Federer completed the Career Grand Slam, as he won titles at the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.

He would likely have won even more, had two of the ATP Tour’s greatest players not interrupted his spell of dominance.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s emergence in the mid-2000’s provided a real challenge for the now 43-year-old, as they began to challenge for Major titles.

The trio, best known as the ‘big three’ played countless classics over the years, but who did Federer enjoy playing the most before the Spaniard and Serb joined him on the tour?

Roger Federer said he ‘enjoyed playing’ Andy Roddick and Marat Safin the most back in 2004

In a historic article on the ATP’s official website, Federer can be seen answering several fan questions during the 2004 Australian Open.

One such question, asked Federer who he looks forward to playing the most on the ATP Tour.

“I enjoy playing Marat Safin and Andy Roddick,” he said.

“I know going into the match that both are very fair players and I can expect a good contest.”

Federer went on to beat Safin in the final of the 2004 Australian Open, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2.

The result was Federer’s fourth win over Safin, as he certainly ‘enjoyed’ playing his Russian rival.

His head-to-head record with Roddick was similarly one-sided, as perhaps his enjoyment was somewhat swayed by the results of his encounters with the pair.

Federer had lost just two of his 11 encounters with Safin and Roddick by February 2004, dominance that continued for years to come.

Upon the conclusion of all three careers, Federer had a healthy lead in the head-to-head with both the Russian and American.

• Roger Federer, 10 – 2, Marat Safin
• Roger Federer, 21 – 3, Andy Roddick

A combined record of 31 wins and five losses, just goes to show how well the Swiss star fared against the pair.

Roger Federer’s verdict on his serve back in 2004

Federer was also asked to rank his serve against the rest of the top-ten back in 2004.

“It’s difficult to say,” he said.

“Each serve has its own strengths, either placement, consistency or power.

“Like my game, I feel my serve is all-round, it’s not the best serve but it’s not the worst.

“I feel I have a really good second serve that I can rely on, that helps me through a lot of matches.

“With a good second serve I feel I can take more chances on the first.”

Federer wasn’t wrong about having a ‘really good second serve’, as he won more points behind it than any other player in 2004.

Federer was also asked whether his decision not to wear a hat on tour affected his serve on brighter days.

“No, I’ve never had trouble with the sun,” he said.

“If you wear a hat you have to look into the sun when you serve anyway as you follow the ball.

“The only thing is you maybe get a little more sun in the face, that’s the dangerous part.

“I just put on some sun block so I don’t get a red head.”

His serving was excellent throughout his career, as he proved that you certainly don’t need a hat to be one of the best.

Federer retired from tennis after the 2022 Laver Cup, having won 20 Grand Slam titles during his legendary career.

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