Tennis icon Serena Williams once revealed who she believes is the greatest male tennis player of all time, describing him as a ‘genius’. Williams, who won 23 Grand Slam titles across a glittering career, is widely viewed as the best female player in the sport and one of the greatest athletes of all time, period.

While for many, the women’s tennis GOAT debate begins and ends with Williams, the male equivalent is more contested, with candidates like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal often in the conversation. However, Williams herself once gave her emphatic verdict on the topic.

Williams Names Federer as the Greatest Men’s Tennis Player

The duo are known to have a strong relationship

Speaking to Forbes back in 2021, Williams stated her belief that Roger Federer was the greatest male tennis player to ever grace the court. The Swiss superstar dominated throughout the 2000s and 2010s, winning 20 Grand Slam titles before his retirement in 2022.

Serena Williams Named 'Genius' as the Greatest Male Tennis Player of All Time

Explaining her decision, Williams said:

“I think two words sum it up: Roger Federer. He’s just a synopsis of greatness and class and amazing and really changed the game. You see players playing like him, moving like him, doing his techniques. The guy is (a) genius.”

Williams would also describe herself as a Federer ‘superfan,’ further cementing her love for the Wimbledon icon.

There was often a debate on who would come out on top between Williams and Federer during the peak of their respective powers, and while they naturally never faced off in singles competition, they did compete in an exhibition doubles match in 2019.

It was Federer and partner Belinda Bencic who came out on top against Williams and Frances Tiafoe at the Hopman Cup in Australia. The tightly contested affair finished 4-2 4-3 (5-3), and the American star was full of compliments for her opponents afterwards.

“This guy is great, both off the court and on the court. I think his serve is super-underestimated. It’s a killer serve, you can’t read it. I watched him all the time and I never knew how amazing it was.”