ak24alive
Legend
I don't think he has committed to the Hopman Cup for years. Every year they announce sometime in the mid season that he will play H Cup next year.
Fed Back On Clay?
- Thread starter marc45
- Start date
D
Deleted member 742196
Guest
Ah okay. Thanks. Do you think it’s been a worthwhile tune up for his recent AO runs?
And honest question - does Fed win his three slams if Djokovic is a factor in 2017-2018? Not peak Djokovic, this one.
Would Fed potentially have won his recent titles if he was #3 and needed to go through both Djokovic and Nadal?
Im(moral) Winner
G.O.A.T.
@ak24alive @Hydrocella Hopman Cup is ending next year.
D
Deleted member 742196
Guest
Sweet username!
D
Deleted member 742196
Guest
Thanks for the information.
ak24alive
Legend
Yeah I think Hopman Cup is okay as a tune up for AO.
I think Fed would have won 2017 AO and Wimbly if Novak was still a factor in 2017-2018. 2018AO I don't think he would have defeated Novak.
Even AO17 and Wim17 Rog could have lost to Novak no doubt about it, Fed wasn't invincible but he was playing well enough to beat Nole. IW17 however was a level I think no one can beat him at. Not even Nole 2015 or Fed 2006 himself.
If Nole was there in 2017, Fed and he would battle for most titles off clay. So it seems logical to say that Fed would have won less than he has now.
D
Deleted member 77403
Guest
Cincinnati was on hard, Djokovic's best surface. MC and Rome are on clay, Federer's worst surface.
Since Federer turned 30, he has only played Nadal once. He has lost to a whole range of players since then. Giving it a go and having a realistic expectation are two different things. Federer's stamina is also questionable when he has to grind, and he will play very long rallies, since it is clay. He will close to 38...
Red Rick
Bionic Poster
D
Deleted member 742196
Guest
My thoughts too.
2017 I think he approached it one match at a time, as if it were his last. This made all the difference. He did this with Nadal, there’s no reason to think he wouldn’t have done it across Djokovic.
2018 I felt he approached it whole months at a time. This is not the methodology for someone at his stage of a career.
I think 2018 he doesn’t win AO if Djokovic comes around to form earlier in the season. The signs were there in Djokovic’s Queen’s loss to Cilic, he was flying all over the place defending and defending as Cilic played his game.
I think Fed makes his usual deep run at AO next year, SF’s probably. Beyond that I have no idea. Depends on the draw, depends on the opponent, depends especially on Fed I think.
With a degree of luck and incredible good fortune he gets another crack at a slam.
D
Deleted member 742196
Guest
Haha, just realized something.
It’s not just Fed and Nadal that benefited from Djokovic being AWOL 2017~2018 c. Wimby.
Its lost and next generation too.
Now that the sheriff is back absolutely nobody is talking at all about the Zverev’s and the Shapo’s and Chungs etc.
I guess Dimitrov will always have his 2018 Rotterdam cat dish.
Footnotes:
It’s not just Fed and Nadal that benefited from Djokovic being AWOL 2017~2018 c. Wimby.
Its lost and next generation too.
Now that the sheriff is back absolutely nobody is talking at all about the Zverev’s and the Shapo’s and Chungs etc.
I guess Dimitrov will always have his 2018 Rotterdam cat dish.
Footnotes:
Last edited by a moderator:
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
Fed said the same day thing about clay the last two years. In 2017-18, he obviously knew he wasn’t playing clay, but left the announcement until Miami.
He’s capable of winning 250’s on clay, tournaments like Istanbul or Munich. But at 37, he’s not winning Rome, MC or RG and he knows it.
He’s capable of winning 250’s on clay, tournaments like Istanbul or Munich. But at 37, he’s not winning Rome, MC or RG and he knows it.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
Even in his peak years, Roger never managed to win either Rome or MC, despite reaching the finals many times in both events. In fact, twice in the MC final, he won the first set and was up a break in the second, but still managed to lose from winning positions.
