Federer highest level

[Morj]

Which year do you believe was Federer's highest level of play?
Many would immediately got to '06 as that was his best year in terms of achievements, but many also believe that he was playing at a higher level in '05 (highest winning percentage).

So from a results perspective, '06 was the best but from a pure quality of play perspective, which year was he more "invincible"?

 

[monfed]

2006.

10c

 

[10is]

2005 Federer was "majestic" -- he played true all court tennis and his transitions from defense to offense were simply phenomenal.

 

[6-3 6-0]

2005

/10chars

 

[granddog29]

2005 was way better. 2006 was just a super weak year for mens tennis.

 

[monfed]

2005 was way better. 2006 was just a super weak year for mens tennis.

LOL@way better. 2006 Fed was peak on clay and grass,that much is confirmed,HC is debateable. 2006 Fed's BH was almost as good as his FH and his FH was more powerful than his 05 version,Fed was unbelievable in the TMC, absolutely destroyed Blake on fast indoor HC who was in peak form himself. Only place where it's debateable is his movement.

LOL@weak era. Spoken like a true Sampras fan, Prof. :lol:

 

[6-3 6-0]

2005 was way better. 2006 was just a super weak year for mens tennis.

It was a bit weaker than 2005 for sure, but not definitely as weak as it was in 1969 when a grandpa won CYGS LOL or in 2000 where a World No. 237 reached the SF of Wimbledon :lol:

 

[forzamilan90]

Eh too tough for me to pick between 2005 and 2006

 

[tennis_pro]

I think Federer played better in 2005, it's just that he was unlucky with some losses when running into inspired opponents (Safin AO - had match points, Gasquet MC - had match points, Nalbandian TMC - serving for the match and 30-0), the only match where he lost without question was against Nadal at the FO and even there he was 3-1 up in the 4th set so was close to pushing it to 5.

In 2006 he was still GOAT Fed but started to struggle a bit more - whole of Halle, Canada, AO, Dubai, the RR stage at the WTF. 2005 Federer just flat out dominated his opponents in every tournament.

 

[Morj]

If its this close then i guess one could say that he was pretty much at the same level both years, and that 05-06 is basically peak federer?

I'm hesitant to include 04, since his game had a few holes (clay for example)

 

[NatF]

If its this close then i guess one could say that he was pretty much at the same level both years, and that 05-06 is basically peak federer?

I'm hesitant to include 04, since his game had a few holes (clay for example)

Federer was superb on hardcourts in 04, he also completely dominanted a very strong top 10 (no losses). He wasn't as consistant though hence more losses to weaker opponents.

I'd say in 2005 his forehand, movement/explosiveness were unmatched. He lost only to inspired opponents, he would have won the TMC in 05 had it not been for an injury as well. His 2006 form was insane from Wimbledon all the way up to early 2007. His backhand was peak in 2006 IMO.

It's a tossup really. I'd take Federer's 2005 on hardcourts and perhaps grass, but 2006 Federer on clay.

 

[10is]

I'd say in 2005 his forehand, movement/explosiveness were unmatched. He lost only to inspired opponents, he would have won the TMC in 05 had it not been for an injury as well. His 2006 form was insane from Wimbledon all the way up to early 2007. His backhand was peak in 2006 IMO.

It's a tossup really. I'd take Federer's 2005 on hardcourts and perhaps grass, but 2006 Federer on clay.

You read my mind - literally! Well said!

 

[mike danny]

federer in 2005. even as a fed fan i have to admit 2006 was a very weak year. everybody he competed against in 2005 was gone or in a slump.

2005 was way better. the field was better and federer played at a very high level almost every match. he only had 4 losses and those when he was in a position to win.

so i take federer of 2004-2005 every time over 2006 except on clay of course

 

[dudeski]

Sucks that peak Federer was 7 years ago.

 

[granddog29]

It's a tossup really. I'd take Federer's 2005 on hardcourts and perhaps grass, but 2006 Federer on clay.

