Federer No.1 at the end of 2014

[SuperHead]

Just imagine, after the awful year he had last year in 2013- his ranking going as low as No.8 in the world- it was hard to tell if he would even qualify for the WTF. However this year has been totally different- he has won 3 titles including a Masters 1000, climbed back to No.3, and is now even ahead of Nadal in the Emirates ATP Race to London at No.2, behind Djokovic by only 1,130 points. There is a great chance for him to overtake Novak to finish the year No.1.

 

[OrangePower]

That would be a fantastic achievement, but I don't think it's likely to happen. And even if it does, it would be a bit hollow without a slam win.

Fed had a great shot at Wimby. Had he converted, he would be 500 points or so ahead of Djokovic in the race, and in pole position to finish the year at #1.

That Wimby final I think will end up being very significant. Slam #18 and also possibly leading to regaining #1. But credit to Novak; he played a good match to deny Fed.

 

[Backspin1183]

All thanks to Novak Djokovic who couldn't take advantage of Rafa's absence in the summer hard court swing. He's still the favorite but he's made it very interesting.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

It would be great, and although a bit hollow because he'd lack a Slam championship, we know he ain't no mug given that he's won 17 of them, so the achievement would be looked upon favourably in the future that he would be able to reach those heights again at this stage, though always with the asterisk of: did he really deserve it? Ultimately, even if most agree that he didn't, Roger putting himself in contention and getting the job done by the numbers anyway would be impressive.

 

[Fiji]

Would be great.

 

[Flash O'Groove]

Federer won't try to take the number 1 spot this year. He has to focus on the WTF and the DC final, and won't get tired by playing a bit indoor season I think.

Beside Djokovic is very likely to make an outstanding end of the year again. Remember 2013.

But if Federer make a good indoor season, he might be in position to be number 1 again by april next year, depending on how the AO play out.

 

[tennisaddict]

Is the YE#1 decided right after WTF or after Davis Cup ?

 

[Bryan Swartz]

Good idea for a thread, it's not like there's another on the same subject already. Oh wait.



Decided after Davis Cup, it's year-end, not year-almost-over .

I agree that it's very unlikely to happen this year. It would take a Djokovic collapse.

 

[tennis_pro]

All thanks to Novak Djokovic who couldn't take advantage of Rafa's absence in the summer hard court swing. He's still the favorite but he's made it very interesting.

Rafa this Rafa that. I'm fairly certain Nadal would end up with 0 titles and 0 wins against Djokovic in Canada/Cincinnati/US Open.

 

[tennis_pro]

Federer is no Wozniacki. He ended 2004-2007 and 2009 as the year-end-no-1 - 3 of those years with 3 Slams and 2 with 2. He doesn't need to prove that he can win a Slam even despite ending the year at no 1 (if it happened of course). At 33 he takes whatever he can get.

 

[Djokovic2011]

It would be great, and although a bit hollow because he'd lack a Slam championship, we know he ain't no mug given that he's won 17 of them, so the achievement would be looked upon favourably in the future that he would be able to reach those heights again at this stage, though always with the asterisk of: did he really deserve it? Ultimately, even if most agree that he didn't, Roger putting himself in contention and getting the job done by the numbers anyway would be impressive.

What if he wins the WTF Nathaniel? With a Slam final plus 2 SFs and a Masters, would you still consider it to be an unworthy YE#1 for Roger?

 

[addictedtotopspin]

Rafa this Rafa that. I'm fairly certain Nadal would end up with 0 titles and 0 wins against Djokovic in Canada/Cincinnati/US Open.

Very wrong...Rafa is the most dangerous when he is not tiered and when he has enough time for rest and hard practice.
Im sure it would be similar to 2013 if he didint get injured.
He lost at WB earlier and had around 22-23 (or even more, not sure) days before the first masters and 3 weeks more till the US open.Plus he had more time to rest than Novak and Roger which is very important.
Very close to 2013...where Rafa had maybe few days more to rest cus he lost WB at first round and this year 4th round...

 

[McEnroeisanartist]

Novak is clearly the #1 player of 2014.

 

[Gary Duane]

I don't see Federer making it to #1 this year.

