Federer News

[Lleytonstation]

Good new is that it affects every one including the big hitters. This give Fed more time to set up his aggressive attacks. If he plays aggressive tactically early in points, I still think he has it, except maybe Berentinni (slow courts hurt him too) and Rafa/Djoker (both benefit from the second week speed and higher bounce).

But tomorrow, the only way he loses is if he gets in a consistency battle with long rallies.

 

[Third Serve]

Good new is that it affects every one including the big hitters. This give Fed more time to set up his aggressive attacks. If he plays aggressive tactically early in points, I still think he has it, except maybe Berentinni (slow courts hurt him too) and Rafa/Djoker (both benefit from the second week speed and higher bounce).

But tomorrow, the only way he loses is if he gets in a consistency battle with long rallies.

First of all, it's Berrettini. REEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Jk you're ok.

Second of all, I'm not too sure that slow courts would "hurt" Berrettini too much given that he's clearly proven to be capable there. Two clay titles, if I'm not mistaken. He's a bit of an interesting player in this regard. He had a solid clay season and he went on to win Stuttgart without dropping serve and making a deep run in Halle also (knocking off some big names in the process).

Put simply, I have no idea what awaits Federer should the two meet in R4. It's a match I'll be intensively watching, that's for sure.

 

[Lleytonstation]

First of all, it's Berrettini. REEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Jk you're ok.

Second of all, I'm not too sure that slow courts would "hurt" Berrettini too much given that he's clearly proven to be capable there. Two clay titles, if I'm not mistaken. He's a bit of an interesting player in this regard. He had a solid clay season and he went on to win Stuttgart without dropping serve and making a deep run in Halle also (knocking off some big names in the process).

Put simply, I have no idea what awaits Federer should the two meet in R4. It's a match I'll be intensively watching, that's for sure.

I think my autocorrect keeps doing Berentinni (see ). I have only watched about 4 matches ( 1 clay and 3 grass), but Fed will not like playing him for the first time (usually takes a set to figure these guys out), and I see that possibly being his undoing. However, I do think the slower courts helps him here, as Berrettini is not as good at turning defense into offense.

 

[Ann]

Pouille first and then if Berrettini beats Schwartzman I'll worry about Berrettini.

The court is the same speed for all players, it's time for the GOAT to adapt. It's Wimbledon, time to put the big boy pants on.

 

[Third Serve]

I think my autocorrect keeps doing Berentinni (see ). I have only watched about 4 matches ( 1 clay and 3 grass), but Fed will not like playing him for the first time (usually takes a set to figure these guys out), and I see that possibly being his undoing. However, I do think the slower courts helps him here, as Berrettini is not as good at turning defense into offense.

Ok, sorry about that. Autocorrect is so annoying. Anyway, nice to see input from someone who's at least watched Matteo play. I've seen a few highlights and maybe a game or two otherwise but I'm still wondering what was it that pushed him straight into the top 20. Seems like a very solid player, judging from some of these stats.

 

[BeatlesFan]

The only interesting slam is the AO now.

I never thought I'd live to see the day where I agree with this, but I do. The AO is the best slam by far nowadays. Best run, fairest surface and everything else. They deserve a ton of credit for turning the least prestigious slam into the best.

 

[BeatlesFan]

The court is the same speed for all players, it's time for the GOAT to adapt. It's Wimbledon, time to put the big boy pants on.

This is a good way of looking at it. Fed really needs to step up now, you're right. I'm thinking Rafa being two behind him now will make him make him play more nervously (and therefore, worse), than freeing him up like AO 2017.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Ok, sorry about that. Autocorrect is so annoying. Anyway, nice to see input from someone who's at least watched Matteo play. I've seen a few highlights and maybe a game or two otherwise but I'm still wondering what was it that pushed him straight into the top 20. Seems like a very solid player, judging from some of these stats.

From what I see is a guy figuring out what shots to hit at the right time while also figuring out his serve. All came together at once, but it could be a flash in the pan. I would have to see more (kind of like Ugo), is he good or are they just finding the right draws/momentum at the right time.

Both are natural tennis players though.

 

[Lleytonstation]

This is a good way of looking at it. Fed really needs to step up now, you're right. I'm thinking Rafa being two behind him now will make him make him play more nervously (and therefore, worse), than freeing him up like AO 2017.