What are Federer's most important surfaces. Obviously clay is by far the least important surface for him. So if you take the 2005 on all but clay it is a no brainer which was better.

 

[90's Clay]

2005 was definitely his highest level. But he played some better opponents that year so his numbers weren't as ridiculous as they were in 2006 and the men's field was just GOD AWFUL.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Unquestionably 2006 imo. The Ricoh ATP match facts from the two years seem to support the notion. 2005 was a bit more flash and I preferred watching his whirlwind brand of tennis from 2005.

 

[roberttennis54]

2006. He had tougher competition in 2005, but makes little difference. From Halle onwards he was literally unstoppable that year. No weaknesses and incredible offense.

 

[NEW_BORN]

Speed wise Federer was at his fastest in 2005.
Power wise Federer was at his strongest in 2006.

 

[helloworld]

I think most would agree that 2005 and 2006 was his highest level of play.

 

[shawn1122]

Federer lost to 4 other players in 2005. Three of those loses were absolutely incredible matches. Marat Safin at the Australian Open, Richard Gasquet at Monte Carlo and David Nalbandian at the World Tour Finals.

In 2006, Federer won three grand slams and dominated the tour entirely losing only to Nadal 4 times and Murray once at Cincinnati. This has to be Federer's best year by far.

But 2005 was one of the best years of tennis in the past decade. It was before the same 4 guys would win everything and it was during a time when Federer played some very high quality tennis but was still vulnerable to those with talent and a luck on a given day.

 

[10is]

Federer lost to 4 other players in 2005. Three of those loses were absolutely incredible matches. Marat Safin at the Australian Open, Richard Gasquet at Monte Carlo and David Nalbandian at the World Tour Finals.

In 2006, Federer won three grand slams and dominated the tour entirely losing only to Nadal 4 times and Murray once at Cincinnati. This has to be Federer's best year by far.

But 2005 was one of the best years of tennis in the past decade. It was before the same 4 guys would win everything and it was during a time when Federer played some very high quality tennis but was still vulnerable to those with talent and a luck on a given day.

The only person to truly defeat Federer on basis of "talent" in 2005 (outside of clay) was Safin. Nalbandian's "lucky" TMC victory was purely down to Federer's wonky ankle and is vastly overrated as a result.

 

[Netspirit]

His prime was somewhere from Wimbledon 2004 to USO 2007, with his peak around Wimbledon 2006.

 

[helloworld]

The only person to truly defeat Federer on basis of "talent" in 2005 (outside of clay) was Safin. Nalbandian's "lucky" TMC victory was purely down to Federer's wonky ankle and is vastly overrated as a result.

What do you mean by talent? How does Safin beat Federer by "talent"? Safin beat Federer because he played better on that day. Plain and simple.

 

[10is]

^ Of course he did -- the "language" I used was contextualized to the post I was replying to.

 

[punch]

I've actually been thinking about this lately, I look back to the 2005-2006 Federer, simply amazing in every way you look at it. He was just absolutely dominant. I remember watching matches and begging for opponents to at least make a match of it, which rarely happened it seemed.

Funny to see some of the obviously younger posters trash Federer on the TW boards these days, just no appreciation. 04-07 Fed was something to be seen.

 

[granddog29]

Nalbandian's "lucky" TMC victory was purely down to Federer's wonky ankle and is vastly overrated as a result.

*******s classy as always. :lol:

 

[granddog29]

In 2006 Federer couldnt even win a single clay court event, lost to baby Nadal on a lightning fast indoor court after a 6-1 first set, and his play at the Australian Open in winning in a Nadal-less field with a super easy draw was mediocre for his standards (and he should have been down 2 sets to 0 to Baghdatis of all people in the final). The only reason some Federer fanboys are going with 2006 is they dont like the idea all time peak (as far as level of play) Federer lost before the finals of 2 of the 4 biggest events, and didnt win 2 of the 5 biggest events, but that is reality.

