Roger Federer isn’t just a tennis legend; he’s a living symbol of dominance, grace, and an era that redefined the sport. For decades, Federer not only ruled the courts but also left opponents scratching their heads, wondering how he made the impossible look effortless. His silky smooth one-handed backhand and relentless composure turned him into a nightmare for rivals. Even now, long after hanging up his racquets, Federer’s aura hasn’t dimmed, and shedding light on it is the former American star James Blake. 

The 44-year-old engaged in an interview on the December 7th episode of the Nothing Major podcast. He deliberated on a wide range of factors including his playing days, his best pranks on the courts, and his time as John Isner’s landlord. But what caught the attention was his honest admission about Federer. When quizzed about who he thinks to be his toughest match-up, Blake did not seem to give it a second thought before mentioning the Swiss Maestro’s name. 

Speaking in the interview, he said, “Roger was my toughest matchup I think.” Continuing further, he added, “I did win him once but the guy I hated playing.” And his statements are quite justified too! Blake and Federer faced each other on tour 11 times, with the Swiss legend winning 10 of these encounters. The only time Blake emerged victorious was at the quarterfinal clash at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, besides enjoying a walk-over at the Paris Masters the same year.  This, however, is not the first time when Blake has shared such words of admiration for the tennis maestro.

Taking to his X account, the former American star shared a post that made rounds on social media with a ‘same-day-that-year’ trivia. The post detailed how Federer handed a defeat to Blake in the Tennis Masters Cup Final in Shanghai. Commenting on the same, Blake wrote, “Clearly the “before” pic since I was still smiling. If he wasn’t such a nice guy, I would have hated him for what he did to me that day.” Notably, it was one of the best seasons for the American where he achieved a career-high ranking of 4, and hence, facing defeat in a crucial encounter would have definitely given a heartbreak. Besides, he also shared a heartfelt tribute to Federer on his retirement in 2022.

“Roger, there was and never will be anyone like you. You crushed me on the court, but were so nice and genuine that I couldn’t hate you for it. You made the game better on and off the court and you will be missed. Good luck, you have earned all the success and joy in the world,” he wrote. However, Blake’s admiration for Federer exceeds far beyond the tennis courts, especially for the gestures that the 20-time Grand Slam winner made for his American counterpart.

When James Blake lauded Roger Federer’s “iconic” trait 

Roger Federer is not just known for his remarkable skills and grit but also for his iconic gestures for his fellow players. One such incident was revealed by Blake. In 2004, the American player suffered a broken neck during a training session at the Rome Masters. Federer made a remarkable gesture to pay a visit to him in the hospital in the middle of the tournament. 

Detailing the same in 2006, Blake revealed, “I think everyone has realized how great a tennis player he [Roger Federer] is, but I want to tell a quick story. About a couple of years ago, I was injured in a hospital in Rome. It’s at a time when everyone else is concentrating on their tennis and playing as well as they can, and I got one note at that hospital room and it was from the number 1 player in the world, Roger Federer, wishing me the best. Just a note on how classy he is, too.” When his comments gained traction once again a couple of years back, he yet again came out to laud the master player. 

“I’ve told this plenty of times just as one of many examples that the bar was set so high for an iconic athlete to also be an iconic human being. That bar is almost impossible to get over that you set @rogerfederer thank you for a new standard,” he said. For now, it would be interesting to see if the Swiss Maestro will respond to Blake’s latest comment on his greatness. But one thing is clear: from on-court to off-court endeavors, Federer’s legacy remains untouchable.