 

[tennisaddict]

Novak is clearly the #1 player of 2014.

Then rankings need to reflect that.

At the end of the day, you got to accept what the rankings tell you.

If the ranking says you are No. 1 , it is because the player did well throughout the year and not just at specific tournaments.

I cannot understand why the media is so fixated upon the number 1 ranking being held by a major winner.

If the big 3 is not so dominant, you can think of scenarios where the number 7 or 8 ranked player , ending up all of a suddent at No. 1 with a win at USO. Isnt that scenario worse as well ?

 

[Djokovic2011]

Then rankings need to reflect that.

At the end of the day, you got to accept what the rankings tell you.

If the ranking says you are No. 1 , it is because the player did well throughout the year and not just at specific tournaments.

I cannot understand why the media is so fixated upon the number 1 ranking being held by a major winner.

If the big 3 is not so dominant, you can think of scenarios where the number 7 or 8 ranked player , ending up all of a suddent at No. 1 with a win at USO. Isnt that scenario worse as well ?

Mmm, I just wonder if you'd feel the same way if it were Novak who had the possibility of finishing the year at #1 without a Slam to his name........

 

[tennisaddict]

Mmm, I just wonder if you'd feel the same way if it were Novak who had the possibility of finishing the year at #1 without a Slam to his name........

It is what it is.

It is not that Fed played Mickey Mouse tournaments and accumulated points.

 

[Backspin1183]

Rafa this Rafa that. I'm fairly certain Nadal would end up with 0 titles and 0 wins against Djokovic in Canada/Cincinnati/US Open.

I'm fairly certain Nadal would have zero wins against Federer in your fantasy world. Nadal is the reason why Djokovic isn't a 3 time US Open champion.

 

[Revenant]

I'm fairly certain Nadal would have zero wins against Federer in your fantasy world. Nadal is the reason why Djokovic isn't a 3 time US Open champion.

Nadal has never defended a title off clay. What makes you think this year would have been different?

 

[Backspin1183]

Nadal has never defended a title off clay. What makes you think this year would have been different?

Who said anything about defending a title? Novak, like Federer, could have added a lot more ranking points in the 3 big tournaments. He could (and should) have left Nadal and Federer way behind in the Race to London for the year end no.1 ranking.

 

[ivan_the_terrible]

Very wrong...Rafa is the most dangerous when he is not tiered and when he has enough time for rest and hard practice.
Im sure it would be similar to 2013 if he didint get injured.
He lost at WB earlier and had around 22-23 (or even more, not sure) days before the first masters and 3 weeks more till the US open.Plus he had more time to rest than Novak and Roger which is very important.
Very close to 2013...where Rafa had maybe few days more to rest cus he lost WB at first round and this year 4th round...

welcome back!
10nsks

 

[ibbi]

Shouldn't be too tough, surely. Novak has to replicate his perfect indoor season, which given his current form doesn't seem especially likely (has she given birth yet?) Rafa will be rusty, playing on his least favourite surface, and also has a hell of a lot to defend. A good run in Shanghai could do wonders for Roger's chances.

 

[jhhachamp]

As a huge Federer fan, I hope he does not finish the year number 1, because it would not be deserved without winning a grant slam. I would love to see him finish number 2, just a bit behind Djokovic, and win the Australian to become a deserving number 1 next year.

 

[drm025]

Shouldn't be too tough, surely. Novak has to replicate his perfect indoor season, which given his current form doesn't seem especially likely (has she given birth yet?) Rafa will be rusty, playing on his least favourite surface, and also has a hell of a lot to defend. A good run in Shanghai could do wonders for Roger's chances.

What they have to defend doesn't matter, the race is currently:

Djokovic: 8150
Federer: 7020
Nadal: 6645

So as long as Fed doesn't outperform Nole by 1100 points and as long as Nadal doesn't outperform Nole by 1500 points, Nole will finish #1. Last year's results don't really matter right now, though a great performance in Shanghai and a subpar one from Nadal, could get Federer the number 2 ranking, which would be significant.

 

[The_Order]

Nadal has never defended a title off clay. What makes you think this year would have been different?

Would you have predicted Nadal would win more HC Masters and slam than on clay last year?

