Federer on 2016, Ljubicic, his 17 Slams, etc.

[Krish872007]

Interview in Brisbane:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/...rand-slam-titles/story-e6frf4mu-1227695493721

ROGER Federer is braced for new methods from opponents this year as they try to counteract his net-rushing forays and continue his three-and-a-half year Grand Slam tournament drought.

Federer will be coached by Ivan Ljubicic at this week’s Brisbane International before his head coach Severin Luthi joins the team in Melbourne for their Australian Open build-up.

The world No.3 says he does not feel sorry for himself because he was denied twice in four-set Grand Slam tournament finals last year by the steely Novak Djokovic.

Federer said his Brisbane title 12 months ago had showed him that playing aggressive tennis and trying to shake up opponents at the net was the way to go.

“We will see how aggressive I can play this year. Players adapt,’’ Federer said after his morning arrival from Dubai.

“I have been playing really well for a year and a half and I’m much more confident that I was a year ago too.

“This is one of six tournaments I won last year and it got the year going for me.

“It would be amazing to win another Grand Slam. It might happen and if not, I’m OK with that. I’m still happy with how I am playing. Last year was Novak’s year.

“I came so close and played very well, but I don’t feel any frustration about that. I’ve won so much in my career.

“There are so many other goals to achieve too. I love winning titles and I want to win in Brisbane here again.

“Winning my 1000th match here last year (in the final against Milos Raonic) was very thrilling. To have Roy Emerson and Rod Laver here was beautiful to me, to share the moment with everyone.’’

Federer named Brisbane International seeds Kei Nishikori and Milos Roanic and unseeded Grigor Dimitrov as three players capable of dislodging one or more of the game’s top-five stalwarts this year.

“For us who are there, it’s a matter of hanging in,’’ he said.

Federer won six of his 11 finals last year, with all five losses in finals being to Djokovic, but for the 11th time in 12 seasons his year-end ranking was in the top three.

Stefan Edberg has been replaced as his coach by Ljubicic, a former top-10 player who was one of Raonic’s coaches for the past two years.

“I know Ivan very well and I like that he is very direct and lets you think what he thinks,’’ Federer said.

“Ivan is with me here this week and I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes during the tournament.

“He has good insight and played against a bunch of the players play against and he knows my game very well as he played me. It can be very helpful down the stretch.’’

With a first-round bye, Federer’s first match will be against Queensland wildcard Ben Mitchell or a qualifier on Wednesday or Thursday.

Federer won so many matches last year that his 71-match total was the most he had played in any year since 2006, when he took out three majors.

“Being the first tournament of the year makes Brisbane more difficult because you are not sure where you game is at,’’ he said.

“I feel like I’m in a very good place but that doesn’t mean I will play off the bat or through the whole year.’’

 

[metsman]

sounds like he is tempering expectations

 

[Krish872007]

Definitely.

 

[Algo]

Drought?
Seriously?
By now it should be like calling a barely-top-100 to be on a GS drought...

 

[Deleted member 743561]

I love how much access he gives the public... of course he's a tennis encyclopedia, but he doesn't keep everything under wraps. The transparency is appreciated. I'm glad he seems to have an inner peace about his achievements, but I do hope he still burns with the fire of 1,000 suns for another major win. Think another great season is coming up.

Thanks for posting this.

 

[metsman]

I love how much access he gives the public... of course he's a tennis encyclopedia, but he doesn't keep everything under wraps. The transparency is appreciated. I'm glad he seems to have an inner peace about his achievements, but I do hope he still burns with the fire of 1,000 suns for another major win. Think another great season is coming up.

Thanks for posting this.

i don't think he is that hungry anymore

 

[Bartelby]

Ljubijcic may give him some cultural insight into Djokovicic's world as well.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

i don't think he is that hungry anymore

Agree on Nadal. He speaks in the past tense re his tennis, and is incapable of changing his game. Fed's a different animal, and hasn't lost nearly as much. He's still a force, and even the #1 doesn't dominate him. It's just insane for someone in their mid-30s to be right there... and he's not done.

 

[metsman]

Agree on Nadal. He speaks in the past tense re his tennis, and is incapable of changing his game. Fed's a different animal, and hasn't lost nearly as much. He's still a force, and even the #1 doesn't dominate him. It's just insane for someone in their mid-30s to be right there... and he's not done.

i meant federer

 

[Deleted member 743561]

i meant federer

I meant Nadal.

