Serena wins to capture her 23rd slam, passing Graf and one behind Court.
1 behind Court, but Court didn't play in the Open era. Serena has the most in the Open era.
Congrats to Roger for his 18th slam! I didn't think he would pull out that fifth set against Rafa. GOAT status cemented.
Nah, can't be the GOAT when you were the greatest of your own era. Despite the loss last night, Rafa's still had Roger's number and owned him. Fed is 12-23 against Rafa all-time, including 3-6 in Grand Slam Finals. Rafa has beaten Roger on his best surfaces, both at Wimbledon and the Aussie Open. Fed never beat Rafa at Roland Garros.
Novak Djokovic also own the head-to-head advantage over Roger at 23-22 and in Grand Slam Finals 3-1.
I believe it was pointed out by Brad Gilbert last night that Roger won 7 slams before the Rafa, Djokovic, and Murray eras began and benefited early in his career from stars such as Sampras and Agassi being in the twilight of their careers. From 2003 through early 2006, he didn't really have anyone to compete with him and won 7 of his 18 slams. Conversely, Rafa and Novak have won their titles during a time when all 4 players were actively competing at a high level.
Roger is certainly the most accomplished player of all-time, with regard to Grand Slam titles, but not necessarily the GOAT. Not only do you have to consider head-to-head, especially in majors, but you also have to weigh in Masters championships, the Olympics and Davis Cup. Rafa really separates himself with all those factored in, with Djokovic closing the gap.
Lastly, one other important thing to consider is that Roger (and Pete Sampras before him) has also benefited from the fact that 3 of the 4 grand slams are on surfaces (grass and hard court) that favor his game. Only 1 is played on clay, which is Rafa's best surface. Hence Rafa's been at a disadvantage with less opportunities on his best surface. Despite that disadvantage, Rafa has still won 14 slams including 5 on hard courts and grass whereas Fed only won 1 on clay. Imagine if it was more evened out and 2 of the majors were on clay and 2 on hard court or grass. Things would be drastically different. Think of it in football or basketball terms wherein 1 team got to play 75% of it's games at home and the other only played 25% at home. The fact that their records were even close would be a testament to the team that played all those road games at a disadvantage.
Right now Fed has a 4 slam lead on Rafa and a 6 slam lead on Djokovic (who is the most likely to keep closing the gap). If either or both get to within 2 or 3 of Fed's final tally all while owning the head-to-head all-time and in majors and while also having more Masters and Davis Cup titles, along with an Olympic gold medal --- I don't see how Roger Federer really has a good argument for GOAT.
That's my take on it anyway. I've read others in the industry that have suggested the same thing.