@acintya He's said he will play Cincy prior to the USO and skip Montreal.which tournament will Fed play next?
Well said! I admit that I mourned for a bit after the loss, but the more rational part of me knows that you are absolutely rightI remember back in April and into May how no one here wanted Fred to play the French Open or clay season at all because he'd get injured. Fred not only played the FO and not only did he not get injured he made it to the semi-finals.
There were many then, who thought that while clay was a success he blew his chances at Wimbledon because he wouldn't have time to adjust to grass and because of clay - who knew how tired he was. Every match at Halle people complained that he looked like **** that he might not even win Halle and would tank at Wimbledon.
The GOAT did win Halle, improving with every match. Then at Wimbledon, everyone said they'd be ecstatic if he made it to the QF. He made it easily and won. Then everyone thought he'd get crushed by Nadal, instead he crushed Nadal.
THEN everyone said everything after that was gravy. They just hoped he didn't get destroyed in the final by Djoker. Instead he played 5 hours and lost - just - barely.
WHAT THE HELL, PEOPLE!
The man has exceeded all expectations every step of the way. He's looked amazing. His health is perfect. His game if phenomenal and by the time Cincy is finished he could be #2 in the world.
COME ON! I feel like celebrating this season. I'm so thrilled with everything Fred has done. This season has already turned out to be so much more than I ever dreamed of.
Just some Belgian dude who posted it on his social media, a chance encounter. He said Roger, Mirka and the twins were laughing and eating Raclette.Who are these random people in the photos? Any idea? Was wondering the same about that one in the Alps.
He could have lost to Roddick in 09, don't forget. You win some, you lose some.It still hurts a lot. I've never experienced something like this. I'm on vacation with my family in a beautiful place, but I'm not enjoying myself. I don't know what to do.
That break point at 11-11 has gone super under the radar btw. That shot haunts me too. He had a free look at a forehand with Novak up at the net (his least comfortable position). And he just kinda rolled it in cross-court, making it super easy for Novak to cut off. He should've hit it way harder and probably should've gone right at him up the middle too. Make Novak prove he can fight off a volley to the body.Yeah. I actually still felt quite confident at 40-40. When he lost the game, I expected a capitulation. Was surprised he held his next 3 service games and he even had break points at 11-11.
Fwiw I didn't want him playing clay, not because I thought he'd get injured, but because the risk of injury wasn't worth the potential reward (he was never going to win RG).I remember back in April and into May how no one here wanted Fred to play the French Open or clay season at all because he'd get injured. Fred not only played the FO and not only did he not get injured he made it to the semi-finals.
There were many then, who thought that while clay was a success he blew his chances at Wimbledon because he wouldn't have time to adjust to grass and because of clay - who knew how tired he was. Every match at Halle people complained that he looked like **** that he might not even win Halle and would tank at Wimbledon.
The GOAT did win Halle, improving with every match. Then at Wimbledon, everyone said they'd be ecstatic if he made it to the QF. He made it easily and won. Then everyone thought he'd get crushed by Nadal, instead he crushed Nadal.
THEN everyone said everything after that was gravy. They just hoped he didn't get destroyed in the final by Djoker. Instead he played 5 hours and lost - just - barely.
WHAT THE HELL, PEOPLE!
The man has exceeded all expectations every step of the way. He's looked amazing. His health is perfect. His game if phenomenal and by the time Cincy is finished he could be #2 in the world.
COME ON! I feel like celebrating this season. I'm so thrilled with everything Fred has done. This season has already turned out to be so much more than I ever dreamed of.
This.I remember back in April and into May how no one here wanted Fred to play the French Open or clay season at all because he'd get injured. Fred not only played the FO and not only did he not get injured he made it to the semi-finals.
There were many then, who thought that while clay was a success he blew his chances at Wimbledon because he wouldn't have time to adjust to grass and because of clay - who knew how tired he was. Every match at Halle people complained that he looked like **** that he might not even win Halle and would tank at Wimbledon.
The GOAT did win Halle, improving with every match. Then at Wimbledon, everyone said they'd be ecstatic if he made it to the QF. He made it easily and won. Then everyone thought he'd get crushed by Nadal, instead he crushed Nadal.