 

[torpantennis]

Interview in Brisbane:
...
Federer named Brisbane International seeds Kei Nishikori and Milos Roanic and unseeded Grigor Dimitrov as three players capable of dislodging one or more of the game’s top-five stalwarts this year.

“For us who are there, it’s a matter of hanging in,’’ he said.
...

No way! Dimitrov/Nishikori/Raonic have been at peak physical age for a couple years already. No signs of them getting to slam winning level, so why would it happen now or ever?

 

[TennisHound]

No one will win slams except Djokovic. Fed may take a few titles this year, but none that Djokovic is in.

 

[kishnabe]

No one will win slams except Djokovic. Fed may take a few titles this year, but none that Djokovic is in.

Just like Cincy and Dubai last year.

 

[BVSlam]

He still likes playing, trying to improve what he can and finding a way to win more titles. It's clearly a life he cannot give up just like that, and since he's lucky enough to be able to play like this at 34 he wants to enjoy it for as long as he still can. Great attitude there, and his current good level may stay as long as that's the case and he remains fit.

 

[Aretium]

Ljubijcic may give him some cultural insight into Djokovicic's world as well.

What a load of *******

 

[Dolgopolov85]

Definitely on the way to gradually drawing curtains on his career. Before IPTL when he was asked about his retirement plans, he said something along the lines that 2017 would be the first IPTL he could miss since he was already locked in for 2016. But when he was asked about "next year" at the last match of IPTL, he refused to commit that he would return. He was like, we'll see. It's difficult to know exactly what happened - other than repeated losses to Nole in big matches - but it sounds like his motivation is dwindling. We'll get a clearer picture as the year progresses but this is the sense I get. Might play all four slams just to say good bye to the fans one last time and then quit.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Definitely on the way to gradually drawing curtains on his career. Before IPTL when he was asked about his retirement plans, he said something along the lines that 2017 would be the first IPTL he could miss since he was already locked in for 2016. But when he was asked about "next year" at the last match of IPTL, he refused to commit that he would return. He was like, we'll see. It's difficult to know exactly what happened - other than repeated losses to Nole in big matches - but it sounds like his motivation is dwindling. We'll get a clearer picture as the year progresses but this is the sense I get. Might play all four slams just to say good bye to the fans one last time and then quit.

Sounds nice and all, but hasn't he recently contracted to play Halle through 2017? Says to me that he's planning to play Wimbledon at least through 2017. That's 6 majors away...

 

[Dolgopolov85]

Can rescind it, depending on what it works out to financially. If he does not have a good 2016, I would not be surprised to see him give up. If he does though, yes, he will play on till 2017. I don't see him as the retire-on-a-high kind of player. He will have to stop enjoying it as much as he used to to give up.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Would that be a first for him? To rescind? He doesn't drop out of tournaments, like ever; he only adds. Not sure how he does it sometimes, but it seems like he and his team have a crystal ball that's not of this Earth. In all seriousness though, other than one-offs, there aren't many players beating him with any regularity. The world #1 is pretty much his only competition. I don't see the train coming into the station any time soon, especially with all of the mediocrity at the top, and legitimate defenses of records to be made.

 

[Dolgopolov85]

I am not really getting into the details here but basing it on intuition, having observed Sampras/Graf in their last days. For the first time I noticed a trace of weariness in Fed last year esp from WTF onwards. Maybe he was just genuinely tired but he had a pretty similar schedule in 2014 and I didn't feel that way. When somebody of his accomplishments decides to go, it has a lot more to do with the stuff going on inside his head rather than external factors. I could be completely wrong about it but as metsman also observed, reading between the lines he is playing down expectations right at the outset. That kind of talk is symptomatic of champions on their last legs. They always talk up things as long as they are winning. "We'll see how aggressive I can play this year." lol, that's pretty noncommittal. Fed's not Rafa to underpromise and overdeliver. He's not given to acting humble in press statements. So if he starts using things like we'll see, it means only one thing to me. Again I could be completely wrong but I don't mind putting out my instinctive response to this. The easier thing to do would be to hedge everything and rely only on the facts but this is just an internet post and not a corporate legal document that I am drafting, lol. Would only be too happy to be proved wrong and see him play 2017 or even further. Let's see.

