Federer fans, should Federer rethink his strategy/schedule?

P

Pagoo

G.O.A.T.
I thought this was the right place to post this. Spoiler and all that.

I have seen a few fans suggest Federer should skip the clay season and focus on grass. I have actually had the same thought in the past.

My question is, is this the best strategy for Roger? Should he really start picking his battles? I mean focusing and playing tournaments that favor him (aka vulturing).

Clay and slow surfaces are very tough for him. Is it better to skip them and conserve energy for more favorable surfaces?

The question is, titles or rankings? Of course, you need a high ranking so you don't meet the top guys early. I don't know. I am a fan of Roger because of his professionalism. Not skipping tournaments or running away from tough competition.

But I'm not sure grinding on these slow surfaces is the way to go anymore.

Anyway, sorry for the rant, would like to know what the fans think.
 
Just wanted to add that I know titles and rankings are not mutually exclusive. But playing fewer tournaments may affect his rankings.

Last year Federer was 5-11 in finals. This year, he is 2-1.

I would prefer if he reached fewer finals and won more.
 
If Federer had that kind of mentality(running away from challenges) he wouldnt achieve as much as he has. People should stop using the Murray example because its only one ****ing case nothing more nothing less. Federer won a clay master in 2012 and reached master finals in 2013-2014, so for 6 tournaments in that period- he has 1 title, 2 finals, SF and 2 earlier exits(not counting RG)
 
Let the chumps win the masters. Let us wait for the real deal and see how this year plays out.

Last year he had a SF,4R,F,SF.

This year started with a 3R. As long as he gets SW19, it does not matter how everything else pans out.
 
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i think he wants to win monte carlo before he retires since its one of 2 tournaments thats eluded him so he'll keep playing these while he still has a chance.
 
I'm wondering if he asks for a late WC to Istanbul now that he's out early in M-C. He needs a bit more court time before Madrid/Rome. 2 of 3 on clay doesn't grind you down with his style. Play more, not less...especially after skipping Miami.
 
Oh, come on! He's a father of four. It should be THE MOST OBVIOUS that he likes to make his schedule centered around tournaments in Europe. Adding Istanbul clay tournament and skipping Miami shouldn't be a too hard to understand signal??
 
stringertom said:
I'm wondering if he asks for a late WC to Istanbul now that he's out early in M-C. He needs a bit more court time before Madrid/Rome. 2 of 3 on clay doesn't grind you down with his style. Play more, not less...especially after skipping Miami.
Click to expand...

Fed is already playing Istanbul, no need for WC
 
Roger started talking about skipping Rome since IW. He may decide to play because of this early loss.

We will see. He's playing Istanbul and Madrid.
 
big ted said:
i think he wants to win monte carlo before he retires since its one of 2 tournaments thats eluded him so he'll keep playing these while he still has a chance.
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I doubt it. I think the reason he played MC this year was to defend his points. Remember he skipped MC in 2012 and 2013. He entered as a wildcard last year because of the twins birth (had to skip Madrid).

I won't be surprised if he doesn't play MC again.
 
IMO he should skip the clay season and focus entirely on trying to win that last Wimbledon title which would cement his status as greatest grass player of all time and he would have one more slam making it more difficult for Nadal to catch him. He has no shot at the FO any longer. Even if Nadal and Djokovic fall early, I think other players can beat him there. I don't understand his current strategy and schedule to be honest.

I know he won't skip it though.
 
cc0509 said:
IMO he should skip the clay season and focus entirely on trying to win that last Wimbledon title which would cement his status as greatest grass player of all time and he would have one more slam making it more difficult for Nadal to catch him. He has no shot at the FO any longer. Even if Nadal and Djokovic fall early, I think other players can beat him there. I don't understand his current strategy and schedule to be honest.

I know he won't skip it though.
Click to expand...

What is there to understand?? Fly to a nearby destination within Europe, have a little vacation with your wife, lose early, get big entry money, and come back home. A simple plan for clay season. :)
 
torpantennis said:
What is there to understand?? Fly to a nearby destination within Europe, have a little vacation with your wife, lose early, get big entry money, and come back home. A simple plan for clay season. :)
Click to expand...

Monte Carlo was more a PR/diplomatic visit than any prep for RG.

To CC's point, Fed needs to get some practice. As long as he gets decent matches without slugging it too much, it should be fine. He should skip Madrid or Rome though.
 
tennisaddict said:
Monte Carlo was more a PR/diplomatic visit than any prep for RG.

To CC's point, Fed needs to get some practice. As long as he gets decent matches without slugging it too much, it should be fine. He should skip Madrid or Rome though.
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Monfils match was bad for him. That grinding does no good in keeping the rhythm for the new-found attacking strategy of Fedberg.
 
Change strategy?

How about more demonstration matches in rich oil states in the Middle East.

After all he has not won much lately so he must be living off the street :twisted:

:grin:
 
newpball said:
Change strategy?

How about more demonstration matches in rich oil states in the Middle East.

After all he has not won much lately so he must be living off the street :twisted:

:grin:
Click to expand...

So did I just imagine Novak always playing there as well?

Well I guess you wouldn't remember, because he didn't win.

:|
 
he should definitely change tactics and strategy, instead of trying to shorten points at the net he should try to shorten points at the baseline. this isn't grass or fast hard courts. its clay and clay does not favor net rushers. he needs a weapon and its his forehand. rather then spend time net rushing he should be working with his strength, which is no longer as punishing
 
Bukmeikara said:
If Federer had that kind of mentality(running away from challenges) he wouldnt achieve as much as he has. People should stop using the Murray example because its only one ****ing case nothing more nothing less. Federer won a clay master in 2012 and reached master finals in 2013-2014, so for 6 tournaments in that period- he has 1 title, 2 finals, SF and 2 earlier exits(not counting RG)
Click to expand...

This. This 'Federer should skip clay' argument is tiresome. The fact is that Federer has managed his schedule carefully over the course of his career and has been remarkably healthy. I trust him more than the TT gurus.

And, by this point, I think the consensus from the Federer should play less crowd has pretty much become that he should play the following events:

Dubai
Halle
Wimbledon
Cincinnati
US Open
Basel

Basically, he should play the summer slams and his preferred tune-up event, then come out of hibernation a couple of times for Dubai and Basel. No need to show up for any slow hard courts or clay.

Playing the clay season is not going to hurt Federer's chances anywhere else. What would hurt his chances is not playing them and losing the benefit of a top 4 seed.
 
Pagoo said:
I have seen a few fans suggest Federer should skip the clay season and focus on grass. I have actually had the same thought in the past.
Click to expand...

I've said this for years: Wimbledon is Federer's last, best chance of winning a major. He has no chance at the French--even if he avoids Nadal. If he desires another major, then there's only one choice: spare extra play his body does not need, and focus on Wimbledon.
 
THUNDERVOLLEY said:
I've said this for years: Wimbledon is Federer's last, best chance of winning a major. He has no chance at the French--even if he avoids Nadal. If he desires another major, then there's only one choice: spare extra play his body does not need, and focus on Wimbledon.
Click to expand...

I think you are probably right. Since making the final of RG in 2011, he has only made 2 GS finals, both at Wimbledon (2012 and 2014).
 
He's been as smart as he can. When someone like Federer has been at the top of the sport this long you expect these kind of losses.
 
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