Federer: ''I'm better than I was at 24''

[RF-18]

“I think I'm a better player now than when I was at 24 because I've practised for another 10 years and I've got 10 years more experience,” Federer said. “Maybe I don't have the confidence level that I had at 24 when I was winning 40 matches in a row, but I feel like I hit a bigger serve, my backhand is better, my forehand is still as good as it's ever been, I volley better than I have in the past. I think I've had to adapt to a new generation of players again.”

Found this on the ATP world tour site. Don't know if it has been posted but what do you guys think of his comments? His former coach Annacone has said it too, and also his rival Djokovic agrees.

 

[Russeljones]

I think it's God's given truth. If Federer can be world #2 despite his deteriorating fitness levels and the pittance that remains of his knack for producing winners from everywhere on the court, he must definitely be better at tennis than he ever was.

 

[abmk]

You need to get your username changed. That's all I all I can politely say !

 

[RF-18]

After watching him through Wimby to USO, I can't disagree. So many things he does incredibly well, I think his movement is on a high level. He has also lost so much weight, I remember back when he was dominating, he was definitely a bit bulky.

It is amazing that at 34 he can still produce tennis of the same level from before and keep improving. Look at his serve and hold game, and his net play.

 

[RF-18]

You need to get your username changed. That's all I all I can politely say !

What? This is Federers words, and he has many experts around the world aswell as his former coaches, fierce rivals backing him up.

 

[ibbi]

Yeah, and there's nothing wrong with Nadal except his confidence.

Federer plays smarter, more tactically minded tennis now than he ever has. His serve is certainly a much bigger, better weapon than it ever was for him 2004 through 2006 or so, but when you lose certain physical gifts in your late 20s that it is impossible not to lose there's just no way you can be quite as effective. Hit so hard, move so well, defend for as long. You start to play a more intelligent, specific, thought out sort of game precisely because you can't do all of the things that you could before.

Forget everything else, a 34 year old father of four with 17 grand slams, millions and millions of dollars in the bank, and 300 odd weeks at number one plain and simple will never be as hungry as the guy he was 10 years ago.

 

[abmk]

What? This is Federers words, and he has many experts around the world aswell as his former coaches, fierce rivals backing him up.

ok, I'll bite ...You are a djoko fan, not a federer fan. stop pretending otherwise .....



they are just doing that to keep the interest in the game ( federer is doing it to stay confident ) ..what other story do they have ?


The difference in his FH is staggering from what it was at his peak. His movement isn't close either, neither is his defense. his returning isn't peak level either though he did ok in the USO series in that regard ....

peak federer would've taken out djoko in 3 tight or 4 sets at both wimbledon and US Open ...Now deal with it .....

 

[Russeljones]

Nothing's changed

 

[RF-18]

ok, I'll bite ...You are a djoko fan, not a federer fan. stop pretending otherwise .....

they are just doing that to keep the interest in the game ( federer is doing it to stay confident ) ..

The difference in his FH is staggering from what it was at his peak. His movement isn't close either, neither is his defense. his returning isn't peak level either though he did ok in the USO series in that regard ....

peak federer would've taken out djoko in 3 tight or 4 sets at both wimbledon and US Open ...Now deal with it .....

Think what you want. I was quoting what Fed himself thinks, and I think he knows better than everyone. It is not only him saying it.

If you reach b2b slam finals barely dropping a set or lose serve, winning a masters without dropping a set, he is not even close to his best? I think you are flying around the clouds.

And why you take this as an offence I have no idea. It is only good that he can still compete for the biggest titles and Fed himself makes that happen because he works harder than anyone.

 

[djokerer]

“I think I'm a better player now than when I was at 24 because I've practised for another 10 years and I've got 10 years more experience,” Federer said. “Maybe I don't have the confidence level that I had at 24 when I was winning 40 matches in a row, but I feel like I hit a bigger serve, my backhand is better, my forehand is still as good as it's ever been, I volley better than I have in the past. I think I've had to adapt to a new generation of players again.”