Madrid + Rome + RG = 2 Masters + Clay slam
IW + Montreal + Cincinnati + US Open = 3 Masters + HC slam

Nadal is the most unpredictable of the big 4, when playing well he can win on any surface as he proved last year completing the American HC swing, a feat that Federer could never do even in his peak...

 

[addictedtotopspin]

welcome back!
10nsks

??

I said something wrong? Im sure i didint

 

[Revenant]

Would you have predicted Nadal would win more HC Masters and slam than on clay last year?

Madrid + Rome + RG = 2 Masters + Clay slam
IW + Montreal + Cincinnati + US Open = 3 Masters + HC slam

Nadal is the most unpredictable of the big 4, when playing well he can win on any surface as he proved last year completing the American HC swing, a feat that Federer could never do even in his peak...

There was no way I would have predicted him for Indian Wells, but his performance in that tournament made me think he was actually playing better on Hardcourts than on Clay that year. And I was right.

 

[tennis_pro]

Would you have predicted Nadal would win more HC Masters and slam than on clay last year?

Madrid + Rome + RG = 2 Masters + Clay slam
IW + Montreal + Cincinnati + US Open = 3 Masters + HC slam

Nadal is the most unpredictable of the big 4, when playing well he can win on any surface as he proved last year completing the American HC swing, a feat that Federer could never do even in his peak...

Maybe because they were no BYEs in the first rounds which probably cost Federer the title in Cincinnati 2006. Besides, this is basically the only trivia (as it's no record) that Nadal achieved on HC that Fed hasn't. So use it as often as you like. For every HC record/trivia that Nadal has on HC, Fed has 100.

 

[Backspin1183]

Maybe because they were no BYEs in the first rounds which probably cost Federer the title in Cincinnati 2006. Besides, this is basically the only trivia (as it's no record) that Nadal achieved on HC that Fed hasn't. So use it as often as you like. For every HC record/trivia that Nadal has on HC, Fed has 100.

Fed this Fed that! Nadal owns Fed on outdoor hardcourts. 8-2.

 

[Revenant]

Fed this Fed that! Nadal owns Fed on outdoor hardcourts. 8-2.

Actually, Federer owns Nadal on outdoor hardcourts. 9-3 in Slam count. Maybe Nadal can console himself with his head-to-head record. LOL!

 

[Deleted member 307496]

He won't be No. 1 at year's end. He will probably end the year at 2 or 3.

 

[Backspin1183]

He won't be No. 1 at year's end. He will probably end the year at 2 or 3.

I'm sure even Federer knows he won't be. I don't think that's his goal either. He'd be happy with a good showing at Tour Finals and a Davis Cup win.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

I'm sure even Federer knows he won't be. I don't think that's his goal either. He'd be happy with a good showing at Tour Finals and a Davis Cup win.

Well after last year he might be happy to qualify even.

 

[tipsa...don'tlikehim!]

1 master 1000, 1 ATP 500 and 1 ATP 250 that would be just weird if Federer finished the year #1

 

[Revenant]

1 master 1000, 1 ATP 500 and 1 ATP 250 that would be just weird if Federer finished the year #1

Federer would need to win at least another Masters title or the WTF to finish #1. Anyway, Djokovic is easily gonna finish #1. Federer needed to win the US Open to have a chance, and he didn't.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

What if he wins the WTF Nathaniel? With a Slam final plus 2 SFs and a Masters, would you still consider it to be an unworthy YE#1 for Roger?

I wouldn't be outraged or demand it be taken away from him but would feel that the deserving number one would be Nole with his Wimbledon title or Nadal with his RG title and solid results. I'd lean towards Nole coz Wimbledon but either way, him or Nadal and not Federer would be more deserving of YE#1.

 

[RF20Lennon]

It would be great, and although a bit hollow because he'd lack a Slam championship, we know he ain't no mug given that he's won 17 of them, so the achievement would be looked upon favourably in the future that he would be able to reach those heights again at this stage, though always with the asterisk of: did he really deserve it? Ultimately, even if most agree that he didn't, Roger putting himself in contention and getting the job done by the numbers anyway would be impressive.

Yeah part of me would feel this way because he didn't win a slam this year.

