His early sluggish showing in his semi-final match against Sweden's Tom Johansson yesterday not withstanding, Roger Federer is the most talented tennis player of the past three decades. That was yesterday's assessment of John Barrett, the Foster Hewitt of tennis. And, as hockey fans in Canada and in the United States were glued to their radio and television sets listening to Hewitt, so are tennis fans around the word hanging on Barrett's every analytical word.

Barrett, a septuagenarian who was captain of the British Davis Cup team for four years and a member for one year, is in Toronto to broadcast the Masters Tennis Canada tournament to many corners of the tennis-mad world.

The voice of the BBC's television tennis commentary for 33 years, including the coverage of Wimbledon, has other credits on his curriculum. He has been working for several years for the CBC, ESPN, three Australian television networks and two Hong Kong channels. Which is why one can surmise that he certainly knows his tennis inside and out as a former player, coach, captain, author and television commentator.

So, when I talked to him yesterday about the state of tennis in general and the emergence of players such as Federer, John obliged gladly and offered some refreshing thoughts.

"It is rather difficult to compare players from different eras," he said. "The conditions change. The equipment changes. It has certainly changed since the Open Era in 1968. But if you insist, I'd say the best player I ever saw on any surface was (Rocket) Rod Laver (of Australia.)

"However, thanks to today's racquets, Federer can flick his wrist and propel the ball with great power. At any rate, I consider him the most talented player I have ever seen. There is not much you have to tell Roger. He has no coach and, obviously, doesn't need one. Players of his calibre really can do without one. His girlfriend is his manager and she has been guiding him quite well."

Barrett is convinced that the sky is the limit for the gifted Swiss player in elegant Nike outfits who's getting stronger all the time. Barrett warns, however, that Federer should be careful not to overplay his presence in too many tournaments.

"Federer is good for our sport," Barrett said. "Andy Roddick is not a pretty player, but he is a very successful one."

Barrett, of course, is a smashing success behind the microphone and always a welcome guest in Toronto.

GROSSLYABBREVIATED

Former Canadian Davis Cupper and now television colour commentator, Peter Burwash, agrees with Barrett about which player is the best -- to a point. "I judge players by attitude, consistency to win and how they handle pressure," said Burwash yesterday. "If you put that into a complete player, you'd select Rod Laver as the best player one has seen. Could Federer beat Laver today? Probably. But could Federer play against Laver with a wooden racquet?"... Burwash was particularly impressed by Laver's ability to hit a forehand volley. In Burwash's opinion, only two other lefties could do it well -- John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova ... Greg Sharko, who has been with the Association of Tennis Professionals since 1986, favours Pistol Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. But, then, Greg is young and hasn't seen Laver at his best.

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I enjoyed covering this year's Tennis Masters Canada championship at the brand new Rexall Centre -- rain delays et al -- and now, a fellow of my age needs a few weeks rest. I shall be back in my regular space on Oct. 1 -- unless I'm needed earlier.