THEN everyone said everything after that was gravy. They just hoped he didn't get destroyed in the final by Djoker. Instead he played 5 hours and lost - just - barely.
WHAT THE HELL, PEOPLE!
The man has exceeded all expectations every step of the way. He's looked amazing. His health is perfect. His game if phenomenal and by the time Cincy is finished he could be #2 in the world.
COME ON! I feel like celebrating this season. I'm so thrilled with everything Fred has done. This season has already turned out to be so much more than I ever dreamed of.
This whole post.I remember back in April and into May how no one here wanted Fred to play the French Open or clay season at all because he'd get injured. Fred not only played the FO and not only did he not get injured he made it to the semi-finals.
There were many then, who thought that while clay was a success he blew his chances at Wimbledon because he wouldn't have time to adjust to grass and because of clay - who knew how tired he was. Every match at Halle people complained that he looked like **** that he might not even win Halle and would tank at Wimbledon.
The GOAT did win Halle, improving with every match. Then at Wimbledon, everyone said they'd be ecstatic if he made it to the QF. He made it easily and won. Then everyone thought he'd get crushed by Nadal, instead he crushed Nadal.
THEN everyone said everything after that was gravy. They just hoped he didn't get destroyed in the final by Djoker. Instead he played 5 hours and lost - just - barely.
WHAT THE HELL, PEOPLE!
The man has exceeded all expectations every step of the way. He's looked amazing. His health is perfect. His game if phenomenal and by the time Cincy is finished he could be #2 in the world.
COME ON! I feel like celebrating this season. I'm so thrilled with everything Fred has done. This season has already turned out to be so much more than I ever dreamed of.
thanksCincy.
Agree with your post but Fed is more than 5 years past his prime.This whole post.
Fed getting to the final, even though he lost, was a moral victory over every other player on tour who couldn't get close - and beating Nadal was just epic, throwing tons of doubt on the whole H2H arguments. If two guys who - admittedly - are near the end of their prime can't beat or can only just beat a guy who is 5 years past his prime after saving match points then it's all good imo. Fed just showed that he's got plenty left in the tank on the right day and he'll take a lot of heart from this himself.
Have gone through a 6 day detox of basically the entire internet. I still haven't gotten over it. I didn't feel this sad even after AO 09. I thought I was over "feeling" sad about sports but turns out I'm not. Still hurts.
I remember back in April and into May how no one here wanted Fred to play the French Open or clay season at all because he'd get injured. Fred not only played the FO and not only did he not get injured he made it to the semi-finals.
There were many then, who thought that while clay was a success he blew his chances at Wimbledon because he wouldn't have time to adjust to grass and because of clay - who knew how tired he was. Every match at Halle people complained that he looked like **** that he might not even win Halle and would tank at Wimbledon.
The GOAT did win Halle, improving with every match. Then at Wimbledon, everyone said they'd be ecstatic if he made it to the QF. He made it easily and won. Then everyone thought he'd get crushed by Nadal, instead he crushed Nadal.
THEN everyone said everything after that was gravy. They just hoped he didn't get destroyed in the final by Djoker. Instead he played 5 hours and lost - just - barely.
WHAT THE HELL, PEOPLE!
The man has exceeded all expectations every step of the way. He's looked amazing. His health is perfect. His game if phenomenal and by the time Cincy is finished he could be #2 in the world.
COME ON! I feel like celebrating this season. I'm so thrilled with everything Fred has done. This season has already turned out to be so much more than I ever dreamed of.
Maybe that's because you knew at the time that Fed had many years ahead to avenge that loss and win more slams
The first part I couldn't agree with more.Couldn’t agree with you more. Well said!
When people say Fed doesn’t have anything to prove, surely they mean HE DOESNT HAVE ANYTHING TO PROVE? Then why would that game be the ‘most important game’ of his career? Why would this match hurt his legacy? The answer is no it wouldn’t.
People, please move on and please don’t engage in those meaningless GOAT debates anymore. I feel it’s a bit embarrassing some Fed fans are now saying slam count is not the only measure for GOAT. You might never believe so in the past but saying it now only makes all Fed fans look super salty
Roger was 29 years old in that 2011 FO semi, not 38. There's such a huge difference between those two ages. His mental block against Djokovic is as big as the block was against Nadal for all those years. The difference is, he's too old to solve this issue. I said 2 years ago he'd never beat Djokovic again and this may turn out to be so. He should have won the Paris semi last year, but choked in the third set TB-er.The problem with Fed in his 30s vs Novak was also that he failed to have the same mental approach as in the 2011 RG SF.
