy Murray. He has been a great guy to watch down the years and to compete with those three great players and win as much as he has done in his career has been a wonderful achievement.”
Check out Jenson Button’s Dare 2b Edit collection HERE
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Andy Roddick gives honest verdict on Novak Djokovic’s shock coaching split
“I was surprised. You don’t look to make moves in March or April. This has had to be a surprise to both of them.”
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner makes revealing comment on his eyesight after Miami Open win
Jannik Sinner opened up on his use of contact lenses on court.
-
Tennis News
Martina Navratilova serves up a desperate verdict on Andy Murray’s comeback hopes
Andy Murray is likely to have to wait several days to learn how long he will be sidelined for by the ankle injury he suffered in Miami.
-
Tennis News
Jannik Sinner reveals he has been having Call of Duty sessions with Italian football hero
Jannik Sinner has had some high-profile gaming clashes with Italy’s No 1 goalkeeper.
-
Tennis News
Former British No 1 offers up a theory to explain Novak Djokovic’s shock announcement
Has Novak Djokovic lined up a new coach following his decision to part ways with Goran Ivanisevic?
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic’s bombshell announcement fuels growing doubts over his tennis future
Speculation swirling over Novak Djokovic’s long-term future in tennis after his shock move.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic’s final moments of dominance were hard to spot – can he reclaim his crown?
Novak Djokovic’s reign as the king of men’s tennis appeared to be set to run and run – but the mood has changed.
-
WTA Tour
Victoria Azarenka used ‘parenting techniques’ to cope with Miami Open technical meltdown
Victoria Azarenka’s latest match was held up as the line-calling technology broke down – and she was not impressed.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz makes Jannik Sinner confession during Rafael Nadal-Roger Federer rivalry comparison
“I hope it will allow me to get the best out of myself … seeing the standard he sets.”
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic 3.0: Tennis great’s latest re-invention already underway with ruthless coaching move
The innovation doesn’t stop with Novak Djokovic.