Federer reveals his honest opinion on a young Novak Djokovic and admits he lacked respect

[Frenchy-Player]

“I played him in Monaco the very first time and I walked off the court and thought, ‘Yeah, he’s okay’.
“Even though there was some hype around him, I wasn’t really fully convinced. I think I didn’t give Novak the respect he deserved because of his technical flaws. I felt like Novak had a very extreme forehand grip and his backhand for me wasn’t as fluid as it is nowadays.

“But then he ironed those things out super well and became an unbelievable monster of a player.”
Federer also weighed in on the way his fans — as well as supporters of his other great rival, Rafael Nadal — reacted to Djokovic.
“I guess he was the party crasher of Rafa and Roger fans,” Federer continued.


“There was a lot of Rafa-Roger love there, so when Novak came probably a lot of people said, ‘Look, we don’t need a third guy. We’re happy with Roger and Rafa’.
“The Federer fans at the beginning didn’t really like him because they just thought, ‘Roger’s a bit more easy, he does it with ease’.


“Then Novak came in with his strong personality and that unbelievable grit of wanting to win at all costs. I think also Novak was triggered by the relationship with the fans. I think that deep focus maybe scared some people away.
“I think he’s been a little bit misunderstood. I look past the media and I see at the end the man he is. If I take away his game, who is he? What are his values? I know he cares very deeply about his family.

Roger Federer reveals his honest opinion on a young Novak Djokovic and admits he lacked respect

Roger Federer has made the honest confession that he did not give Novak Djokovic "the respect he deserved" when the Serbian first emerged as a challenger.

www.tennis365.com

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

Stop pushing this clickbait article on this forum. This is nothing more than to capitalize on Federer’s recent public appearances. The constant need for Federer to say something about Djokovic seems forced and has to be soliciated from a third party looking for clicks. If Federer didn’t enjoy a friendship with Nadal, you wouldn’t see these kinds drummed up articles.

 

[aldeayeah]

Not exactly, this is promotional material for the Amazon documentary on Fed's retirement that's coming out in a week.

How to watch ‘Federer: Twelve Final Days' on Prime Video

The feature-length documentary provides unprecedented access to the final days of Roger Federer’s tennis career.

www.aboutamazon.com

It seems Fed does want to mend bridges with Novak by addressing some past grievances. There was a similar piece on the Telegraph yesterday.

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

Not exactly, this is promotional material for the Amazon documentary on Fed's retirement that's coming out in a week.

How to watch ‘Federer: Twelve Final Days' on Prime Video

The feature-length documentary provides unprecedented access to the final days of Roger Federer’s tennis career.

www.aboutamazon.com

It seems Fed does want to mend bridges with Novak by addressing some past grievances. There was a similar piece on the Telegraph yesterday.

Sorry, still don’t see anything. This piece still reads like clickbait that’s making it’s rounds on social media.

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

Stop pushing this clickbait article on this forum. This is nothing more than to capitalize on Federer’s recent public appearances. The constant need for Federer to say something about Djokovic seems forced and has to be soliciated from a third party looking for clicks. If Federer didn’t enjoy a friendship with Nadal, you wouldn’t see these kinds drummed up articles.

I enjoyed reading it.

 

[roysid]

What federer said is absolutely correct. Djokovic made his game technically perfect, fixed the health issues he had earlier than 2011. And became a mental giant

 

[Apun94]

Sorry, still don’t see anything. This piece still reads like clickbait that’s making it’s rounds on social media.

Calm down kid. You dont like it? Then dont read it and move on

 

[Apun94]

I enjoyed reading it.

Same

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

Calm down kid. You dont like it? Then dont read it and move on

Nice try, your reply means you know Federer didn’t say any of this and these so-called news sources are sending out misleading information so you have a manufactured discussion.

 

[Federev]

Nice try, your reply means you know Federer didn’t say any of this and these so-called news sources are sending out misleading information so you have a manufactured discussion.

I think they are quotes form the doc on prime?

Anyway - it sounds very much like Roger. If it’s fake A.I. has analyzed and replicated his speech very well.

