Federer News

[MeatTornado]

I'm fine with it. I don't want him playing just for points.

He took a chance last year at one last RG and did pretty well. But Rafa showed him just how far he actually is from that title in 2019. And if he's not going to win the tourny, no point in grinding out Masters matches to be in shape for it. Take the rest.

 

[oldmanfan]

I'm fine with it. I don't want him playing just for points.

He took a chance last year at one last RG and did pretty well. But Rafa showed him just how far he actually is from that title in 2019. And if he's not going to win the tourny, no point in grinding out Masters matches to be in shape for it. Take the rest.

I think he should play RG. If anything, it would be good match practice so that he doesn't enter grass completely cold.

I disagree with you that he was far from the RG19 title. Thiem was beatable from the other half, and he might just choke on top of that. Fedr lost to the freakin sandstorm bc he entered that SF in the best form out of Fedr/Nadl/Djokr/Thiem. Fedr lost in straights while playing at like 50% of what he did against Stan in the QF, and still managed to break Nadl's serve a couple times. Bc of the sandstorm during the SF, he said he was just trying keep the ball in court so that he doesn't look like a fool out there. He may still lose to Nadl in normal condidions in that SF, but I think Fedr wins AT LEAST 1 set. Though I'd pick Fedr to win in 4.

 

[MeatTornado]

I think he should play RG. If anything, it would be good match practice so that he doesn't enter grass completely cold.

I disagree with you that he was far from the RG19 title. Thiem was beatable from the other half, and he might just choke on top of that. Fedr lost to the freakin sandstorm bc he entered that SF in the best form out of Fedr/Nadl/Djokr/Thiem. Fedr lost in straights while playing at like 50% of what he did against Stan in the QF, and still managed to break Nadl's serve a couple times. Bc of the sandstorm during the SF, he said he was just trying keep the ball in court so that he doesn't look like a fool out there. He may still lose to Nadl in normal condidions in that SF, but I think Fedr wins AT LEAST 1 set. Though I'd pick Fedr to win in 4.

From my POV best case scenario was Fed losing in 4 instead of 3 without the wind.

We saw him deploy the same tactics that worked so well on hard and grass. But they simply aren't enough to hit through Rafa on clay. All the big backhands that would be winners anywhere else sat up that extra half second which allowed Rafa to redirect his FH up the line for a winner instead.

 

[oldmanfan]

wow...

 

[oldmanfan]

From my POV best case scenario was Fed losing in 4 instead of 3 without the wind.

We saw him deploy the same tactics that worked so well on hard and grass. But they simply aren't enough to hit through Rafa on clay. All the big backhands that would be winners anywhere else sat up that extra half second which allowed Rafa to redirect his FH up the line for a winner instead.

Huh? Fedr was never allowed to test this. The sandstorm turned Fedr from a top4 player into a club level player. He simply wasn't allowed to play his brand of tennis at all in that match.

 

[MeatTornado]

Huh? Fedr was never allowed to test this. The sandstorm turned Fedr from a top4 player into a club level player. He simply wasn't allowed to play his brand of tennis at all in that match.

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

 

[oldmanfan]

delete

 

[oldmanfan]

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

Lol, sure. You make it sound like Fedr has never beaten Nadl on clay. Sure, he has not beaten him at RG, but it's not like he isn't competitive, even when Nadl owned him pre AO17 (see RG11). Fedr has more confidence going into RG19 compared to before.

I'm surprised you even used that match as any kind of barometer of what post AO17 Fedr can do against RG19 Nadl. Nadl was nowhere near his peak clay form in that tourney. If Thiem wasn't screwed by the scheduling, he'd have beaten Nadl in 4, at worse, in that finals. Nadl dodged a big one there.

 

[MeatTornado]

Lol, sure. You make it sound like Fedr has never beaten Nadl on clay. Sure, he has not beaten him at RG, but it's not like he isn't competitive, even when Nadl owned him pre AO17 (see RG11). Fedr has more confidence going into RG19 compared to before.

