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The multiple Grand Slam champion who Roger Federer said he wishes he could have taken on in a match at Wimbledon

Photo by Zhe Ji/Getty Images
Photo by Zhe Ji/Getty Images
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Roger Federer is the greatest player to have ever played the sport of tennis in the eyes of many.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic often join him in the discussion with players like Pete Sampras, Boris Becker and John McEnroe coming into the mix too.

Federer won 20 Grand Slam titles and sits behind Nadal and Djokovic when it comes to major victories but his elegance puts him out on his own.

Federer’s sweat band was often called the most pointless accessory in sport, with the Swiss performer often despatching his opponents without breaking sweat.

Federer took on allcomers during his career and he famously shared who he’d have loved a dream match with if he could face anyone from history.

2024 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 12
Photo by Zhe Ji/Getty Images

Roger Federer wishes he could have played Bjorn Borg

Before Federer and Sampras came onto the scene, Borg was the man to beat when it came to Wimbledon.

He won five titles at the All England Club and in an interview back in 2020, Federer shared that Borg would be the opponent if he could play any player from history.

Federer was quizzed on a number of different factors if he could choose the whole experience of his perfect match – and of course, he’d want to come out on top.

The eight-time Wimbledon champion said: “So, maybe Bjorn Borg just because he’s done so much for tennis. He’s one of the true legends of our sport. He’s a class act.

“It would have to be at Wimbledon because I think at the French Open it would be too one-sided his way.

“We’re both wearing bandanas, his is a bit different, his hair is a bit longer than mine, there would be no grunting going on, it would just be really good tennis.

“It would have to be five sets, just because it’s so much more epic when it’s five sets. It’s very personal, I have to say, because anyone you play over five sets, you will always remember that match. Whenever you see each other down the road in maybe 20 years, you can always remember that match. Best of three sometimes they evaporate and just go.

“A rally and then I hit a forehand winner. Afterwards, I tell him that he will get the next one.”

Federer eclipsed Borg when it came to Grand Slam crowns

On grass, this matchup would have been special.

Beating Borg and Federer on grass proved nigh on impossible and the pair would have thrown up many memorable matches.

Australian OpenFrench OpenWimbledon US OpenTotal
Bjorn Borg065011
Roger Federer618520

It’s always hard to compare players from different generations but it’s fair to say that both of these two would have had the utmost respect for each other.

Federer did manage to win more Grand Slam titles than Borg but if a match took place at the All England Club between these grass-court specialists, it would be seriously difficult to pick a winner.