Federer: I won [Davis Cup], now I can do whatever I want.

[subjectivity]

From Tennis World USA.

Roger Federer will not participate in the Davis Cup this year, after leading Switzerland to its first title in the event, against France, last year. Apparently it was not difficult for the Swiss to make this decision, and he said, "I played a lot of matches in the Davis Cup and, with last year’s victory; I think I've finally reached my target, and now I can do whatever I want, to be honest. In addition, there is always a lot of pressure on me by the federation and the ITF, so I'm glad to finally be able to close this chapter."

Federer also added that the decision to take part in the Davis Cup last year was more for his teammates than for himself. "I really wanted that Michael (Lammer), Marco (Chiudinelli) and Stan (Wawrinka) to achieve this target, because they deserve it. This year, I knew immediately that I would not have participated", he said.

In addition to Federer, the Swiss team will be without Stan Wawrinka for the match against Belgium, to be held from 6th March to 8th March. "I hope that Stan will play the next round, maybe in September, so that Switzerland can remain in the World Group. Could they win without us? Anything can happen, but certainly we will not be the favorites against Belgium", the 17-time grand slam champion added.

Federer, however, may have to play in the Davis Cup to qualify for the Rio Olympics next year. But the Swiss also stands a chance to receive a wildcard for the 2016 Olympics.

Link: http://www.**************.org/Roger-Federer-skips-the-Davis-Cup-I-won-it-now-I-can-do-whatever-I-want-articolo22620.html

 

[zep]

Did it for his teammates more than himself? Such an altruist. LOL

 

[tennisaddict]

I don't need to check any boxes in my resume. This is for them.

-wise words from a prophet

 

[Inanimate_object]

More of this. Federer can do whatever the hell he wants. He doesn't owe anyone anything. Not Switzerland or his teammates or his fans.

 

[TommyA8X]

He's played more DC matches than either Rafa and Nole, so yes, nothing to prove there...

 

[tennisaddict]

He's played more DC matches than either Rafa and Nole, so yes, nothing to prove there...

And he plays on all surfaces unlike some who pick and choose when and where they want to play

 

[Inanimate_object]

And he plays on all surfaces unlike some who pick and choose when and where they want to play

Why so defensive?

 

[MichaelNadal]

Why so defensive?

Just filled with hate.

 

[Sander001]

More of this. Federer can do whatever the hell he wants. He doesn't owe anyone anything. Not Switzerland or his teammates or his fans.

He owes his wife to be a good husband, he owes his kids to be a good father. Those are lifelong responsibilities one takes on.

 

[Mainad]

A guy who has won 17 Slams and 67 other titles can do whatever the hell he wants. Anything else he wins now is just a bonus for him! For the first time in his career, he is playing for fun rather than just chasing targets. That's a key reason why he is playing so well at the moment!

Besides he has done his duty by Switzerland winning the Davis Cup for them and winning an Olympic gold medal for them (yes it was in doubles but it was still a gold medal)!

 

[tennisaddict]

Why so defensive?

Just filled with hate.

If I said something wrong, willing to be corrected

 

[JRAJ1988]

I wish Murray had Federer's mentality and ability.

If wishes where fishes the world would be an ocean.

 

[Sentinel]

So much humility, from such a great man !


It's killing me.

 

[Inanimate_object]

If I said something wrong, willing to be corrected

Not wrong, a tad petty though. Dropping offhand remarks about other players in a thread that has nothing to do with that. No need to look for a fight

 

[tennisaddict]

Not wrong, a tad petty though. Dropping offhand remarks about other players in a thread that has nothing to do with that. No need to look for a fight

Normally I would agree. But we all know the intention behind this thread

 

[TMF]

A guy who has won 17 Slams and 67 other titles can do whatever the hell he wants. Anything else he wins now is just a bonus for him! For the first time in his career, he is playing for fun rather than just chasing targets. That's a key reason why he is playing so well at the moment!

Besides he has done his duty by Switzerland winning the Davis Cup for them and winning an Olympic gold medal for them (yes it was in doubles but it was still a gold medal)!

Your post is sensible except the bolded part, because you downplay his accomplishment when all gold medal are equally value(except certain sport - e.g. tennis vs. track and field).

 

[DolgoSantoro]

Big GOAT Fed,

Ain't that nice,

Best of all time now, and now

He can do whatever he like

-----

Players should be free to set their own schedules, and I believe there was some kind of massive strike among players that forced the powers that be to make the Davis Cup a more optional event. Does anyone have the story on that?