Found this on the ATP world tour site. Don't know if it has been posted but what do you guys think of his comments? His former coach Annacone has said it too, and also his rival Djokovic agrees.

Serve and backhand I agree. Other parts of game he must be the better judge, so I will leave it to him.
Clutch wise he is definitely going south. Earlier you can tell from his face when he is losing to Nadal. These days it's happening with Djokovic as well. Might be other players too.
There was a match against Nadal in 2013 I think may be in Cincy, roger won the first set and leading the second 4-2 or something and Nadal broke him and you can tell from his face that he is about to lose and he did. That's the thing I am talking about.

 

[Steve0904]

I'm better than I was at 24 too. At what I'm not sure yet. Then again, I only turned 25 a couple weeks ago.

 

[NatF]

He moves better than before? ND-11 showing his trolling colours.

 

[Murrayfan31]

If this is true, Djokovic is the GOAT for sure then. Lol But I think Fed is in denial of his decline.

 

[LazyNinja19]

what do you guys think of his comments?

It is ok.

 

[RF20Lennon]

Denial big time. Sampras said he was playing his best in 2001. It's just a thing you keep telling yourself. And even if it is physically, mentally he's lost his killer instinct big time.

 

[abmk]

Think what you want.

don't worry, I will ....Anyone with a half-decent brain can see you are just a djoko fan, not a fed fan

I was quoting what Fed himself thinks, and I think he knows better than everyone. It is not only him saying it.

If you reach b2b slam finals barely dropping a set or lose serve, winning a masters without dropping a set, he is not even close to his best? I think you are flying around the clouds.

And why you take this as an offence I have no idea. It is only good that he can still compete for the biggest titles and Fed himself makes that happen because he works harder than anyone.

I was talking about the BO5 format, in slams , when he needs to go the distance....his tactics are good enough for most of the field, but still not as good as it was at his peak ....

and yes, he's still in the mix for big titles, while at his best, when he was quite clearly better, he'd be the favorite for them, not djokovic ...now deal with it ...

djoko's peak level doesn't come close at wimbledon or at the USO to federer's.

peak federer isn't losing to friggin' seppi at the AO or going down in straights to stan wawrinka at RG ... ( he'd be outright favorite vs him at his peak )

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

Sometimes, when one is young and not playing with the weight of history it is easier to play without inhibition on big points. 24 year old Federer would not have only made 4 of 23 break point chances(against anyone) esp. not on second serves.

 

[dudeski]

It is true that Federer has more experience, better serve maybe, maybe more reliable backhand, and better tactics. However he has way worse fitness, speed, recovery from match to match (take a look at his 2006 record and imagine he would try doing that now, he be dead by April) and his power is much worse. His FH is so much worse it's not even funny. 10 years ago if someone hit to his FH at fast HC or grass Roger won the point 95% of the time. Now I cringe because he usually misshits it.

10 years ago Federer had confidence because:
1. He could just depend on his FH to hit winners and dominate points. There was usually no need for plan B, C, D...
2. He could recover from back to back long matches so there was no pressure to win quickly.
3. Did I mention that his FH was so good that point was usually over when he hit a FH? Now it's over too because he hits it out or into the net.

 

[NBP]

He's more complete, but his movement and speed has dramatically declined and that is enough to make a big difference. His backhand is worse, his forehand is worse, but his serve and net game are better. Regardless, the loss of pace and recovery time is a hugeeee drawback. Had he still had the same fitness (he's 34, clearly he won't), he would be able to consistently go 5 sets with Murray and Djokovic. But he can't anymore, and IMHO, that's a bigger downside than losing his forehand or backhand.

