It is often said that numbers don’t lie. However, on this occasion, the famous saying didn’t hold true after ESPN released the list of the Top 100 athletes of the 21st Century. There were some major surprises in the much-awaited list, as far as tennis was concerned. The sport had good representation, with Serena Williams lying in the second spot, only behind Michael Phelps, who topped the list. What was interesting to note is that on the men’s side, Roger Federer made it to the list ahead of Novak Djokovic.

Statistically speaking, Djokovic has won more big titles than the Swiss maestro. Djokovic has 24 Grand Slam trophies as compared to Federer’s 20. Additionally, Djokovic’s domination in recent years was second to none, as he won a host of big titles. Despite this, the Swiss maestro was voted as the best men’s tennis player in the 21st century.

While this may come as a surprise to many, the fact of Federer’s superiority isn’t unknown. ESPN considered a host of factors while deciding on this list of best athletes, and it wasn’t just their contribution on the field but also how they impacted society with their efforts off the field. In this regard, Federer has always been the frontrunner. He has actively been involved with his organization, the Roger Federer Foundation, and helped the sport to develop at the grassroots level. In the past, Federer has been pictured visiting backward regions and helping children with basic needs, and promoting the sport alongside.

While his off-court contributions helped Federer get ahead of his rivals, the Swiss maestro’s unmatched playing style on the court was a cut above the rest. Whatever the situation, Federer never shielded away from his old-school playing technique.

How Roger Federer became the most-loved tennis player

The Swiss maestro preferred an attacking style of play, which is always more interesting to watch than most other playstyles. The best matches were when Federer treated us to his down-the-line forehands and one-handed backhands, two of his biggest weapons to dominate his rivals on the court. And as if these weren’t enough, Federer continued to execute the serve-and-volley technique to perfection throughout his playing days. After all, he didn’t become the World No. 1 for nothing.

A fan favorite with over millions of fans worldwide, every fan dreaded the day he would announce his retirement. When he bid adieu to the sport at the 2022 Laver Cup, the entire tennis world got emotional, signaling how he was widely loved in the entire tennis fraternity. As he shed tears when giving his last speech, the same went for Rafa behind him and the rest of the O2 arena in London and those of us watching at home.

At the same time, with a huge fanbase came an ever-increasing brand value. The Swiss maestro endorsed some renowned brands during his playing days, from Rolex to Uniqlo. Further, he has transitioned successfully from an athlete to an entrepreneur, showing off his all-round skills.

While ESPN’s list of the best athletes may have come as a surprise for tennis fans with Federer being ahead of Djokovic, these factors justify how and why the Swiss maestro has an unmatched legacy. Do you agree with the newly-released list of the best athletes of the 21st century by ESPN? Let us know your views in the comments below.