Federer is sharpening for a Nadal showdown at RG final

[OddJack]

If you are Federer what would nag you inside the most?

3 Callendar year Grand Slams, lost. and 4 More RG titles.

That's huge. There are not many who could win all 4, let alone all 4 three times, in 3 years.

He may not be playing the clay tournaments, but he is playing somewhere, on clay.

Dont right him off if it happens either. Nadal is playing the clay masters and he wont be as fresh. Not at his age.

 

[Mr Feeny]

If you are Federer what would nag you inside the most?

3 Callendar year Grand Slams, lost. and 4 More RG titles.

That's huge. There are not many who could win all 4, let alone all 4 three times, in 3 years.

He may not be playing the clay tournaments, but he is playing somewhere, on clay.

Dont right him off if it happens either. Nadal is playing the clay masters and he wont be as fresh. Not at his age.

Spelling?

 

[Sentinel]

Roger is playing on hard court right now. He will only practice on clay a couple weeks before RG.

So let's not get the hype train into top gear so soon.


Fred has his sights set on Wimbledon as far as my intelligence reports reveal.

 

[BeatlesFan]

The only way Roger can even meet Nadal at the FO is if both make at least the semis. That's a huge "if," no?

 

[6-3 6-0]

I don't see Roger in 2nd week of RG. Either some of you are trolling or are too optimistic and setting up yourself for massive disappointment in future

 

[TheMusicLover]

The only way Roger can even meet Nadal at the FO is if both make at least the semis. That's a huge "if," no?

You apparently missed the message, that when it comes to Fedal in a GS, the previous six matches to play in order to even reach a final will all be walkovers...

Seriously though... what's the point in starting these kind of silly and very premature threads?

 

[Tennisanity]

I don't see Roger in 2nd week of RG. Either some of you are trolling or are too optimistic and setting up yourself for massive disappointment in future

You mean like AO?

 

[MasturB]

I don't see Roger in 2nd week of RG. Either some of you are trolling or are too optimistic and setting up yourself for massive disappointment in future

Rog had a bad back in 2013 and made the quarters. Lost to Jo. 2014 he should have won the Gulbis match. 2015 he ran into Wawrecking Ball in Quarters.

If he's healthy I full expect him to make the second week barring a bad draw. But IMO he's pretty much a favorite against any clay court specialist not named Nadal. And even then I'd say Nadal slight edge which is a lot more even than historically.

 

[6-3 6-0]

You mean like AO?

AO was way faster this year (RLA had CPI of over 41, faster than Wimbledon and USO) and played into his strength. OTOH, RG is slow and high bouncing, its not even comparable...

 

[nolefam_2024]

Fed on clay at this stage

 

[NBP]

A QF and I'll be very happy. Really don't care about the French. Don't know why people think he can win it. The only reason he's playing it is because it's a slam.

 

[kabob]

If you are Federer what would nag you inside the most?

3 Callendar year Grand Slams, lost. and 4 More RG titles.

That's huge. There are not many who could win all 4, let alone all 4 three times, in 3 years.

He may not be playing the clay tournaments, but he is playing somewhere, on clay.

Dont right him off if it happens either. Nadal is playing the clay masters and he wont be as fresh. Not at his age.

You mean two calendar-year Grand Slams, in 2006 and 2007, were thwarted by Nadal in a final at Roland Garros. In 2004 when he won three out of 4, he lost in the 3rd round to Guga Kuerten at RG.

 

[BeatlesFan]

I don't see Roger in 2nd week of RG.

Assuming he is still ranked #4 for the FO, he can avoid any of the big guys until the QF's. I think he will make the second week. And if there's upsets or the draw opens up dramatically, he can win it. Murray thinks so, as he said today:

"If he plays like he did in the beginning of the season, he can definitely win," said the Scot.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Tennis/ATPTour/murray-federer-capable-of-winning-french-open-20170414

 

[BeatlesFan]

Fed on clay at this stage

Why all the hating on Fed on clay? He's the second greatest clay court player of the last 13 years.

 

[Zetty]

Spelling?

Seems like something Mr Feeny would say =P

 

[Gazelle]

AO was way faster this year (RLA had CPI of over 41, faster than Wimbledon and USO) and played into his strength. OTOH, RG is slow and high bouncing, its not even comparable...

Yes, but it only became fast when Fed started winning. It never was as fast as after he just won the final. So who knows, Fed might just turn RG into a fast court this year...