 

[Deleted member 21996]

Not wrong, a tad petty though. Dropping offhand remarks about other players in a thread that has nothing to do with that. No need to look for a fight

this effort while defending Nadal should bring some cute Godwin law's exemples... but hey..

 

[Inanimate_object]

this effort while defending Nadal should bring some cute Godwin law's exemples... but hey..

Who's defending Nadal? What's Nadal got anything to do with Federer and the Davis Cup?

 

[chjtennis]

It sounds to me that he was pressured by the Federation and ITF to play in DC because he had not won it before. I think he's simply saying that now he doesn't HAVE TO play, not he WILL NEVER play in DC again. Of course, if his body allows him to play, he will, but at his age, it is not wise to participate in every single events. I think he will still play if Switzerland gets to the later part of the tournament and the competition gets harder. I'm sure if they reach SF, Fed and Wawa will join them.

 

[cc0509]

Federer is right. Good riddance to the DC. He has won it and achieved another goal.

Your post is sensible except the bolded part, because you downplay his accomplishment when all gold medal are equally value(except certain sport - e.g. tennis vs. track and field).

Except to the players themselves. Are you trying to tell me that one of the greatest singles players of all time would be just as happy with an OG in doubles as he would in singles? If you are truly trying to convince me or yourself of that, forget it. You are wrong. The OG in singles is the only major title Federer does not have. He specifically stated in 2012 that his goal was to win an OG in singles and he has set his possible public retirement date for AFTER the next 2016 Olympics. Do you think he would do all of that if not for the fact that he wants an OG in singles?

Just because you are a Federer devotee, it does not mean you have to lose your brain cells.

 

[mightyrick]

I dunno, Federer's comment seem pretty reasonable to me.

The guy failed a few times to come through for his team in Davis Cup (remember loss to Isner on clay?). Even this past year, Monfils? Dropping the first set to Gasquet? Some real head-scratchers.

But in the end, he finally was able to eek it out for his team. He doesn't have anything to prove anymore.

But it is clear this weighed on him heavily. Some of his past Davis Cup performances were nowhere near where they should have been -- in both singles and doubles. You're Roger Federer for god's sakes... you should be owning all of those mugs.

Whatever mental block he had in the past... he finally got past it. Good for him.

 

[Mainad]

Your post is sensible except the bolded part, because you downplay his accomplishment when all gold medal are equally value(except certain sport - e.g. tennis vs. track and field).

Well, not really. Doubles can never be the equal of singles, can they? In Olympic records, all members of a winning team receive gold medals but it only counts as one collective win. Winning as part of a team will never be the same as winning on your own otherwise the Bryan Brothers would be competing with Federer for greatest players of all time!

 

[abmk]

The guy failed a few times to come through for his team in Davis Cup (remember loss to Isner on clay?). Even this past year, Monfils? Dropping the first set to Gasquet? Some real head-scratchers.

he was injured in the WTF, hence the loss to monfils ( on top of monfils playing really well ) ....

about gasquet match, what are you on about ? He won 6-4, 6-2, 6-2

But it is clear this weighed on him heavily. Some of his past Davis Cup performances were nowhere near where they should have been -- in both singles and doubles. You're Roger Federer for god's sakes... you should be owning all of those mugs.

Whatever mental block he had in the past... he finally got past it. Good for him.

what are you talking about. They didn't win Davis Cup because fed didn't have a good enough support partner ( wawrinka was heavily under-performing in DC before the previous year ) and not because of any mental block federer had ...

 

[RF-18]

Your post is sensible except the bolded part, because you downplay his accomplishment when all gold medal are equally value(except certain sport - e.g. tennis vs. track and field).

But it's a bigger achievement to win it in singles.

 

[PMChambers]

Davis Cup really needs an overhaul. Unfortunately it's now considered little value to many players. The previously worthless Olympics are now getting rated higher. Maybe the two need to come together and have similar format and points, rotating 3 DC 1 Oly. DC is a huge commitment and this needs to change even if it degrades it's history. Prestige is only perception and DC is losing a lot of it's shine in contrast to Oly which has gained prestige from equivalent 250 to nearing Masters level.

 

[Deleted member 688153]

I prefer DC to Olympics.
Fed has a gold medal anyway, but the DC win was especially sweet.

Roger is so far and away the GOAT anyway a tier 2/3 trophy is neither here nor there.