 

[TheGoldenEra1990’s]

And that’s why Fed dropped to number 3. Underestimating players and coasting. And stubbornness. Pride before the fall

Fed was one of if not the most naturally gifted tennis player ever (next to Mac) but this shows mindset and ego is just as important if not more so. You need to be a killer out there and keep improving where you weaknesses are and dont take anyone for granted

 

[messiahrobins]

And that’s why Fed dropped to number 3. Underestimating players and coasting. And stubbornness. Pride before the fall

Fed was one of if not the most naturally gifted tennis player ever (next to Mac) but this shows mindset and ego is just as important if not more so. You need to be a killer out there and keep improving where you weaknesses are and dont take anyone for granted

Yep. Whereas Nadal will never have any regrets about his career (he overachieved due to his insane work ethic and mindset), Federer will i think, as the brutal reality is he was far too complacent around 2008-2013 and dare i say exhibited an aloofness to Djokovic and Nadal as he refused to adapt his game to the obvious challenge they posed him almost as if to do so would be a sign of weakness that his game wasnt good enough. it cost him many slams in truth as had he made the changes he did in 2017 about 10 years earlier i think he would have been the Slam race winner by a comfortable margin.
Deep down i am sure he knows he is a better tennis player than either Nadal and Djokovic were in terms of natural ability and that must be frustrate him as he will know it was his pride and stubborness as you correctly point out that probably cost him the Slam record.

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

I think they are quotes form the doc on prime?

Anyway - it sounds very much like Roger. If it’s fake A.I. has analyzed and replicated his speech very well.

That’s not prove. You don’t even comfirmation where the quotes came from? Unless there is an actual vide of Roger saying it, then no dice. There is no credible news source reporting these “quotes“.

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

Yep. Whereas Nadal will never have any regrets about his career (he overachieved due to his insane work ethic and mindset), Federer will i think, as the brutal reality is he was far too complacent around 2008-2013 and dare i say exhibited an aloofness to Djokovic and Nadal as he refused to adapt his game to the obvious challenge they posed him almost as if to do so would be a sign of weakness that his game wasnt good enough. it cost him many slams in truth as had he made the changes he did in 2017 about 10 years earlier i think he would have been the Slam race winner by a comfortable margin.
Deep down i am sure he knows he is a better tennis player than either Nadal and Djokovic were in terms of natural ability and that must be frustrate him as he will know it was his pride and stubborness as you correctly point out that probably cost him the Slam record.

Wow, all this from fake quotes

 

[Federev]

And that’s why Fed dropped to number 3. Underestimating players and coasting. And stubbornness. Pride before the fall

Fed was one of if not the most naturally gifted tennis player ever (next to Mac) but this shows mindset and ego is just as important if not more so. You need to be a killer out there and keep improving where you weaknesses are and dont take anyone for granted

Not sure Fed “underestimated” Novak. Novak became a different player after he solved his fitness issues.

And Federer had his hands full to the tilt with Nadal early on. I don’t think he took him lightly ever.

Fed’s biggest problem was a clear backhand weakness and being born in 1981 - five and six years before his greatest rivals, who had no ATGs behind them - something we’d never seen before.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Between 2010 to 2016 Federer played Nadal just these occasions

RG 11
AO 12
AO 14

But he faced Djokovic these many times
USO 10
AO 11
RG 11
USO 11
RG 12
Wimby 12
Wimby 14
Wimby 15
USO 15
AO 16

Total 3 times to Nadal vs 10 times to Djokovic



Between 2005 to 2009 though
Nadal he faced many more times
RG 2005
RG 2006
Wimby 2006
RG 2007
Wimby 2007
RG 2008
Wimby 2008
AO 2009

Vs Djokovic
AO 2007
USO 2007
AO 2008
USO 2008
USO 2009

8 vs 5

Total
11 times vs Nadal and 15 times vs Djokovic

Most matches vs Nadal at rg - 5
Most matches vs djokovic at USO - 6

 

[nolefam_2024]

The year 2009 ended their rivalry in first phase. They played 8 matches during this time. And then for the rest of their careers just 6 matches between 2009 RG to 2019 Wimby. 10+ years and 42 slams in between.

 

[Mainad]

It usually took a while before Fed developed respect for his opponents. He was critical of most of them in the beginning even if he occasionally lost to them.

