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JAMES SHIELD: Picking the best is the greatest challenge of all
RANKING all-time sporting greats is like getting out of shopping with the missus or discovering something of merit in a modern-art gallery. Impossible to achieve.
Do those who regard Muhammad Ali as the best boxer ever to pull on a pair of gloves disregard Joe Louis' remarkable punch power or impact upon America culture?
Should Maradona's position on the list of world-class footballing talent be downgraded by his numerous off-the-field problems or decision to employ the 'Hand of God'?
And does Tiger Woods beat Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan when it comes to choosing the number one golfer the globe has ever seen?
Everyone has their own personal favourite and criteria to employ.
Are, for example, accomplishments across an entire career the most important things to consider?
If so, then Phil Neal, with four European Cup medals and eight league titles perched on his mantlepiece at home, outstrips Steven Gerrard in any argument Liverpool's finest.
Or is a calculation about who would win a one to one duel a more accurate gauge?
Again, totally impracticable.
The debate, in tennis terms, has been re-opened by Roger Federer's triumph in the French Open on Sunday; a victory which completed his set of Grand Slams and saw him equal Pete Sampras' haul of 14 major titles.
Fair to say those still plying their trade probably never get the recognition they deserve.
Largely because we all, even the fresh-faced among us, like to don rose-tinted specs.
There is, after all, something a little more romantic and mysterious about watching a performer at the peak of their powers give a masterclass on an old, grainy, black and white showreel.
But the experts themselves don't make things any easier.
'Hall of Famer' Ted Schroeder placed Laver on top of the pile, saying: "You take all the criteria - longevity, playing on grass and clay, amateur, professional, his behaviour, his appearance ... in all criteria, Laver's the best player of all time."
But Aussie Laver, with impressive humility, conceded defeat when asked if Federer was, in fact, number one.
"I have to believe it because he's got every shot in the book."
Oh well.
Back to Meadowhall and pickled cows.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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