Fed Fans - Is this the beginning of the end?

[The1AndOnly]

Is time running out for this great legend?

Many ruled Federer out 3-4 years ago, but he proved us wrong at the AO last year.

But it's different this time. Federer is almost 37 years old and losing to a relatively one dimensional Kevin Anderson after having match points to win in straight sets at his second home, Wimbledon, does not bode well for the future. Is he actually done this time?

I might be crazy though - we are talking about the guy who won a major at 35 years of age when no one thought the modern game would ever let that happen. He's won 3 of the past 5 majors while in his mid-30s.

Father Time may be undefeated, and it will eventually defeat Federer as well. But the real question is, how much longer can Federer hold it off?

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Maybe, maybe not he is still one of the very best players on tour. But even if he won his last slam at AO 2018 - then he has certainly covered himself in glory with 3 slams after the age of 35. That is incredible!

 

[reaper]

2018 hasn't been as good as 2017, so it stands to reason 2019 won't be as good as 2018. It is 5 minutes to midnight for Federer. Just hope he can sneak one more slam. For Uniqlo!

 

[NEW_BORN]

His ground game is simply atrocious. Can't keep a rally going, spraying errors left and right. Very tentative play when things get tight, basically just waiting for the opponent to miss.
For all the talk of his variety, he doesn't have a single ground stroke shot to rely on. If it wasn't for his serve, the score would not have been so flattering.
I think Federer needs a new coach with fresh ideas to re-invigorate him. And for the love of god, don't skip the entire clay season again.

 

[ak24alive]

We can't know for sure with Roger. Not until it's the end. He will contend for big titles as long as there is a racquet in his hand.

The only thing I can be sure of at this point is that Roger ain't gonna finish the year as #1.
And if he does it will need a 2016Murrayesque effort from his side.

 

[Krish0608]

Yes, I believe so. But I also believe he'll be super motivated for the USO which he wasn't last year.

 

[D.Nalby12]

I think he will win one more Slam before retirement. That's all. Today he missed a big opportunity.

 

[D.Nalby12]

Throughout Halle and in quarters at Wimbledon, it's the worst Federer I have ever seen. Don't think it's drastic decline though. Just need to work on forehand wing.

 

[Technology Ruined Tennis]

Probably, but it's been a hell of a ride. A lot of people at the time thought that "the finger wag" was his swan song.


That was 7 years ago...

 

[Russeljones]

His ground game is simply atrocious. Can't keep a rally going, spraying errors left and right. Very tentative play when things get tight, basically just waiting for the opponent to miss.
For all the talk of his variety, he doesn't have a single ground stroke shot to rely on. If it wasn't for his serve, the score would not have been so flattering.
I think Federer needs a new coach with fresh ideas to re-invigorate him. And for the love of god, don't skip the entire clay season again.

Quoted for posterity.

 

[papertank]

He looked extremely sad walking off court today, as if he realized he may not get many more chances like this.

I expect him to give the US hard court swing a huge push this year and really try for one more US Open. That's really the only place he has unfinished business.

Next year is very much up in the air- with the tour as it is now, he could definitely still contend for majors even if his form drops even further than it has this year.

 

[Mugu]

it's been the beginning of the end for quite a few years now... the question is whether it's the end of the end, finally...

 

[Praetorian]

So what if it is? He isn't a god, and anytime he steps on the court nowadays is a blessing. In an era where matches are glorified practice sessions, we must appreciate his style of play while it lasts, because when he's gone, we probably won't ever see this style ever again.

 

[metsman]

He's been DONEZO since 2012. Endless slate of PIGEONS and god knows what else gave him a little swan song now, but with his daddy Nole back in the fray it's lights out for Fed.

 

[sureshs]

No mental strength, no Plan B.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

BUT IT IN THE END
IT DOESN'T EVEN MATTER

 

[Gtech]

Through out the match, I didn't see his typical winning mentality. He was just hanging around hoping that Anderson would crumble like in the past and he didn't really "take it" as he has done in the past. Seems like he totally knew this, based on his press conference comments that he didn't rise to the occasion. But he lacked a game plan, with a tall guy like Anderson you would have thought Fed would have killed him with the nasty slice and extend the rally, wait for the compromised scooped up return from Anderson, then take the point with forehand winner or volley, but it didn't seem he could do it or he lost the plot during the match.

 

[icedevil0289]

this match has got people channeling 90s clay for w/e reason.

 

[augustobt]

I thought the combo Stakhovsky, Delbonis, Brands and Robredo was the end. This is fine compared to that.

 

[jm1980]

But the real question is, how much longer can Federer hold it off?

Hopefully not much longer

You're 37 with 4 kids, FFS why are you still playing?

 

[MarcusInKensington]

It has been the beginning of the end for about 8 years now...

 

[Maestroesque]

No mental strength, no Plan B.

Delete

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

He’ll still have his chances. However, djokodal are back on song now! Plus this Anderson loss will damage his aura. More players will believe they can beat him.

Aus Open his best chance of a slam now. As the court is quicker there and he’s won it last 2 years. If he loses that one, it can get tough. Wimbledon is tricky and he no longer a lock. He doesn’t play at French and us open he’s not wrong since 2008.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

He's been DONEZO since 2012. Endless slate of PIGEONS and god knows what else gave him a little swan song now, but with his daddy Nole back in the fray it's lights out for Fed.

Lol