I'm surprised you even used that match as any kind of barometer of what post AO17 Fedr can do against RG19 Nadl. Nadl was nowhere near his peak clay form in that tourney. If Thiem wasn't screwed by the scheduling, he'd have beaten Nadl in 4, at worse, in that finals. Nadl dodged a big one there.

So under normal conditions you legit think that Roger & Thiem would've both beaten Nadal in 4.

You're free to believe whatever you want but I could not disagree more.

 

[Steve0904]

Lol, sure. You make it sound like Fedr has never beaten Nadl on clay. Sure, he has not beaten him at RG, but it's not like he isn't competitive, even when Nadl owned him pre AO17 (see RG11). Fedr has more confidence going into RG19 compared to before.

I'm surprised you even used that match as any kind of barometer of what post AO17 Fedr can do against RG19 Nadl. Nadl was nowhere near his peak clay form in that tourney. If Thiem wasn't screwed by the scheduling, he'd have beaten Nadl in 4, at worse, in that finals. Nadl dodged a big one there.

Say what you like, Federer isn't beating Nadal at RG ever. He never did in years gone by, he wasn't doing it in 2019 no matter the conditions and he's certainly not doing it in future. No offence, but seriously, if you think otherwise you haven't been paying attention the last 15 years. And Thiem isn't doing it either until he strings more than 2 great sets together (and btw proceeds to get double breadsticked in sets 3 and 4).

Only Djokovic has any chance at all of an actual win, and even he needs more than a few good breaks.

 

[oldmanfan]

So under normal conditions you legit think that Roger & Thiem would've both beaten Nadal in 4.

You're free to believe whatever you want but I could not disagree more.

I can agree to disagree here.

It just seems to me that you have forgotten what Nadl's clay season was looking like for most of his clay2019. That was probably one of Nadl's worse, if not the worst, clay-season-form of his career after winning RG2005. Nadl was being beaten left and right before winning Rome19 over a dead-tired Djokr who was actually looking to come back after taking set2, but Djokr then completely ran out of gas in set3 (Nadl had the much easier road to the finals than Djokr). At one point, I almost couldn't believe how bad Nadl was on his beloved clay before he found a little bit of form before Rome finals. His form didn't improve much going into RG19 SF. And that's why I think Fedr/Thiem would have had a good chance to win in 4 in normal conditions. There was nothing that could been done about the SF's sandstorm, but RG screwed Thiem big time bc Djokr should've been DQ'd for leaving the court/grounds without permission (they tried to cover it, but it should've been a direct DQ on the spot if they had any balls). That robbed Thiem of the day of rest between SF/F, AND Thiem had to play two more sets on what should've been his 'rest' day.

Oh well, I'm looking forward to the Oldman on clay at RG20.

 

[oldmanfan]

Say what you like, Federer isn't beating Nadal at RG ever. He never did in years gone by, he wasn't doing it in 2019 no matter the conditions and he's certainly not doing it in future. No offence, but seriously, if you think otherwise you haven't been paying attention the last 15 years. And Thiem isn't doing it either until he strings more than 2 great sets together (and btw proceeds to get double breadsticked in sets 3 and 4).

Only Djokovic has any chance at all of an actual win, and even he needs more than a few good breaks.

So past history guarantees future results? I mean, Nadl has beaten Fedr every 2.xx of every 3 matches played when Fedr was much younger, faster, and stronger. It was looking to get even worse as Fedr approaches 35+. Yet, did you think Fedr was gonna beat Nadl 6 of their last 7 matches?

Read my post above.

 

[MeatTornado]

I can agree to disagree here.

