Image isn't everything anymore for Andre Agassi - at least as far as Roger Federer is concerned.
Rafael Nadal's confidence is shaky heading into the French Open
Federer, owner of a record 17 Grand Slam events and the record holder form most weeks at No. 1, generally is considered the greatest tennis player ever.
That image, however, does not jive with Agassi, who believes the best ever lives about 750 miles to the southwest of Federer's Switzerland home.
Reuters reported Thursday that Agassi, a seven-time Grand Slam winner, thinks Spain's Rafael Nadal already has earned the distinction of greatest player in tennis history. His comments came in an interview with a Singapore newspaper.
"I'd put Nadal No. 1, Federer No. 2," Agassi told Singapore's Straits Times newspaper.
Coud the birth of his second set of twins motivate Roger Federer to win the French Open?
"Federer separated himself from the field for four years. He separated himself from (Andy) Roddick and (Lleyton) Hewitt. Nadal had to deal with Federer, (Novak) Djokovic, (Andy) Murray in the golden age of tennis. He has done what he has done and he's not done yet."
Federer has 17 Grand Slam titles to Nadal's 13. Agassi counters, however, that slams shouldn't be the lone measuring stick for greatness. Nadal owns a 23-10 record head-to-head against Federer.
The 32-year-old Federer is 17-7 in Grand Slam finals appearances; the 27-year-old Nadal has a 13-6 record. Both have benefit from being the best on a particular surface. Federer has seven Wimbledon grass court titles while Nadal has eight French Open clay-court titles.
Federer, however, has won all the Grand Slams four times. Nadal has only one win at the Australian Open and two at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
USA TODAY Sports' For the Win points out that Agassi's backing of Nadal is fitting if for no other reason than Pete Sampras - Agassi's career nemesis - still says Federer is the greatest ever.
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