He's lost a lot of matches holding MPs in the last 2 years or so but I fervently hoped it wouldn't happen in a GS final... Oh well.My husband said to me this morning, "how are you feeling? It's the week anniversary of Roger blowing it." I said, "no, tomorrow is the week anniversary, thanks for reminding me," then I started feeling sad again. Five hours of agonizing tension, resulting in a loss. I keep having these horrible thoughts that he'll make the final of the USO, hold Championship Points again against Novak and lose again. If that happens.... GOD!
These tiebreaks have all been downhill since he shanked that set point in the first set of Paris. I don't think he's really come close to winning one since. Seems like he goes down a mini-break early and the hole is too big to dig out of because Novak will offer literally no free points in big spots.Roger was 29 years old in that 2011 FO semi, not 38. There's such a huge difference between those two ages. His mental block against Djokovic is as big as the block was against Nadal for all those years. The difference is, he's too old to solve this issue. I said 2 years ago he'd never beat Djokovic again and this may turn out to be so. He should have won the Paris semi last year, but choked in the third set TB-er.
My favorite Andre quote came during the USO match with Roddick that he guest commentated on:Reflecting on Agassi's remarks about Fed in 2005:
"Roger is the best I've ever played against. There's nowhere to go. Roger makes you play on the edge. You need to play the craziest tennis you've ever played. Pete Sampras was great. I mean, no question. But there was a place to get to with Pete, you knew what you had to do. If you did it, it could be on your terms. There's no such place like that with Roger."
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/2365240/Federer-the-best-ever-says-Agassi.html
To be honest, and I have plenty of time to think about it. I think Fed has always struggled in key moments, but his skill and level of play would figure it out (similar to AO17 final game), but as he ages, he struggles more to overcome these mental struggles.These tiebreaks have all been downhill since he shanked that set point in the first set of Paris. I don't think he's really come close to winning one since. Seems like he goes down a mini-break early and the hole is too big to dig out of because Novak will offer literally no free points in big spots.
It's just frustrating to me because over the course of a long match, he should be plenty confident. If he's playing well enough to keep reaching tiebreakers and not get broken by the greatest returner ever, he should be feeling good about his game and ready to ball out.To be honest, and I have plenty of time to think about it. I think Fed has always struggled in key moments, but his skill and level of play would figure it out (similar to AO17 final game), but as he ages, he struggles more to overcome these mental struggles.
Lost a SF on his worst surface to the grass GOAT. Didn't really choke or blow an opportunity, just got outplayed. Nothing wrong with that. And he's closer to the slam record than ever before.Nadal News is so positive.
Yeah, was thinking the sameNadal News is so positive.
Things should be positive in Rafa-land right now.
Well, to be fair, this is the worst moment in fed's almost 20 year career. I think it is fair to say it's tough for everyone in here.Yeah, was thinking the same
Yeah I mean I totally get why people are taking the loss brutally.Well, to be fair, this is the worst moment in fed's almost 20 year career. I think it is fair to say it's tough for everyone in here.
I think most people in here (including me) would have been totally okay and saw this WC as a positive had he lost in the 5th and never broke back. But things are different when you get so close.
Good news, Fed still is showing he can get those opportunities at this point in his career. So I am just going to move on and hope he can find some old USO Fed days.
Yep, yep, yep. Only way to continue watching and coming here is by basically forgetting that match. I mean I see this WC as he beat rafa at 38 in a slam SF and lost to a dominant Djoker in the finals.Yeah I mean I totally get why people are taking the loss brutally.
I've just decided to take the positives out of it and put it in the past.
Still being upset about that match is not healthy level of fandom at all. So what if he lost? How would your day to day life have been different had he won? I was upset over it for a few hours, but the next day was totally over it. Life goes on. He missed another slam. Oh well. He has 20 others to keep himself happy. Why would I let my own mood and life be affected because someone I don’t know didn’t hit an ace.
