[towski]

I've learned that Greatest X of all time usually just means, greatest A-hole of all time.

Because they absorb so much energy from the universe in order to fulfill their self serving destiny that they cannot help but be viewed as selfish. They quite literally demand the respect that they receive.

Call it the theory of conservation of human energy.

[prawn]

Obviously it's not universal (Federer in tennis, Gaze in AU basketball, etc) but I wonder if it's more common?

And whether it's that attitude that helps them achieve, or more that the success enables poor behaviour.

[courtf]

There's no doubt that Federer and other great sports figures are well mannered and handle their success with extraordinary grace. However, if your definition of a-hole includes 1) being ruthlessly competitive and/or 2) believing you are better than your competition (even if that hasn't been convincingly demonstrated), I'd wager many of these figures would fit the bill, Federer included.

Personally, I find 2) unbearably obnoxious, but it's something I'm willing to forgive if they provide evidence in the affirmative, as Federer certainly has. I think we have to permit a certain amount of elitism, because it would be dishonest to expect that these players refrain from acknowledging their positions within the respective pantheons of their sports.