 

[fedfan24]

And that’s why Fed dropped to number 3. Underestimating players and coasting. And stubbornness. Pride before the fall

Fed was one of if not the most naturally gifted tennis player ever (next to Mac) but this shows mindset and ego is just as important if not more so. You need to be a killer out there and keep improving where you weaknesses are and dont take anyone for granted

I agree, especially after 2006/2007. He thought he could just show up and win and failed to start taking it more seriously until about 2012 when he had already started to slow down. If he had his 2017 mentality from 2008 he would’ve won way more than 20 slams imo. 2009 US final was his for the taking if he played more tactically. Plenty more examples.

 

[Razer]

Not sure Fed “underestimated” Novak. Novak became a different player after he solved his fitness issues.

And Federer had his hands full to the tilt with Nadal early on. I don’t think he took him lightly ever.

Fed’s biggest problem was a clear backhand weakness and being born in 1981 - five and six years before his greatest rivals, who had no ATGs behind them - something we’d never seen before.

Federer did underestimate Novak right until 2012....

 

[vex]

“I played him in Monaco the very first time and I walked off the court and thought, ‘Yeah, he’s okay’.
“Even though there was some hype around him, I wasn’t really fully convinced. I think I didn’t give Novak the respect he deserved because of his technical flaws. I felt like Novak had a very extreme forehand grip and his backhand for me wasn’t as fluid as it is nowadays.

“But then he ironed those things out super well and became an unbelievable monster of a player.”
Federer also weighed in on the way his fans — as well as supporters of his other great rival, Rafael Nadal — reacted to Djokovic.
“I guess he was the party crasher of Rafa and Roger fans,” Federer continued.


“There was a lot of Rafa-Roger love there, so when Novak came probably a lot of people said, ‘Look, we don’t need a third guy. We’re happy with Roger and Rafa’.
“The Federer fans at the beginning didn’t really like him because they just thought, ‘Roger’s a bit more easy, he does it with ease’.


“Then Novak came in with his strong personality and that unbelievable grit of wanting to win at all costs. I think also Novak was triggered by the relationship with the fans. I think that deep focus maybe scared some people away.
“I think he’s been a little bit misunderstood. I look past the media and I see at the end the man he is. If I take away his game, who is he? What are his values? I know he cares very deeply about his family.

Roger Federer reveals his honest opinion on a young Novak Djokovic and admits he lacked respect

Roger Federer has made the honest confession that he did not give Novak Djokovic "the respect he deserved" when the Serbian first emerged as a challenger.

www.tennis365.com

Did Novak change his FH grip….?

 

[vex]

And that’s why Fed dropped to number 3. Underestimating players and coasting. And stubbornness. Pride before the fall

Fed was one of if not the most naturally gifted tennis player ever (next to Mac) but this shows mindset and ego is just as important if not more so. You need to be a killer out there and keep improving where you weaknesses are and dont take anyone for granted

The funny thing here is Fed dismissing Djokovic because of a FH grip. Meanwhile Fed’s 1HBH made him a dinosaur when Djoker and Rafa relentlessly targeted it.

 

[Krish872007]

The funny thing here is Fed dismissing Djokovic because of a FH grip. Meanwhile Fed’s 1HBH made him a dinosaur when Djoker and Rafa relentlessly targeted it.

Djokovic's strategy against Federer in his 30s wasn't really about over-targeting the BH, although that was a part of it. There were a number of FH to FH exchanges and BH DTL to FH out wide too. His aim was to move Fed around, stretch wide to either wing, force him to hit extra neutral stance balls. Bounce height has played a surprising role in the dynamic too - the moment Fed would hit 'over' the ball but not keep it low enough from a neutral stance, Djokovic would be able to step in and punt cross-court FHs to take over the point - it worked out pretty well through 2014-2016. When they met again in 2019-20 he (Djokovic) actually got a bit more defensive and was largely focused on riding out the aggressive storm from the other side of the net.

 

[BauerAlmeida]

Wow, all this from fake quotes

How exactly are they "fake"?

 

[mike danny]

Yep. Whereas Nadal will never have any regrets about his career (he overachieved due to his insane work ethic and mindset), Federer will i think, as the brutal reality is he was far too complacent around 2008-2013 and dare i say exhibited an aloofness to Djokovic and Nadal as he refused to adapt his game to the obvious challenge they posed him almost as if to do so would be a sign of weakness that his game wasnt good enough. it cost him many slams in truth as had he made the changes he did in 2017 about 10 years earlier i think he would have been the Slam race winner by a comfortable margin.
Deep down i am sure he knows he is a better tennis player than either Nadal and Djokovic were in terms of natural ability and that must be frustrate him as he will know it was his pride and stubborness as you correctly point out that probably cost him the Slam record.

