Federer is starting to become match fit and it's showing

[Zardoz7/12]

Slowly but surely, in dribs and drabs we're witnessing Federer playing solid tennis and it's great to see. - No Spoilers.

You have to understand since the Australian Open in 2020 Federer has barely played any tennis due to covid and knee issues, time is not on his side but the mere fact he's out there going toe to toe with in form players is impressive. Match practice beats all the practicing ect, going out there and experiencing competitive tennis is the best tonic.

I think Federer fans should have cautious optimism in regards of Wimbledon and future tournaments, he isn't playing to make up the numbers or stink up the place like another part timer with a metal hip has done recently.

Do you play for the love of the sport or do you play to win?

 

[Swingmaster]

Slowly but surely, in dribs and drabs we're witnessing Federer playing solid tennis and it's great to see. - No Spoilers.

You have to understand since the Australian Open in 2020 Federer has barely played any tennis due to covid and knee issues, time is not on his side but the mere fact he's out there going toe to toe with in form players is impressive. Match practice beats all the practicing ect, going out there and experiencing competitive tennis is the best tonic.

I think Federer fans should have cautious optimism in regards of Wimbledon and future tournaments, he isn't playing to make up the numbers or stink up the place like another part timer with a metal hip has done recently.

Do you play for the love of the sport or do you play to win?

His footwork looks tentative to me, which is concerning. I know it's grass but still. He's been arming it a lot, presumably because he still doesn't trust his knee. However, not bad for a tentative old guy.

 

[daggerman]

I think Federer fans should have cautious optimism in regards of Wimbledon and future tournaments, he isn't playing to make up the numbers or stink up the place like another part timer with a metal hip has done recently.

Shapo would blow this Federer off the court, too.

 

[Rosstour]

Let's keep underestimating him, that worked out great last time he came back from a long layoff.

 

[Novichok]

Shapo would blow this Federer off the court, too.

 

[vex]

I haven’t been impressed with his level frankly. He’s not been fast, his footwork hasn’t been there and he’s not exactly imposing his will with offense like vintage Fed. If he thinks he’s going to out-defend Novak for the title, he’s nuts

 

[Benben245]

The backhand side is abysmal, speed footwork and shot making, to his right sure, but he has variation for his backhand beyond a slice and hit or miss backhand right now. Norrie did not show up too, I was very surprised by the poor play. If Fed's serve is neutralized, he could fatigue in long rallies.

 

[D.Nalby12]

Well I'm still not convinced he is there yet. He needs improvements to become contender for Slams again.

 

[robow7]

Fed's current play won't net him a berth in the finals for sure.

 

[MurraysMetalHip]

Have to disagree. Think he is playing like a 39 year old man in a world of twenty-somethings.

 

[SpdoC]

I think Federer fans should have cautious optimism in regards of Wimbledon and future tournaments, he isn't playing to make up the numbers or stink up the place like another part timer with a metal hip has done recently.

Why the hate for Murray in a thread that ostensibly is nothing to do with him?

He beat a seeded player in round one and then another round. OK he’s not Roger, but he’s hardly stinking the place up like he lost 2 1 love in the first round or something.

 

[Spencer Gore]

Never underestimate Federer at Wimbledon. Combine his will to win here with the organizers will for him to do well and you have a very powerful combination.

 

[NAS]

Looked better but still was clearly tired in fourth set

 

[Bartelby]

So it comes down to Federer's will and official corruption?

Never underestimate Federer at Wimbledon. Combine his will to win here with the organizers will for him to do well and you have a very powerful combination.

 

[Jai]

I won't underestimate Fed at Wimbledon. But as good as his play has been, it has been patchy and it would seem unlikely he can make it beyond the quarters. But let's see.

 

[ScottleeSV]

Should win one more round but I think Medvedev will take him out.

 

[junior74]

Never underestimate Federer at Wimbledon. Combine his will to win here with the organizers will for him to do well and you have a very powerful combination.

 

[ScottleeSV]

Actually, I think he might beat Medvedev in 5 sets, everyone goes nuts, but then Federer will announce at the press conference he'll have to assess his body and talk to his team as to whether he can carry on (Olympics are around the corner).

Ultimately he will carry on, but then he loses to Zverev in three tight sets. But he's happy with the 'information' overall. Full speed Tokyo.

Zverev meanwhile has arrived. Finally looks the beast we all thought he'd become! He's arrived! He's ready to win a slam!

..but he loses to Djokovic in 4 sets, and can barely hold serve the last 2 of those sets. Lots of grimaces on his face as if he doesn't think it's fair of Djokovic to hit the court so many times.

 

[Jai]

Actually, I think he might beat Medvedev in 5 sets, everyone goes nuts, but then Federer will announce at the press conference he'll have to assess his body and talk to his team as to whether he can carry on (Olympics are around the corner).

Ultimately he will carry on, but then he loses to Zverev in three tight sets. But he's happy with the 'information' overall. Full speed Tokyo.

