It has almost been two years since Roger Federer left tennis but the Swiss maestro is still the center of attention whenever one invokes the racket sport. Even in the NBA world, his fan following is quite enormous. Recently, former American pro Jason Collins was also heard citing the 20x Grand Slam champ in an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports. But why?

Jason Collins was present at the mega-hit Desert Smash event, currently held at La Quinta Resort in California. During the interview, he was asked to pick the name of a tennis player with whom he’d rather prefer to be stranded on a deserted island. Roger Federer was his answer, but not anyone else?

“They would send the helicopter to get him off” – Jason Collins on Roger Federer 

The 45-year-old NBA star is a big fan of tennis. He’s often seen in the stands during tournaments across the globe and has also traveled to all four Grand Slam tournaments at some point. During the Exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, Jason Collins was asked to name one tennis player with whom he’d prefer to be stranded on a deserted island.

Collins told EssentiallySports, “Someone who could get me off (laughs). I don’t know who that person would be. I mean someone who people would send the helicopter for. Roger Federer, I mean they would send the helicopter to get him off right?” Throughout his 13-year-long NBA career, he played for 7 different teams but Collins’ love for tennis is unparalleled. He once revealed how he had started playing at a club near Miami in Coral Gables just to get a glimpse of Venus Williams!

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While Jason Collins loves watching doubles, especially Taylor Townsend, and Coco Gauff in singles, he’s also a huge fan of the Big 3 like the rest of us.

Djokovic or Nadal? Collins has endless admiration for both

Despite his admiration for Federer, he once spoke about Rafael Nadal while elaborating his experience on the tennis court. He said, “I love tennis. I just joined my third tennis league. My tennis game is OK. I have a great serve as you can imagine and my forehand is good. Since I’m such a huge fan of Rafael Nadal, I put heavy topspin on my forehand.” Collins played tennis with his brother during his childhood.

But if he is asked to single out a tennis player, who he thinks would excel in basketball. Without any hesitation, Collins said, “I think Novak Djokovic with his movement would be an incredible basketball player.” But if it’s reversed, like name a basketball player who would do wonders in tennis. Jason Collins said, “Well besides me [laughing]…a guy like LeBron James on the tennis court,” would do quite well.

What are your thoughts on these choices? Share with us in the comment box. To get more such Exclusive content throughout the Desert Smash, keep an eye on the official page of EssentiallySports.