It just seems to me that you have forgotten what Nadl's clay season was looking like for most of his clay2019. That was probably one of Nadl's worse, if not the worst, clay-season-form of his career after winning RG2005. Nadl was being beaten left and right before winning Rome19 over a dead-tired Djokr who was actually looking to come back after taking set2, but Djokr then completely ran out of gas in set3 (Nadl had the much easier road to the finals than Djokr). At one point, I almost couldn't believe how bad Nadl was on his beloved clay before he found a little bit of form before Rome finals. His form didn't improve much going into RG19 SF. And that's why I think Fedr/Thiem would have had a good chance to win in 4 in normal conditions. There was nothing that could been done about the SF's sandstorm, but RG screwed Thiem big time bc Djokr should've been DQ'd for leaving the court/grounds without permission (they tried to cover it, but it should've been a direct DQ on the spot if they had any balls). That robbed Thiem of the day of rest between SF/F, AND Thiem had to play two more sets on what should've been his 'rest' day.

Oh well, I'm looking forward to the Oldman on clay at RG20.

I watched the majority of Rafa's matches that clay season, I remember well.

I also watched Roger's...

 

[oldmanfan]

I watched the majority of Rafa's matches that clay season, I remember well.

I also watched Roger's...

Fair enough. I guess our recount of clay2019 events are just very different bc I was shocked to think that Nadl might actually leave clay2019 season without a title. Djokr handed him Rome19, so RG19 was certainly in question for Nadl.

 

[Steve0904]

So past history guarantees future results? I mean, Nadl has beaten Fedr every 2.xx of every 3 matches played when Fedr was much younger, faster, and stronger. It was looking to get even worse as Fedr approaches 35+. Yet, did you think Fedr was gonna beat Nadl 6 of their last 7 matches?

Read my post above.

I read your post. I'm just tired of people trying to convince themselves that Nadal is somehow vulnerable on clay just because he loses the odd match at MC/Madrid/Rome. None of those are BO5 and none of those are the exact same conditions as RG. All I'm saying is that if Nadal shows up to RG 2020 in 2019 form (let's give that a B- for Nadal's standards) he's winning it again unless Djoker produces the absolutely spectacular and gets a little help on top of that (maybe a roof closure, lol).

We know Fed can beat him on grass and HC, but grass and HC are nothing like clay. I watched the match last year like everybody else here and what I saw was that Federer couldn't hit through that court the way he could on grass and HC, and I don't think it had a lot to do with the wind. That sounds like an excuse tbh since Nadal had no trouble doing the same and made Federer look pretty bad. Fed's gamestyle these days (or any time) was never beating Nadal on clay. He's got to be too perfect for too long for it to happen. He can last an hour and a half and then the errors start coming because he's not getting cheap points. It's not past history at this point, the gamestyle that he has to play to be successful and actually win that match just doesn't allow it to happen, and he can't do anything about it.

I think that's perfectly fine. I don't need him to beat Nadal on clay anymore. I would've liked it to happen years and years ago sure, but I can't just ignore what I've seen in 2019 and every other year they've played there and say that Federer has legitimate chances to win. The two things just don't follow. It's one thing to say Fed beating Nadal at AO 2017 and beyond was unexpected and totally illogical and it happened anyway, but it's totally another to think 38 year old Federer on his worst surface has a legit chance at beat a 33 year old Nadal on his best surface where he's the closest thing to invincible that anyone has ever seen and will ever see on a tennis court.

 

[oldmanfan]

I read your post. I'm just tired of people trying to convince themselves that Nadal is somehow vulnerable on clay just because he loses the odd match at MC/Madrid/Rome. None of those are BO5 and none of those are the exact same conditions as RG. All I'm saying is that if Nadal shows up to RG 2020 in 2019 form (let's give that a B- for Nadal's standards) he's winning it again unless Djoker produces the absolutely spectacular and gets a little help on top of that (maybe a roof closure, lol).

We know Fed can beat him on grass and HC, but grass and HC are nothing like clay. I watched the match last year like everybody else here and what I saw was that Federer couldn't hit through that court the way he could on grass and HC, and I don't think it had a lot to do with the wind. That sounds like an excuse tbh since Nadal had no trouble doing the same and made Federer look pretty bad. Fed's gamestyle these days (or any time) was never beating Nadal on clay. He's got to be too perfect for too long for it to happen. He can last an hour and a half and then the errors start coming because he's not getting cheap points. It's not past history at this point, the gamestyle that he has to play to be successful and actually win that match just doesn't allow it to happen, and he can't do anything about it.