 

[RF-18]

don't worry, I will ....Anyone with a half-decent brain can see you are just a djoko fan, not a fed fan



I was talking about the BO5 format, in slams , when he needs to go the distance....his tactics are good enough for most of the field, but still not as good as it was at his peak ....

and yes, he's still in the mix for big titles, while at his best, when he was quite clearly better, he'd be the favorite for them, not djokovic ...now deal with it ...

djoko's peak level doesn't come close at wimbledon or at the USO to federer's.

peak federer isn't losing to friggin' seppi at the AO or going down in straights to stan wawrinka at RG ... ( he'd be outright favorite vs him at his peak )

What should I deal with? I think you guys should listen to what Federer has to say, what his former coach said, what his dad said and also his rival. Also open your eyes. Denial is not an argument, there is no reason for him to be in denial when looking at the level of tennis and results he has produced for the last couple of months. Only Djokovic has stopped him, and probably the only one that could. Losing to someone like Djokovic is not a shame or in some ways shows that Fed is not close to his level of before, he lost to one the greatest players. He beat him in cincy, you lose some and you win some, that is how it is between players of this level. 2008 Djokovic beat Fed back in the day, he beat him in 2007, so there you go it should not come as a surprise that Djokovic can actually beat Fed when young or ''old''.

This is no knock on Fed. I don't get why you guys feel so offended and start attacking people. Even Federer says it.

 

[NonP]

The difference in his FH is staggering from what it was at his peak. His movement isn't close either, neither is his defense. his returning isn't peak level either though he did ok in the USO series in that regard ....

peak federer would've taken out djoko in 3 tight or 4 sets at both wimbledon and US Open ...Now deal with it .....

Not only that, despite what he says Fed's not serving better than ever either, if his ace frequency is anything to go by. You've probably seen this already but here it is again (though as I stress at the end we shouldn't assume more aces = more free points):

Like many I've been quite impressed by Fed's recent serving streak, enough to put him ahead of Rusedski now (stats be damned). That said I'm somewhat perplexed that we have yet to come across a single match (among the 14 that I have for Fed, unless I've missed a few) where a server of his caliber had more than 50% of his serves unreturned. In fact the highest rate that I see comes way back from his lone match against Pete at '01 Wimby, standing just below 50% at 49.2%. Does anyone have a better %? You may have seen this already but for reference below is his # of aces per service game and per match by year:

2001 - .585/7.5
2002 - .556/6.3
2003 - .638/7.3
2004 - .609/7.0
2005 - .548/7.0
2006 - .534/6.8
2007 - .615/7.8
2008 - .673/8.6
2009 - .651/9.0
2010 - .671/8.4
2011 - .558/6.6
2012 - .638/8.3
2013 - .503/6.4
2014 - .617/8.0

Now provided that his % of unreturned serves more or less has corresponded with his ace frequency his highest %s would likely come from '08-'10, the best 3-year serving stretch of his career. So far I have just 3 matches from this period, the one with the highest rate being the classic '09 Wimby final where Fed scored 44.7% of his serves as freebies against Rodddick. So maybe ace frequency isn't so helpful here after all.

This year Fed is averaging .668 aces per service game and 8.3 per match (as usual DC stats are missing, but the averages shouldn't be far off), so back to his '08-'10 career highs, but not quite above them. As you and others have noted top players say this kind of stuff as self-validation and -preservation.

Still I must say you're underrating Djoko quite a bit. If you asked me just a year or two ago I would've agreed that prime Fed (or Pete for that matter) would have little trouble dispatching prime Novak at Wimbledon & the USO, but now I think it'd be a dogfight, and unless Fed/Pete brings his A game Nole might well eke it out more often than not.

BTW I saw your reply the other day. Sorry you couldn't make it to Cincy/Flushing Meadows (I couldn't go myself, if it's any consolation) and hope you can do it next year.

 

[ChanceEncounter]

You see this all the time from athletes claiming they're as fit and as good as they've ever been. The results will tell a story of their own.

Nothing to see here.

