LONDON -- Who does Tiger Woods pick as the world's best
active athlete?
It's seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher.
"For what he has done year-in and year-out," Woods said
Tuesday after arriving in London to play three straight tournaments
in Britain and Ireland.
F1 racing "is the most globally watched sport and the pressure
he has to deal with," Woods said, "it's been truly phenomenal to
see him succeed at the level he has for so many years."
Schumacher, who won Sunday's Italian Grand Prix, announced after
the race that he will retire at the end of the season.
Woods came to London after sitting courtside in Roger Federer's
box for his U.S. Open victory over Andy Roddick.
Woods and Federer have been compared as the world's best
athletes, with both men dominating their sports and chasing Grand
Slam records.
"It's neat to have a person to talk to that you can relate
to," Woods said. "The things that Roger is dealing with and the
things I'm going through are very comparable. Going to meet him and
talk to him pre- and post-match, we have a lot of things in common.
I think Roger and I are going to be friends for a long time."
Woods is playing in the World Match Play Championship this week,
followed by the Ryder Cup and the American Express Championship.