Fed in 2018 at almost 37 was 8 slams ahead of Djokovic. In a normal era that lead would have sufficed. Not his fault everyone born after Delpo was a waste

 

[mike danny]

Not sure Fed “underestimated” Novak. Novak became a different player after he solved his fitness issues.

And Federer had his hands full to the tilt with Nadal early on. I don’t think he took him lightly ever.

Fed’s biggest problem was a clear backhand weakness and being born in 1981 - five and six years before his greatest rivals, who had no ATGs behind them - something we’d never seen before.

Don’t necessarily agree on the BH weakness. Nadal was just unstoppable on clay

 

[mike danny]

The funny thing here is Fed dismissing Djokovic because of a FH grip. Meanwhile Fed’s 1HBH made him a dinosaur when Djoker and Rafa relentlessly targeted it.

Let’s stop grouping Djoker and Rafa together when it comes to Fed.

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

How exactly are they "fake"?

Without a video seeing Roger acting talking saying these quotes, the author or forum user can paint any narrative they want. Convenient there’s no video?

 

[BauerAlmeida]

Without a video seeing Roger acting talking saying these quotes, the author or forum user can paint any narrative they want. Convenient there’s no video?

Tons of interviews are written.

There isn't always a video.

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

Tons of interviews are written.

There isn't always a video.

Yes, that’s it convenient so quotes can be used falsely.

 

[tennito]

Yep. Whereas Nadal will never have any regrets about his career (he overachieved due to his insane work ethic and mindset), Federer will i think, as the brutal reality is he was far too complacent around 2008-2013 and dare i say exhibited an aloofness to Djokovic and Nadal as he refused to adapt his game to the obvious challenge they posed him almost as if to do so would be a sign of weakness that his game wasnt good enough. it cost him many slams in truth as had he made the changes he did in 2017 about 10 years earlier i think he would have been the Slam race winner by a comfortable margin.
Deep down i am sure he knows he is a better tennis player than either Nadal and Djokovic were in terms of natural ability and that must be frustrate him as he will know it was his pride and stubborness as you correctly point out that probably cost him the Slam record.

I agree, especially after 2006/2007. He thought he could just show up and win and failed to start taking it more seriously until about 2012 when he had already started to slow down. If he had his 2017 mentality from 2008 he would’ve won way more than 20 slams imo. 2009 US final was his for the taking if he played more tactically. Plenty more examples.

I think this is a harsh take. Ultimately he was undone by career chronology / the fact he was a front runner and had no precedents to chase from 2010 rather than complacency or stubbornness. Even prior to taking Sampras' slam record, he was in uncharted territory with his rate of dominance.

It's been noted in track how WaveLight technology (LED lights showing you how fast you have to run to set a record) is helping athletes run faster, and it's the same principle here. Similarly, 'The Bannister Effect' was always in play against Federer: when you know something is possible it becomes more attainable. That's great for everyone except the person who shows that it's possible in the first place.

As he acknowledged in GQ earlier this year, he was fielding retirement questions as early as 2009, and from then on it was sort of "let's see where this goes", rather than a tightly focused pursuit of securing his legacy.

So, from what was retrospectively barely the mid point of his career, Federer had no rabbit to chase, and no reason to think that he'd a) spend his 30s in a dogfight with two other younger, hungrier ATGs who had his records to chase (and his precedents to show what was possible), or b) would even necessarily be capable of still being competitive with those ATGs. And there was no blueprint / precedent in doing so.

Then, when it became apparent that there was a possibility he'd be surpassed, he was in his mid 30s. He rallied, beat his main career rival in 5 of their last 6 matches, won slams (benefitting from Djokovic wavering himself), and - ironically - once again set precedents for the younger men to chase.

And still, that probably would have been enough, had two players the calibre of a 24 year old Djokovic and 25 year old Nadal joined the tour in 2017 to blunt Djokovic's march through his 30s. Alas, it didn't happen.

 

[Frenchy-Player]

Without a video seeing Roger acting talking saying these quotes, the author or forum user can paint any narrative they want. Convenient there’s no video?

This interview is a leak of a passage from the Amazon documentary so we'll see if it's fake or not.

