I was just wondering guys, for those of you who had the chance to watch him play live, if you really enjoy the experience. Your feelings, etc. I am interested, since i will have the pleasure to go through this on my own this next December here in Argentina, when Federer will be playing for the first time in south america. The expectations around here are enormous, and i can assure that he is much more idolized even than Delpo or Nalby. I hope that at least he will bring some tweeners in his luggage.
What was it like when you had the chance to watch Fed play in front of you??
- Thread starter ARFED
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Towser83
G.O.A.T.
I enjoyed the first match I saw (Federer vs Ferrer WTF 2010) but the second time was better (Federer vs Nadal WTF 2011) not often Fed steamrollers Nadal, so I got lucky there :lol: was just hoping he didn't lose..
Anyway, I was miles up in the arena, but it was still great to see the shots the players hit, you can appreciate a lot of the shots better when you see the angles they are making, the ground covered and the pace being hit. The atmosphere was also really electric.
Hope you have a great time! He's bound to hit some really great shots that you will remember after the match.
Anyway, I was miles up in the arena, but it was still great to see the shots the players hit, you can appreciate a lot of the shots better when you see the angles they are making, the ground covered and the pace being hit. The atmosphere was also really electric.
Hope you have a great time! He's bound to hit some really great shots that you will remember after the match.
Prisoner of Birth
Banned
I haven't had the privilege but those who have I've spoken to said it was a magical experience. That watching him at work, in person, was something the biggest screen in the world couldn't do justice to.
Is this the exho with del Po? Notice how "quiet" Fed's racket compared to that sound when del Po hits the ball, I saw these 2 at that USO finals. Plus the variable spins Fed applies to his shots, something that gets lost in TV. Enjoy!!!!
Yes it is. I saw Delpo play Davis Cup last year and it is really somethig when he unleashes that forehand but with Fed you get a chill down your spine that you are getting something special, at least when he is on his game and as you said he brings to the court an unparalleled variety in today`s game. So i cant wait to see the magic live.
Rhino
Legend
Seeing Fed has been awesome, I'll never forget the first time I walked into Arther Ashe Stadium in 2005, I had great seats and was transfixed.
Some of the best times I've seen him have been at practice sessions too.
Here re the 10 matches I've seen him live (so far):
Fed vs Santoro, US Open 2005 2nd round
Fed vs Hewitt, US Open 2005 semifinal
Fed vs Florian Mayer, Aus Open 2006 2nd round
Fed vs Haas, Aus Open 2006 4th round
Fed vs Nic Massu, Roland Garros 2006 3rd round
Fed vs Henman, Wimby 2006 2nd round
Fed vs Grosjean, Canada Masters Toronto 2006 2nd round
Fed vs Gonzalez, Canada Masters Toronto 2006 semifinal
Fed vs Seppi, Aus Open 2009 1st round
Fed vs Tomic, Aus Open 2012 4th round
Some of the best times I've seen him have been at practice sessions too.
Here re the 10 matches I've seen him live (so far):
Fed vs Santoro, US Open 2005 2nd round
Fed vs Hewitt, US Open 2005 semifinal
Fed vs Florian Mayer, Aus Open 2006 2nd round
Fed vs Haas, Aus Open 2006 4th round
Fed vs Nic Massu, Roland Garros 2006 3rd round
Fed vs Henman, Wimby 2006 2nd round
Fed vs Grosjean, Canada Masters Toronto 2006 2nd round
Fed vs Gonzalez, Canada Masters Toronto 2006 semifinal
Fed vs Seppi, Aus Open 2009 1st round
Fed vs Tomic, Aus Open 2012 4th round
Prisoner of Birth
Banned
The hell, where do you live?
Rhino
Legend
Up until 2009 I lived in London, but I decided in late 2005 to do all four slams in a row. I was already in NYC for work, and I often traveled down under because I am born in New Zealand.
roundiesee
Hall of Fame
My goodness; you have been so lucky!
I agree with all the posters here who have seen him live. I was lucky enough to have watched him 3 times; at the US Open when he was young and unknown (he lost to Myrnyi,
) ; in Shanghai Masters Cup (he beat Roddick, but barely) ; and in Bangkok (beat Muller). Each time it was just "magical"; Federer moves effortlessly like a cat and it is as though without warning, during a seemingly routine rally, he would suddenly conjure up a fantastic shot out of nowhere. He usually brings down the house when that happens (and rest assured, it will happen often in a typical Federer match!)I've seen Federer play a few times now (davis cup against the Netherlands on clay recently, and in Rotterdam 2005 and 2012).