 

[Krish872007]

To be fair, if he was to say: "yeah,congrats to Novak. But it's ok, I'm not as good as I was at 24, I played a bit **** in places yesterday" after a match, he would basically be putting down Djokovic or another opponent and it wouldn't look good. It's in everyone's interest to say that they're playing their best as a sign of confidence. If you openly admit you're not quite as quick or as explosive as you used to be then it just gives confidence to the opponents.
That said, I think he's "better" now in the sense that he has a few more shots in his repertoire that he is willing to use in matches. So more options, maybe more variety, maybe tactically smarter (which he needs to be able to continue to compete at such a high level)

 

[MichaelNadal]

 

[vanioMan]

“I think I'm a better player now than when I was at 24 because I've practised for another 10 years and I've got 10 years more experience,” Federer said. “Maybe I don't have the confidence level that I had at 24 when I was winning 40 matches in a row, but I feel like I hit a bigger serve, my backhand is better, my forehand is still as good as it's ever been, I volley better than I have in the past. I think I've had to adapt to a new generation of players again.”

Found this on the ATP world tour site. Don't know if it has been posted but what do you guys think of his comments? His former coach Annacone has said it too, and also his rival Djokovic agrees.

After watching him through Wimby to USO, I can't disagree. So many things he does incredibly well, I think his movement is better than ever too. He has also lost so much weight, I remember back when he was dominating, he was definitely a bit bulky.

It is amazing that at 34 he can still produce tennis of the same level from before and keep improving. Look at his serve and hold game, and his net play.

What? This is Federers words, and he has many experts around the world aswell as his former coaches, fierce rivals backing him up.

What should I deal with? I think you guys should listen to what Federer has to say, what his former coach said, what his dad said and also his rival. Also open your eyes. Denial is not an argument, there is no reason for him to be in denial when looking at the level of tennis and results he has produced for the last couple of months. Only Djokovic has stopped him, and probably the only one that could. Losing to someone like Djokovic is not a shame or in some ways shows that Fed is not close to his level of before, he lost to one the greatest players. He beat him in cincy, you lose some and you win some, that is how it is between players of this level. 2008 Djokovic beat Fed back in the day, he beat him in 2007, so there you go it should not come as a surprise that Djokovic can actually beat Fed when young or ''old''.

This is no knock on Fed. I don't get why you guys feel so offended and start attacking people. Even Federer says it.

 

[cc0509]

ND-10, why are you back annoying many of again with your silly posts? Did you get banned or was it a self-ban and why did you come back again? Why don't you go back into your cave and lick your wounds like you did after the FO.

Federer is not better today than he was in his prime. His serve is slightly better but not his movement, speed, reflexes, forehand, etc. He says it because what is he supposed to say? I've declined? That doesn't exactly help sell the sport. Don't be so naïve.

 

[jm1980]

peak federer would've taken out djoko in 3 tight or 4 sets at both wimbledon and US Open ...Now deal with it .....

Peak Federer had very tight matches against 20-year-old Novak in the USO... Unless you think those versions of Djokovic were equal to current Djokovic this argument isn't very solid.

 

[Gary Duane]

What should I deal with? I think you guys should listen to what Federer has to say, what his former coach said, what his dad said and also his rival. Also open your eyes. Denial is not an argument, there is no reason for him to be in denial when looking at the level of tennis and results he has produced for the last couple of months. Only Djokovic has stopped him, and probably the only one that could. Losing to someone like Djokovic is not a shame or in some ways shows that Fed is not close to his level of before, he lost to one the greatest players. He beat him in cincy, you lose some and you win some, that is how it is between players of this level. 2008 Djokovic beat Fed back in the day, he beat him in 2007, so there you go it should not come as a surprise that Djokovic can actually beat Fed when young or ''old''.

This is no knock on Fed. I don't get why you guys feel so offended and start attacking people. Even Federer says it.

There has never been a great player who was a better player at age 34. The player who came closest to playing at peak level in his 30s was Rosewall, if you go by results, but that can be explained by overall weaker competition due to pros still dominating former amateurs.

