Comparing Federer 2012 and Federer 2017

[Fedeonic]

So let's compare the Roger Federer of 2012 and the Roger Federer of 2017:

Roger Federer 2012:
-1 Grand Slam W (Wimbledon), 2 SF, 1 QF.
-F at the YE Masters (2-1 in RR) and Silver Medal at the Olympics.
-3 M1000s W (Indian Wells, Madrid, Cincinnati), 2 SF.
-2 ATP 500s W (Rotterdam, Dubai), 2 more F (Halle, Basel).
-6-6 over the Big 4 (2-2 in Grand Slam).
-71-12 W/L record (85,54%), 6 tournaments wins over 18 and YE#2 with 10265 (570 pts per tourney).

Roger Federer 2017:
-2 Grand Slam W (Aus Open, Wimbledon), 1 QF
-SF at the YE Masters (3-0 in RR).
-3 M1000s W (Indian Wells, Miami, Shanghai), 1 F (Montreal).
-2 ATP 500s W (Halle, Basel).
-4-0 over the Big 4 (just Nadal actually).
-52-5 W/L record (91,23%), 7 tournaments wins over 12 and YE#2 with 9605 (800 pts per tourney).

 

[mike danny]

2012 Fed played a full season and won titles on all surfaces. He also dealt with all of the big 4 in their prime/peaks and still managed a successful season by winning a slam and getting back to no.1.

This version of Fed has needed many breaks to remain competitive, but when firing on all cylinders he was the man to beat in 2017. Winning 2 GS titles and beating Rafa every time without losing have been the highlights of this year for him.

Tournament by tournament though: (only including the ones he played in both seasons):

AO: 2012

Dubai: 2012

IW: 2017

Miami 2017

Halle: 2017

Wimb: equal

USO: equal

Shanghai: 2017

Basel: 2017

WTF: 2012

 

[Djokovic2011]

I'd probably give 2012 the slight edge tbh but the "slams are all that matter" brigade will obviously prefer this year.

 

[mike danny]

I'd probably give 2012 the slight edge tbh but the "slams are all that matter" brigade will obviously prefer this year.

We prefer this year due to the fact that it is the more recent one.

But put 2012 Fed this year and he would have been no.1 and ended as such and he would have won the same titles he has won this year, as well as the WTF. And he would have played the clay season.

 

[Djokovic2011]

We prefer this year due to the fact that it is the more recent one.

But put 2012 Fed this year and he would have been no.1 and ended as such and he would have won the same titles he has won this year, as well as the WTF. And he would have played the clay season.

I watched the highlights of the 2012 WTF final again last night and Federer himself said he couldn't have played any better during the trophy presentation. I doubt that version of him would've even been taken to a tiebreak at this year's edition.

 

[mike danny]

I watched the highlights of the 2012 WTF final again last night and Federer himself said he couldn't have played any better during the trophy presentation. I doubt that version of him would've even been taken to a tiebreak at this year's edition.

That was one of Fed's best matches in a loss, true.

 

[Sudacafan]

Fed 2012 had the #1 ranking for some months after Wimbledon.
The last weeks of Federer as #1 were back in 2012.

 

[TheAssassin]

2012, and that's even if we ignore clay.

 

[Roddick85]

2012 Fed by far. He played a full schedule, more consistent form and dealt with a much stronger playing field.

 

[Roddick85]

2012 Fed by far. He played a full schedule, more consistent form and dealt with a much stronger playing field.

 

[True Fanerer]

2017 Federer in 2012's body would be a force to reckon with.

 

[metsman]

Given this year's WTF performance, definitely 2012.

 

[Devin]

2012 because he could reach a higher level in that year. I'm fairly confident that if Federer skipped the clay season that year and had 2017 draws, he would've won 3 slams and the WTF that year. No question.

AO - 2012 was better by a fair margin.
IW - 2017, peak level around the same.
Miami - 2017.
Wimbledon - 2012. He could reach a significantly higher level compared to 2017.
USO - 2012 by a bit. I feel like that version would attack Delpo's backhand more and probably win that match.
Shanghai - 2017.
Basel - 2017.
WTF - 2012.

 

[metsman]

2012 because he could reach a higher level in that year. I'm fairly confident that if Federer skipped the clay season that year and had 2017 draws, he would've won 3 slams and the WTF that year. No question.

AO - 2012 was better by a fair margin.
IW - 2017, peak level around the same.
Miami - 2017.
Wimbledon - 2012. He could reach a significantly higher level compared to 2017.
USO - 2012 by a bit. I feel like that version would attack Delpo's backhand more and probably win that match.
Shanghai - 2017.
Basel - 2017.
WTF - 2012.

I don't see 2012 Fed playing better against Nadal than 2017 did at AO but he'd have a chance to win USO, and would easily win WTF and Wimbledon.

 

[Devin]

I don't see 2012 Fed playing better against Nadal than 2017 did at AO but he'd have a chance to win USO, and would easily win WTF and Wimbledon.