I don't remember being that in awe back in 2012, but in 2012, esp. in Rotterdam it was amazing. With live pro tennis, you generally appreciate their shots a lot more and most unforced errors are a lot more understandable. If you see the power opponents create, you genuinely feel that Fed's backhand is rock solid and an amazing shot. The margins are so little and their athleticism brilliant.
What you usually don't see on tv is how a player still has the upper hand in a long rally BECAUSE OF HIS SERVE. There's usually 1 or 2 shots in a rally that look like they neutralized the rally, but in reality, you still see that one stays under pressure of the other attacking. Fed can put that pressure on opponents like nobody can. His Rotterdam 2012 final against Del Potro was just amazing. Every shot he hit was great from start to finish. Really got to see vintage Federer that day.
I don't remember being that in awe back in 2012, but in 2012, esp. in Rotterdam it was amazing. With live pro tennis, you generally appreciate their shots a lot more and most unforced errors are a lot more understandable. If you see the power opponents create, you genuinely feel that Fed's backhand is rock solid and an amazing shot. The margins are so little and their athleticism brilliant.
What you usually don't see on tv is how a player still has the upper hand in a long rally BECAUSE OF HIS SERVE. There's usually 1 or 2 shots in a rally that look like they neutralized the rally, but in reality, you still see that one stays under pressure of the other attacking. Fed can put that pressure on opponents like nobody can. His Rotterdam 2012 final against Del Potro was just amazing. Every shot he hit was great from start to finish. Really got to see vintage Federer that day.
Prisoner of Birth
Banned
DragonBlaze
Hall of Fame
Man, you're making me feel so miserable
LOL I dunno man, don't feel so bad. I finally got to see Fed live for what will probably be the only time in my life this year at he Aus Open. While I'm very happy I did, also because I got an autograph, it wasn't THAT great, probably because he was facing Karlovic. The only memorable point to me was when he lobbed Karlovic in the first set tiebreak at set point down.
To be honest it's very match dependent, and if you EVER end up seeing pro tennis, I really really REALLY suggest getting seats behind the players. I had seats on the side and man it is just NOT the same IMO, I really couldn't get into the matches for any of the big players. Whereas I saw Tomic vs Dolgo 5 setter from behind the players view and that was a blast.
EDIT: To be honest I'm fairly pissed off at myself that I ended up missing Fed's first round at the AO this year, which looked like it was far more entertaining (I had an opportunity to go but didn't take it. Sigh). I had tickets to the second round but friggin Andreas Beck withdrew, and I had GREAT seats. Seriously hate Andreas Beck for life now :lol:
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tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
dayyum you so lucky!
the only tournament I got time to see without asking for any financial support from my parents is Halle which already is quite far away. I'm pretty sure Fed will miss Halle next year so it's a bummer.
..
just out of sheer curiosity - what kind of a job you do?
davced1
Hall of Fame
I felt relief that I got so see him at least once! He played in Stockholm in 2010 and as I only had a ticket to the final he just had to make it there. He faced Wawrinka in the quarters and Ljubicic in the semis and both were close encounters, especially against Wawrinka who was on fire that day and won the first set. But luckily for me Federer dug deep and turned it around so I got to see him in the final.
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Man, you're making me feel so miserable
If you are a big fan of Roger, go try to see him. Just go. I do not know where you live, but if it's Europe or the States, you probably have a chance somewhere.
The Bawss
Banned
I saw Roger for the first time at last years WTF against Mardy Fish and I am seeing him again soon in Basel. General notes were: stupidly difficult serve to read, lots and lots of topspin everywhere (TV doesn't do it justice) and the weird one was how solid and strong his backhand looks in person compared to on TV.
I highly recommend seeing him live.
Another point I'd like to make is how, in person, there seems to be nothing between the top top guys and other pros technically. I saw the final of the Nottingham challenger this year (Becker d. Tursunov) and their serves and groundstrokes seemed easily as consistent and hard.
I highly recommend seeing him live.
Another point I'd like to make is how, in person, there seems to be nothing between the top top guys and other pros technically. I saw the final of the Nottingham challenger this year (Becker d. Tursunov) and their serves and groundstrokes seemed easily as consistent and hard.