 

[weakera]

“I played him in Monaco the very first time and I walked off the court and thought, ‘Yeah, he’s okay’.
“Even though there was some hype around him, I wasn’t really fully convinced. I think I didn’t give Novak the respect he deserved because of his technical flaws. I felt like Novak had a very extreme forehand grip and his backhand for me wasn’t as fluid as it is nowadays.

“But then he ironed those things out super well and became an unbelievable monster of a player.”
Federer also weighed in on the way his fans — as well as supporters of his other great rival, Rafael Nadal — reacted to Djokovic.
“I guess he was the party crasher of Rafa and Roger fans,” Federer continued.


“There was a lot of Rafa-Roger love there, so when Novak came probably a lot of people said, ‘Look, we don’t need a third guy. We’re happy with Roger and Rafa’.
“The Federer fans at the beginning didn’t really like him because they just thought, ‘Roger’s a bit more easy, he does it with ease’.


“Then Novak came in with his strong personality and that unbelievable grit of wanting to win at all costs. I think also Novak was triggered by the relationship with the fans. I think that deep focus maybe scared some people away.
“I think he’s been a little bit misunderstood. I look past the media and I see at the end the man he is. If I take away his game, who is he? What are his values? I know he cares very deeply about his family.

Roger Federer reveals his honest opinion on a young Novak Djokovic and admits he lacked respect

Roger Federer has made the honest confession that he did not give Novak Djokovic "the respect he deserved" when the Serbian first emerged as a challenger.

www.tennis365.com

Does this quote keep on? Does Federer say more nice things? Because it's not exactly remarkable to care deeply about ones family.

 

[mike danny]

Does this quote keep on? Does Federer say more nice things? Because it's not exactly remarkable to care deeply about ones family.

Getting im14andthisisdeep vibes from your post

 

[weakera]

Getting im14andthisisdeep vibes from your post

I don't know what that means but if that's the best thing Federer can say about Novak's character, it's telling. Plenty of absolutely awful people care deeply about their families. It's like in Seinfeld when they would say the unsightly baby was "breathtaking."

 

[mike danny]

I don't know what that means but if that's the best thing Federer can say about Novak's character, it's telling. Plenty of absolutely awful people care deeply about their families. It's like in Seinfeld when they would say the unsightly baby was "breathtaking."

It's a subreddit.

 

[weakera]

It's a subreddit.

So was it an insult or a compliment

 

[mike danny]

So was it an insult or a compliment

It wasn't directed at you, it was directed at Fed for his deep statement of Novak caring about his family.

 

[Daniel Andrade]

I agree, especially after 2006/2007. He thought he could just show up and win and failed to start taking it more seriously until about 2012 when he had already started to slow down. If he had his 2017 mentality from 2008 he would’ve won way more than 20 slams imo. 2009 US final was his for the taking if he played more tactically. Plenty more examples.

I thought all his opponents were mugs

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

Simon Graf who is a Swiss sports editor for tagesanzeiger confirms this from the documentary, “Novak comes across as very likeable. Roger was thankful that he was there at the Laver Cup. He had underestimated him at the start of his career because of his technical flaws and Novak had been misunderstood by the public, he says.And that they are both family people”.

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

I agree, especially after 2006/2007. He thought he could just show up and win and failed to start taking it more seriously until about 2012 when he had already started to slow down. If he had his 2017 mentality from 2008 he would’ve won way more than 20 slams imo. 2009 US final was his for the taking if he played more tactically. Plenty more examples.

Complete BS. You are just trying to falsely characterize Federer as being this way because of the GOAT obsession on this forum which thankfully Federer never displayed.

 

[socallefty]

Many TTWrs reveal their honest opinion of Djokovic (at all ages) and admit they lack respect for him. Breaking News headlines!

 

[soldat]

I agree, especially after 2006/2007. He thought he could just show up and win and failed to start taking it more seriously until about 2012 when he had already started to slow down. If he had his 2017 mentality from 2008 he would’ve won way more than 20 slams imo. 2009 US final was his for the taking if he played more tactically. Plenty more examples.

It’s interesting to me how you can lie to yourself so easily

What I saw was Federer trying to win slams at every opportunity, and being destroyed by Djokovic. Same goes for Nadal except he could win the French open. And same goes for Djokovic, who was simply better at tennis

All of the big three did everything they could, surgeries, physical trainers, coaches.