Zverev meanwhile has arrived. Finally looks the beast we all thought he'd become! He's arrived! He's ready to win a slam!

..but he loses to Djokovic in 4 sets, and can barely hold serve the last 2 of those sets. Lots of grimaces on his face.

this actually sounds rather plausible

 

[Terry Tibbs]

His footwork looks tentative to me, which is concerning. I know it's grass but still. He's been arming it a lot, presumably because he still doesn't trust his knee. However, not bad for a tentative old guy.

Yes. Tim Henman in commentary picked up on this as well.

 

[Red Rick]

He's been better than earlier in the season. But he's still not playing like a top 10 player IMO. Maybe he is on grass, but I very much doubt it on clay or HC.

 

[egrorian]

Federer played his best match by far this Wimbledon vs Norrie but still had too many shanks and mis-hits, and too passive a lot of the time. He also doesn't seem to be going for the big first serves nearly as much as he used to.

 

[BorisRogerFan]

Nah, unfortunately no chance of winning this Wimbledon at his current level.

 

[Krish0608]

The encouraging thing is that Federer is getting better with every match. He’s trusting his body more, he’s moving better and playing better. Still not enough to come close to winning the tournament of course. Hopefully won’t be long before he starts to play his best possible tennis soon. We’re always seeing flashes of it

 

[Russeljones]

The encouraging thing is that Federer is getting better with every match. He’s trusting his body more, he’s moving better and playing better. Still not enough to come close to winning the tournament of course. Hopefully won’t be long before he starts to play his best possible tennis soon. We’re always seeing flashes of it

The serve and forehand just aren't there. With the current state of this surface, what else has he got he can count on? Let us please manage expectations.

 

[egrorian]

The serve and forehand just aren't there. With the current state of this surface, what else has he got he can count on? Let us please manage expectations.

Clearly Federer's standard vs Norrie won't win the title but I suppose the big unknown is whether he can keep improving his level with each match. If he can, I think he has a pretty decent chance of beating anyone bar Djokovic. Pushed to it, what I think will probably happen is that Medvedev beats him in the quarters.

 

[Xavier G]

Fed's been getting through his matches so far and it's great to see him back, but does he look like a real contender for the title? No. He looks exactly like a 39 year old player returning from surgeries who's short of hard matchplay, which is what he is at the moment.

He's far short of what he was in 2017 or even 2019. His movement is a little hesitant like he's unsure of his legs/knees, he's possibly unsure of his footing on the grass courts, and he's not getting depth on a lot of his forehands. I'm not sure he's transferring full weight into his groundstrokes. His backhand is hit and miss. His serving is keeping him in it, but even that is a bit down imo.
Roger looks like he's searching for a real rhythm in his play at this Wimbledon so far imo. I hope he can improve match by match because he needs to, if he's to contend for the title. In a way, everything's a bonus now, but Fed might have a better shot at the US Open this year.

 

[NedStark]

In a way, everything's a bonus now, but Fed might have a better shot at the US Open this year

Actually, this is his last chance - quite favourable draw as his main opponents in his half having to battle each other to death before playing him, while his own 1R-4R draw is full of mugs. He has not passed US Open QF for over half a decade, plus US Open courts now are very hot and humid (due to poor roof design) and are slow as well.

Next year, if Covid ranking system is ditched, he will be out of top 20, and there you go. Imagining playing Medvedev or Zverev in 1R, Cilic in 3R, FAA in 4R, Shapo in QF... oh boy.

 

[Xavier G]

Actually, this is his last chance. He has not passed US Open QF for over half a decade, plus US Open courts now are very hot and humid (due to poor roof design) and are slow as well.

Next year, if Covid ranking system is ditched, he will be out of top 20, and there you go.

Maybe Federer will like the Laykold surface at the USO. Has he played there since it was changed? Anyway, I'm hedging my bets on that and on RF being better, not writing Fed off just yet, keep the faith!!

 

[NedStark]

Maybe Federer will like the Laykold surface at the USO. Has he played there since it was changed? Anyway, I'm hedging my bets on that and on RF being better, not writing Fed off just yet, keep the faith!!

He cannot bear the heat of Arthur Ashe stadium, caused by poor roof system.

 

[egrorian]

I don't suppose Federer wants to put extra pressure on himself by regarding this Wimbledon as his last credible shot at winning another Slam, although realistically it probably is.

I suppose his best shot is he makes the final and hopes someone has upset Djokovic along the way. After 2019 I hesitate to write off Federer's chances of beating Novak but obviously his chances would be a lot slimmer this time, should they meet in the final again.

 

[SonnyT]

Federer's 1st big test will come on Wednesday, when Medvedev will make him chase after low balls.

 

[-NN-]

He's done well but clearly hasn't displayed the sort of form that could win the tournament, but I don't even hope for that anymore. I'll celebrate a quarterfinal like a win, lol.

 

[jga111]

He is playing better each match. Whether it’s enough time will tell.

Super impressive how he is able to beat in-form players in their 20s like Norrie.

