“I think out of the Big 3, Roger Federer would have been the most technically skilled at 110m hurdles,” says three time Olympian

“I think out of the Big 3, Roger Federer would have been the most technically skilled at 110m hurdles,” says three time Olympian

Federer Djokovic Nadal

Roger Federer

Stephane Caristan is a former European champion in the 110m hurdles event. He has also represented France at 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympics. In addition to the 110m hurdles, the Frenchman also took part in the 400m hurdles and 4x400m relay events during his playing days.

During a recent interview with L’Equipe, Stephane Caristan revealed his admiration for Roger Federer and stated that his technical skills are superior than Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The Frenchman believes that Federer’s footwork and movement makes a perfect candidate for the 110m hurdles event.

“He’s an excellent technician,” Caristan said. “It is not because he is my favorite athlete, but I will have put him on 110 meters hurdles. I think of the Big 3, he would have been the most technically skilled. He has the profile of the new 110m runners who amazed me, that is to say not necessarily very stretched in legs but technically sharp enough to compensate,” he added.

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Caristan also stated that Novak Djokovic could do well in the 110m hurdles event and is similar to Federer in terms of physical attributes. However, he stated that the Serbian has more stamina compared to his Swiss rival.

“He is very flexible, quite fine, he could also have expressed himself in the 110m hurdles. It’s a bit like the Federer profile, but maybe more enduring,” Caristan added. 

Nadal, Federer and he could have expressed themselves on very technical events: Caristan

Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal

Stephane Caristan believes that each of the Big Three players- Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic could do well in some of the track and field events. He further stated that they could do well in events that did not require much use of height, while also being able to make the shorter jumps in the decathlon events. Each of the Big Three members are reasonably tall, but events in track and field, especially long jump requires much taller athletes.

“Nadal, Federer and he could have expressed themselves on very technical events,” Caristan said. “The height, no, because they don’t necessarily have the size. But in the decathlon, they would have been very good at jumping 2.00m, 2.05m,” Caristan added.

Also Read: “Roger Federer deserves to be in the GOAT debate because of his sheer impact on tennis,” says Top Coach