 

[Dolgopolov85]

I will be listening carefully at the end of Wimbledon this year. He always signs off with "See you next year". Will he say that this time or not?

 

[Deleted member 743561]

I will be listening carefully at the end of Wimbledon this year. He always signs off with "See you next year". Will he say that this time or not?

So interesting to think about how the equation may or may not change with a major victory. Imagine, for instance, if #18 were to come at AO! Would this just make him hungrier to strive for say, 20? Or would it be impetus to just downshift, and move on, psychologically. He does have a pretty big family, and he's probably worth like $300 million. Wonder what in the world his next phase will even look like. Philanthropist? Venture capitalist? Local tennis coach?

 

[Dolgopolov85]

I think no.18 will only make him greedier for more. As I said earlier, he doesn't strike me as the kind of player who will choose a big moment to hang his boots. He's hooked on winning. Winning a major now will fuel the appetite for more. Not winning a slam for a fourth year in a row could kill it. Another thing is how close does he get to winning one. Came close in 2014 W, again at USO last year. If he doesn't get close at all this year, it could be very crushing. Like 2013, but only he would have now switched racquets and changed strategy only to land at the same place with no options left.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

I think no.18 will only make him greedier for more. As I said earlier, he doesn't strike me as the kind of player who will choose a big moment to hang his boots. He's hooked on winning. Winning a major now will fuel the appetite for more. Not winning a slam for a fourth year in a row could kill it. Another thing is how close does he get to winning one. Came close in 2014 W, again at USO last year. If he doesn't get close at all this year, it could be very crushing. Like 2013, but only he would have now switched racquets and changed strategy only to land at the same place with no options left.

Maybe it becomes attrition Irony of ironies that he may out-attrition the master practitioners of the style. Still think Nadal retires first.

 

[Dolgopolov85]

Possible. But from my point of view, Rafa's retirement could come as early as RG if he doesn't win it, more to the point if like last year he doesn't even get close to the title. I don't think Rafa really fancies his chances at the other slams much. He may still win the others but it's more of a bonus at this stage.

 

[TennisHound]

Just like Cincy and Dubai last year.

I'm sure think there is a discussion that takes place when when he and Federer are in the same tournament.

 

[TheFifthSet]

Federer won so many matches last year that his 71-match total was the most he had played in any year since 2006, when he took out three majors..’’

I know I'm nitpicking, but that is just so so so wrong.

 

[smoledman]

Remember how Graf took one last "miracle" GS in 1999? It can happen.

 

[smoledman]

I know I'm nitpicking, but that is just so so so wrong.

Yeah it makes it sound like he was a hitman and killed 3 GS titles. LOL

 

[big ted]

it will be an interesting 2016. it would be hard to think djokovic wouldnt have a let down this year after last , so maybe federer can have a better shot.
hes beating everyone else, at least on faster surfaces. 2016 rafa might have something to say about this fed/djoko rivalry tho

 

[Krish872007]

I know I'm nitpicking, but that is just so so so wrong.

Wow, just read through and noticed that too. What an awful error

 

[Krish872007]

Novak Djokovic responds to Federer's move to hire Ivan Ljubicic:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/djokov...end-becomes-federer-coach-143016399--ten.html

Doha (AFP) - World number one Novak Djokovic admitted Sunday it will be bizarre to see his friend Ivan Ljubicic helping coach one of his greatest rivals, Roger Federer, this season.

"Yes! Honestly, yes," said Djokovic, when asked if he would find it strange to see the Croat as part of the Swiss legend's coaching staff. "But you know, again, we are professionals."

It was announced in December that Ljubicic, a former world number three, would be hired in a move widely interpreted as Federer trying to find a way to defeat a dominant Djokovic, who won three Grand Slams last year and was also a finalist in the French Open.

"He (Ljubicic) knows my game, he knows the game of all Roger's opponents, and I think that's one of the reasons why Roger has hired him to be with him on the team," said Djokovic, speaking in Doha, ahead of his first tournament of the season, the Qatar Open, which begins on Monday.

"Whether it's going to work or not, that's something to see for all of us, but I wish them all the best. He's a great guy, very calm, very composed, and I am sure Roger knows why he hired him."

Federer has denied that the Croat has been hired just to help him overcome the Serb.

Djokovic also said he was well-rested from his winter break and was "very excited" to start again on the tour.

Given his performance last season there has been speculation that Djokovic could become the first player since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Grand Slams in a single season.

