Fed Back On Clay?

[titoelcolombiano]

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

My bad - I missed that one - he would definately play MC

 

[MugOpponent]

He should play even if I see little chance for him to win at any clay event outside of Madrid.

 

[True Fanerer]

Mixed feelings on the subject. Just hope he does what's best for him. If that means him playing some clay then I'll be happy to have that many more opportunities to see him play. If he doesn't then I know he has his reasons and I support that.

 

[ChrisRF]

Perhaps I’m totally wrong, but could he maybe think his chances at RG would somehow be higher than at the US Open newly?

Because let’s face it, the US Open is barely a real chance for many years now, and surely he doesn’t want to have only 2 chances at Slams per year.

Anyway, I always wanted him to be back on clay, so I would be happy to see him at RG next year.

 

[MugOpponent]

Perhaps I’m totally wrong, but could he maybe think his chances at RG would somehow be higher than at the US Open newly?

Because let’s face it, the US Open is barely a real chance for many years now, and surely he doesn’t want to have only 2 chances at Slams per year.

Anyway, I always wanted him to be back on clay, so I would be happy to see him at RG next year.

While I would never completely write off Federer, the idea of him beating more than one of the following: Schwartzman, Zverev, Coric, Djokovic, Thiem, Wawrink or Nadal at Roland Garros seems unfathomable based upon what I've seen this year.

 

[Ann]

I would like to see Federer play a few clay tournament Masters but I'm not sure I'd want to see him back at RG.

 

[ChrisRF]

While I would never completely write off Federer, the idea of him beating more than one of the following: Schwartzman, Zverev, Coric, Djokovic, Thiem, Wawrink or Nadal at Roland Garros seems unfathomable based upon what I've seen this year.

Okay, let us look at those names then...

Schwartzman: Has too much problems holding serve to beat Federer.
Zverev: At a Slam, in Best of 5? Laughable, nothing more to say. Will definitely not meet Federer.
Coric: Way too inconsistant, will most likely not meet Federer.
Djokovic: Very difficult, no question here.
Thiem: Is good on clay, but far from unbeatable for Federer, regardless of circumstances.
Wawrinka: Always unpredictable, but I have a feeling he won’t be a deciding factor.
Nadal: Almost unbeatable at RG, but his health could be in question, even during the clay season, and then all the others (including Federer) must be there.

I agree that normally and apart from injuries Nadal is most likely unbeatable at RG, but Federer shouldn’t stay away from a Slam because of one player.

 

[BeatlesFan]

I’m with Roddick on this point since he understands tennis better than any of us. He just said yesterday Federer should never play on clay again because it’s too tough on the body.

Fed plays for one reason only at this stage: to win big titles. He has to know he’s not winning RG or a Masters 1000 on clay.