People had been writing Federer off on plexicushion for years.

 

[Shaolin]

AO was way faster this year (RLA had CPI of over 41, faster than Wimbledon and USO) and played into his strength. OTOH, RG is slow and high bouncing, its not even comparable...

Okay….

Then he won IW.

Then he won Miami.

Fed is a f***ing assassin on any surface.

 

[Mr Feeny]

Okay….

Then he won IW.

Then he won Miami.

Fed is a f***ing assassin on any surface.

He's nearly 36. Expectations have to be kept in check.

 

[AceSalvo]

Either some of you are trolling

Add Murray to the troll list.

"'If he plays like he did in the beginning of the season, he can definitely win "

"It won't be easy for him to play a Grand Slam event without playing any match on that surface, but he already showed in Australia that he feels comfortable also without playing too many matches"

 

[Gazelle]

He's nearly 36. Expectations have to be kept in check.

That's what you would have said a few months ago, if people predicted Fed to win AO-IW-Miami triple.

 

[Shaolin]

He's nearly 36. Expectations have to be kept in check.

Don't give me that bulls*it. You would've said the same thing 3-4 years ago.

 

[Mr Feeny]

Don't give me that bulls*it. You would've said the same thing 3-4 years ago.

Huh?

 

[swfh]

its going to depend on where thiem and zverev are

 

[Mr Feeny]

That's what you would have said a few months ago, if people predicted Fed to win AO-IW-Miami triple.

True and it would have been the sensible thing to say. Federer brushed everyone aside as grandpa and won the Aussie and sunshine double beating Nadal 3 times and stan twice because he's GOAT. But we can't expect the impossible to continue.
Maybe he can. If anyone can at this age, it's the greatest player in history. Having said that, even this is a bridge too far.

 

[Shaolin]

Huh?

You probably would've said the exact thing about Fed when he was 32 or 33. That no one should have high hopes for him because of his age.

 

[KINGROGER]

Fed is playing better tennis than ever so should be favourite for the next 3 slams.

 

[stiggytennis]

It's an interesting prospect from a fans POV and of course Fed himself to win RG; but I can't help but feel a tank job incoming, not blatant like Dimitrov, but not giving it his all, maybe 85-90%.

This leaves players like Zverev, Thiem, Tsonga, or even a rejuvenated Raonic to capitalise and of course, goes without saying, Nadal, Nole, Murray, Stanimal.

OTOH, with such a break Fed may give it a shot, extra week after RG,10 week rest beforehand, you never know, but he's much more likely to get injured there, especially if his adductor/groin troubles him like it has in past RG's and this year's AO which gives the likelyhood for slight tank.

Still, if he has relatively easy matches, low court time, it'll be the best chance he's had since 2011.

 

[VexlanderPrime]

Rog had a bad back in 2013 and made the quarters. Lost to Jo. 2014 he should have won the Gulbis match. 2015 he ran into Wawrecking Ball in Quarters.

If he's healthy I full expect him to make the second week barring a bad draw. But IMO he's pretty much a favorite against any clay court specialist not named Nadal. And even then I'd say Nadal slight edge which is a lot more even than historically.

Agree with everything except I'd favor both Djoker and Stan against Fed at RG, maybe even Andy.

 

[Krish872007]

Agree with everything except I'd favor both Djoker and Stan against Fed at RG, maybe even Andy.

They're not clay specialists as such.

 

[VexlanderPrime]

They're not clay specialists as such.

love the avatar, she's my fav!

 

[Krish872007]

love the avatar, she's my fav!

Awesome - I've not come across anyone who doesn't like her actually, she's from a different planet!

 

[cc0509]

If you are Federer what would nag you inside the most?

3 Callendar year Grand Slams, lost. and 4 More RG titles.

That's huge. There are not many who could win all 4, let alone all 4 three times, in 3 years.

He may not be playing the clay tournaments, but he is playing somewhere, on clay.

Dont right him off if it happens either. Nadal is playing the clay masters and he wont be as fresh. Not at his age.

I'm writing him off, sorry. If he somehow manages to miraculously win the FO this year that would be great but at the moment I can't rationally allow myself to envision it and personally, I hope he doesn't kill himself trying to win it. I would much rather he exert energy to try and win Wimbledon/USO. Also, if he manages to win the grinder's slam at age 35 it will really highlight how sad the rest of the field is at the moment.

 

[60's Grass]

If you are Federer what would nag you inside the most?