 

[RF-18]

ND-10, why are you back annoying many of again with your silly posts? Did you get banned or was it a self-ban and why did you come back again? Why don't you go back into your cave and lick your wounds like you did after the FO.

Federer is not better today than he was in his prime. His serve is slightly better but not his movement, speed, reflexes, forehand, etc. He says it because what is he supposed to say? I've declined? That doesn't exactly help sell the sport. Don't be so naïve.

Please stop the whining. I'm not trying to annoy anyone this is federers words wich I posted, be annoyed at him then. I just happen to agree with him on the basis of what I have seen during Wimb-Cincy-USO. Note that I'm adressing only this period of time not before or some other year. Fed has really stepped up and IMO playing some of his best tennis ever. You don't reach b2b slam finals and win a master without dropping a set for no reason. Feds problem has only been Novak, the others didn't stand a chance. And it's only logical that he can lose against Djoko, cause he is playing a guy who is now tier 1 player.

Do you guys actually care about Federer or is it only his results you guys care about? It's only good that he is playing like he does, cause he can fight for the biggest titles again and add to his slam count and other achievements. This is only good for him. It's not a bad thing but if you think this leaves a stain on his results during 2004-2009 then I feel sorry for you. Tennis has gotten different these days, it has evolved, like Fed said.

 

[Sysyphus]

Peak Federer had very tight matches against 20-year-old Novak in the USO... Unless you think those versions of Djokovic were equal to current Djokovic this argument isn't very solid.

True, tight matches. The one of those that can be said to be in Fed's peak years is of course 2007, which had tight set-scores, but it went in straights. In addition, Fed won 53.6 % of the points in that match, compared to Novak winning 50.3 % in their most recent one. Novak has won three of their recent encounters by that very margin, and three others by winning 51.8 % of points. (typically, according to stat-man Jeff Sackman, matches where the winner wins <53 % are very tightly contested, >53 more decided).

Safe to say that peak Fed was more thoroughly ahead than current Novak is versus 34 y.o. Fed. As an aside, it's pretty accepted that Fed's peak started to dwindle through 2007, so even their 2007 USO encounter was at the descent of his peak, bit this is obviously just a minor note given that he still won it the next year.

It's not like Djokovic in his peak years hasn't had some so-so performances at the USO either (I'd say losing a final or semi to prime Fed is better than losing to Nishikori for instance), so even though he is currently better, I wouldn't pull that one too far either, just as you wouldn't want Fed fans to pull the "Fed is a mug now" card too far.

 

[vanioMan]

Please stop the whining. I'm not trying to annoy anyone this is federers words wich I posted, be annoyed at him then. I just happen to agree with him on the basis of what I have seen during Wimb-Cincy-USO. Note that I'm adressing only this period of time not before or some other year. Fed has really stepped up and IMO playing some of his best tennis ever. You don't reach b2b slam finals and win a master without dropping a set for no reason. Feds problem has only been Novak, the others didn't stand a chance. And it's only logical that he can lose against Djoko, cause he is playing a guy who is now tier 1 player.

Do you guys actually care about Federer or is it only his results you guys care about? It's only good that he is playing like he does, cause he can fight for the biggest titles again and add to his slam count and other achievements. This is only good for him. It's not a bad thing but if you think this leaves a stain on his results during 2004-2009 then I feel sorry for you. Tennis has gotten different these days, it has evolved, like Fed said.

Please address in which categories is Federer better:

Serve: yes
Net-game: yes
Tactics: probably
Forehand: lol
Backhand: lol
Movement: lol
Footwork: lol
Mental toughness: lol
Athletisism: lol
Stamina: lol

I don't see the Betterer. You say he is better because he says so. Do you blindly believe everything another person says? Or do you use your brain and some common sense?

