Can Fed will be still in the top 10 by age of 35?

H

hlkimfung

Semi-Pro
His game seem effortless and not taxing much on his body. However, like Sampras, he didn't train too much off court, as he don't need to

Question is, can he still play the same game when he's 35?

We know Agassi is as good as he's 25 because of the insane off-seaon training.

Would Fed need the same training if he want to extend his career into mid 30s?

How do Connors' career last so long? Easy game or extra training?
 
M

MirkoMecir

New User
Doubt Federer will want to play that long. I think he mentioned he'd like to win Olympic Gold at the 2012 Olympics in London and retire that year.
 
superman1

superman1

Legend
Agassi had the better forehand/backhand combo and relied less on movement. Federer plays a little more defensively and waits for his opportunuties to strike. Then again, he can be very aggressive as well. I don't think Federer could last that long, but it's possible. I wouldn't put anything past him.
 
F

FiveO

Hall of Fame
At 35? That would be 18 to 19 years on tour by then and two more generations of players at least. Yes his game does appear effortless and is much less taxing on the body than Nadal's style, but like any sport at the world class level it takes work to make it "look" that way. Lot's of work we don't see. And most human beings don't want to do anything that feels great for that long. Federer is not like must "human beings" but still, no, I would doubt it.
 
B

Bjorn99

Hall of Fame
Oh ye of little faith. He could play till he is forty or fifty, if he wanted to. He would slip in the rankings but he would still be up there. He is improving rapidly NOW.
 
maverick66

maverick66

Hall of Fame
cant predict the future. there could be players coming up that are better he could get hurt or burned out. travelling as much as he does can take a toll on someone.
 
D

Deleted member 13755

Guest
If you're wondering, he's going to make history anyways once he retires.


So he might as well retire right now and still be GOAT.


EDIT: Lol I just read this over and I don't think I got my point across. Oh well, it's late here and Red Bull is failing me.
 
G

Grimjack

Banned
hlkimfung said:
How do Connors' career last so long? Easy game or extra training?
Click to expand...

Low-mileage game coupled with a huge LACK of training. Not his own -- the rest of the tour's.

Connors was there at the end of an era. Lendl was just ushering in the era of tennis players training like athletes. He was a pioneer, however, and the huge majority of tennis pros still regarded physical training as unnecessary work that would either cut into practice time, or cut into party time.

That meant that a reasonably fit 40-ish guy was still competitive in a field where none of the 20-somethings were getting the most out of their bodies. Rosewall was able to compete forever for the same reason.

They make interesting case studies, but have no relevance in today's tour. The difference between the fitness of the elder statesmen and the young guys today is HUGE. Physiologically, it must always be so when comparing 20-somethings to 30-somethings. 30-somethings simply can't stay in the same realm of fitness as motivated 20's. (Unless they receive chemical assistance, of course.)

Now that young guys are forced to train like athletes in order to compete, a clean mid-30's+ guy will never be competitive in any meaningful sense again.
 
joe sch

joe sch

Legend
Good question !
With todays grinding game on mostly hard courts and soo many tournaments, the chances of playing past 30 is pretty slim for most players, and especially 35. The exceptional players regarding playing style can sometimes achieve this feat. Even Agassi, whose game was not extreme modern, could not last to 35 including his intensive training regimin. I think he may has lasted past 35 if he also learned how to include stretching into his training. A player needs a more old school playing style which is less destructive on the body (closed stances, eastern grips, more level follow thrus, good footwork, smooth body action, ... ,) Federer has the best chance of playing long term compared to the rest of todays players. The counter example would be Rafa Nadal. Unless he adapts his game, he will not make 30. Consider some of the players that have done it in the past like Connors, Rosewall, Gonzales. I have figured out the same considerations and have had to change from a modern game to a classic game to continue playing senior tennis.
 
C

callitout

Professional
Where did you get misinformed that Fed doesnt train much off the tour.
I've heard him comment repeatedly about hard work off the court in preparation for tournaments.
 
superman1

superman1

Legend
What do you mean Agassi couldn't have lasted until 35? He was in the top 10 at age 35. He only faded at 36 and that was partly because his ankle injury kept him off the circuit for so long. He was still able to beat Baghdatis a couple of months ago in an extremely high level match.