I think the way that Federer improved his backhand and forehand (forehand often gets forgotten) was essential to beating Nadal because he can't outgrind him with his current speed. I do expect 2012 Federer to beat 2017 Nadal, however, because his forehand in that year was slightly better, he was faster, and he would like taking 2017 Nadal's slightly flatter ball on a faster court (although his 2017 backhand was still better).

If 2012 Federer skips the clay season, he definitely wins the USO. Cincy 2012 was probably the absolute last glimpse of a prime form Federer. Sorry, Wimbledon 2015 SF vs. Murray or 2015 Cincy, those two weren't quite prime material.

Here's an interesting question though... which version of Federer would match up best against any version of Nadal? Personally, I'd go with 2006 first, then possibly 2005/2007, then 2004, then 2009, and after that probably 2017.

 

[metsman]

I think the way that Federer improved his backhand and forehand (forehand often gets forgotten) was essential to beating Nadal because he can't outgrind him with his current speed. I do expect 2012 Federer to beat 2017 Nadal, however, because his forehand in that year was slightly better, he was faster, and he would like taking 2017 Nadal's slightly flatter ball on a faster court (although his 2017 backhand was still better).

If 2012 Federer skips the clay season, he definitely wins the USO. Cincy 2012 was probably the absolute last glimpse of a prime form Federer. Sorry, Wimbledon 2015 SF vs. Murray or 2015 Cincy, those two weren't quite prime material.

Here's an interesting question though... which version of Federer would match up best against any version of Nadal? Personally, I'd go with 2006 first, then possibly 2005/2007, then 2004, then 2009, and after that probably 2017.

Depends on how much knowledge those versions of Fed have to play Nadal. I don't think 07 was actually better than 04/05 in terms of playing Nadal but he had more knowledge on how to play him as opposed to like 05 Miami.

 

[augustobt]

Come on, he bageled Djokovic in 2012's Cincy Final like it was a #123 in the world. And we're talking about one of the best returners of all times here.

 

[Prabhanjan]

2017, how can that be even a contest. What he has done in 2017 is 10 times more difficult to accomplish than if it was accomplished in 2012, and it is more in 2017. Weak field, poor competition, etc notwithstanding!

 

[Prabhanjan]

Doubled!

 

[Prabhanjan]

2017, how can that be even a contest. What he has done in 2017 is 10 times more difficult to accomplish than if it was accomplished in 2012, and it is more in 2017. Weak field, poor competition, etc notwithstanding!

 

[ibbi]

It's such a ridiculous question. As has been said, he played close enough to the full season in 2012, and competed against far better players. There's really no comparison.

Maybe you can argue the fabled 'level of play' is higher, but if the level of play being high is reliant on playing less, and comes against lesser players how much does it really count for?

This year he skipped the entire clay season, and still got hurt in Canada to season derailing degrees (missing one of his favourite/nailed on tournaments of the year, and going in flat to one of the most important).

i think the Nadal thing this year really skews peoples impressions a lot, but hell, don't forget he beat Nadal at Indian Wells in 2012 too, and that Rafa was better than the one he's dominated this year.

I also think those two matches against Djokovic and Murray at Wimbledon that year are as gorgeous a back to back as he has ever played. What is comparable their this year? The freaking Raonic victory? That was an impressive performance, but against a guy who has regressed from a year ago in every imaginable way. 2012 was pretty much the year of Muzza's life, and Novak was maybe not 2011 level, but still just the one match away from playing all 4 slam finals that year. And he lost that one match to? Case closed.

 

[BlueClayGOAT]

2012, easily.

He was faster, his forehand was better. He played a full season, won titles on every surface including a slam and 3 Masters (IW, where he routined Nadal in straight sets in really windy conditions, one of his last peak performances IMO; his last clay Masters in Madrid on blue clay, where Nadal and Novak struggled; and Cincy, where he bageled peak Novak in the final).

He took out peak Novak and peak Murray in consecutive matches at Wimbledon.


IMO, playing a full schedule and still getting to no.1 in the world, in arguably the year when the others of the Big 3 were closest to their peaks as a group, puts it above 2017 IMO.

He did perform brilliantly in several patches in 2017- close to prime form- but then he also inexplicably struggled in many matches and had an injury even with the reduced schedule, even if he only lost 5 matches in the end all year.


PS: Do watch that IW semi vs Nadal, the precise shotmaking in windy and unpredictable conditions was stunning.

 

[fedtennisphan]

Federer’s 2017 better because it left FedHaters in ruins due to not wanting Federer to return to the top and win titles.

 

[mike danny]

Federer’s 2017 better because it left FedHaters in ruins due to not wanting Federer to return to the top and win titles.

Same situation in 2012 too. Only he did return to the top that year, unlike this year.

 

[tennis_pro]

The competition in 2012>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>(10 years later)>>>>>>>>>>>>>the competition in 2017

 

[Pagoo]

2012 for me. I really liked Federer's play in 2012.

 

[Steve0904]

His results were better in 2017 but he was better in 2012. It’s a no brainer for me. He could play on all surfaces in 2012. In 2017 he skipped an entire surface that he most likely would’ve been terrible on.

 

[RF-18]

Does it matter if he played a full schedule or not?