 

[RF-18]

Please address in which categories is Federer better:

Serve: yes
Net-game: yes
Tactics: probably
Forehand: lol
Backhand: lol
Movement: lol
Footwork: lol
Mental toughness: lol
Athletisism: lol
Stamina: lol

I don't see the Betterer. You say he is better because he says so. Do you blindly believe everything another person says? Or do you use your brain and some common sense?

I think Federer knows better than anyone how he is playing and can compare it to past days. All I'm saying is during Wimb-Cinci-USO he has been playing probably peak, wich he himself confirms. But, we have to see if he can stay at that level, wich he did in 2004-2007.

“I think I'm a better player now than when I was at 24 because I've practised for another 10 years and I've got 10 years more experience,” Federer said. “Maybe I don't have the confidence level that I had at 24 when I was winning 40 matches in a row, but I feel like I hit a bigger serve, my backhand is better, my forehand is still as good as it's ever been, I volley better than I have in the past. I think I've had to adapt to a new generation of players again.”

-Roger Federer

 

[The_18th_Slam]

I think you are flying around the clouds.

I think you live in the clouds.

 

[tennis_pro]

I think Federer knows better than anyone how he is playing and can compare it to past days. All I'm saying is during Wimb-Cinci-USO he has been playing probably peak, wich he himself confirms. But, we have to see if he can stay at that level, wich he did in 2004-2007.

“I think I'm a better player now than when I was at 24 because I've practised for another 10 years and I've got 10 years more experience,” Federer said. “Maybe I don't have the confidence level that I had at 24 when I was winning 40 matches in a row, but I feel like I hit a bigger serve, my backhand is better, my forehand is still as good as it's ever been, I volley better than I have in the past. I think I've had to adapt to a new generation of players again.”

-Roger Federer

Somebody has to tell Laver that he needs to come back. 40 more years of experience, the rocket would rocket the tour now.

Yes you have 10 more years of experience but also 10 more years of additional mileage and 34-year old legs. Come on, Rog, quit jumping the "I'm at my best now" bandwagon. You're smarter than that.

 

[vanioMan]

I think Federer knows better than anyone how he is playing and can compare it to past days. All I'm saying is during Wimb-Cinci-USO he has been playing probably peak, wich he himself confirms. But, we have to see if he can stay at that level, wich he did in 2004-2007.

“I think I'm a better player now than when I was at 24 because I've practised for another 10 years and I've got 10 years more experience,” Federer said. “Maybe I don't have the confidence level that I had at 24 when I was winning 40 matches in a row, but I feel like I hit a bigger serve, my backhand is better, my forehand is still as good as it's ever been, I volley better than I have in the past. I think I've had to adapt to a new generation of players again.”

-Roger Federer

Again, you can use some sense. Federer, unlike Nadal, likes saying such things. It probably gives him belief and will to keep striving for more. It is a psychological thing. As a guy who began watching tennis in 2002-2003 I can tell you that he for surely is playing good, but not as good as he did in 2004-2009. And I don't see how you could've watched Federer back then and claim that he is just as good now as he was before.

I think I know that a person has to use his own thoughts and not believe every single word he hears, even more so by famous people/athletes. Hitler once said that what he was doing was good for humanity, and millions of Germans believed him. Was he right too?

 

[RF-18]

And saying lol to his movement, BH, athleticism just

Again, you can use some sense. Federer, unlike Nadal, likes saying such things. It probably gives him belief and will to keep striving for more. It is a psychological thing. As a guy who began watching tennis in 2002-2003 I can tell you that he for surely is playing good, but not as good as he did in 2004-2009. And I don't see how you could've watched Federer back then and claim that he is just as good now as he was before.

I think I know that a person has to use his own thoughts and not believe everything he sees.

Empty words, ''says it to get belief, confidence'' etc but I don't see how he can get that by saying what he said.

Yeah, Fed probably didn't see himself play back then, or know his own body, must have been another federer.

