Lindsey Vonn: “Roger Federer is the GOAT forever, no matter what others think”

Former American ski champion Lindsey Vonn found herself embroiled in controversy after expressing her admiration for tennis icon Roger Federer and labeling him the “GOAT forever,” despite facing backlash from fans of rival player Novak Djokovic. Vonn’s heartfelt tribute to Federer came in response to sharing a cherished memory of skiing with him, praising his sportsmanship and influence beyond mere statistics and titles.

In her post, Vonn lauded Federer as the epitome of a true champion, emphasizing his impact on the sport and their shared moment of skiing together in retirement. However, her words sparked criticism from Djokovic’s supporters, prompting Vonn to defend her sentiments and eventually delete the post to preserve the positive memory of her interaction with Federer.

Clarifying her stance, Vonn asserted that her tribute was not intended as a comparison between players but rather as a personal acknowledgment of Federer’s influence on her life. She emphasized the subjective nature of the “GOAT” title, highlighting that greatness encompasses more than just statistics and varies based on individual perspectives.

Acknowledging the inevitable debates surrounding the title of “GOAT,” Vonn maintained that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and criteria for greatness. Despite the backlash, she stood by her admiration for Federer, affirming that he will always be her personal “GOAT,” regardless of differing viewpoints.

Ultimately, Vonn’s response to criticism underscored the subjective nature of greatness in sports and the importance of preserving cherished memories despite external scrutiny.

GOAT or greatest of all time is a subjective title. What makes someone great? Is it statistics? Is it records? Is it impact? Is it character? Is it all of the above? People have differences of opinion and that’s OK. My goat might not be your goat and there will always be a debate…

— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) February 11, 2024