Article: "Federer Still Fears 'difficult to beat' Nadal at French Open"

[Backspin1183]

Even last year when the media made Djokovic the favourite for RG, Roger said Nadal was the favourite for him. And after Nadal won it again, Roger was like I told you so!

I take it as a good sign for Rafa.

 

[cc0509]

Even last year when the media made Djokovic the favourite for RG, Roger said Nadal was the favourite for him. And after Nadal won it again, Roger was like I told you so!

I take it as a good sign for Rafa.

The difference is that this year Federer is saying Nadal is the co-favorite along with Djokovic and that Nadal will probably be tough to beat. Last year Federer clearly stated that Nadal was the favorite for him and he pretty much laughed off the suggestion that Djokovic could win it.

This is what he said last year:

"Not different to previous years," Federer, champion in 2009, told a news conference after easing into the second round on Sunday.

"(Nadal) is back on where he wants to be.

Asked if he thought Djokovic was the favorite given his recent form, the 17-times grand slam champion quipped: "Not for me, but maybe for you.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nadal-...not-djokovic-says-federer-144228085--ten.html

Compare that to what he says this year:

“At the French Open, Rafa for me is still the favourite alongside Djokovic who has been playing so well,” Federer told AFP. “Even though his (Nadal’s) form is not as good as in previous years, I still believe when the French Open rolls around he is going to be very difficult to beat.”

http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2015-04-28/19173.php

A slight shift from Federer from 2014 to 2015.

 

[InjuredNo?]

Sampras is not on the tour.

But if he was on the tour I'd pick a 37 year old Sampras to win Wimbeldon over a 26 year old Dimitrov any day

Sampras isn't 37. He's 43.

Nadal has to lose at some point. He's not going to win the FO for the rest of eternity.

 

[Steve0904]

I wouldn't.

I actually believe Murray has a decent shot at Wimbledon, and Dimitrov is not out of the equation either. Everybody seems to have forgotten Murray is still out there.

I agree with all this except perhaps the Dimitrov bit. He's not out of the equation no, but I don't see him winning it.

Particularly agree about Murray. Seems like he's being forgotten a bit to me where Wimbledon is concerned.

 

[Brett UK]

Fed has become an angel of diplomacy: "Rafa is still the favorite alongside Djokovic". No kidding?

Federer is asked for an opinion and he gives it. Last year he said Rafa is still the favorite and was apparently disrespectful to Djokovic. Never mind that he was correct.

This year he obviously assesses that Djokovic is a bit closer in the favouritism and so he says it, but he is not sitting on the fence.

 

[Steve0904]

Federer is asked for an opinion and he gives it. Last year he said Rafa is still the favorite and was apparently disrespectful to Djokovic. Never mind that he was correct.

This year he obviously assesses that Djokovic is a bit closer in the favouritism and so he says it, but he is not sitting on the fence.

This is true. I wouldn't call it diplomacy, especially considering his slight shift from last year. Federer's always been pretty firm with his opinions from what I can tell.