Sampras predicts 15-18 GS wins for Federer

[EloQuent]

Not always. Yes, he was stupid for example at „Hit for Haiti“ 2010 with his personal attacks, but on the other hand in his autobigraphy he speaks positive about Pete as a tennis player from start to finish while he just accepts that they are extremely different persons.

did we read the same book

 

[ChrisRF]

did we read the same book

Well, yes and no. I read the German translation and I suppose you read the original version. It is possible that some side blows were more obvious in the English version. Maybe it was more clear that with “different” he meant “inferior”? Possible, but the main hate figure in this book was Boris Becker IMO, and I never really understood why. He described their quarrel in epic lenght, but without real substance.

 

[EloQuent]

Well, yes and no. I read the German translation and I suppose you read the original version. It is possible that some side blows were more obvious in the English version. Maybe it was more clear that with “different” he meant “inferior”? Possible, but the main hate figure in this book was Boris Becker IMO, and I never really understood why. He described their quarrel in epic lenght, but without real substance.

In the book he attacks Pete in very personal terms. As a cold person, a lousy tipper, even predicts he's going to get divorced. Also attacks other people like Chang.

Overall an interesting book but these parts were really unnecessary.

 

[ChrisRF]

In the book he attacks Pete in very personal terms. As a cold person, a lousy tipper, even predicts he's going to get divorced. Also attacks other people like Chang.

Overall an interesting book but these parts were really unnecessary.

The tipper thing became clear in my version, and that was also the moronic joke at “Hit for Haiti”. The “cold person” thing I remembered as being rather respectful in terms of mentally strong on the court. If it was realated to personal life than it is cheap. Very cheap indeed...

 

[EloQuent]

The tipper thing became clear in my version, and that was also the moronic joke at “Hit for Haiti”. The “cold person” thing I remembered as being rather respectful in terms of mentally strong on the court. If it was realated to personal life than it is cheap. Very cheap indeed...

maybe it's a cultural thing, but cold person means unpleasant, unkind. He was building a contrast between (what he claimed to be) his own philanthropy and kindness and Sampras.

 

[Shaolin]

@Shaolin definitely a legendary prediction from a decade ago.

In 2007, I had Fed winning 18 slams. I was following a very linear path of prediction where Fed would win 3,2,0,1 slams in the next 4 years and possibly retire by 2012.

How wrong I was! It is just unbelievable what happened since then.

- The spark was lit by Nadal when Fed lost the legendary 2008W and 2009AO finals. Somehow, even in those dark days (2008-2010), Fed still managed to win 4 slams.
- In 2011 and 2012, it was painfully obvious Fed was the 3rd best player and Murray could even push him from that spot. Somehow, Fed still managed to win 1 slam and return to number 1.
- In 2013, Fed looked all but finished.
- In 2014 and 2015, Fed returned to being the second best player on the tour. He was so lose to winning slams again...thwarted 3 times by the ultron!
- In 2016 again, Fed looked all but finished.
- Then, 2017 and 2018 happened. And here we are.

It has been a roller coaster ride. There is no pattern of a gradual drop and bowing out one last time perhaps on a high (much like Sampras). Nope...that wasn't the way it was to be with Federer. It is just unbelievable, and a testament to his utter love and devotion for this game. To have outlasted a prime Nadal (it will happen, perhaps as early as this year), a prime Murray and the prime ultron and have returned at the top of the world with 20 titles...this simple takes the cake. Straight up Hollywood material.

Thanks my friend…even if he stopped at 18 thats still a goat career considering how much he's won across all surfaces, domination over the whole tour besides on guy on one surface, and here he is at 20 with no signs of slowing down. Like I wrote in 07….scary

 

[BGod]

I've been trying to find a blog that may no longer exist but it was from 2006 and the guy was a sorcerer because he went through the upcoming years and settled on 20 Slams exactly and argued Fed would win some in his 30s.

Damn I'd like to interview that guy.

Also back in the day a betting website I use had odds on Federer's Slam count upon retirement. Their interface has stayed the same so should pay-out. But the odds were set when he was at around 2007 when he had 10 Slams and the odds started at his count then and went up to 20. Obviously nobody could bet above that so the book would win but 20 if I recall correctly stood at 125-1.

 

[Lew II]

20 slams is 43% more than the previous record, 14.

And the most amazing thing is that 2 other players are very high and may end around that number, playing in the same era.

 

[Pheasant]

If Fed can maintain his health, motivation and overall level of play, I have little doubt that he will reach 20 before he's done. First, he's planning to play until he's 35, which gives him 9 years to win 8 more slams. Chances are that he will win at least 2 next year, so that means he'll then have 8 years to win 6 slams. Very doable. We also know that he has the skill and talent to be the GOAT. I think Sampras matches up well against him, but I still give Fed the edge if both were in their prime. That means that you would need another player with GOAT potential to come in and stop Fed from winning all of these Slams. I just don't see that happening anytime soon. I could be wrong of course, but none of the current crop of 19 year olds seem to have that potential so that means that Fed will have at least 3-4 years where he's playing against talent that is inferior to his own. So the key is to just stay healthy and motivated and 20 slams will be in his pocket soon.

Wow. Nice call. But Fed did even better than your insane forecast. Despite the fact that two GOAT-contenders showed up, Fed still got his 20 slam titles anyway.