I think that's perfectly fine. I don't need him to beat Nadal on clay anymore. I would've liked it to happen years and years ago sure, but I can't just ignore what I've seen in 2019 and every other year they've played there and say that Federer has legitimate chances to win. The two things just don't follow. It's one thing to say Fed beating Nadal at AO 2017 and beyond was unexpected and totally illogical and it happened anyway, but it's totally another to think 38 year old Federer on his worst surface has a legit chance at beat a 33 year old Nadal on his best surface where he's the closest thing to invincible that anyone has ever seen and will ever see on a tennis court.

I'd love for Fedal to meet at RG20 SF in similar form as RG 2019. IF Nadl wins that in 3, then I'd be convinced.

Some of you are underselling post RF97-racquet Fedr too short. Fedal has never played at RG since Fedr's racquet change in normal conditions (RG19 SF was a joke!). Fedr's BH has often been more consistent than his FH since AO17, but still less potent. The BH since then has certainly opened more opportunities for his diminished FH and spreading the court more, at least. And the BH pre-racquet-change was the main reason Fedr gets stopped by Nadl before, especially on clay, on top of the fact that Nadl runs like a rabbit pre-30 years old to return everything. pre-30 Nadl also hits harder, was more consistent, AND hits with more depth. All of those edges for Nadl are severely blunted now. Fedr has declined too, but his game overall has declined less than Nadl's. That's why Fedr has been winning the last 6 of 7, which should've been 7 of 8 if Nadl didn't chicken out of IW19 Fedal.

Anyways, I'd be happy, and optimistic, if RG20 Fedal happens.

 

[Steve0904]

I'd love for Fedal to meet at RG20 SF in similar form as RG 2019. IF Nadl wins that in 3, then I'd be convinced.

Some of you are underselling post RF97-racquet Fedr too short. Fedal has never played at RG since Fedr's racquet change in normal conditions (RG19 SF was a joke!). Fedr's BH has often been more consistent than his FH since AO17, but still less potent. The BH since then has certainly opened more opportunities for his diminished FH and spreading the court more, at least. And the BH pre-racquet-change was the main reason Fedr gets stopped by Nadl before, especially on clay, on top of the fact that Nadl runs like a rabbit pre-30 years old to return everything. pre-30 Nadl also hits harder, was more consistent, AND hits with more depth. All of those edges for Nadl are severely blunted now. Fedr has declined too, but his game overall has declined less than Nadl's. That's why Fedr has been winning the last 6 of 7, which should've been 7 of 8 if Nadl didn't chicken out of IW19 Fedal.

Anyways, I'd be happy, and optimistic, if RG20 Fedal happens.

I think you're underselling a 12 time RG champion who has only lost twice at RG, but to each his own. We can agree to disagree.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Swiss media reporting the RF logo has officially reverted back to Fed in all ways, shapes and forms. Speculation is that he will begin wearing the RF logo on his polos and caps at Indian Wells in March.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Swiss media reporting the RF logo has officially reverted back to Fed in all ways, shapes and forms. Speculation is that he will begin wearing the RF logo on his polos and caps at Indian Wells in March.

Can you imagine if his team officially rebrands him as Roger Goaterer?

Have to figure the French would realize their error soon enough.

 

[oldmanfan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1229356315895619585

 

[oldmanfan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1229424106606596096

 

[FatFedererFanTurnsSlim]

I'd love for Fedal to meet at RG20 SF in similar form as RG 2019. IF Nadl wins that in 3, then I'd be convinced.