 

[Sentinel]

We should have a TW rankings (to challenge the faulty ATP rankings) where we get to decide who the #1 should be.

This year it should be Federer. The other year, it should have been Nole in place of Nadal.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

It should be a Slam winner over a non Slam winner, hypothetically. The ATP ranking system is still a subjective ranking system but it's in place. Undoubtedly if Federer won the YEC's and finished world #1, many would rightly question whether he deserved it over Nole and Nadal who won Slams, or maybe Wawrinka depending on how strongly he can close out his season, though it seems he's far behind the others in ranking points now and thus has been less solid over the course of the season.

 

[chjtennis]

I'd give Djokovic 80% chance and Federer 10% chance. I'd also give Nadal 10% because I have no idea how bad his injury is and the upcoming indoor season is not really his strength. I don't think anyone else have much chance at no.1 this year.

 

[smoledman]

No way. Federer is focused on WTF & Davis Cup final. He doesn't care about point-whoring and his body won't allow it.

 

[Gary Duane]

It should be a Slam winner over a non Slam winner, hypothetically. The ATP ranking system is still a subjective ranking system but it's in place. Undoubtedly if Federer won the YEC's and finished world #1, many would rightly question whether he deserved it over Nole and Nadal who won Slams, or maybe Wawrinka depending on how strongly he can close out his season, though it seems he's far behind the others in ranking points now and thus has been less solid over the course of the season.

A world end #1 ranking for Fed would make a lot of people rethink the ranking system.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

A world end #1 ranking for Fed would make a lot of people rethink the ranking system.

Yeah, and anyway the ITF and ATP have had to compromise. I'm sure the ITF see Slams as being worth more than twice as much as a masters title, but at the end of the day a ranking system is supposed to function as such and be structured in a manner that helps nourish the tour and that it gives adequate opportunities to rising players etc rather than being a greatness system.

 

[reaper]

If Federer claimed the year end number one ranking would that make him the best player in the world? Does anyone think he would beat Djokovic, Nadal or Cilic if both players play their best? To my mind accumulating the most points doesn't make you best player.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

If Federer claimed the year end number one ranking would that make him the best player in the world? Does anyone think he would beat Djokovic, Nadal or Cilic if both players play their best? To my mind accumulating the most points doesn't make you best player.

It just often correlates with who the best player really is. In this hypothetical situation, it simply wouldn't match up.


Federer is not the best player in the world.

 

[Chico]

LOL at Fed fanboys wishing undeserving slamless #1 YE for Fed.

If anyone else was to be slamless YE #1 they would be burning him at stake here.

 

[The Green Mile]

Has anyone (ATP only) ever finished No. 1, without winning a GS?......What a GOATworthy achievement that would be....

 

[Chanwan]

It should be a Slam winner over a non Slam winner, hypothetically. The ATP ranking system is still a subjective ranking system but it's in place. Undoubtedly if Federer won the YEC's and finished world #1, many would rightly question whether he deserved it over Nole and Nadal who won Slams, or maybe Wawrinka depending on how strongly he can close out his season, though it seems he's far behind the others in ranking points now and thus has been less solid over the course of the season.

I very much doubt that he will be YE. no. 1. But if he gets there it will be courtesy of a great fall season, winning the WTF and probably a Masters as well. WTF, though not a slam, is pretty big imo. And it will be in a season, where no one has really separated themselves from the pack (4 different slam winners).
Because of all this, I don't think it would be truly undeserved, but as of now, Djoko is the clear favorite and should win it and is the deserved no. 1

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Then I would state that he'd still be less deserving than at least some of the Slam winners, even though he himself wouldn't necessarily be undeserving.

 

[Dave1982]

A world end #1 ranking for Fed would make a lot of people rethink the ranking system.

What as compared to the WTA rankings when you've had numerous women hold number 1 without having even won a slam....ever!

With that said though, to date Djokovic is a deserved number 1 and provided he can maintain a level of consistency throughout remaining tournaments he will more than likely retain top spot. IF Fed were to reclaim the number 1 ranking then I think it would be more a statement of how open this year has been and how the YE1 ranking is about consistency as opposed to the occasional flashes of brilliance.