Grimjack is so convinced that he was on steroids, it's ridiculous. I guess you don't believe in drug testing. And Agassi was into weight lifting back in the early 90's. He was always into getting stronger. There's a clip of him on YouTube with Bollettieri with long hair wearing a sleeveless shirt, and his arms look pretty big.
 
ceejay

ceejay

Semi-Pro
Maybe. Federer's game needs speed and footwork, and thats probably the first thing that goes in old legs.

However, you may remember at Wimbledon (can't remember which one it was) that Federer said he is planning to serve and volley more when he gets slower. He wants to win the title playing s&v too. I reckon his retirement age will depend on how good he is at serve-volleying.
 
Warriorroger

Warriorroger

Hall of Fame
ceejay said:
Maybe. Federer's game needs speed and footwork, and thats probably the first thing that goes in old legs.

However, you may remember at Wimbledon (can't remember which one it was) that Federer said he is planning to serve and volley more when he gets slower. He wants to win the title playing s&v too. I reckon his retirement age will depend on how good he is at serve-volleying.
Click to expand...
 
T

The tennis guy

Hall of Fame
hlkimfung said:
However, like Sampras, he didn't train too much off court, as he don't need to
Click to expand...

What are you talking about? Sampras and Federer didn't train too much off court? The only reason you got this idea is because they don't brag about it like some other players!
 
H

hlkimfung

Semi-Pro
The tennis guy said:
What are you talking about? Sampras and Federer didn't train too much off court? The only reason you got this idea is because they don't brag about it like some other players!
Click to expand...

By training I mean weight lifting and other cardio workout, not on-court practise.
 
T

The tennis guy

Hall of Fame
hlkimfung said:
By training I mean weight lifting and other cardio workout, not on-court practise.
Click to expand...

Where did you get the idea Sampras and Federer didn't do weight lifting and other cardio workout?

Sampras used to train with the toughest trainer Pat Ech. in Florida, and most of Federer's training is cross training with his trainer. Tennis players don't want to lift weight to bulk up.
 
vive le beau jeu !

vive le beau jeu !

Talk Tennis Guru
Chicharito said:
Think it is a lock!

1000 points from Cincy
1200 from US Open
500 Basel
1000 WTF

That is 3700 that will still be there on his 35th birthday I think.

Gasquet is currently 9th with 2800.
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massive bump ! :p
th_bump.gif
 
Phoenix1983

Phoenix1983

G.O.A.T.
D.Nalby12 said:
We will see. Thread subscribed.

When you see him retiring P1983? I think, he will play 3 more seasons at least.
Click to expand...

I think his aim is to play as long he is still enjoying himself, is still competitive at a top level and can balance the demands of being on tour with being a father.

It's impossible to say exactly how long he will go on, but I think barring injury, he will continue until close to 40.
 
J

JRAJ1988

Guest
The only potential/recurring?? physical issue Fed has is that back and due to the mileage on the clock he can wonder off in matches like he did vs Ramos and Seppi this year.

There's no real reason why Federer can't remain in the top 5 for the foreseeable future other than "I can't be asked" or Family, actually if Murray doesn't defend or win the Australian Open next year and Federer goes better than the 3rd Round, Rogi will go back to number 2 again. He's not going away.
 
D

Deleted member 688153

Guest
HewittAlwaysDisappoints said:
none of those are a lock. Having said that, he'll comfortably me in the top 10 by 35, top 5 maybe.
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No, those are what he won this year. :)
They can't drop off until after his next (35th) birthday, in August next year, so he's guaranteed to have at least that many points when he's 35 even if he doesn't win a match between now and his 35th birthday.
That many points is currently easily enough to be in the Top 10.

So unless he retires before his next birthday or the quality of the Top 10 suddenly goes through the roof, he's pretty much a lock for staying in the Top 10 until after his birthday at least.
 
D

djokerer

Banned
hlkimfung said:
His game seem effortless and not taxing much on his body. However, like Sampras, he didn't train too much off court, as he don't need to

Question is, can he still play the same game when he's 35?