There is also the extra prize of a "fifth major" this season, with an Olympics gold medal up for grabs in Rio in August.

The Serb said he would play to win every match.

"Grand Slams and Olympic Games are the priority of the season, but it's a long season, so I can't really predict what's going to happen or guarantee if I am going to win any of the Grand Slams or all four.

"Of course, I am going to try to win every tournament and every Grand Slam that I play on, that's kind of the mindset that I have."

Djokovic kicks off his season on Monday though it is still not yet known who will come through the qualifiers to face him in the first round.

Doha last year represented one of his rare failures as Ivo Karlovic beat him in three seats in the quarter-finals.

Also playing in Doha this year is Rafa Nadal and defending champion David Ferrer.

Djokovic added money was not a "priority" after it was revealed he and Federer were in a race to become the first $100 million in tennis.

"Money is not really why I am playing this sport," he said.

 

[kishnabe]

I'm sure think there is a discussion that takes place when when he and Federer are in the same tournament.

I am sure the next time Federer beats Djokovic in a Major....there was a discussion.

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

Baldjubicic

 

[TennisHound]

I am sure the next time Federer beats Djokovic in a Major....there was a discussion.

Its pretty obvious that Djokovic let Fed have Dubai and Cincinnati last year. I doubt the tournament organizers mentioned anything to Federer, but I would guess they might have asked Djokovic not to beat Fed as quickly as he could to allow for a good final. Then Djokovic gave it to Fed out of respect and to not exert himself too much before the GSs. Of course we know that Djokovic rolled over Fed in the GSs fairly easily. Djok has a lot of respect for Fed and lets him win some instead of just beating him in straight sets. I would bet there was also a discussion with Djok's camp at some point before the Wimbledon and USO final to allow Fed to be close and have a good competitive match.

 

[kishnabe]

Its pretty obvious that Djokovic let Fed have Dubai and Cincinnati last year. I doubt the tournament organizers mentioned anything to Federer, but I would guess they might have asked Djokovic not to beat Fed as quickly as he could to allow for a good final. Then Djokovic gave it to Fed out of respect and to not exert himself too much before the GSs. Of course we know that Djokovic rolled over Fed in the GSs fairly easily. Djok has a lot of respect for Fed and lets him win some instead of just beating him in straight sets. I would bet there was also a discussion with Djok's camp at some point before the Wimbledon and USO final to allow Fed to be close and have a good competitive match.

If you believe that you are stupid.

Djokovic would not tank Dubai when he won it multiple times even beating Federer.

As for Cincy.....it the only Master he has never won...yeah like he tanked that one.

Surely he tanked FO as well.

 

[Sum Buddy Ells]

No one will win slams except Djokovic.

 

[Sum Buddy Ells]

So interesting to think about how the equation may or may not change with a major victory. Imagine, for instance, if #18 were to come at AO! Would this just make him hungrier to strive for say, 20? Or would it be impetus to just downshift, and move on, psychologically. He does have a pretty big family, and he's probably worth like $300 million. Wonder what in the world his next phase will even look like. Philanthropist? Venture capitalist? Local tennis coach?

 

[Krish872007]

Interesting bump this.

 

[letstakeourshirtsoff]

fedr goat

 

[La Vigésima]

If you believe that you are stupid.

There's no "if" about it. A quick search shows that he was peddling the same idiocy just a couple of months ago.

 

[KINGROGER]

Its pretty obvious that Djokovic let Fed have Dubai and Cincinnati last year. I doubt the tournament organizers mentioned anything to Federer, but I would guess they might have asked Djokovic not to beat Fed as quickly as he could to allow for a good final. Then Djokovic gave it to Fed out of respect and to not exert himself too much before the GSs. Of course we know that Djokovic rolled over Fed in the GSs fairly easily. Djok has a lot of respect for Fed and lets him win some instead of just beating him in straight sets. I would bet there was also a discussion with Djok's camp at some point before the Wimbledon and USO final to allow Fed to be close and have a good competitive match.

Fantastic.

 

[Plamen1234]

No one will win slams except Djokovic. Fed may take a few titles this year, but none that Djokovic is in.