 

[Anaconda]

I think Federer played better in 2005, it's just that he was unlucky with some losses when running into inspired opponents (Safin AO - had match points, Gasquet MC - had match points, Nalbandian TMC - serving for the match and 30-0), the only match where he lost without question was against Nadal at the FO and even there he was 3-1 up in the 4th set so was close to pushing it to 5.

In 2006 he was still GOAT Fed but started to struggle a bit more - whole of Halle, Canada, AO, Dubai, the RR stage at the WTF. 2005 Federer just flat out dominated his opponents in every tournament.

Save Halle, Safin and Rochus nearly beat Federer.

 

[Anaconda]

What do you mean by talent? How does Safin beat Federer by "talent"? Safin beat Federer because he played better on that day. Plain and simple.

Safin had more to begin with and is at least as talented than Federer. In 2000, the guy was getting fined in slams for 'lack of effort', was losing to everybody in the first half, then the guy wins a few titles, wins Toronto, flat out dominates Sampras at USO, wins Paris, makes #1. Safin was better than Federer at an early age, and pretty much relied on talent to win everything in 2000.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Sucks that peak Federer was 7 years ago.

 

[-RF-]

Child, grow up.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Child, grow up.

Pshhh. I like Federer. Dudeski is the problem if you knew his post history. HOW MANY TIMES? Jersigh. :twisted:

 

[PSNELKE]

Child, grow up.

Sweet. The kid approach. Haven't seen that one on here for a while. Doesn't make you look mature either.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Sweet. The kid approach. Haven't seen that one on here for a while. Doesn't make you look mature either.

Clearly he doesn't know Dudeski :lol:

 

[tennisbuck]

How about 2004? pretty strong that year, no?

 

[SABRvolley]

2005 was his highest level.

2006 was of course statistically better and his level was still very high, but 2005 had higher competition too. He also had a better W/L ratio in 2005.

Kind of like Djokovic 2011 vs 2015. He was slightly better statistically in 2015, but 2011 definitely was his highest level.

 

[BeatlesFan]

2005 was his highest level.

2006 was of course statistically better and his level was still very high, but 2005 had higher competition too. He also had a better W/L ratio in 2005.

Very little difference statistically between 2005 and 2006, for me, 2006 was clearly the superior season.

2005:
81–4 (95.29%)
11 titles
2 slams

2006:
92–5 (94.84%)
12 titles
3 slams

 

[helterskelter]

Very little difference statistically between 2005 and 2006, for me, 2006 was clearly the superior season.

2005:
81–4 (95.29%)
11 titles
2 slams

2006:
92–5 (94.84%)
12 titles
3 slams

Ah, that shoddy 2004 in which he was only:

74-6 (92.5%)
11 titles
3 slams
the masters cup

 

[fedfan24]

2005 and 2006 both equally good mostly, except 2006 was better on clay. 2003 best grass + YEC.

 

[abmk]

2005 and 2006 both equally good mostly, except 2006 was better on clay. 2003 best grass + YEC.

best YEC for fed was 2004.
final similar to 2003 and better in RR in 2004. (only lost 1 set to Moya after he had qualified)

 

[abmk]

2005 was his highest level.

2006 was of course statistically better and his level was still very high, but 2005 had higher competition too. He also had a better W/L ratio in 2005.

Kind of like Djokovic 2011 vs 2015. He was slightly better statistically in 2015, but 2011 definitely was his highest level.

2005 had better competition, but this isn't similar to 11 djoko to 15 djoko because djoko actually had some decline in couple of areas in 15 (while improving couple).

2005 to 2006 is a continuation of peak fed.
He improved on clay in 2006 compared to 2005.

AO - 2005 clearly
IW - similar
Miami - 2006
MC - 2006 clearly
RG - 2006
Wim - similar
Cincy - 2005 clearly
USO - 2006 clearly
YEC - 2006 clearly

Was great in Hamburg 05, Madrid 06
good in Canada 06

Overall 2006 fed over 2005, level wise, by a bit.

