Federer age disadvantage a myth?

[NoleIsBoat]

H2H vs Nadal

2004 - 2010 -> 7 - 13 (35% wins)

2014 - 2020 "grandpa Federer" -> 7 - 2 (77% wins)


H2H vs Murray

2004 - 2010 -> 6 - 8 (42% wins)
2014 - 2020 -> 5 - 0 (100% wins)


Federer improved his H2H with two big 4, as well as saying he was a better player than ever in 2015.

 

[PilotPete]

What was the percentage clay played in each period against Nadal?

 

[Jonesy]

Reality has proved it is. Look who is 33/34 years and still at the top of the game.

 

[NoleIsBoat]

Reality has proved it is. Look who is 33/34 years and still at the top of the game.

Djokovic aged 33 -> beats nextgen Thiem in Australia, end the year number 1.
Nadal aged 34 -> bagels Djokovic in RG final winning 13th RG

Federer aged 34 -> grandpa, geriatric, can't run, can't hit a FH

 

[clout]

What was the percentage clay played in each period against Nadal?

Tbh looking back, Fed had a pretty significant age advantage on Nadal back then even during their clay matches. Nadal was only like 20 and not old enough to legally drink during those matches while Fed was at his peak his mid 20s

 

[PilotPete]

Tbh looking back, Fed had a pretty significant age advantage on Nadal back then even during their clay matches. Nadal was only like 20 and not old enough to legally drink during those matches while Fed was at his peak his mid 20s

Wasn't 2005 the year Nadal won the most tournaments ever?

 

[Jonesy]

Djokovic aged 33 -> beats nextgen Thiem in Australia, end the year number 1.
Nadal aged 34 -> bagels Djokovic in RG final winning 13th RG

Federer aged 34 -> grandpa, geriatric, can't run, can't hit a FH

They are willing to push Fed under the bus to protect the illusion.

 

[beard]

H2H vs Nadal

2004 - 2010 -> 7 - 13 (35% wins)

2014 - 2020 "grandpa Federer" -> 7 - 2 (77% wins)


H2H vs Murray

2004 - 2010 -> 6 - 8 (42% wins)
2014 - 2020 -> 5 - 0 (100% wins)


Federer improved his H2H with two big 4, as well as saying he was a better player than ever in 2015.

No way... I explained numerous times... Fed is a medical phenomenon... He is getting older against Novak, but is getting younger against Rafa... Real miracle...

 

[ForehandCross]

No way... I explained numerous times... Fed is a medical phenomenon... He is getting older against Novak, but is getting younger against Rafa... Real miracle...

Ugh.
Post 2008 since Djokovic's first slam, Federer was 4-5 in slams against Djokovic with his old racquet. With two match points to make it 5-4.


Post 2011 , Federer vs Djokovic before racquet change 2-3. With two match points to make it 3-2.

Post racquet change suddenly he hasn't beaten Novak and is 6-0 against him.


So someone who had 50-50 chance before now suddenly is hopeless against Novak.

The real issue is not age maybe, it's racquet change in this specific match up. Racquet change and Federer's reliance on serve.

 

[MeatTornado]

Djokovic aged 33 -> beats nextgen Thiem in Australia, end the year number 1.
Nadal aged 34 -> bagels Djokovic in RG final winning 13th RG

Federer aged 34 -> grandpa, geriatric, can't run, can't hit a FH

34 year old Fed couldn't possibly handle the power that Timmy possesses. Only BOATovic could navigate that ATG level in Australia.

 

[Enga]

I don't think it is a myth. I think when you're older adrenaline doesn't help you as much as it did before, and I think you will tend to have slower reaction times. You can still be a well oiled machine that plays well on every point, but theres those critical points where it seems like it matters the most, if your heart isn't pumping at the max and your senses at its sharpest during those moments, it doesn't matter how well you played every other point. Thats why I see Federer is always in position to win, but never actually does lately. Call it mental midgetry all you want but in my personal experience when competing, sometimes being experienced and all sorts of calm does not help you at all during the critical moments. Sometimes you need that adrenaline fueled instinct.

 

[Jonesy]

No way... I explained numerous times... Fed is a medical phenomenon... He is getting older against Novak, but is getting younger against Rafa... Real miracle...

When your parents work at a pharmaceutical company you can become something really special.

 

[mike danny]

Tbh looking back, Fed had a pretty significant age advantage on Nadal back then even during their clay matches. Nadal was only like 20 and not old enough to legally drink during those matches while Fed was at his peak his mid 20s

There was no age advantage for Fed against Claydal.

 

[Jonesy]

There was no age advantage for Fed against Claydal.

When Fed lose there are only disadvantages working against him.

Imagine that, Rafa was too young for Fed, 10 year old Nadal then would be a total nightmare against poor Fed.

 

[merwy]

Reality has proved it is. Look who is 33/34 years and still at the top of the game.

Is that a joke? Novak at the top of his game?

 

[ADuck]

I don't think it is a myth. I think when you're older adrenaline doesn't help you as much as it did before, and I think you will tend to have slower reaction times. You can still be a well oiled machine that plays well on every point, but theres those critical points where it seems like it matters the most, if your heart isn't pumping at the max and your senses at its sharpest during those moments, it doesn't matter how well you played every other point. Thats why I see Federer is always in position to win, but never actually does lately. Call it mental midgetry all you want but in my personal experience when competing, sometimes being experienced and all sorts of calm does not help you at all during the critical moments. Sometimes you need that adrenaline fueled instinct.

You need that attitude where you say to yourself, "there's no f*cking way I'm losing this next point"

 

[pj80]

H2H vs Nadal

2004 - 2010 -> 7 - 13 (35% wins)

2014 - 2020 "grandpa Federer" -> 7 - 2 (77% wins)


H2H vs Murray

2004 - 2010 -> 6 - 8 (42% wins)
2014 - 2020 -> 5 - 0 (100% wins)


Federer improved his H2H with two big 4, as well as saying he was a better player than ever in 2015.

Fed's best level is 2014-2018

 

[Bender]

Tbh looking back, Fed had a pretty significant age advantage on Nadal back then even during their clay matches. Nadal was only like 20 and not old enough to legally drink during those matches while Fed was at his peak his mid 20s

This was why Nadal had to try so hard to beat Fed back in the day.

Nadal knew that if he lost he wouldn't be legally allowed to drink his sorrows away, unlike Federer who is literally paid by a champagne.

 

[leejayh]

The age part really comes into play when you have had to play many rounds (some 5 setters) to get to the final and are basically gassed. Youth is an advantage there in the recovery time. Fresh, fully powered, two weeks of rest, Fed can still do it. Late in a slam....