A Message to Roger Federer The Great

[FederErizeD]

Dear Federer the Great,

I'm like your hugest fan on the planet. one of millions that are left in utter depression by your performance today.

If the rest of the season is going to be like this embarrassing performance, please, pretty please, consider retirement, for the sake of your career, your history and our hearts that can't take it anymore!



I'm so ****ing depressed right now

 

[DragonBlaze]

Jeez louise, that's a bit melodramatic. Let's see how the second half of the season goes (the part which usually is better for him). If it's like the first half, then maybe you are right.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Dear Federer the Great,

I'm like your hugest fan on the planet. one of millions that are left in utter depression by your performance today.

If the rest of the season is going to be like this embarrassing performance, please, pretty please, consider retirement, for the sake of your career, your history and our hearts that can't take it anymore!



I'm so ****ing depressed right now

Relax, Wimbledon is coming.

 

[Devilito]

Relax, Wimbledon is coming.

Tsonga in 3

 

[kishnabe]

Not depressing....Federer getting abused by Nadal is way too painful.

At least losing to an aggressive flamboyant Tsonga is all right.

Roger for Wimbledon and US Open. If Federer had this draw in 2011....then different story.

 

[stringertom]

I still stand by Rogi! He should only retire when either he wants to or his body gives out to the point of risk of permanent injury.

OP should join the BOTE...it takes away the sting of disappointment.

Allez Rogi, Allez BOTE!

 

[kalyan4fedever]

Opening post is the exact same way I feel....he will go slamless this year for sure.. I will go back n hide now as rg i dont care now who wins

 

[zam88]

Can we just wait for 9 weeks before writing this?

If i'm Federer and his team, I didn't put in max effort into clay season knowing we had little chance of success.


I'd just as soon he tank this match, keep the QF streak in tact, and move on to the 2 slams of the year that ARE winnable given a good enough draw and good enough form.

 

[World Beater]

Relax, Wimbledon is coming.

eh.

at wimbledon...tsonga, berdych, murray can all take him out before he even meets nadal/djoker.

i always felt that other than nadal, federer at this stage of his career has great chances at RG. djokovic is a threat too but federer can beat him...

to win wimbledon, you must be explosive, powerful and athletic.

at rg, you need consistency, patience, stamina.

the second is easier as you get older...the first harder.

 

[NikeWilson]

the French Open has never been his strong suit.

the dude's got 7 Wimbledon's, including last year. It ain't over, until he stops winning there.
Right now Nadal owns clay. And Djokovic owns hardcourt. Federer still owns grass.

 

[Federer20042006]

Federer's worst surface now is grass. Do not be fooled by what happened last year - he got lucky in that he had an incredibly easy draw until the SF (Youzhny in the QF), then had a great serving performance against an out-of-sorts, mourning/troubled Djokovic, and then in the final Murray wilted under the pressure of becoming the first British man in like a century to win Wimbledon (not to mention, he was still seeking his first Grand Slam title).

He still nearly lost to Benneteau in the 3rd round. He still was pushed to the brink by Del Potro in the Olympics. He still should have lost to Falla in the first round of 2010 Wimbledon, and Falla is no grass courter. He still blew a 2 set lead on Tsonga in the 2011 QF, only getting 1 break point the entire match.

He was still thoroughly outplayed from the baseline by Roddick in the 2009 final.

I honestly would not be surprised to see Federer shocked in the first round at this year's Wimbledon. I would be utterly blown away if he won the tournament, on the other hand. I think the former is far more likely than the latter. That's not a good sign.

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

sheesh... he had an off day... it happens when you get older and on your worst surface. When you get older things get more streaky. Fed is still plenty capable of having a streak long enough to win a major. Is it difficult... sure. All worthwhile things are.

If this season is a bust he will move to a 95 inch frame... give it a year and if he isnt in gold medal contention for the olympics will only then retire. He seems to dig the idea of having a comeback and after last year he's had a taste of it.

 

[TheNightHunter]

Dear Federer the Great,

I'm like your hugest fan on the planet. one of millions that are left in utter depression by your performance today.

If the rest of the season is going to be like this embarrassing performance, please, pretty please, consider retirement, for the sake of your career, your history and our hearts that can't take it anymore!



I'm so ****ing depressed right now

If you feel depressed now, you will be in good company with the Nadal fans after Rafa loses in the SF to Count Djokula.