I agree with both of you. But he has adapted through many things and finds a way to get it done, but I can only say that up till the SF. Beating Rafa? That won't feel as good as AO17, but it will be just as good in my opinion (Rafa is still playing at that level, Fed is not).

 

[Ann]

I agree with both of you. But he has adapted through many things and finds a way to get it done, but I can only say that up till the SF. Beating Rafa? That won't feel as good as AO17, but it will be just as good in my opinion (Rafa is still playing at that level, Fed is not).

Rafa is not "Rafa" anymore either. I've only seen parts of two of his matches at W and all of the Kyrgios match but I can say with certainty, real Rafa would at minimum breadstick this Rafa.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Agreed.

Also, it's becoming a habit of Roger's to win a set with ease and then fall asleep in the next set. His consistency is absolute rubbish. As soon as he gets a shellacking he steps up his game. I don't know what's going on with him, his intensity just has not been there. He's healthy, I know he still has it, it's frustrating to watch.

Maybe related or not related, where the hell is Mirka?

I think he knows he can't sustain high level on tourney, and is only playing to the level he knows he has to in order to get by. I think you will see his level rise tomorrow knowing he has Berretenni the next round. Plus he feels at home at center court and probably is still frustrated at the speed.

 

[Ann]

I agree with both of you. But he has adapted through many things and finds a way to get it done, but I can only say that up till the SF. Beating Rafa? That won't feel as good as AO17, but it will be just as good in my opinion (Rafa is still playing at that level, Fed is not).

You know you may have hit on something here... Roger may not be disengaging from the match as much as using the unseeded players to test out what is and isn't going to work. This is actually a good thing, practicing during an actual match is the height of arrogance.. Roger's at his best when he's cocky.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Rafa is not "Rafa" anymore either. I've only seen parts of two of his matches at W and all of the Kyrgios match but I can say with certainty, real Rafa would at minimum breadstick this Rafa.

But by the SF, he will be loving these courts and pushing like there is no tomorrow. He scares me more than Djoker cause Djoker could mentally go bonkers at anytime.

 

[Ann]

But by the SF, he will be loving these courts and pushing like there is no tomorrow. He scares me more than Djoker cause Djoker could mentally go bonkers at anytime.

Good point.

Djoker is an enigma and his own worst enemy.

 

[Lleytonstation]

You know you may have hit on something here... Roger may not be disengaging from the match as much as using the unseeded players to test out what is and isn't going to work. This is actually a good thing, practicing during an actual match is the height of arrogance.. Roger's at his best when he's cocky.

Let's all hope so, but let's also hope that he has figured it out by now because tomorrow could be tough (think he gets it in 3 or 4 though).

 

[BeatlesFan]

Agreed.

Also, it's becoming a habit of Roger's to win a set with ease and then fall asleep in the next set. His consistency is absolute rubbish. As soon as he gets a shellacking he steps up his game. I don't know what's going on with him, his intensity just has not been there. He's healthy, I know he still has it, it's frustrating to watch.

Maybe related or not related, where the hell is Mirka?

She has been at his two Wimbledon matches, they've rented the same house they've rented in Wimbledon Village for many years. It has been odd she's not been around as much during clay. Unprecedented, in fact.

 

[Lleytonstation]

She has been at his two Wimbledon matches, they've rented the same house they've rented in Wimbledon Village for many years. It has been odd she's not been around as much during clay. Unprecedented, in fact.

Think we are reading way too much into it. She is a busy woman and has 4 children.

Maybe it's getting old for her too. I mean, she probably thought they would be done with this a long time ago. Now she sees Rafa catching Fed and knows he is about to re-up again.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Think we are reading way too much into it. She is a busy woman and has 4 children.

Maybe it's getting old for her too. I mean, she probably thought they would be done with this a long time ago. Now she sees Rafa catching Fed and knows he is about to re-up again.

Haha.

Bolded made me chuckle.

"Gottverdammt. That SOB will not quit. Hon, see you in a few months. Jeeves, prepare the bachelor pad for my return."

 

[Tennis_Hands]

..

 

[Lleytonstation]

They are desperately trying to get that Djokovic-Nadal matchup while maintaining the Majors race. The question is, if Nadal gets to 21 what then? Do they start putting lightning fast courts? I don't think so, which should mean that they have supported one or two (Djokovic) players in that race with no clear perspective what happens next. They have essentially crippled several generations of players while doing that, and those players won't magically recover to start winning.

