The two players Roger Federer claimed were the only tennis legends still playing in 2005

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Roger Federer was a dominant force in men’s tennis during the mid-2000s.

Following his maiden Wimbledon triumph in 2003, the Swiss Maestro proceeded to win at least two Grand Slam titles each year from 2004 to 2007.

Before 2010, Federer had won both Wimbledon and the US Open five consecutive times and had completed the career Grand Slam at the 2009 French Open.

One of those US Open championships was claimed in 2005, when he beat Andre Agassi in the title bout, which marked the only major final the two ever met in.

After Federer beat Agassi, he had high praise for the eight-time Grand Slam winner and stated he was only one of two legends active in professional tennis at the time.

Roger Federer’s reaction to beating Andre Agassi in 2005

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Federer said: “It is maybe the most… well, I think depending on how you look at it, but the most special one for me (major final).

“You know, to play Andre in the final of the US Open. Still, maybe one of the only living legends in tennis we still have, you know, next to Martina Navratilova on the women’s side, and him.”

Martina Navratilova was still active in doubles up until 2006, while Agassi also officially retired that year.

Federer said of his final opponent: “To play him, you know, in this situation, you know, him being towards the end of his career, me being on the top of my game, and getting the chance to play him on such an occasion, that’s what I meant by it being really special today.

“I mean, I couldn’t speak too much yesterday, you know, looking into it, because, you know, I still had to focus on the match. But I knew that this was going to be very special.”

Federer and Agassi played each other 11 times on the ATP Tour, with the American winning their first three meetings.

After that, however, Federer beat him eight consecutive times, and the 2005 US Open final was their last clash.

Roger Federer said he ‘amazed’ himself after winning the US Open

Federer finished 2005 with an incredible overall win-loss record of 81-4, and ended the season as the world number one.

When asked what it would take to beat him, he responded: “I amaze myself that I can back it up one tournament after another, keep on playing so well, and especially on hard court and grass court.

“Clay obviously is a little bit of a different story. But still also there I gave myself a chance to win the French.

“But, yeah, I wonder why I always play so well, and especially on the big occasions, as I said on centre court, it just seems to click for me.”

Federer improved on his 2005 season in 2006, during which he secured an additional three majors.