 

[tennisaddict]

2017 Fed has a better serve and a better BH but I will take 2012 Fed any day .

In big matches the ground game is what is more important as the big 3 are so good at returns.

 

[mike danny]

Does it matter if he played a full schedule or not?

It matters because we do know 2012 Fed could have been no.1 this year. 2017 Fed couldn't even be no.1 in a year with half of the top 10 injured. Forget about him achieving it in 2012.

 

[KINGROGER]

Swap the 2 and 2017 Federer only wins IW/Halle/Shanghai in 2012 I think. Loses to 2012 Nadal at AO. Loses to peak Djokovic at Wimbledon (as we saw in 2014/2015).

2012 Fed on the other hand I expect 3 slams from him and WTF. Makes RG final too and gives 2017 Nadal a good match. He wasn't great at the USO but in 2017 I'd expect him to get through and win it.

 

[Wittgenstein]

2012 was better. Higher tennis level, better opposition and hit no 1.

 

[RS]

2012 higher level of play
2017 greater achievements in my opinion.
AO=Federer 2012.
Dubai=Federer 2012
IW=Federer 2017. 2012 beat a better Nadsl so this is debatable.
Miami=Federer 2017
Halle=Federer 2017
Wimbeldon=Federer 2012
USO=Federer 2012
Shanghai=2017
WTF=2012
5-4 to 2012 giving 2017 the benefit of the doubt for IW. Could be 5-3-1 or 6-3 even.

 

[KINGROGER]

2012 higher level of play
2017 greater achievements in my opinion.
AO=Federer 2012.
Dubai=Federer 2012
IW=Federer 2017. 2012 beat a better Nadsl so this is debatable.
Miami=Federer 2017
Halle=Federer 2017
Wimbeldon=Federer 2012
USO=Federer 2012
Shanghai=2017
WTF=2012
5-4 to 2012 giving 2017 the benefit of the doubt for IW. Could be 5-3-1 or 6-3 even.

Also Rome, Madrid and RG for 2012. SF, W, SF > no show. Basel for 2017.

 

[D.Nalby12]

I think 2012 Fed would have won two Slams in 2017. Not sure whether 2017 version would have got just one Slam facing 2012 competition.

 

[MeatTornado]

This discussion feels like so long ago. As silly as the comparison was, at least 2017 vs 2012 warranted a discussion. 2018 Roger is now barely recognizable from 2017, let alone 2012.

 

[D.Nalby12]

Highest level from 2012 Fed? - I think AO..

Highest level from 2017 Fed? - No doubt, IW.

Which level was higher?

 

[Sudacafan]

So let's compare the Roger Federer of 2012 and the Roger Federer of 2017:

Roger Federer 2012:
-1 Grand Slam W (Wimbledon), 2 SF, 1 QF.
-F at the YE Masters (2-1 in RR) and Silver Medal at the Olympics.
-3 M1000s W (Indian Wells, Madrid, Cincinnati), 2 SF.
-2 ATP 500s W (Rotterdam, Dubai), 2 more F (Halle, Basel).
-6-6 over the Big 4 (2-2 in Grand Slam).
-71-12 W/L record (85,54%), 6 tournaments wins over 18 and YE#2 with 10265 (570 pts per tourney).

Roger Federer 2017:
-2 Grand Slam W (Aus Open, Wimbledon), 1 QF
-SF at the YE Masters (3-0 in RR).
-3 M1000s W (Indian Wells, Miami, Shanghai), 1 F (Montreal).
-2 ATP 500s W (Halle, Basel).
-4-0 over the Big 4 (just Nadal actually).
-52-5 W/L record (91,23%), 7 tournaments wins over 12 and YE#2 with 9605 (800 pts per tourney).

I voted 2012 and I didn’t like to do that.

 

[Bukmeikara]

Wimbeldon=Federer 2012
.

He won Wimbledon 2017 without dropping a set thus collecting the absolute max of points. You may argue about opponents but in the end ... he didnt lose a set, in 2012 he almost lost to Benneteau(which is not a bad thing)

What he did in 2017 at age of 35-36 was unseen, there is hardly any comparison with 2012.

 

[BeatlesFan]

He won Wimbledon 2017 without dropping a set thus collecting the absolute max of points.

A player can win Wimbledon and play seven straight 5-setters and still win the max amount of points which is 2,000. They don't get bonus points for not dropping sets, what are you talking about?

 

[RS]

He won Wimbledon 2017 without dropping a set thus collecting the absolute max of points. You may argue about opponents but in the end ... he didnt lose a set, in 2012 he almost lost to Benneteau(which is not a bad thing)

What he did in 2017 at age of 35-36 was unseen, there is hardly any comparison with 2012.

He took out a peak Djokovic/Murray and peaked later in the tourney.

 

[abmk]

He took out a peak Djokovic/Murray and peaked later in the tourney.

fed also played well in the 1st 2 rounds of Wim 12.
Its only R3 and R4 where he was affected by back issue that form went down.

 

[RS]

fed also played well in the 1st 2 rounds of Wim 12.
Its only R3 and R4 where he was affected by back issue that form went down.

Federer Wim 12 vs Roddick Wim 09 and Hewitt Wim 04 10 match series?