Some of you are underselling post RF97-racquet Fedr too short. Fedal has never played at RG since Fedr's racquet change in normal conditions (RG19 SF was a joke!). Fedr's BH has often been more consistent than his FH since AO17, but still less potent. The BH since then has certainly opened more opportunities for his diminished FH and spreading the court more, at least. And the BH pre-racquet-change was the main reason Fedr gets stopped by Nadl before, especially on clay, on top of the fact that Nadl runs like a rabbit pre-30 years old to return everything. pre-30 Nadl also hits harder, was more consistent, AND hits with more depth. All of those edges for Nadl are severely blunted now. Fedr has declined too, but his game overall has declined less than Nadl's. That's why Fedr has been winning the last 6 of 7, which should've been 7 of 8 if Nadl didn't chicken out of IW19 Fedal.

Anyways, I'd be happy, and optimistic, if RG20 Fedal happens.

I love your endless confidence & optimism. I don't think Roger will ever beat Rafa in PC, I know Roger will never beat Rafa there but he should never stop trying. Tis better to have played and lost than not played at all!

 

[oldmanfan]

I love your endless confidence & optimism. I don't think Roger will ever beat Rafa in PC, I know Roger will never beat Rafa there but he should never stop trying. Tis better to have played and lost than not played at all!

You're probably right. I just want to see one more Fedal RG match in normal conditions just to see how Fedr does on clay with the new racquet. I'm a bit annoyed by last year bc in recent years, Fedr's best chance was likely RG19. The sandstorm had other ideas .

 

[oldmanfan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1230180830217043968

 

[Breakpointerer]

Fed out till Wimbledon

 

[Breakpointerer]

.

 

[Breakpointerer]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1230438913921232896

 

[Old Gregg]

Farrrrrkkkkk

 

[Hitman]

Massive blow to the tour with Federer out of competition until Wimbledon. The tour just got a little bit darker.

 

[chjtennis]

I can see the end is near. 2021 could be Fed's last year on tour.

 

[Arvind Sridhar]

Wow...That's a big dampener... Was expecting him to come out strong...Will now have a huge drop in rankings I think come Wimbledon....

 

[MeatTornado]

Like I was saying last month, this is why we need to appreciate the little moments like a 5th set TB against Millman or 7 MPs against Sandgren instead of being bogged down by the fact that he didn't take home the trophy. The end is coming and every match needs to be appreciated.

 

[Breakpointerer]

This is gonna be a long 4 or so months before Fed comes back.

 

[Otacon]

Fed will make yet another miraculous comeback : --Halle - Wimbledon - OG-- treble incoming.

 

[oldmanfan]

The next few months are gonna suck .

Get well soon Oldman!

 

[Enceladus]

There was nothing that could been done about the SF's sandstorm, but RG screwed Thiem big time bc Djokr should've been DQ'd for leaving the court/grounds without permission (they tried to cover it, but it should've been a direct DQ on the spot if they had any balls).

Why do you believe fake news that has been refuted? Djoker left the stadium in agreement with the referee. You should not abuse the fan thread of your favorite tennis player to slander his rival!

 

[oldmanfan]

Why do you believe fake news that has been refuted? Djoker left the stadium in agreement with the referee. You should not abuse the fan thread of your favorite tennis player to slander his rival!

You're the one misinformed here. Watch the match again. Djokr just straight up 'left the court' in a fit of annoyance before any decisions were made, which is grounds for DQ. Thiem was left hanging there by himself on court. Any other person outside the Big3 would never get away with it. It was AFTER Djokr left the RG facilities that the director said that they gave him 'permision', which really was a cover up. 'Djokr Leaving the court' and 'Djokr leaving the RG facilities' were two difference incidences in that SF.

 

[Enceladus]

You're the one misinformed here. Watch the match again. Djokr just straight up 'left the court' in a fit of annoyance before any decisions were made, which is grounds for DQ. Thiem was left hanging there by himself on court. Any other person outside the Big3 would never get away with it. It was AFTER Djokr left the RG facilities that the director said that they gave him 'permision', which really was a cover up. 'Djokr Leaving the court' and 'Djokr leaving the RG facilities' were two difference incidences in that SF.

This thread is not a suitable place for our dispute. I'll send you an answer into the conversation.