His greatest-ever clay match was Rome 2006, but he lost that one even while holding two MP’s. He didn’t win these events during his physical peak years, how is he supposed to do so when nearly 38?
Last edited:
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
You're talking strictly about clay here or something, right?
D
Deleted member 77403
Guest
Yes. Of course. Rome 2013.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
And what about the last Laver Cup being in Geneva next year? Nobody seems to mention LC is ending in 2019. You may be right. If Fed feels he can no longer win slams, the end may be 2019. I still think 2020 though in Basel.
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
it is certainly one of the two I think. The key point will be Laver in his home country. Now, will he retire there, or merely announce that 2020 is his last year.
That's been the talk for sure. The fact of Fed playing clay lends itself to that discussion immensly.
Ann
Hall of Fame
Because it isn't confirmed that it's ending, nor has anything anyone has said this past week about the LC even hinted that it's ending.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
Ann
Hall of Fame
Yup it was said there. However every other discussion, article, mention is that Federer and his team are looking at this as a "thing" for the future. So... there you go.
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
There it was....
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
But you have one of the captains of Laver Cup and its founder saying there is no LC in 2020 and on explanation of why. Roger was asked at the USO if it was because of the Olympics in 2020 and he said "no," but didn't elaborate. I realize many say LC will become an annual event, but this Mac-Fed public interview directly refutes that. I guess time will tell.
Obviously it behooves the Fed-Godsick media conglomeration to maintain LC will be "forever," when it's possible the plug will be pulled after Roger retires.
Ann
Hall of Fame
Yes, I heard it, I heard it live when it was said. Does that mean there won't be one after 2020? Every other article, discussion, sound byte and so on has said Fed and Company want to make this an ongoing thing! Fed even said at one of the 1000 interviews surrounding the LC that he'd like to be involved even after he retired.
Guys stop putting Federer in the grave before he's dead.
Ann
Hall of Fame
Fiero425
Legend
Some just don't understand, eras come to an end! No one's saying Fed isn't great, his legacy's secure, but it's time to pass the torch! It's happened before and it'll happen again! "BYE BYE Fed, we love you, but please wrap it up! No one's going to cry about it but you!"
Ann
Hall of Fame
I watched Conners' "era" come to an end. I watched Borg's "era" come to an abrupt end because he had a hissy fit. I watched Evert's "era" come to an end. I watched Agassi's "era" come to an end. I watched McEnroe's "era" come to an end. I watched Lendl's "era" come to an end. The only difference between all of them and Federer is his "fans" weren't putting him in the grave before he was even on life support. In FACT people were always hoping, even with diminished skills that these ATGs would play just one more season. I've been watching tennis players retire for over 45 years, this is the first time it's their "fans" that are pushing them to quit.Some just don't understand, eras come to an end! No one's saying Fed isn't great, his legacy's secure, but it's time to pass the torch! It's happened before and it'll happen again! "BYE BYE Fed, we love you, but please wrap it up! No one's going to cry about it but you!"
Ann
Hall of Fame
I love that you put "era" in quotation marks.
I typically think of an "era" in terms of geologic time. You know, tens of millions of years. Dinosaurs.
Because I think of it as their career, not their era. I don't think someone's era stops because they retire, only their careers do.
Pheasant
Legend
Federer should not play clay. The sliding motion on that surface is terrible for his surgically repaired knee. And besides, Fed got destroyed by Stan at the 2015 FO. In 2014, he lost to Gulbis in the 4th round of the FO. In 2019, Fed would be nearly 38 years old with 3 years of rust to scrape off. This would be disastrous. There are too many players that can destroy Federer on clay now. I might even pick Zverev over Federer at the FO. Nadal, Thiem, and Djoker would embarrass Fed at the FO. I don't want to see Federer get destroyed, or end his career by grinding it out on clay.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
How is believing that Laver Cup ends in Geneva next year putting Fed in his grave? The two concepts are extraneous from one another. I personally believe he'll retire in Basel in 2020 when he's 39, but who knows?
