Roger Federer's emotional French Open triumph led to the Swiss maestro being acclaimed as the greatest tennis player of all time. William Johnson believes Federer will be the undisputed No 1 when he retires but is not quite there yet. Here are Johnson's top 10 nominations.
1. Rod Laver The Australian "Rocket" with exquisite all-court skills bridged two generations of the game, leaving the main tour in 1962 on top of the world and returning six years later to win all four majors the following year. 2. Roger Federer Failed to get the No 1 spot by the narrowest of margins after completing his career Slam on Sunday but will end all arguments if he regains his Wimbledon title next month and retains his US Open crown in September. 3. Bjorn Borg The Swedish iceman ruled the roost in the European summer winning five successive Wimbledon titles to go with his six French Opens. He was denied in four US Open finals and curiously left Australia off his itinerary. 4. Pete Sampras The undoubted King of Wimbledon having won half of his 14 majors there, the American had a grand slam winning span of 12 years - the time between his maiden Flushing Meadows triumph and his fifth in 2002. 5. Roy Emerson Repelled all invaders to his native Australia in the 1960s by amassing six titles on home soil and doubling his haul by winning the other three majors twice each. He was also prolific in doubles winning 16 grand slam titles. 6. Fred Perry The legendary name is mentioned every year that goes by without a home winner at Wimbledon. He won three successive titles at the All England Club and completed his career Slam with the French Open in 1935. 7. Rafael Nadal Only just 23, the current world No 1 already has six grand slam titles from everywhere but New York and, providing his career is not cut short by persistent knee problems, has the capabilities to add several more. 8. Ken Rosewall This artful Australian was unfortunate to be at his peak when Rod Laver was at an even higher level, but he still finished with eight major honours and is regarded as the best player never to have won Wimbledon. 9. John McEnroe Won what was regarded as the best tie-break in history before losing the 1980 Wimbledon final to Bjorn Borg. Avenged that in 1981, the first of three Wimbledon titles to go with the four in his native New York. 10. Ivan Lendl The Czech-born American excelled everywhere but Wimbledon, where he lost in two finals, amassing eight majors and his consistency enabled him to hold the world No 1 ranking for a then record 270 weeks.