Happiest moment of the tennis season for me, that semi.Why bother watching Fed matches at all if it's immaterial if he wins or loses? I agree with much of what you're saying, but wouldn't question the fandom of others or think it's unhealthy that some take the loss so hard. Let's face it, it was the worst lost ever for a Fed fan to digest. Holding Championship points in a Wimbledon final (on his serve) and losing it is brutal. And if some people are taking it harder than others, that's OK. I'm happy for this moment and try to focus on that instead of the final outcome.
Me too!!! By far!! Dubai final would be next, then Miami final, then beating Coric on the clay.Happiest moment of the tennis season for me, that semi.
It does matter. But it doesn’t matter to the point I will let myself be bogged down by it after a week. That in my eyes, it just not a healthy level of fandom.Why bother watching Fed matches at all if it's immaterial if he wins or loses? I agree with much of what you're saying, but wouldn't question the fandom of others or think it's unhealthy that some take the loss so hard. Let's face it, it was the worst lost ever for a Fed fan to digest. Holding Championship points in a Wimbledon final (on his serve) and losing it is brutal. And if some people are taking it harder than others, that's OK. I'm happy for this moment and try to focus on that instead of the final outcome.
Yeah me too, although I have Miami above Dubai just bc he hadn't won a big title for a long time. Then again, Dubai was the 100th title, so it was pretty special.Me too!!! By far!! Dubai final would be next, then Miami final, then beating Coric on the clay.
True, but for me it took a lot longer than a few hours as you said. My life was fine, but I also chose not to talk, think, or post about tennis for a week. Nothing wrong with getting emotional about a hobby.It does matter. But it doesn’t matter to the point I will let myself be bogged down by it after a week. That in my eyes, it just not a healthy level of fandom.
And that’s a perfect way of looking at it. Focus on the positives instead of letting yourself get down by the negatives. All I’m saying is that in my opinion, there’s a limit to how much you want to let a tennis match result affect your life. After a while you’ve gotta accept what happened and like you said, focus on the bright side.
This. It's precisely why I regard AO17 final as the greatest experience I have ever had as a fan of sport.Not just the result, but the whole journey of thinking he was done in 2016 to watching him lift the trophy.Without emotion it is less fun. I have said this before, it is the emotion that grabs me to fandom, not the actual wins. Wins are the goal, but the ride is the fun part.
I hope I can get to the point where I can enjoy re-living that match. It's still kinda hard for me to enjoy watching highlights of his 2015 SF masterclass because I can't help but think of the final.Why bother watching Fed matches at all if it's immaterial if he wins or loses? I agree with much of what you're saying, but wouldn't question the fandom of others or think it's unhealthy that some take the loss so hard. Let's face it, it was the worst lost ever for a Fed fan to digest. Holding Championship points in a Wimbledon final (on his serve) and losing it is brutal. And if some people are taking it harder than others, that's OK. I'm happy for this moment and try to focus on that instead of the final outcome.
It hasn't even been a week...Still being upset about that match is not healthy level of fandom at all. So what if he lost? How would your day to day life have been different had he won? I was upset over it for a few hours, but the next day was totally over it. Life goes on. He missed another slam. Oh well. He has 20 others to keep himself happy. Why would I let my own mood and life be affected because someone I don’t know didn’t hit an ace.
Now this is true. I love watching his great matches over again, but these two are attached, so it will be a while till I can. I could be wrong, but I feel like if I rewatch it, I will see that Fed truly dominated Rafa. I could be wrong though.I hope I can get to the point where I can enjoy re-living that match. It's still kinda hard for me to enjoy watching highlights of his 2015 SF masterclass because I can't help but think of the final.
Well there goes my whole viewpoint ....It hasn't even been a week...
Because your viewpoint doesn't even make sense. This was Wimbledon; the Holy Grail of tennis. It's the biggest event, and our favorite player's best event. At possibly his last chance to win it, we saw it get ripped away in the most painful way possible. How could we not still be upset about it? If he'd won would we not be allowed to still be happy about it 6 days later either?Well there goes my whole viewpoint ....
My favorite Andre quote came during the USO match with Roddick that he guest commentated on:
"When a champion has two things they can count on out there as best in the world, they're a dominant champion. I think Roger has closer to 5."