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MAXXply
Hall of Fame
The fluidity of his strokemaking and movement about the court greatly impressed me the 1st time I saw him live. It was that AO 4R match a few years ago when he survived against Tipsarevic. And of course the effortless power that comes with that sublime game of his.
We snuck into the row directly behind Tipsy's box and felt so close to the action. I spent a great part of the match transfixed on Fed's footwork followed by his strokes. Just enjoy yourself and the action but don't wet your pants thinking you're in the presence of God.
We snuck into the row directly behind Tipsy's box and felt so close to the action. I spent a great part of the match transfixed on Fed's footwork followed by his strokes. Just enjoy yourself and the action but don't wet your pants thinking you're in the presence of God.
Tennisguy3000
Semi-Pro
Watching Fed live is like watching art in motion ;-) Last saw him at the US Open in 2011.
Here is a five page NY Times article that should prepare you for this religious experience: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/sports/playmagazine/20federer.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=%22federer%20as%20religious%20experience%22&st=cse
Enjoy your game ;-)
Here is a five page NY Times article that should prepare you for this religious experience: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/sports/playmagazine/20federer.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=%22federer%20as%20religious%20experience%22&st=cse
Enjoy your game ;-)
Jules
Rookie
I saw all of Fed's 4 matches in Copenhagen Open 2000.
Immensely talented. Still struggling with his temper back then. I had never seen a player hit with so much topspin on the forehand. The occasional shank on the backhand side. In terms of skill clearly the best player in the draw, but things hadn't really started to come together for him at the highest level at this point. He lost in the semis to Magnus Larsson.
I remember me and my friend wanting Federer to win so badly, that we clapped on almost every single point he won. At one point Larsson shot a ball into the roof directly above us to shut us up. I was so embarrassed. We were 15 and honestly had meant no harm to Larsson, we were just really enthusiastic about Fed, looked up to him – this young kid only 4 years older than us. The referee didn't say anything, and I'm kind of glad Larsson schooled us in that way, because looking back it was really not a nice thing we did.
Got a chance to talk to Fed after one of his matches and got his autograph. He was really down to earth and sort of shy. I was star struck (at the time I knew him as the '98 Wimbledon junior champion), but he was very kind and made it a very nice experience.
Immensely talented. Still struggling with his temper back then. I had never seen a player hit with so much topspin on the forehand. The occasional shank on the backhand side. In terms of skill clearly the best player in the draw, but things hadn't really started to come together for him at the highest level at this point. He lost in the semis to Magnus Larsson.
I remember me and my friend wanting Federer to win so badly, that we clapped on almost every single point he won. At one point Larsson shot a ball into the roof directly above us to shut us up. I was so embarrassed. We were 15 and honestly had meant no harm to Larsson, we were just really enthusiastic about Fed, looked up to him – this young kid only 4 years older than us. The referee didn't say anything, and I'm kind of glad Larsson schooled us in that way, because looking back it was really not a nice thing we did.
Got a chance to talk to Fed after one of his matches and got his autograph. He was really down to earth and sort of shy. I was star struck (at the time I knew him as the '98 Wimbledon junior champion), but he was very kind and made it a very nice experience.
MAXXply
Hall of Fame
If you were there, I'd expect you to know it was a third round
That's the one!
I also enjoyed seeing Fed up against Malisse and Karlovic. Fed or no Fed, it's always great to watch the pros up close. Matter of fact I'd rather be courtside on an outside court seeing two top-100 journeymen slug it out than sit in the nosebleed section of a stadium.
AnotherTennisProdigy
Professional
I watch him every year since I live in Miami
He always loses here for some reason though
He always loses here for some reason though
vive le beau jeu !
Talk Tennis Guru
didn't see "peak fed", but had the chance to see him twice:
in 1998, i knew fromberg but i didn't know this young guy (the TTW board didn't exist in that time !).
... maybe already read that he won wimbledon junior... but not even sure.
the guy presenting the match said he was 17, was the junior #1, was ranked 700/800-something.
he was looking smooth and good... but i couldn't have guessed he would have that much success ! it was only the 2nd time i was watching pro tennis live... so it wasn't easy to appreciate the level/potential/talent of the players without much experience as a "real" spectator.
in 2012, my expectations were a bit higher, of course... and i wasn't disappointed !