Sad thing is, someone will have to win...

 

[Tennis_Hands]

..

 

[TheMaestro1990]

Raz Ols Intro - 4 Versions ● Your favorite?!

 

[Breakpointerer]

Raz Ols Intro - 4 Versions ● Your favorite?!

First one for me

 

[zagor]

Pouille first and then if Berrettini beats Schwartzman I'll worry about Berrettini.

The court is the same speed for all players, it's time for the GOAT to adapt. It's Wimbledon, time to put the big boy pants on.

It's a very, very sad state of affairs when aggressive players need to "adapt" to slow conditions at Wimbledon of all places.

We've arrived at a point where tennis as a sport has become such a joke, it's no better than WWE.

Wimbledon kept all their superficial traditions but they messed up the DNA of grasscourt tennis.

 

[Third Serve]

Raz Ols Intro - 4 Versions ● Your favorite?!

Second one, I guess.

 

[FatFedererFanTurnsSlim]

I’m pretty confident in feds chances in case of a semi with Rafa. Yesterday nick was able to serve his way to a 4 set loss. Rafa was not returning well at all, particularly the fourth set. Positioning just wasn’t working. I think roger can also abuse that, and also actually be able to fight once the rally has started.

Perfect observation. Rapha was guessing wildly & letting Kyrgistan hit aces at will. I'm sure Old Man would have tattooed that in his brain.

 

[FatFedererFanTurnsSlim]

Raz Ols Intro - 4 Versions ● Your favorite?!

1 hands down. Greatest swagger moment ever.

 

[BeatlesFan]

They are desperately trying to get that Djokovic-Nadal matchup while maintaining the Majors race. The question is, if Nadal gets to 21 what then? Do they start putting lightning fast courts? I don't think so, which should mean that they have supported one or two (Djokovic) players in that race with no clear perspective what happens next. They have essentially crippled several generations of players while doing that, and those players won't magically recover to start winning.

You have absolutely convinced me of this theory. It’s all about generating media interest and tightening the slam race. It took me 2 years to finally cave and accept two things being done in tandem and done deliberately: draws are rigged and courts have been slowed.

And by the time Nadal gets 19 or 20, Fed’s too old to respond, even if they make the AO in 2021 slick as glass.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

You have absolutely convinced me of this theory. It’s all about generating media interest and tightening the slam race. It took me 2 years to finally cave and accept two things being done in tandem and done deliberately: draws are rigged and courts have been slowed.

And by the time Nadal gets 19 or 20, Fed’s too old to respond, even if they make the AO in 2021 slick as glass.

The fact that it is only dawning on you now, and/or that you refused to acknowledge the obvious orchestration for all this time says something about your tennis fandom.

 

[BeatlesFan]

The fact that it is only dawning on you now, and/or that you refused to acknowledge the obvious orchestration for all this time says something about your tennis fandom.

Been a tennis fan since the age of 5, just am not the conspiracy theorist type. I eschew all that nonsense, but in this case, I can't. Not sure why you would gratuitously question a Fed fan about this with such snark.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Been a tennis fan since the age of 5, just am not the conspiracy theorist type. I eschew all that nonsense, but in this case, I can't. Not sure why you would gratuitously question a Fed fan about this with such snark.

Call 'em like I see 'em.

No one's exempt.

And it's irritating that so many people beat the drum for whomever in the face of obvious and blatant corruption.

 

[Lleytonstation]

It is FBPD part of the draw, time to buckle up Fed fans.

 

[Lleytonstation]

I really wonder how Fed will play these next two matches knowing he has a very in form rafa waiting for him.

 

[Ann]

I really wonder how Fed will play these next two matches knowing he has a very in form rafa waiting for him.

Rafa does NOT look that amazing this tournament. Look who he's played against.

If Old Fed can't handle the possibility of facing Old Rafa then it IS time for him to retire.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Rafa does NOT look that amazing this tournament. Look who he's played against.

If Old Fed can't handle the possibility of facing Old Rafa then it IS time for him to retire.

Maybe, but slow courts help tremendously. Plus Rafa is 5 years younger.

 

[Ann]

Maybe, but slow courts help tremendously. Plus Rafa is 5 years younger.

Yes he is but he's playing on 40 year old knees and he's a hypochondriac.