 

[uscwang]

Impressive. A key to his success on grass and to be honest his career longevity is his serve. Novak has taken notes. So should Nadal.

 

[BeatlesFan]

The serve and forehand just aren't there. With the current state of this surface, what else has he got he can count on? Let us please manage expectations.

What Fed fan has claimed Roger has any hope for the title? The expectations from the Fed fans here (the real Roger fans, not trolls pretending fandom), are that he reach the second week. A few think he may make the semis. Nobody is thinking he will win next Sunday.

That’s managing expectations very well.

 

[Weekendhacker]

Meddy may not even make it that far. Let’s see cause his next opponent is quite good.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

What Fed fan has claimed Roger has any hope for the title? The expectations from the Fed fans here (the real Roger fans, not trolls pretending fandom), are that he reach the second week. A few think he may make the semis. Nobody is thinking he will win next Sunday.

That’s managing expectations very well.

Who do you think reaches the final in bottom half of draw?

 

[T007]

Shapo would blow this Federer off the court, too.

Federers FH is much better than Andys metallic hip. Shapo will be schooled by Fed like it happened in their past meeting

 

[zagor]

He's not a contender for any big title in his current form, pretty obvious to anyone who followed his career.

Never underestimate Federer at Wimbledon. Combine his will to win here with the organizers will for him to do well and you have a very powerful combination.

The guy is apparently so overrated yet you're still so scared of him despite him being 40 year old coming off two knee surgeries.

And the organizers aren't doing anything to assist him besides putting him on the Center to please the crowd and boost viewership.

 

[T007]

Actually, I think he might beat Medvedev in 5 sets, everyone goes nuts, but then Federer will announce at the press conference he'll have to assess his body and talk to his team as to whether he can carry on (Olympics are around the corner).

Ultimately he will carry on, but then he loses to Zverev in three tight sets. But he's happy with the 'information' overall. Full speed Tokyo.

Zverev meanwhile has arrived. Finally looks the beast we all thought he'd become! He's arrived! He's ready to win a slam!

..but he loses to Djokovic in 4 sets, and can barely hold serve the last 2 of those sets. Lots of grimaces on his face as if he doesn't think it's fair of Djokovic to hit the court so many times.

Nice joke....we don't know when Zverev will turn in to DF beast and lose. He has a habit of choking in Big stage.
This years AO QF is a reminder...he led by a break and chances to go double break in set 3 & 4 but he lost.

 

[T007]

He's not a contender for any big title in his current form, pretty obvious to anyone who followed his career.



The guy is apparently so overrated yet you're still so scared of him despite him being 40 year old coming off two knee surgeries.

And the organizers aren't doing anything to assist him besides putting him on the Center to please the crowd and boost viewership.

I am glad that everytime he plays on CC you get pi**ed off

 

[zagor]

I am glad that everytime he plays on CC you get pi**ed off

I don't care who plays on which court, it's up to the Wimbledon organizers. It's their tourney.

 

[icedevil0289]

I don't care who plays on which court, it's up to the Wimbledon organizers. It's their tourney.

I really think court scheduling in 2021 has to be the most overrated topic of tennis and its always the fans watching from the comfort of their home doing the most complaining. Unless the ppl who purchased tickets are upset about who they see i dont see a point in talking about who deserves what imo.

 

[zagor]

I really think court scheduling in 2021 has to be the most overrated topic of tennis and its always the fans watching from the comfort of their home doing the most complaining. Unless the ppl who purchased tickets are upset about who they see i dont see a point in talking about who deserves what imo.

If Med wasn't in Fed's quarter, we wouldn't hear a pip about it on TTW.

 

[daggerman]

Federers FH is much better than Andys metallic hip. Shapo will be schooled by Fed like it happened in their past meeting

And his movement, rally tolerance, and stamina are all similar or worse.

 

[icedevil0289]

If Med wasn't in Fed's quarter, we wouldn't hear a pip about it on TTW.

yeah i mean for me its not just about fed, i realize people here think the wta is "lesser than" so i've seen some complaints about coco getting center court and im like lol well she clearly generates buzz but yeah its just such a tiring conversation in general because people will always feel some type of way about court scheduling or time of day. i'll never forget when people were moaning about how novak got the day match yet again during one of the AO's only for his team to confirm he asked for it most likely because it was be favorable for him against monfils, like some people here act like the players came up to them and told them they are in distress about these things. sure to a certain extent some courts might vary as does time of day that can also influence your play but these guys are all professionals, its just like move the **** on already.

 

[FiReFTW]

Movement is bad, forehand is puffy with no penetration, serve is not sharp and doesn't get enough aces as before.

Would be interesting seeing his stats from 2019 wimbledon and now.

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

Let's keep underestimating him, that worked out great last time he came back from a long layoff.

2017 when Fed was stealing his final few slams, there was no Djokovic around.. And Med/Zverev is a bigger obstacle than Cilic

 

[UnforcedTerror]

He's getting better and better, I expect to see his best by the indoor season. Titles won't come until the next season.