 

[Fate Archer]

I was going to post this on Monfed's thread, but it got deleted. This seems to be a suitable place to post this, so here it goes copy pasta.

I have always looked forward to the clay season in the last couple years mainly to see Federer play on the surface. I think Fed's clay court game is beautiful (maybe not as much anymore) and he's a bit underrated on the surface by some. An after effect of having to play the guy who will most likely go down as the clay GOAT and having a considerable match up disadvantage (and I actually think the latter is the bigger factor).

Besides watching Novak challenging Nadal's dominance on the surface, this year I wasn't as excited to see Fed playing on the surface. I think 2011 was really his last push at Roland Garros. It's not realistic to expect Roger to win RG again and it pains me because RG is/was the Slam I wanted him to win the most again.

It's very unfortunate, because RG's placement being so close to the prep grass tournaments and Wimbledon, at Roger's age, going deep at RG, Halle and Wimbledon back to back is something a bit too ruthless physically and mentally, even with clay and grass being the softer surfaces on the body.

I also think Roger's situation with the Halle's tournament heads and sponsors is kind tricky, as he signed a lifelong contract to always play at Halle during this time of the year, and he skipped the event in 2009 and 2011, where he won and made the final in those years. Maybe Roger is not living to the contract he signed.

Going beyond the semi finals of RG from now on is a no-no, and as we know, Wimbledon is always his greatest goal in the season, so he won't risk the preparation to his favorite tournament anymore.

With all that said, yeah, I kinda expected him to not go beyond the quarters or semis in RG. I knew it was Wimbledon where it mattered for him, and more than any year, now I want him to win there again. It may be blasphemous to say, but after 2009, any more Wimbledons he might had won again would be just gravy to me (well, I wanted him to win 2010 hard after his comeback in the 1st round, but anyways).
I will be very surprised if we don't see a rejuvenated Roger in Wimbledon this year.

To me nowadays, when it comes to Roger and majors, its Wimbledon and to a bit lesser degree the US Open the places where we can expect a greater effort and a hungrier Roger. I don't think he will win another US Open, but I'm sure he will give it a good try to win there one more time. It's been too long. The surface suits him better and he's quite experienced at playing on Arthur Ashe.

Anyway, lets see how Roger's second semester goes before counting him out.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

It's really up to Roger what he does, Connors stuck around for a very long time so why not Fed, it just depends on how he feels about it all.

 

[mariecon]

I love it when Federer fans take it as a personal insult when the guy loses. What incredible pressure you put on the man. Christ. This isn't your life. It's his. The guy has done it all. Get over it.

 

[Fate Archer]

Federer's worst surface now is grass. Do not be fooled by what happened last year - he got lucky in that he had an incredibly easy draw until the SF (Youzhny in the QF), then had a great serving performance against an out-of-sorts, mourning/troubled Djokovic, and then in the final Murray wilted under the pressure of becoming the first British man in like a century to win Wimbledon (not to mention, he was still seeking his first Grand Slam title).

I never bought this theory, not even after Fed lost in the quarters again in 2011. It just proves he is not a lock anymore and there are players who can take him out on a good day. Can take out, doesn't mean they will. Federer has as good a chance to take them out too (Berdych, Tsonga, whoever), and I might be generous here.

He still nearly lost to Benneteau in the 3rd round.

Yet he won that match.

He still was pushed to the brink by Del Potro in the Olympics.

Yet he won that match too.

He still should have lost to Falla in the first round of 2010 Wimbledon, and Falla is no grass courter.

Yet, he came through that tricky match.

He still blew a 2 set lead on Tsonga in the 2011 QF, only getting 1 break point the entire match.

True, and that was the first time he lost a 2 sets to love lead in a Grand Slam ever since 2003 or ever.

He was still thoroughly outplayed from the baseline by Roddick in the 2009 final.

Yet, he won that tournament.

I honestly would not be surprised to see Federer shocked in the first round at this year's Wimbledon. I would be utterly blown away if he won the tournament, on the other hand. I think the former is far more likely than the latter. That's not a good sign.

Need less to say, I think you're looking far too much at the negatives here.
I'm not saying Federer WILL win Wimbledon this year or ever again, but I think he still has quite a decent shot, and Christ, lets give the old man a bit of credit where its due. I will be elated if Fed wins 8th Wimby too. He cares a lot about the tournament and is pretty aware its his best chance at another major.

