Roger Federer SILENCED debate over Rafael Nadal rivalry by doing this – Mark Knowles

That’s the opinion of former men’s doubles tennis star Mark Knowles, who has been left speechless over Federer’s recent achievements.

The Swiss star overtook Nadal to become world No 1 once again in last month’s Rotterdam Open just weeks after winning his 20th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

Federer continues to break his own records and will be aiming to build on his lead in the rankings over Nadal this month at Indian Wells and Miami.

It is expected that he will skip the French Open again like he did last year in order to prepare for the grass court season where he has enjoyed most of his success.

Nadal has also earned his place as one of the best tennis stars to have ever played the sport having won 16 Grand slams.

But Knowles points to the Federer’s 305 total weeks at No 1 compared to the Spaniard’s 167 as evidence to why the former is considered the greatest of all time.

“It’s just absolutely incredible to think that he still has that much motivation to get all the way back to the top,” Knowles said on the Tennis channel.

“I know right away it was about winning Grand Slams but the opportunity to become No 1 made him go to Rotterdam.

“He secured the title, he was a little nervous during that quarter-final match to get to the semis to ultimately get to No 1 but 305 weeks at the top and counting.

“When you look at that of course that’s the pantheon, greats of the game, but what stunned me is he’s almost double the weeks at one as Rafa.

“That kind of silenced the debate a little bit. There’s always a bit of talk between fans on who’s the greatest of all time.”