Can anyone name another athlethe in any sport, that is as physical as tennis, who played on such high level as Federer did at age of (almost) 38

Achilles82

Achilles82

Professional
Im not counting golf, because golf is more of a skill game, and not nearly as physical as tennis. You can say similar thing for baseball.

The only athlete I can think of is Steve Nash, who played amazing at age 37, averaging 10 assist and 14 points per game.

I cant think of any other. Roger played amazing that wimbledon final. He wasnt just "good for 38 year old", he was as good as Federer 10 years ago imo. I know alot of will disagree, but his level of tennis was incredible, Djokovic barelly won the match. If it was any other player against Roger that day it would be an easy win for him.
 
J

Jonas78

Legend
And even more - peaking at 38!! :D.

I really dont get why athletes dont continue into their fourties, they get more and more experience, and get better and better.
 
G

Goof

Professional
Bernard Hopkins was 46 years old when he last recaptured the true lightheavyweight championship. He faded quickly after that, but his peak STARTED at about 36 years of age (when he beat Felix Trinidad for the undisputed middleweight championship and mythical Pound for Pound crown).
 
P

Pantera

Banned
Achilles82 said:
Im not counting golf, because golf is more of a skill game, and not nearly as physical as tennis. You can say similar thing for baseball.

The only athlete I can think of is Steve Nash, who played amazing at age 37, averaging 10 assist and 14 points per game.

I cant think of any other. Roger played amazing that wimbledon final. He wasnt just "good for 38 year old", he was as good as Federer 10 years ago imo. I know alot of will disagree, but his level of tennis was incredible, Djokovic barelly won the match. If it was any other player against Roger that day it would be an easy win for him.
Click to expand...
Tom Brady
 
Fridge

Fridge

Professional
A lot of double players play will into their thirties and early forties. But doubles is also not as physical. Part of it is also skill. Fed has more skill than Mahut but both are able to play at a very high level still.
 
Rabe87

Rabe87

Professional
Half of the UFC titleholders across all weight divisions, now or over the last 12 months.

Also Floyd Mayweather isn't doing too badly.
 
O

OhYes

Guest
What Federer showed was remarkable. His own fans were saying long before this match that he is not capable to go in 5 with Djokovic or Nadal. Probably bcs of many examples from the past. Not to mention their doubts over his recovery after semifinal. Yet he looked in better condition than Djokovic, I mean even after the match when he was giving presses, he wasn't anywhere near drained 38 year old who played a final that lasted 5 hours.
If there ever was a match that he fought like a young himself this is the one. He was even jumping coming to the net at one point late in match, like Nadal is jumping on a warm up :oops:
 
Rabe87

Rabe87

Professional
Achilles82 said:
Im not counting golf, because golf is more of a skill game, and not nearly as physical as tennis. You can say similar thing for baseball.

The only athlete I can think of is Steve Nash, who played amazing at age 37, averaging 10 assist and 14 points per game.

I cant think of any other. Roger played amazing that wimbledon final. He wasnt just "good for 38 year old", he was as good as Federer 10 years ago imo. I know alot of will disagree, but his level of tennis was incredible, Djokovic barelly won the match. If it was any other player against Roger that day it would be an easy win for him.
Click to expand...
You've opened up a can of worms as most boxers / UFC fighters peak in their 30's.
 
K

KG1965

Legend
Achilles82 said:
Im not counting golf, because golf is more of a skill game, and not nearly as physical as tennis. You can say similar thing for baseball.

The only athlete I can think of is Steve Nash, who played amazing at age 37, averaging 10 assist and 14 points per game.

I cant think of any other. Roger played amazing that wimbledon final. He wasnt just "good for 38 year old", he was as good as Federer 10 years ago imo. I know alot of will disagree, but his level of tennis was incredible, Djokovic barelly won the match. If it was any other player against Roger that day it would be an easy win for him.
Click to expand...
No other athlete from another sport approaches Fedr at 38 years old.
Nash was great but he wasn't a top 20 at 38 years. Fedr is top 3 and its game level is very close to number one.
Fedr 38 years >>>>> any other sportmen 38 years.
 
J

Jonas78

Legend
Tennis_Hands said:
Sure, but he won two OG medals (sprint and Relay) at 40 years old.

The man is a frickin LEGEND.

:cool:
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Sure i followed him his whole career (am norwegian):). Thing is he couldnt really keep up with the best guys in endurance anymore after 2008/2009. To win late career he needed a little luck (to shoot perfect, and that the top guys missed). If i remember correctly he has only one individual OG/WC post 2009.
 
Bill W

Bill W

Rookie
I would love to know how many yards Brady runs in a football game compared to how many yards run by Fed and Novak in the final. It would be laughable to compare Brady to them.
 
BlueB

BlueB

Legend
Veljko Rogošić swam over the English Channel at age 63, however at age 65 he set the world record for open ocean without flippers, whooping 225km across the Adriatic Sea! [emoji50]

Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk
 
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J

Jonas78

Legend
Tennis_Hands said:
You are of course correct, but he still did it, and you know how physical preparation is also part of shooting well. He could keep up with the best, that is why he won several medals at the WC in 2016. As usual, the margins are small, but he undoubtedly was part of the elite of the sport almost till the end.

:cool:
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I agree with you.

Thing is, most of the athletes mentioned in this thread were definetly past their peaks in their mid to late thirties, although they still could do well. Thinking Federer is still peak is pretty hilarious.

Bjoerndalen is also a good example when it comes to late career nerves. For some reason it seems something is happening with your confidence. He used to be a beast on shooting, but late career he missed a lot more. Its happening with Federer and even Nadal too (choking).

I dont follow basketball or american football so dont know about Brady or Lebron, but i guess their last seasons arent the best ones either?
 
Enga

Enga

Hall of Fame
You gotta remember that tennis is different in that its about bursts of activity over a long period of time rather than extended rigorous activity. There are constant breaks, so with good diet, effective use of rest periods, and careful management of how you construct points you can avoid overexertion. This is part of the reason why tennis is a great sport for all ages. The only thing tennis is not kind on is the joints. And I guess Federer has somehow solved that problem.
 
Qubax

Qubax

Professional
The only answer is Tom Brady. Even then he's only playing in live action a few minutes a game.

Federer is running, and being explosive for a much, much, much longer time frame.

Similar to Brady he strikes quick.
 
B

BorgTheGOAT

Legend
Gretzky wasn’t doing too badly at age 37 in his last seasons with the Rangers. Michael Jordan with the Wizards wasn’t exactly GOAT material anymore but still averaged 20+ points a claim that maybe 5% of players have. Romário at age 40 was still top scorer in Brazilian league.
 
Keizer

Keizer

Hall of Fame
Jonas78 said:
I dont think he was on the national team at that age.
Click to expand...

He retired after the 2002 World Cup. I don't recall him ever trying to make a comeback between the age of 34 and when he retired for good, even though he was playing at a high level (he won the Serie A defender of the year in 2004 at the age of 36). He was called up to the 2006 WC squad but declined to play. He would've been 38 then.
 
ibbi

ibbi

G.O.A.T.
Brady is one, Peyton Manning had one of the seasons of his entire life at 37, Brett Favre was 39/40 when he played the last great season of his career, Drew Brees is still going super strong too. It's easier for QBs, especially ones like Brady and Manning that barely get touched compared to some other guys, but they still take their hits.

More impressively Jerry Rice was 40 when he played his last 1000 yard season.
 
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