Federer's last year - Page 3

1980 · 01-28-2013, 05:30 AM

Fed isn't going anywhere for a while. Rosewall, Connors, Agassi... they all went on to perform well clear into their mid or late thirties. I've had the most fun watching tennis when the old guard champions make these magical runs into tournaments they are way too 'old' to be winning.

veroniquem · 01-28-2013, 06:22 AM

I remember Agassi couldn't go on because of back problems. So maybe for Fed, it's gonna also depend how long his back allows him to hang around at a high level.

Bartelby · 01-28-2013, 06:31 AM

His schedule is such that it's almost a semi-retirement, which makes it hard to be match tough in a slam, the AO for example, with no prior match play.

mightyrick · 01-28-2013, 06:47 AM

Federer will most likely be gone at next year's Wimbledon.

At this point in any elite player's career, they are no longer playing for titles or trophies. They are playing only to set the perception of *how they will be remembered*. This is why these guys retire at or near the top.

The last thing anybody wants is for Federer to be around for 5 more years. Nobody wants the last memories of Federer on tour to be him getting ousted in the first rounds of grand slams by the likes of Raonic, Dolgopolov, and Dimitrov. I mean, really. It is only the sub-par, non-elite players who hang around forever.

And people who are hoping for Olympic gold from Federer need to give it up. There's absolutely no way. The best he'd get is bronze - if that. But I can't seem him playing in the Olympics. Does anyone really want the last memory of Federer to be watching him getting pummeled in the opening round(s)?

veroniquem · 01-28-2013, 06:57 AM

Agassi won his last slam at 32. Connors and Sampras at 31. It's kind of expected that Fed is reaching the finish line now in slams. Agassi also won 3 masters at 32 and 1 at 34. So far, he's the only player to have won masters after 31. It will be interesting to see if Fed joins him.

Povl Carstensen · 01-28-2013, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightyrick

Federer will most likely be gone at next year's Wimbledon.

At this point in any elite player's career, they are no longer playing for titles or trophies. They are playing only to set the perception of *how they will be remembered*. This is why these guys retire at or near the top.

The last thing anybody wants is for Federer to be around for 5 more years. Nobody wants the last memories of Federer on tour to be him getting ousted in the first rounds of grand slams by the likes of Raonic, Dolgopolov, and Dimitrov. I mean, really. It is only the sub-par, non-elite players who hang around forever.

So why do you worry? And wow, people are wise on other peoples behalf here.
And besides, it is totally true that Federer had perhaps his biggest draught or what you call it in 2010, beginning of 11, and people went on about the same.

mightyrick · 01-28-2013, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Povl Carstensen

So why do you worry? And wow, people are wise on other peoples behalf here.

I just don't like to see genuinely good guys -- as elite sports figures -- go out in a mediocre way. I'm not a Federer fanboy, but I do think he's been great for tennis, he's a great role model, he's a genuinely nice and good guy. I think it would be just sad to see him flail for three or four more years.

As for being wise on other people's behalf. This is a message board. Things written here are 95% opinion and speculation. That's the entire point.

Clarky21 · 01-28-2013, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cc0509

Federer could be in a body cast and Ferrer would never get ahead of him in the rankings. There is that much of a gap between their talents.

Well, Ferrer overtook Nadal in the rankings so you can never say never. All it takes is a prolonged injury break and it could happen. That is unless you think Ferrer is more talented than Nadal is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by veroniquem

I remember Agassi couldn't go on because of back problems. So maybe for Fed, it's gonna also depend how long his back allows him to hang around at a high level.

Same thing could be said, and is being said, about Nadal's 100 year old knees.

ruariatp · 01-28-2013, 10:25 AM

I don't think Federer is the type of player to flail around. http://www.andbethere.com/2013/01/au...l-summary.html here i've discussed what the rest of the year could hold for him - but basically, the nature of his game, and the fact that it's so un-physically demanding means that he will always beat anyone but the very top guys, and on his day he will always be able to take them too.

PrinceMoron · 01-28-2013, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pound cat

Federer is going to stick around until the next Olympic because he wants another try to win singles Gold. If he wins he will retire happy having attained all his goals. And if he doesn't win, he will retire with the unfilled dream of having won everything possible except the Olympic singles title.

Right now ranking doesn't mean much to him.

OG means nothing in tennis other than encouraging people to play in the Davis Cup. I went several times and it was just a fun day out, music, babies crying.

It is just a show.

Povl Carstensen · 01-28-2013, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightyrick

I just don't like to see genuinely good guys -- as elite sports figures -- go out in a mediocre way. I'm not a Federer fanboy, but I do think he's been great for tennis, he's a great role model, he's a genuinely nice and good guy. I think it would be just sad to see him flail for three or four more years.

As for being wise on other people's behalf. This is a message board. Things written here are 95% opinion and speculation. That's the entire point.

So this is just totally hypothetical speculation and opinion about something that has not happened, ok.

zam88 · 01-28-2013, 12:23 PM

Better draw and he's in the final... most likely against an opponent coming off a hard 4-5 set match whilst he cruised with a routine in the semis....

This is a fine result!

Don't expect much in the French Open either Fed fans!

It's ALL about Wimbledon and the USO.

Look, if he donks out before the semis in both of those, then you can post some "getting worried" threads.

Man i can only wonder what is going to happen when Federer ultimately has that "Rosol" moment... it's coming, it's going to happen!