Sure, upsets can happen on grass, but they can happen to anyone, Nadal lost in the 2nd round to frickin Rosol last year.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

I love it when Federer fans take it as a personal insult when the guy loses. What incredible pressure you put on the man. Christ. This isn't your life. It's his. The guy has done it all. Get over it.

Exactly.

10thumbsup

 

[tennis_badger]

although i'm very dissapointed with the loss, especially as he's dispatched in straight sets, but retirement? come on... I have to say though, don't expect much in wimby or US open

 

[TheNightHunter]

I love it when Federer fans take it as a personal insult when the guy loses. What incredible pressure you put on the man. Christ. This isn't your life. It's his. The guy has done it all. Get over it.

I think it's not losing as much as it is dragging yourself in court like a clown. I don't remember seeing Nadal ever doing that, for example.

 

[maruzo]

It's hard to expect anything spectacular from Fed for the second half of the season given his lackluster performance at RG this year.

That said, I would never count him out. Unless he's really suffering physically.

He is still pretty healthy and in good form.

I think it's more mental than anything. The guy's done everything there is. He's got all the records. I'd be hard-pressed to find the motivation to keep on pushing.

It's for the love of the game that he's still around, I believe.

 

[mariecon]

I think it's not losing as much as it is dragging yourself in court like a clown. I don't remember seeing Nadal ever doing that, for example.

That's a pathetic comment. Let's see how Nadal drags himself when he's 31.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

You are pathetic. Let's see how Nadal drags himself when he's 31.

mariecon, your passion and commitment is too much for me today.

 

[romeo8880]

Very sad day indeed. He hasn't looked like Roger Federer out there on the court for awhile now. It's very depressing to watch and very frustrating. I too would like him to retire IF he doesn't have a good hard court and grass season. Let the man finish the year though.

 

[Antonio Puente]

Dear Federer the Great,

I'm like your hugest fan on the planet. one of millions that are left in utter depression by your performance today.

I'm so ****ing depressed right now

When Fed reads this heartfelt letter, I'm sure he'll be touched. He'll assume it was either written by a gifted chimp or a "special" person.

 

[TheNightHunter]

That's a pathetic comment. Let's see how Nadal drags himself when he's 31.

He doesn't. He simply excuses himself for a few months. Better than disrespecting his fans by not even trying, like Federer does.

 

[jrachiever]

Dear Federer the Great,

I'm like your hugest fan on the planet. one of millions that are left in utter depression by your performance today.

If the rest of the season is going to be like this embarrassing performance, please, pretty please, consider retirement, for the sake of your career, your history and our hearts that can't take it anymore!



I'm so ****ing depressed right now

Have you considered that your emotional investment and obsession with Roger Federer is very unhealthy and irrational, and perhaps you should seriously consider retiring as a fan much more than he should consider retiring when he is still one of the very best in the world?

 

[Ecoplex]

He recorded his 36th consecutive quarter final, his 54th consecutive slam appearance, and his 900th victory.
A good tune up for his upcoming favorite surfaces.

 

[tennisaddict]

I dont care about H2h or early losses. At this age and with this kind of surfaces, given Fed's kind of aggressive play, you cannot expect the same results anymore.

I am fine with the occasinal major final or a win, as long as Fed plays uninjured. I can take consistent quarters.

It is a pleasure to watch him play and it will be sad to see him go.

 

[Clarky21]

Other than the embarrassing "hugest fan" stuff, I could have written this about Nadal. He's just humiliating himself and his fans at this point. If anyone should retire it's him.

 

[bullfan]

Why should Roger focus on clay when he's getting older, and knows its a losing proposition to Rafa? Why shouldn't he save his energy for events he has a chance of winning.

 

[JRAJ1988]

Federer20042006 why as someone who as Roger's second name be so negative about his prospects?

 

[Ecoplex]

Federer20042006 why as someone who as Roger's second name be so negative about his prospects?

It's an odd trait of some Federer haters, or one hater with multiple accounts.

 

[RF20Lennon]

Yes Federer should think consider retirement because OP cant see him lose. But he hasnt won a title this year. If he somehow wins a masters this year then he has no business retiring.

 

[Goosehead]

today..just as against murray at the AO in January..