I'm not saying Rafa is still not great, he is, I was just saying that he's not playing FABULOUS and if at this stage in both their careers if he's intimidating Roger - time to hang up the jock strap.

 

[Lleytonstation]

@Ann

Hope your two sets theory is not correct.

 

[Breakpointerer]

So, what did you guys make of it?

 

[BeatlesFan]

So, what did you guys make of it?

I wasn't impressed with Fed's level against Pouille. Way too many UE's on the BH side. He's obviously trying to return almost exclusively with the topspin BH, but is not timing the ball well off that wing. However, his movement looked sharp and his net game looked similarly good. I think he takes out Berrettini. Diego was one point away from beating him, Fed will do a lot better than Schwartzman.

What did everyone else think?

 

[Breakpointerer]

I wasn't impressed with Fed's level against Pouille. Way too many UE's on the BH side. He's obviously trying to return almost exclusively with the topspin BH, but is not timing the ball well off that wing. However, his movement looked sharp and his net game looked similarly good. I think he takes out Berrettini. Diego was one point away from beating him, Fed will do a lot better than Schwartzman.

What did everyone else think?

Agreed, BH needs fixing. I think he's picking up his level though.

 

[Plamen1234]

History maker

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1147564123380748288

 

[BeatlesFan]

Rafa does NOT look that amazing this tournament.

Rafa's serve is looking amazing. He hasn't served with this velocity since the 2010 USO. He's hitting his first serves at 121+, which is 8 MPH higher than this year's AO. Fed has always struggled against even the weak Nadal serve of 2004-2009. And Fed's return has looked atrocious all tournament.

 

[Ann]

Rafa's serve is looking amazing. He hasn't served with this velocity since the 2010 USO. He's hitting his first serves at 121+, which is 8 MPH higher than this year's AO. Fed has always struggled against even the weak Nadal serve of 2004-2009. And Fed's return has looked atrocious all tournament.

Ok? I disagree no matter how many of you say it. Sorry.

 

[Ann]

Agreed.

Also, it's becoming a habit of Roger's to win a set with ease and then fall asleep in the next set. His consistency is absolute rubbish. As soon as he gets a shellacking he steps up his game. I don't know what's going on with him, his intensity just has not been there. He's healthy, I know he still has it, it's frustrating to watch.

Maybe related or not related, where the hell is Mirka?

As I said yesterday. This is typical tennis for Roger this tournament.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

He won. He was very impressive.

 

[TheIntrovert]

I was pretty content with that performance. Topspin backhand was horrific for most of the match. But on the other hand, the forehand was on fire. Serve was average. 70% first serve with a 76% win rate. But he really needs to get the backhand firing now.

 

[Ann]

@Ann

Hope your two sets theory is not correct.

It was more like an observation.. and it held true again.

 

[EasyGoing]

Rafa's serve is looking amazing. He hasn't served with this velocity since the 2010 USO. He's hitting his first serves at 121+, which is 8 MPH higher than this year's AO. Fed has always struggled against even the weak Nadal serve of 2004-2009. And Fed's return has looked atrocious all tournament.

A bit harsh. Fed has 14 breaks in 10 sets, and he lost one of those + won both TB sets. It's not atrocious, it's just far from his peak days. He doesn't even try to break more than once per set these days.

For me, the positive thing is he is trying to get that BH return working cause he'll need it. FH is solid, serve could be better or.maybe that is just the surface. Although I saw Querrey serving really well today. Berettini had a very good 80% won 1st serve against Schwartzmann who is no slouch on return. There is room for improvement there, and he can still play himself into top form.

Next match is a good test for his mental game, as he'll need to hold serve really well. If he passes that one in 4 or less, he is in good shape. I am not really worrying about Rafa - he always looks good until he plays a good opponent. While it won't be an easy task, unlike on clay it's still on Rog's racket.

 

[Winners or Errors]

Given that 350 wins number, I wonder if any TT stat guy has calculated the points Federer has won at Grand Slam tournaments during his career, compared to Nadal and Djokovic. I'd expect Fed to have a large lead in points accumulated at GS tournaments, considering how consistently he went deep in tournaments, but I could be wrong.

 

[Third Serve]

Didn't think Fed played too bad. It felt more like he was playing at the minimum required level. His BH is a real problem and I hope he fixes it soon, but other than that I'm guessing he'll raise his level as we move on. Could be wrong tho.