If there had been message boards when Sampras lost to Bastl the place would've blown up... they would've called for his head and missed the chance for that final slam at the 2002 USO.

What if Djoker gets hurt? Imagine a Wimbledon where there was no Djoker, and Nadal won a FO but after the clay season is just "shot" for wimbledon? who's the favorite? Pwnerer!

Gaz77 · 01-28-2013, 12:23 PM

Dissing Fed on a forum like this is like asking for trouble !

steenkash · 01-28-2013, 12:28 PM

I remember a 35 year old Andre Agasssi taking a prime Rodger to 4 sets in the US open a couple of years ago.

Cindysphinx · 01-28-2013, 08:36 PM

Sooner or later, Fed will have an injury. A knee, a shoulder, a rolled ankle, or most likely his back.

When that happens, he will be finished. He has done this long enough that he will not want to do the hard work to regain his old form, even if this were possible. Not to claw his way back to making the semis of slams before being bounced.

If I had all those GS titles and all that money and two kids, I would want to go out on top with grace and dignity. Not desperately consulting Safina's back specialist to fix me up so I could lose in the semis one more year.

Masayoshi · 01-28-2013, 10:37 PM

I'm sure the current #2 (and in the top 3 by a wide margin) and current title holder of the most prestigious Grand Slam is just about ready to call it quits. Yep.

PrinceMoron · 02-02-2013, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masayoshi

I'm sure the current #2 (and in the top 3 by a wide margin) and current title holder of the most prestigious Grand Slam is just about ready to call it quits. Yep.

Wet summer coming up with lots of indoor grass court tennis. Sounds ideal.

Prisoner of Birth · 02-02-2013, 03:40 PM

LOL at this thread. Federer isn't retiring until Wimbledon next year, atleast. And he's never dropping out of the top 10, not even in 5 years.

Netspirit · 02-02-2013, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

Sooner or later, Fed will have an injury. A knee, a shoulder, a rolled ankle, or most likely his back.

When that happens, he will be finished.

But you, my daughter - you will linger on,

http://youtu.be/0g7LoNES3c8

sportsfan1 · 02-02-2013, 04:45 PM

Federer's increasingly running into a wall against the other top 3 at slams - Djok, Nadal at one or more of AO, RG, USO, and now Murray as well at AO and Olympics with Wimby 12 the only exception. He's also been susceptible or close to an upset against the likes of Berdych, Tsonga, JMDP. I hope he can reverse this pattern, but if it continues or the losses mount, then I could see him retiring. Otherwise Fed himself has said that his body will dictate how long he will continue on the tour.

01-28-2013, 06:47 AM	#44
mightyrick Hall Of Fame Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,306	Federer will most likely be gone at next year's Wimbledon. At this point in any elite player's career, they are no longer playing for titles or trophies. They are playing only to set the perception of how they will be remembered. This is why these guys retire at or near the top. The last thing anybody wants is for Federer to be around for 5 more years. Nobody wants the last memories of Federer on tour to be him getting ousted in the first rounds of grand slams by the likes of Raonic, Dolgopolov, and Dimitrov. I mean, really. It is only the sub-par, non-elite players who hang around forever. And people who are hoping for Olympic gold from Federer need to give it up. There's absolutely no way. The best he'd get is bronze - if that. But I can't seem him playing in the Olympics. Does anyone really want the last memory of Federer to be watching him getting pummeled in the opening round(s)? __________________ Head Youtek Graphene Speed Pro VS Gut Mains 16g @ 52lbs / RPM Blast Crosses 17g @ 50lbs

01-28-2013, 10:25 AM	#49
ruariatp New User Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 49	I don't think Federer is the type of player to flail around. http://www.andbethere.com/2013/01/au...l-summary.html here i've discussed what the rest of the year could hold for him - but basically, the nature of his game, and the fact that it's so un-physically demanding means that he will always beat anyone but the very top guys, and on his day he will always be able to take them too. __________________ Big Federer and Gasquet fan www.andbethere.com

01-28-2013, 08:36 PM	#55
Cindysphinx G.O.A.T. Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 14,082	Sooner or later, Fed will have an injury. A knee, a shoulder, a rolled ankle, or most likely his back. When that happens, he will be finished. He has done this long enough that he will not want to do the hard work to regain his old form, even if this were possible. Not to claw his way back to making the semis of slams before being bounced. If I had all those GS titles and all that money and two kids, I would want to go out on top with grace and dignity. Not desperately consulting Safina's back specialist to fix me up so I could lose in the semis one more year. __________________ -- Random Error Generator, Version 4.0 -- Master Moonballer

01-28-2013, 10:37 PM	#56
Masayoshi Rookie Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 351	I'm sure the current #2 (and in the top 3 by a wide margin) and current title holder of the most prestigious Grand Slam is just about ready to call it quits. Yep. Last edited by Masayoshi : 01-28-2013 at 10:39 PM.

02-02-2013, 04:45 PM	#60
sportsfan1 Professional Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,110	Federer's increasingly running into a wall against the other top 3 at slams - Djok, Nadal at one or more of AO, RG, USO, and now Murray as well at AO and Olympics with Wimby 12 the only exception. He's also been susceptible or close to an upset against the likes of Berdych, Tsonga, JMDP. I hope he can reverse this pattern, but if it continues or the losses mount, then I could see him retiring. Otherwise Fed himself has said that his body will dictate how long he will continue on the tour. __________________ Head LM Rad MP, Wilson Blx 6.1 95 16x18 w/ RPM Blast, 4 1/2 grip.