 

[SABRvolley]

2005 had better competition, but this isn't similar to 11 djoko to 15 djoko because djoko actually had some decline in couple of areas in 15 (while improving couple).

2005 to 2006 is a continuation of peak fed.
He improved on clay in 2006 compared to 2005.

AO - 2005 clearly
IW - similar
Miami - 2006
MC - 2006 clearly
RG - 2006
Wim - similar
Cincy - 2005 clearly
USO - 2006 clearly
YEC - 2006 clearly

Was great in Hamburg 05, Madrid 06
good in Canada 06

Overall 2006 fed over 2005, level wise, by a bit.

IDK, I feel like his forehand was at its peak in 2005. His backhand was perhaps slightly better in 2006.

Maybe 2005 was just more “flashy” but I still think his level was highest then.

 

[SABRvolley]

best YEC for fed was 2004.
final similar to 2003 and better in RR in 2004. (only lost 1 set to Moya after he had qualified)

I actually think 2010 YEC Fed was very underrated. Beat his 2 other big rivals and only dropped one set all tournament (in the final against Nadal who had his best season that year).

 

[Devin]

2005 had better competition, but this isn't similar to 11 djoko to 15 djoko because djoko actually had some decline in couple of areas in 15 (while improving couple).

2005 to 2006 is a continuation of peak fed.
He improved on clay in 2006 compared to 2005.

AO - 2005 clearly
IW - similar
Miami - 2006
MC - 2006 clearly
RG - 2006
Wim - similar
Cincy - 2005 clearly
USO - 2006 clearly
YEC - 2006 clearly

Was great in Hamburg 05, Madrid 06
good in Canada 06

Overall 2006 fed over 2005, level wise, by a bit.

IW would go to 2005 IMO. Not sure if I'd say it was similar level although the Ljubicic match in 2005 was much closer than in 2006. Federer threw in a pretty garbage match against Rochus though in 2006. I think he had like 50 UFE.

I'd take Hamburg 2005 over Rome 2006 as a whole at least.

Would take Cincy 2005 over Canada 2006.

I would probably also take Dubai 2005 over 2006. Same with Halle.

Ignoring indoor season because it's a bit too unfair to 05 Federer, I'd give the Masters to 2005. Indoor season factored in it's about even. However, 2006 Federer was clearly better at 2/4 slams so theres that.

 

[Devin]

I actually think 2010 YEC Fed was very underrated. Beat his 2 other big rivals and only dropped one set all tournament (in the final against Nadal who had his best season that year).

It's on a similar level to 2007 and late stages of 2006 IMO. Great match against Novak in the SF.

 

[SpinWizard]

2005-06 highest level
2011-12 the most aesthetically pleasing

 

[abmk]

IW would go to 2005 IMO. Not sure if I'd say it was similar level although the Ljubicic match in 2005 was much closer than in 2006. Federer threw in a pretty garbage match against Rochus though in 2006. I think he had like 50 UFE.

I'd take Hamburg 2005 over Rome 2006 as a whole at least.

Would take Cincy 2005 over Canada 2006.

I would probably also take Dubai 2005 over 2006. Same with Halle.

Ignoring indoor season because it's a bit too unfair to 05 Federer, I'd give the Masters to 2005. Indoor season factored in it's about even. However, 2006 Federer was clearly better at 2/4 slams so theres that.

fair enough re: Rochus IW 06 match. still pretty similar level in QF-F of IW of 2005 vs 2006.

a bit unfair comparison since Hamburg suited fed quite a bit more than Rome

dubai and halle in 05 over 06 yes.

 

[SonnyT]

Federer was on the wrong end with Nadal from the start. He was 1-6 in '06, and 6-13 in'09. He was 10-23 starting in '14, when he changed to the bigger sized racquet.

Federer started to play better. And his record against top players showed marked improvement in '14-17 compared with '10-13. Starting in '15 WB, Federer made in 3 straight finals.