 

[Forehanderer]

Just saw the ATPtour.com news today It looks like Fed will finish with 20 GS. What a bummer this news was

 

[Third Serve]

Just saw the ATPtour.com news today It looks like Fed will finish with 20 GS. What a bummer this news was

Well, during his six month layoff in 2016, we were all thinking he'd be stuck on 17. You never know.

 

[PeoplesChamp]

Just saw the ATPtour.com news today It looks like Fed will finish with 20 GS. What a bummer this news was

Why? Because he's missing the French Open that he was never going to win anyway. If he doesn't win a 21st, it won't be because of this. It will be because he's nearly 40 years old.

 

[oldmanfan]

This thread is not a suitable place for our dispute. I'll send you an answer into the conversation.

I responded to your PM.

If you still don't see it the way I did, that's ok. We just saw the events in that SF unfold in different ways I guess.

 

[Enceladus]

Djoker's comment on Fed's injury:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1231580639192850435

 

[MeatTornado]

Why? Because he's missing the French Open that he was never going to win anyway. If he doesn't win a 21st, it won't be because of this. It will be because he's nearly 40 years old.

Well his age is obviously the #1 reason. But the problem with this injury is the timing. His best chance is always going to be at Wimbledon and he won't have much time to get back in shape and match tough by the time the tournament starts in June.

Last year at nearly 38 he was in great shape after a decent clay season and then cruising through Halle. He was able to peak at Wimbledon just like it was planned.

 

[PeoplesChamp]

Well his age is obviously the #1 reason. But the problem with this injury is the timing. His best chance is always going to be at Wimbledon and he won't have much time to get back in shape and match tough by the time the tournament starts in June.

Playing clay last year certainly appeared to have him match tough. It's bothersome, but if anyone plays well fairly quickly, it's Fed. There's more than one example of that. I was mostly addressing a post that was overly conclusive for any serious follower of the sport.

 

[PeoplesChamp]

Last year at nearly 38 he was in great shape after a decent clay season and then cruising through Halle. He was able to peak at Wimbledon just like it was planned.

Halle wasn't a piece of cake. The end of the tournament kind of was. Tough matches with Tsonga and RBA mid way through though. It was good to see Fed battle. I enjoyed those matches. No one had any idea that RBA would be making the Wimbledon SF after that. Crazy.

 

[MeatTornado]

Playing clay last year certainly appeared to have him match tough. It's bothersome, but if anyone plays well fairly quickly, it's Fed. There's more than one example of that. I was mostly addressing a post that was overly conclusive for any serious follower of the sport.

And I actually still thought he should have skipped clay last year because I didn't think he needed to be that match tough. Like 17 & 18 I thought Stuttgart/Halle would be enough for him on their own.

So ordinarily I wouldn't be bothered by having little prep heading into a major. But there's a big difference between sitting out and being out with an injury. At least in 17/18 we know he was still practicing a lot and not just sitting on his couch. So he was maybe rusty but definitely well rested. We don't know what kind of shape he'll be in this time.

 

[Breakpointerer]

I was really looking forward to Dubai and Sunshine Double

 

[tudwell]

I can see the end is near. 2021 could be Fed's last year on tour.

Hell, 2019 could be his last year on tour.

 

[BeatlesFan]

And I actually still thought he should have skipped clay last year because I didn't think he needed to be that match tough. Like 17 & 18 I thought Stuttgart/Halle would be enough for him on their own.

So ordinarily I wouldn't be bothered by having little prep heading into a major. But there's a big difference between sitting out and being out with an injury. At least in 17/18 we know he was still practicing a lot and not just sitting on his couch. So he was maybe rusty but definitely well rested. We don't know what kind of shape he'll be in this time.

In 2016, Fed has the left knee meniscus surgery as we all know. He was on crutches for 12 days and started training 3 weeks after that and was back playing in Miami in March, so it was a very quick recovery. But then he had the fall in the Raonic Wimbledon match which he attributed possibly to coming back to the tour too quickly back in March, 2016.

So he will definitely not be on this couch and should be back to training easily within 4-5 weeks after his current surgery.