We know Agassi is as good as he's 25 because of the insane off-seaon training.

Would Fed need the same training if he want to extend his career into mid 30s?

How do Connors' career last so long? Easy game or extra training?
Click to expand...
He is only good enough to win 3 set matches now (#1 slam in 6 years)
By 40, he can win a set against good player ( may be he will be competitive in IPTL)
By 45, he can beat top players in single games.
By 50, may be single point.

In other words, who cares. For a guy whose entire goat hood claim is based on number of slams, he is no good to win slams anymore. That irony escapes Fed turds minds.
 
Zodd

Zodd

Hall of Fame
We'll just have to wait and see what Ljubo can invoke in him.

2016 Fed: Shaved head, full beard, right arm massively beefed up, left arm even tinier. Massively improved first serve pace and half volley SABR'ing over 50% first serve returns - AO 2016 just might be fun!
 
Last edited:
BeatlesFan

BeatlesFan

Bionic Poster
hlkimfung said:
His game seem effortless and not taxing much on his body. However, like Sampras, he didn't train too much off court, as he don't need to
Click to expand...

"He don't need to train..."

!??

Ask the various juniors who train in Nov-Dec with Fed in Dubai. He works his ass off in training and none of them at half the age can keep up with him. Think of how ludicrous your statement is. Pete was dusted by 30, Fed was #2 in the world at age 34 just a few weeks ago. Yet you think Roger doesn't train "too much off court?"
Dr.-Evil-Sarcastic-Right-In-Austin-Powers-Gifs.gif
 
Enga

Enga

Hall of Fame
Connors, I believe, was able to extend his career for so long because he was an extremely tactical player, but he also put in a lot of work off court. I think I saw an interview where he talked about cardio work, and drills, still doing them even though he was older at the time.

I think Federer can do it, but he still needs to put in a lot of work off court to have a chance. I believe his game is even more footwork centric than Connors', so thats more effort. Connors strong backhand meant he didnt have to run around and hit a forehand to control from the baseline, thats less steps to take, and less speed needed. Not to mention that all of Federer's opponents these days want to grind him down, since thats a regular strategy amongst the pros these days. At least in Connors' day there were more net attackers, so he'd get to rest more even if he himself didnt attack the net.
 
Krish872007

Krish872007

Talk Tennis Guru
djokerer said:
He is only good enough to win 3 set matches now (#1 slam in 6 years)
By 40, he can win a set against good player ( may be he will be competitive in IPTL)
By 45, he can beat top players in single games.
By 50, may be single point.

In other words, who cares. For a guy whose entire goat hood claim is based on number of slams, he is no good to win slams anymore. That irony escapes Fed turds minds.
Click to expand...

Well done for replying to an OP which is 9 years old, i.e. when he just completed his famous 2006 season and making solid predictions was very difficult.
 
beltsman

beltsman

G.O.A.T.
My question: did you have this thread bookmarked for 10 years waiting to bump. or did you just randomly stumble across it?
 
AceSalvo

AceSalvo

Legend
Zodd said:
We'll just have to wait and see what Ljubo can invoke in him.

2016 Fed: Shaved head, full beard, right arm massively beefed up, left arm even tinier. Massively improved first serve pace and half volley SABR'ing over 50% first serve returns - AO 2016 just might be fun!
Click to expand...

2016 NAdal has barely any hair on the top.. you would think it was Smeagol from the top-on view... dreadful sight and he is not even 30... Toni can lend some for sure..

so far, AO 2016 has been delivering...
 
N

Nathaniel_Near

Guest
hlkimfung said:
His game seem effortless and not taxing much on his body. However, like Sampras, he didn't train too much off court, as he don't need to

Question is, can he still play the same game when he's 35?

We know Agassi is as good as he's 25 because of the insane off-seaon training.

Would Fed need the same training if he want to extend his career into mid 30s?

How do Connors' career last so long? Easy game or extra training?
Click to expand...

Yes.

Good thread. :D

And I see you're logged in too 9 years later. ;)
 
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