‘Roger Federer would’ve stopped at 17 Grand Slams if Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic hadn’t appeared’
Andrea Petkovic thinks Roger Federer would have “stopped at 17 Grand Slam titles” without his rivalries with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
The former world No 9 also revealed she was “so excited” when Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina started winning big titles to provide competition for Iga Swiatek.
Federer won his 17th Grand Slam crown at Wimbledon in 2012, having surpassed Pete Sampras’ then record of 14 men’s majors at Wimbledon in 2009.
The Swiss great then had to wait almost five years to claim his 18th major – with his victory over Nadal in the 2017 Australian Open final ending the drought. He added further triumphs at Wimbledon in 2017 and the 2018 Australian Open to take his Grand Slam tally to 20.
The 42-year-old called time on his incredible 24-year career last year – partnering Nadal in doubles at the Laver Cup in his final match.
Speaking on Tennis Channel’s Inside-In podcast, Petkovic discussed whether a lack of rivalries could be a problem for ATP world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the future.
“That is a danger. If we put ourselves back into the shoes around 2009, when Roger Federer broke Pete Sampras’ number. If Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic hadn’t appeared on the tour, he would’ve stopped at 17 [Grand Slam titles]. 100%. We would’ve never seen these numbers,” declared the German.
“That’s the most important thing, not only in sports, in politics and art, wherever it is needed to create something really great, to create masterpieces, or to become the best at what you do, you need those rivalries.”
The 2014 French Open semi-finalist argued the emergence of Sabalenka and Rybakina will be beneficial for women’s world No 1 Swiatek.
“I was so excited at the beginning of the year when Sabalenka won the Australian Open because I know from my personal experience and just from watching tennis for almost 20 years now, how important rivalries are,” said Petkovic.
“I was worried if Iga Swiatek just dominates the tour for the next three, four years, that she won’t get better and won’t improve as a tennis player. I was so excited when Sabalenka and Rybakina found that consistency and started winning those big tournaments.”
World No 2 Sabalenka, who reached the semi-finals at both the French Open and Wimbledon following her Australian Open victory in January, sits less than 1,000 points behind Swiatek in the WTA Rankings.
Petkovic, now 35, won seven WTA titles before her retirement in 2022.
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