Getting OWNED by my rival on the big stage OVER and OVER and OVER again.

 

[60's Grass]

You mean two calendar-year Grand Slams, in 2006 and 2007, were thwarted by Nadal in a final at Roland Garros. In 2004 when he won three out of 4, he lost in the 3rd round to Guga Kuerten at RG.

Fed would have won 6 Calendar slams and sweeped an unprecedented 50 majors in his career according to Fed fans, ROFL

 

[cc0509]

Fed would have won 6 Calendar slams and sweeped an unprecedented 50 majors in his career according to Fed fans, ROFL

Hi 90's Clay! Nice to see you.

 

[cc0509]

Why all the hating on Fed on clay? He's the second greatest clay court player of the last 13 years.

I think that's debatable. I think it's between Federer and Djokovic. Another FO for Djokovic will seal it in Djokovic's favor IMO.

 

[Fedinkum]

Why does Roger practice on hard court?

 

[Mazz Retic]

Fed is playing better tennis than ever so should be favourite for the next 3 slams.

Finally some common sense!

 

[Maestroesque]

Getting OWNED by my rival on the big stage OVER and OVER and OVER again.

 

[Rosstour]

I think that's debatable. I think it's between Federer and Djokovic. Another FO for Djokovic will seal it in Djokovic's favor IMO.

It's not debatable at all. Roger has won more matches at RG than anyone not named Nadal. He's made the Final 5 times...

 

[TheMaestro1990]

Getting OWNED by my rival on the big stage OVER and OVER and OVER again.

I'll be so disappointed if this is not the real 90's Clay

 

[OddJack]

Getting OWNED by my rival on the big stage OVER and OVER and OVER again.

That's what I said, hello

 

[tenisdecente]

Welcome back 60's weed! However your username is not 100% accurate, I will report you so the mods can do their job - changing your username to the right one!

 

[cc0509]

Fed is playing better tennis than ever so should be favourite for the next 3 slams.

I don't think it works that way. You have to take it day by day, surface by surface, draw by draw.

 

[Devin]

He won Indian Wells and Miami too, and those are slower than the Australian Open.

 

[cc0509]

It's not debatable at all. Roger has won more matches at RG than anyone not named Nadal. He's made the Final 5 times...

Djokovic has made four RG finals(one less than Federer.) Big deal. They both have one FO(the title is what matters) and Djokovic has more Masters 1000 clay titles. Even though Djokovic beat a sub par Nadal on the way to winning his FO title and many of Djokovic's Masters 1000s on clay came at the expense of a past his prime Nadal, Djokovic still has more Masters 1000s on clay than Federer. For me, taking into account all of these factors, I would say they are pretty equal on clay. If Djokovic wins one more RG or if Fed does (which is difficult for me to see happen), that will decide who is greater on clay. We can throw Djokovic a bone or two since his probability of winning seven more slams to surpass Federer's slam count is doubtful at this point.

 

[Devin]

Djokovic has made four RG finals(one less than Federer.) Big deal. They both have one FO(the title is what matters) and Djokovic has more Masters 1000 clay titles. Even though Djokovic beat a sub par Nadal on the way to winning his FO title and many of Djokovic's Masters 1000s on clay came at the expense of a past his prime Nadal, Djokovic still has more Masters 1000s on clay than Federer. For me, taking into account all of these factors, I would say they are pretty equal on clay. If Djokovic wins one more RG or if Fed does (which is difficult for me to see happen), that will decide who is greater on clay. We can throw Djokovic a bone or two since his probability of winning seven more slams to surpass Federer's slam count is doubtful at this point.

Who knows if Djokovic will be in form to make a good run at the French Open...

 

[cc0509]

Federer: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
Djokovic: 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016

You were saying?

I was saying Djokovic has made one less final at the FO than Federer and so what? They both have one FO title and Djokovic has more Masters 1000s on clay.

For me their abilities are pretty equal on clay and one more FO for either player will decide it for me.

 

[Devin]

I was saying Djokovic has made one less final at the FO than Federer and so what? They both have one FO title and Djokovic has more Masters 1000s on clay.

For me their abilities are pretty equal on clay and one more FO for either player will decide it for me.

I'm sorry, I misread your post.

 

[cc0509]

Who knows if Djokovic will be in form to make a good run at the French Open...

I don't know that's for sure. I think we have to wait and see what happens in the next little while at the clay warm-ups to see where these players are at.