I know what I've been seeing through these couple of months so take some seats and stop telling me what to believe. I'm using my thoughts if you already haven't seen them in this thread. Experts all over the world have been talking about it, his ex coach, his dad etc etc and you are gonna tell them to not believe everything they see? You of all people are gonna tell Roger he doesn't know what he is talking about?

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Think what you want. I was quoting what Fed himself thinks, and I think he knows better than everyone. It is not only him saying it.

If you reach b2b slam finals barely dropping a set or lose serve, winning a masters without dropping a set, he is not even close to his best? I think you are flying around the clouds.

And why you take this as an offence I have no idea. It is only good that he can still compete for the biggest titles and Fed himself makes that happen because he works harder than anyone.

You never liked Federer. Know how I know this? You have (once again) taken aim at Federer and pushed him below your sentimental favorite.

Sorry to say this, but Federer isn't what he was 10 years ago. Even rational Djokovic fans know this. Only the crazily insane, trollish, middle aged Djoko-fans try to push this crap as if it builds Djokovic's legacy -- well, it just makes his fans seem desperate. Like there's nobody good outside Federer so they need to pump up his current form to the heavens.

Djokovic doesn't need this, neither does Federer. Show them some respect.

 

[smoledman]

Being able to reach back to back slam finals in the "toughest era ever" is proof he's better at 34.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

And saying lol to his movement, BH, athleticism just


Empty words, ''says it to get belief, confidence'' etc but I don't see how he can get that by saying what he said.

Yeah, Fed probably didn't see himself play back then, or know his own body, must have been another federer.

I know what I've been seeing through these couple of months so shut your piehole and stop telling me what to believe. I'm using my thoughts if you already haven't seen them in this thread. Experts all over the world have been talking about it, his ex coach, his dad etc etc and you are gonna tell them to not believe everything they see? You of all people are gonna tell Roger he doesn't know what he is talking about?

You probably believe the Sun revolves around Earth.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

Being able to reach back to back slam finals in the "toughest era ever" is proof he's better at 34.

2015 is about as weak as 2006.

Who's even there outside Federer? Murray (in poor form)? Come on now..

 

[RF-18]

You never liked Federer. Know how I know this? You have (once again) taken aim at Federer and pushed him below your sentimental favorite.

Sorry to say this, but Federer isn't what he was 10 years ago. Even rational Djokovic fans know this. Only the crazily insane, trollish, middle aged Djoko-fans try to push this crap as if it builds Djokovic's legacy -- well, it just makes his fans seem desperate. Like there's nobody good outside Federer so they need to pump up his current form to the heavens.

Djokovic doesn't need this, neither does Federer. Show them some respect.

If you believe this is a bad thing for fed, then I don't know what to tell you. He is challenging for the biggest titles again and is playin astonishing tennis, and me acknowledging that and Feds words shows I lack respect towards roger? Jesus.

 

[vanioMan]

And saying lol to his movement, BH, athleticism just


Empty words, ''says it to get belief, confidence'' etc but I don't see how he can get that by saying what he said.

Yeah, Fed probably didn't see himself play back then, or know his own body, must have been another federer.

I know what I've been seeing through these couple of months so take some seats and stop telling me what to believe. I'm using my thoughts if you already haven't seen them in this thread. Experts all over the world have been talking about it, his ex coach, his dad etc etc and you are gonna tell them to not believe everything they see? You of all people are gonna tell Roger he doesn't know what he is talking about?

Do you believe Fed moves better at 34 than at 24? That he is more athletic at 34 than at 24? Do you believe that any athlete can move and be more athletic at 34 than at 24 at all? I mean are you really serious? Really?

Do you believe that Fed hits his backhand better than in 05-06? Have you even watched him back then?

And you don't believe people say stuff to pump themselves up, to believe in themselves, even if they aren't true?

