“Novak and Rafa are Different”: Biographer Draws Parallel Between Roger Federer and Lionel Messi

Published 11/01/2021, 3:30 PM EDT

Roger Federer is one of the biggest tennis stars in the history of tennis. Winning 20 Grand Slam titles, the Swiss star sits at the top alongside Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Besides all the accolades and awards that Federer has won in his career, the most captivating quality of the Maestro remains his elegance. The beautiful, even casual, simplicity with which he plays the sport is what has always set him apart from his competitors.

Recently, Federer’s biographer and journalist, Christopher Clarey, talked about Federer and compared this intangible quality to the football GOAT, Lionel Messi. He also talked about the difference between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic as compared to Roger.

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Christopher Clarey on Roger Federer

Clarey recently authored ‘The Master: The Brilliant Career of Roger Federer’. In an interview, he was asked about Federer and what set his ‘genius’ apart from Nadal and Djokovic.

The biographer said, “That’s a great question… I don’t think it’s (Federer’s genius) hard to explain. Everyone who follows tennis can see him. Even people from outside the tennis world can see it.”

“It’s like seeing Messi in a video: ‘Watch that dribble, wow’. Roger’s tennis is very easy to admire, it’s almost like a dance. Novak and Rafa are different. It’s more about feeling,” he further added.

(Quotes have been translated with Google Translate)

According to the journalist, it’s very hard to decode Novak Djokovic‘s game play. He seems to be flawless in his own way.

Watch this story: The Journey of Roger Federer to the Elite Billionaire’s Club

Federer is optimistic about his recovery

Roger Federer suffered a knee injury after Wimbledon 2021 and has pulled out from the rest of the season. However, the Swiss recently made a special appearance at the Laver Cup in Boston. Federer received an overwhelming welcome from the crowd in Boston.

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When asked to speak on his injury, Federer said, “I’ve got to first walk again properly, run properly and then do the sidesteps and all the agility work and then eventually I’ve got to be back on the tennis court. But it’s going to take me a few more months and then we’ll see how things are at some point next year.”

The Swiss added, “There’s no rush with anything, so I’m actually in a really good place. I think the worst is behind me.”

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Roger Federer fans across the world are eagerly waiting for the 20-time Grand Slam champion to make his comeback to the court. What do you think, when will the Maestro return?

“Got to First Walk Again Properly”: Roger Federer Provides Update on Recovery From Knee Surgery

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Atri Bhatt is a Tennis author at EssentiallySports. He is pursuing his Master's degree in Sports Management from Deakin University, Australia. In addition to critically analysing the game, he also plays tennis professionally.

“Novak and Rafa are Different”: Biographer Draws Parallel Between Roger Federer and Lionel Messi

Christopher Clarey on Roger Federer

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Federer is optimistic about his recovery