(blue clay was fun, too)
- toulouse 1998, 2nd round, d. fromberg 61 76 (hard, indoor)
- madrid 2012, 1st round, d. raonic 46 75 76 (clay, outdoor)
in 1998, i knew fromberg but i didn't know this young guy (the TTW board didn't exist in that time !).
... maybe already read that he won wimbledon junior... but not even sure.
the guy presenting the match said he was 17, was the junior #1, was ranked 700/800-something.
he was looking smooth and good... but i couldn't have guessed he would have that much success ! it was only the 2nd time i was watching pro tennis live... so it wasn't easy to appreciate the level/potential/talent of the players without much experience as a "real" spectator.
in 2012, my expectations were a bit higher, of course... and i wasn't disappointed !
(blue clay was fun, too)
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The only time i have seen him was in Toronto in 2002 in his silly days. It was a doubles match..Fed and Wayne Arthurs v. Safin and Kafelnikov. Talk about a comedy routine..4 .buffoons playing, cracking jokes, swearing (federer) and there not to win but to entertain the crowd on an outside court where all that separated us from the players was a 5 foot wall. And that was my first impressional of Federer from 15 feet away before he became rich and famous. PS Fed and arthurs won. LOL
McEnroeisanartist
Hall of Fame
2008 U.S. Open 3rd Round
I was with my parents and we didn't have tickets for Arthur Ashe day session. My dad said we had to scalp tickets from someone to see Federer. At first, I protested claiming that I would be too nervous to watch his match against Stepanek. After all, Federer had lost to Stepanek earlier that year in Rome. Anyways, tickets were purchased and we were in Arthur Ashe.
I sat next to a man in his 70s and we talked about the history of the sport. He seemeed impressed by my knowledge of matches, tournaments, and players before I was born or when I was very young.
We both screamed in delight at the numerous winners of Federer in his demoltion of Stepanek.
That same year, I saw Nadal, Safin, Roddick, Hewitt, Ferrero,
I was with my parents and we didn't have tickets for Arthur Ashe day session. My dad said we had to scalp tickets from someone to see Federer. At first, I protested claiming that I would be too nervous to watch his match against Stepanek. After all, Federer had lost to Stepanek earlier that year in Rome. Anyways, tickets were purchased and we were in Arthur Ashe.
I sat next to a man in his 70s and we talked about the history of the sport. He seemeed impressed by my knowledge of matches, tournaments, and players before I was born or when I was very young.
We both screamed in delight at the numerous winners of Federer in his demoltion of Stepanek.
That same year, I saw Nadal, Safin, Roddick, Hewitt, Ferrero,
Murray2012
New User
2011 Wimbledon 3rd Round vs Nalbandian. Both amazing players to watch and a very high quality match. It followed a Wozniaki match and the step up in level from the ladies' matches to those of the men's is incredible - much more apparent live than on television. Djokovic-Baghdatis followed Federer match so it was a great day to have been lucky enough to get Centre Court tickets.
serve stopper
Rookie
I got to watch him at the 2010 cincy final. My Dad took my friend and I. We got there really really because we thought we could see the stadium and and go to the pro shop. The pro shop was closed and the stadium wasn't open yet to the public but somehow we still got in. Anyway a security guard saw us and to get us out of the main stadium he told us fed was practicing on one of the small courts. It turns out he was and i even got to say hello. Probably one of the happiest moments in my life
Fedex
Legend
batz
G.O.A.T.
I saw him beat Melzer on Centre Court in the 4th round 2010. It was a pretty crappy match as Melzer had an absolute nightmare - but it's still one of the biggest sporting buzzes of my life. What you don't get on TV is the movement - the fecker glides around like he's on invisible ice skates. Quite remarkable.
I'm fortunate enough to have seen all of the top 4 play at Wimbledon but watching Roger punish Melzer was probably the biggest buzz - and I've watched Murray play Rafa in a Wimbledon semi.
I'm fortunate enough to have seen all of the top 4 play at Wimbledon but watching Roger punish Melzer was probably the biggest buzz - and I've watched Murray play Rafa in a Wimbledon semi.
Towser83
G.O.A.T.
I know, deep down, who you'd really rather see swinging away at the O2.
Haha this post made my day. funny enough i saw the who at the indigo2 which is the same complex as the 02 arena, it was a Christmas show in 2008 mainly for the fan club. i was really up close - wish i had seen federer that close!
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