Actually all GS Roger won since 2017 Djokovic participated but couldnt do anything.And Federer have better GS results compared to Djokovic since mid 2016 - 3 finals which he won all of them,1 semi final and 1 quarterfinal.Djokovic have one final,one third round,one second round,2 quarter finals and one fourth round

 

[TennisHound]

Stfu noobs

(Btw morans, check the dates of the threads you’re replying to. Jan ‘16)

I don’t remember how many times Fed beat Djokovic in GSs for 2015 and 2016, but no one could’ve predicted what would happen later in 2017 (Djokovic self-destructing and Fed getting better).

Maybe try not following some goofy rookie @Sum Buddy Ells who can’t seem to find a current thread to comment on.

(Who does that- stay up late at night pouring through old posts to give himself some relevance on such a large stage of life, equivalent to the life and death struggle of the local women’s ping pong league in Northern Chechnya)

 

[Maestroesque]

Its pretty obvious that Djokovic let Fed have Dubai and Cincinnati last year. I doubt the tournament organizers mentioned anything to Federer, but I would guess they might have asked Djokovic not to beat Fed as quickly as he could to allow for a good final. Then Djokovic gave it to Fed out of respect and to not exert himself too much before the GSs. Of course we know that Djokovic rolled over Fed in the GSs fairly easily. Djok has a lot of respect for Fed and lets him win some instead of just beating him in straight sets. I would bet there was also a discussion with Djok's camp at some point before the Wimbledon and USO final to allow Fed to be close and have a good competitive match.

Bwahahahaha

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Stfu noobs

(Btw morans, check the dates of the threads you’re replying to. Jan ‘16)

I don’t remember how many times Fed beat Djokovic in GSs for 2015 and 2016, but no one could’ve predicted what would happen later in 2017 (Djokovic self-destructing and Fed getting better).

Maybe try not following some goofy rookie @Sum Buddy Ells who can’t seem to find a current thread to comment on.

(Who does that- stay up late at night pouring through old posts to give himself some relevance on such a large stage of life, equivalent to the life and death struggle of the local women’s ping pong league in Northern Chechnya)

There is no need to be upset.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

Stfu noobs

(Btw morans, check the dates of the threads you’re replying to. Jan ‘16)

I don’t remember how many times Fed beat Djokovic in GSs for 2015 and 2016, but no one could’ve predicted what would happen later in 2017 (Djokovic self-destructing and Fed getting better).

Maybe try not following some goofy rookie @Sum Buddy Ells who can’t seem to find a current thread to comment on.

(Who does that- stay up late at night pouring through old posts to give himself some relevance on such a large stage of life, equivalent to the life and death struggle of the local women’s ping pong league in Northern Chechnya)

Maybe you shouldn't have been so sure of yourself, then?

 

[Maestroesque]

Stfu noobs

(Btw morans, check the dates of the threads you’re replying to. Jan ‘16)

I don’t remember how many times Fed beat Djokovic in GSs for 2015 and 2016, but no one could’ve predicted what would happen later in 2017 (Djokovic self-destructing and Fed getting better).

Maybe try not following some goofy rookie @Sum Buddy Ells who can’t seem to find a current thread to comment on.

(Who does that- stay up late at night pouring through old posts to give himself some relevance on such a large stage of life, equivalent to the life and death struggle of the local women’s ping pong league in Northern Chechnya)

You weren’t even talking sense back then anyway

 

[Dilexson]

Wonder what @Dolgopolov85 thinks now?

 

[Le Master]

Stfu noobs

(Btw morans, check the dates of the threads you’re replying to. Jan ‘16)

I don’t remember how many times Fed beat Djokovic in GSs for 2015 and 2016, but no one could’ve predicted what would happen later in 2017 (Djokovic self-destructing and Fed getting better).

Maybe try not following some goofy rookie @Sum Buddy Ells who can’t seem to find a current thread to comment on.

(Who does that- stay up late at night pouring through old posts to give himself some relevance on such a large stage of life, equivalent to the life and death struggle of the local women’s ping pong league in Northern Chechnya)

You make me happy since I get to quote myself from another thread.

The bumps are trolling. Anyone with half a brain thought in July 2016 that Nole would win 16-18 slams. Nobody could have foreseen his game declining so rapidly.

Anyone with a sliver of a brain should know that you can't foresee anything like that ever anyway. There are far, far too many variables and "ifs" that go into future results, yet you numbskulls always come up with the same tautological response when something unpredictable happens: "Derr no one could have predicted x happening." Yeah, no ****.