Ann
Hall of Fame
The generalization was more directed at ChaelAZ
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
Like many of you, I thought the same thing...this is an indicator that it's almost over.
Now, I don't think that 2019 will be his last year. I think it will be the last year of what he is doing now.
My guess is he plays clay in 2019 to give the fans one more shot to see him on that surface and take one last shot at Rafa...And he plays a more or less "normal" abbreviated schedule like 2017 and 2018.
Then 2020 will be the last year, and it will be focused almost entirely on the 'big stuff': Slams, WTF, and the Olympics. I fully believe that when his last year on tour rolls around, he won't just pack up and leave mid-season. He will finish the year out because that's how he is.
Now, I don't think that 2019 will be his last year. I think it will be the last year of what he is doing now.
My guess is he plays clay in 2019 to give the fans one more shot to see him on that surface and take one last shot at Rafa...And he plays a more or less "normal" abbreviated schedule like 2017 and 2018.
Then 2020 will be the last year, and it will be focused almost entirely on the 'big stuff': Slams, WTF, and the Olympics. I fully believe that when his last year on tour rolls around, he won't just pack up and leave mid-season. He will finish the year out because that's how he is.
Towser83
G.O.A.T.
My first thought was, if he plays clay next year he's planning on retiring next year. Of course he also didn't rule out clay this year until shortly before the season so I still doubt he plays it
Fiero425
Legend
Simple; besides the en nui of dealing with the same top player for over 20 years, I know I'm looking for a change! I'm a huge fan of Martina Navratilova, but after 20 years, the new guard was coming along and making her look bad! Connors just had that love of the game, but he well extended his stay to the detriment of his record going years without even making a final! Does anyone really want to see Roger LIMP out of the sport? If he had retired after Wimbledon in 2012 it would have been classic, but he hung on for 5 years before finally winning 3 more majors so it's been worth it so far! I'm seeing a decline that can only be explained by age this past season! He's making finals, but hasn't looked sharp doing it! The Next Gen's helped to extend his tenure! He probably would have left the stage if Zverev, Dimitrov, Thiem, Pouille, Coric, and so many others had really pulled their weight and made any strides to taking their spot at the top! It's been shameful that these players have all kinds of wild talent and it's done them so little good! It's one thing not to win the big one at a young age, but they haven't even been able to accomplish many upsets of top players! There's a reason Fedalovic have owned the tour for well over a decade; the next gen. has sucked to high heaven and I'm looking past them to the next in Shapovalov, Tsitsipas, Rublev, Chung, & Tiafoe!
D
Deleted member 742196
Guest
You aren’t the first to find yourself baffled by it. Earlier in the year before Fed decided on clay there was a huge row between those of us that want him to play and those that want him to win.
When @duaneeo below says this he’s referring to the spat. It is a sensitive topic that pulled FedFans apart.
Ann
Hall of Fame
Sorry I don't deal with crazy peopleI'm looking past them to the next in Shapovalov, Tsitsipas, Rublev, Chung, & Tiafoe!
Towser83
G.O.A.T.
We'll see when Nadal and Djokovic are 36, though we have already seen. Nadal skipped the AO in 2013 because he was unable to play a warm up event (but warm up events are over rated right?) and he didn't think he'd be a threat at the event.
Look, Fed has lost to Millman and Anderson on his 2 best surfaces, him winning at RG is very very unlikely even with Nadal, Djokovic, Theim etc out of action and that in itself is pretty unlikely. If he got back to 2017 levels he could win a masters on clay maybe, most likely Madrid, but he'd probably have to play all 3 and at one maybe Nadal and Djokovic lose. Playing RG with next to zero chance of winning is pointless unless it's just to gain ranking points. He's better off plying clay masters and skipping RG because at 37/38 there is absolutely no need to be playing anything you can't win. If he came close to winning RG he'd probably wreck himself for a month in the effort it would require.
Nadal lost in the quarters of AO and USO this year so not a certainty Fed would have to play both
2 of 4 slams? No way. 2nd RG is definitely no way, first I really doubt he plays and if he does there's at least 10 players who can beat him.
