Grigor Dimitrov has been speaking following his recent defeat to Jannik Sinner in the final of the Miami Open.
The 32-year-old, who endured a mesmeric run to reach that stage, seemed poised to challenge the Italian superstar in the form of his life.
However, he was simply too good, and brushed aside the Bulgarian with a stunning ease.
Such a dominant display has even led many to compare the 22-year-old to some true tennis greats, and so Dimitrov was asked to compare Sinner to some of his toughest-ever opponents.
Grigor Dimitrov full of praise for Roger Federer
Speaking after his disappointing defeat in the final of the Miami Open, Dimitrov was unsurprisingly downbeat at times.
His emotion in his post-match interview, conducted on court immediately after the match, was indicative of just how much this means to him.
However, he was still comfortable enough to reminisce on his wonderful career, seeing how Sinner, who had just thumped him 3-6, 1-6 in the final, stacked up against some of the best players he shared the court with.
Dimitrov noted: ‘I know for me I was going to say the toughest player that I have played at his absolute prime was Roger. Just too funny, actually. I remember a few times even at Wimbledon, once I remember it was just — I wanted to dig a hole and disappear (smiling).
‘I haven’t had that feeling yet against anyone, so I will leave it at that, I guess. Yeah, probably that’s going to be the player I felt like I suffered the most with.’
Other players note Roger Federer as their toughest opponent
Whilst Dimitrov is unsurprisingly a huge fan of Federer, given their stylistic similarities and respective mastery of the one-handed backhand, he is not the only man to name the Swiss maestro as the toughest opponent to have ever faced.
Andy Roddick is another who was famously thwarted by the 42-year-old with immeasurable regularity, which the American has openly voiced his jovial frustration.
After all, the former world number one was no slouch, yet lost 21 of the 24 matches he played against Federer despite them being the two highest-ranked players between 2003 and 2005.
These are just two, who actually transcend tennis generations, that outline the 20-time Grand Slam champion as their toughest opponent.
It marks a glowing endorsement for his quality, intangible talent and longevity, the likes of which have only really been seen in a handful of other players.
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