Lol man, you sound like you are 14. You sound THAT naive. I suspect it might take a couple of more years to become more mature, but it will happen.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

If you believe this is a bad thing for fed, then I don't know what to tell you. He is challenging for the biggest titles again and is playin astonishing tennis, and me acknowledging that and Feds words shows I lack respect towards roger? Jesus.

It only reinforces the stupid 'weak era' argument which I strongly detest.

Nobody who is 34 years old is playing their best tennis. Even guys with great longevity like Connors and Agassi were starting to decline by that stage. Lendl too.

The truth is that Federer is playing like a true #2, but not like his previous incarnations. Pumping him up to the heavens is just silly, really, because Djokovic doesn't even need this for his legacy to be set. Even if 2015 is a weak year, who cares? Djokovic dominated 2011 with Nadal at his peak and Federer still in his prime so he's shown he could do it anyways.

 

[RF-18]

It only reinforces the stupid 'weak era' argument which I strongly detest.

Nobody who is 34 years old is playing their best tennis. Even guys with great longevity like Connors and Agassi were starting to decline by that stage. Lendl too.

The truth is that Federer is playing like a true #2, but not like his previous incarnations. Pumping him up to the heavens is just silly, really, because Djokovic doesn't even need this for his legacy to be set. Even if 2015 is a weak year, who cares? Djokovic dominated 2011 with Nadal and his peak and Federer still in his prime so he's shown he could do it anyways.

It has nothing to do with Djokovic. No where did I mention him or any signs of trying to pump him up. It is all about Roger.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

It has nothing to do with Djokovic. No where did I mention him. It is all about Roger.

But it is about Djokovic because he's the #1.. heavily implying that if they were both at their best (which you're saying in regard to Federer) Djokovic would beat him more often than not and be ranked above him.

I don't believe in that school of thought, and the posters I've encountered that do (@ABCD) are either insane or trolling.

Give the good Djokovic fans a break. Guys like @swordtennis, @Djokovic2011 and many more don't deserve this disrespect.

 

[RF-18]

But it is about Djokovic because he's the #1.. heavily implying that if they were both at their best (which you're saying in regard to Federer) Djokovic would beat him more often than not and be ranked above him.

I don't believe in that school of thought, and the posters I've encountered that do (@ABCD) are either insane or trolling.

Give the good Djokovic fans a break. Guys like @swordtennis, @Djokovic2011 and many more don't deserve this disrespect.

No. Right now you are just coming up with stuff. And you are trolling with the disrespect thing, this is no disrespect, it is praise for Roger and his ability to play as he does and keep finding new elements to his game, cause he shows why he is the most special talent tennis has seen.

I guess Roger is disrespecting himself to and all fans over the world. So does Annacone.

 

[vanioMan]

Isn't it somehow funny that a guys who is supposedly a Fed fan tries to put down Roger in such a way? I mean even some dislikers of Fed don't use cheap shots such as this thread or making their username sound like they are a fan of a player which they don't support.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

No. Right now you are just coming up with stuff. And you are trolling with the disrespect thing, this is no disrespect, it is praise for Roger and his ability to play as he does and keep finding new elements to his game, cause he shows why he is the most special talent tennis has seen.

I guess Roger is disrespecting himself to and all fans over the world. So does Annacone.

I am not trolling, I am being serious..

And coming up with stuff? Read a few threads started by these insane fans and you will see what I mean.

 

[accidental]

Alzheimer's is a hell of a disease

 

[Gary Duane]

No. Right now you are just coming up with stuff. And you are trolling with the disrespect thing, this is no disrespect, it is praise for Roger and his ability to play as he does and keep finding new elements to his game, cause he shows why he is the most special talent tennis has seen.

I guess Roger is disrespecting himself to and all fans over the world. So does Annacone.

All champions have to believe they are going to win another big one. Rosewall was still hoping to win Wimbledon when he was around 35.

There are only a few players who won slams at age 30 or 31. No one I've found other than Rosewall even won a slam at age 32.

If you think Fed is playing his best now, you just don't know much about tennis history.