Nadal not playing MC? Are you serious? He'd more likely skip Madrid or even Rome. His clay season starts at MC, no way he skips that
ChaelAZ
G.O.A.T.
Some just don't understand, eras come to an end! No one's saying Fed isn't great, his legacy's secure, but it's time to pass the torch! It's happened before and it'll happen again! "BYE BYE Fed, we love you, but please wrap it up! No one's going to cry about it but you!"
I shed a few tears watching Agassi. Have done so with several others over the years. Ferrer's last match tore my heart strings.
Will do the same with Fed and Nadal.
Fiero425
Legend
Can't say I've felt that way! I prefer grand exits like Martina in '94 making that last Wimbledon final dropping it in 3 to Conchita Martinez! BJK tried to leave poetically by winning Wimbledon in '75 eviscerating Goolagong love and 1, but she couldn't help herself and for the love of the game came back and made 3 or 4 major SF's before limping out again in '83! Sampras did it right; had struggled for over 2 years with winning ANYTHING from Wimbledon 2000 to making that last USO final in '02 defeating his main rival in 4 glorious sets! Wilander's slide was so precipitous, I wasn't even aware he was still playing in the 90's! I've seen them all come and go from '73 on; each is different, but we have expectations of Fed that'll be hard to meet if he continues!
Ann
Hall of Fame
Dude you just bored me to ignore, I shall never bother the likes you again.
Ann
Hall of Fame
If Federer can't remain competitive I would like to see him retire. I remember Conners playing "Joe's Invitational" matches years after he should have retired with 8 people in attendance, no I don't want Federer to go out that way but there's a huge gap between where Federer is now and Conners was then. Federer won the AO this year but hasn't looked great since and to be honest I think it's more mental with him than physical. He's focused on too many things outside of tennis these days and it's more than he can handle. I have no problem with a top 10 Federer playing as long as he wants but a top 25 Federer should retire. I'm willing to wait and see how it goes.Can't say I've felt that way! I prefer grand exits like Martina in '94 making that last Wimbledon final dropping it in 3 to Conchita Martinez! BJK tried to leave poetically by winning Wimbledon in '75 eviscerating Goolagong love and 1, but she couldn't help herself and for the love of the game came back and made 3 or 4 major SF's before limping out again in '83! Sampras did it right; had struggled for over 2 years with winning ANYTHING from Wimbledon 2000 to making that last USO final in '02 defeating his main rival in 4 glorious sets! Wilander's slide was so precipitous, I wasn't even aware he was still playing in the 90's! I've seen them all come and go from '73 on; each is different, but we have expectations of Fed that'll be hard to meet if he continues!
Tennis_Hands
Banned
You don't even know how "Connors" is written.
Borg didn't have a "hissy fit".
He had a mental burnout on top of his problems with the tennis authorities, so he a kind of didn't have it to continue to compete at his previous level.
Agassi didn't have his own era.
What you say about the current fans might be true, but the game has changed so much that at some point it is obvious that every new ATG will write his own story, regardless of what those before him did.
Fiero425
Legend
You don't even know how "Connors" is written.
Borg didn't have a "hissy fit".
He had a mental burnout on top of his problems with the tennis authorities, so he a kind of didn't have it to continue to compete at his previous level.
Agassi didn't have his own era.
What you say about the current fans might be true, but the game has changed so much that at some point it is obvious that every new ATG will write his own story, regardless of what those before him did.
Well for the foreseeable future, these losers' pens will be running out of ink long before they even approach the records being set today by Fedalovic! To have Nole come out of nowhere to win the 2 biggest events of the season was the height of things unexpected! He actually went into the USO as the fave; HOW? They were right, but it made no sense! Where was Sasha, Grigor, Dominic, Milos, Kei, and all the rest to take advantage of this lull with Federer coming back to Earth, Rafa & Murray breaking down, and Nole a non-factor until QUEENS! I'm still waiting for a changing of the guard; hoping for it to happen sooner than later!
Similar threads