Federer looked inferior..less powerful, not in control of whats going on.

 

[stringertom]

Yes Federer should think consider retirement because OP cant see him lose. But he hasnt won a title this year. If he somehow wins a masters this year then he has no business retiring.

He has no business retiring until he decides it's not any fun to continue traveling the world, seeing the sites and all his fans and friends, and most importantly, playing the game he really loves. Only Fed will know when to shut it down. Until then, it's just idle speculation from all of us. Personally, I would prefer if he hangs on a la James Scott Connors. Wouldn't you dig a 39-year-old Rogi kicking some a** just one more time???

 

[RF20Lennon]

He has no business retiring until he decides it's not any fun to continue traveling the world, seeing the sites and all his fans and friends, and most importantly, playing the game he really loves. Only Fed will know when to shut it down. Until then, it's just idle speculation from all of us. Personally, I would prefer if he hangs on a la James Scott Connors. Wouldn't you dig a 39-year-old Rogi kicking some a** just one more time???

Bro, I would love to see a 79 year old Rogi kicking some a** but unfortunately its not possible so I would love to see him go out on a bang!

 

[Goosehead]

When Fed reads this heartfelt letter, I'm sure he'll be touched. He'll assume it was either written by a gifted chimp or a "special" person.

lol a "special" person ..errrh ughhhhnnnnn oooffffrrrhhhhhnnnnn ooouuughhh aroooo eek (translate: its time for my medicine)

 

[Dark Magician]

losses like these does hurt,'but what hurts more is the way Rog loses. I mean making extremely stupid errors on both bh and fh side, so many short balls into the net or outside the tramlines. If he could jusy avoid these mistakes, he wont be as vulnerable to Tsonga/berdych et al.
Hopefully the grandmaster will return to good form in Halle, and treat his fans with 1 slam this year, hopefully.

 

[Chanwan]

I think it's not losing as much as it is dragging yourself in court like a clown. I don't remember seeing Nadal ever doing that, for example.

Nadal has taken his fair share of straight set beatings, be that in GS' or WTF play.

 

[raphMODE]

the French Open has never been his strong suit.

I don't totaly agree on that...
He made 5 FINALS there, winning 1, and losing the others against NADAL only
This is not his best surface, but he might potentialy have won RG 5 times if Nadal wasn't there. That's huge.
–

 

[ASH1485]

if i'am world no.3 and i can still reach Roland Garros quarters that easily, then i will hang around for a while. moreover retirement talks will get me really angry ... i mean really really angry.

 

[mariecon]

Why should Roger focus on clay when he's getting older, and knows its a losing proposition to Rafa? Why shouldn't he save his energy for events he has a chance of winning.

exactly. He needed to go to RG and make the QF to keep his streak alive. I'm sure he would have liked to do what Murray did and take the two weeks to get ready for the grass. But Fed has records to uphold. Now he can go to Halle and get to work on the grass where he has a much better chance at a GS title.

 

[spinovic]

Another ridiculous thread by a "Fed fan". Go find another player to cheer for.

Take this as a life lesson - nobody stays at their peak forever. If you were a real fan, you'd simply enjoy the fact that Federer is still playing and playing well with his two best slams still to be played. Seeing as how slams are the only tournaments that matter to him now, that is the only thing that can be used to accurately judge him and he made a SF in Australia and the QF's in Roland Garros. Pretty much on par with his last couple of years. As long as he continues to put himself deep in slams, he gives himself a chance to pick off #18. Odds are he won't, IMO, but he's still a threat, especially on the grass and in NYC.

But, accept it, he's an underdog against the other Big 4 members in most cases at this point in his career and the matches against the next tier of guys, especially the big hitters, are much more dangerous now.

 

[spinovic]

exactly. He needed to go to RG and make the QF to keep his streak alive. I'm sure he would have liked to do what Murray did and take the two weeks to get ready for the grass. But Fed has records to uphold. Now he can go to Halle and get to work on the grass where he has a much better chance at a GS title.

Federer is trying to be more aggressive, shorten points and matches and thus save wear and tear and lengthen his career. I don't think he wanted to get into long, drawn out, baseline grinding 4-5 hour matches at RG knowing he wasn't likely to win it anyway.

The aggressive style he's been trying to play will be most rewarded at Wimbledon, so hopefully he can be sharp there and knock off #8/18.