Maybe losing motivation would be like Michael Jordan playing pro baseball because he was bored of basketball, and taking a year off of tennis, which I have never seen any of the big three do

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

It’s interesting to me how you can lie to yourself so easily

What I saw was Federer trying to win slams at every opportunity, and being destroyed by Djokovic. Same goes for Nadal except he could win the French open. And same goes for Djokovic, who was simply better at tennis

All of the big three did everything they could, surgeries, physical trainers, coaches.

Maybe losing motivation would be like Michael Jordan playing pro baseball because he was bored of basketball, and taking a year off of tennis, which I have never seen any of the big three do

Nice narrative to keep this lame GOAT discussion going. Just amazing with all the mental gymnastics you guys do on a daily basis.

 

[soldat]

Nice narrative to keep this lame GOAT discussion going. Just amazing with all the mental gymnastics you guys do on a daily basis.

The goat discussion can be separate from my point that none of the big three ever lost motivation

Never heard Federer announce he was going to take a 1-year break from tennis, for that matter never heard Nadal or Djokovic ever do that

You hear about “rumors” that Federer, Nadal Djokovic lost motivation or are considering retirement or are having family issues, but based on their effort to win tennis tournaments I don’t see them having lost any motivation. The only time I saw them lose motivation is when they are too injured to play, and Nadal even used painkilling injections to keep going so

The honest answer is that all three seem to be playing until they are absolutely on their last legs

 

[GabeT]

The goat discussion can be separate from my point that none of the big three ever lost motivation

Never heard Federer announce he was going to take a 1-year break from tennis, for that matter never heard Nadal or Djokovic ever do that

You hear about “rumors” that Federer, Nadal Djokovic lost motivation or are considering retirement or are having family issues, but based on their effort to win tennis tournaments I don’t see them having lost any motivation. The only time I saw them lose motivation is when they are too injured to play, and Nadal even used painkilling injections to keep going so

The honest answer is that all three seem to be playing until they are absolutely on their last legs

Yeah, we can argue whether player A or player B should have changed his training in one way or another. Or change racquets or strategy.

But they all lived for the sport. Absent injury (and Father Time) they would still be playing. Other players in the past quit because they were fed up with the game. Not the Big 3.

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

The goat discussion can be separate from my point that none of the big three ever lost motivation

Never heard Federer announce he was going to take a 1-year break from tennis, for that matter never heard Nadal or Djokovic ever do that

You hear about “rumors” that Federer, Nadal Djokovic lost motivation or are considering retirement or are having family issues, but based on their effort to win tennis tournaments I don’t see them having lost any motivation. The only time I saw them lose motivation is when they are too injured to play, and Nadal even used painkilling injections to keep going so

The honest answer is that all three seem to be playing until they are absolutely on their last legs

This discussion is not separate from any of the other GOAT discussions. This thread is a clever disguise of another GOAT discussion which is done purposefully.

 

[soldat]

This discussion is not separate from any of the other GOAT discussions. This thread is a clever disguise of another GOAT discussion which is done purposefully.

This thread was about “new” information, but
I always knew Federer was not a good sportsman. Redemption and forgiveness is a compelling part of any story, Federer filmed a documentary and now admits he was disrespectful, you can put two and two together. Although he is older now and hopefully more mature.

Completely separate from what I wanted to point out which was that Federer fans who make the “Federer was not motivated” story are lying to themselves. This goes for Djokovic and Nadal fans as well who want to claim their favorite was “not motivated”

These two things are both separate from the tennis goat debate, which for some fans is not just about the big 3

 

[messiahrobins]

I think this is a harsh take. Ultimately he was undone by career chronology / the fact he was a front runner and had no precedents to chase from 2010 rather than complacency or stubbornness. Even prior to taking Sampras' slam record, he was in uncharted territory with his rate of dominance.

It's been noted in track how WaveLight technology (LED lights showing you how fast you have to run to set a record) is helping athletes run faster, and it's the same principle here. Similarly, 'The Bannister Effect' was always in play against Federer: when you know something is possible it becomes more attainable. That's great for everyone except the person who shows that it's possible in the first place.

As he acknowledged in GQ earlier this year, he was fielding retirement questions as early as 2009, and from then on it was sort of "let's see where this goes", rather than a tightly focused pursuit of securing his legacy.

So, from what was retrospectively barely the mid point of his career, Federer had no rabbit to chase, and no reason to think that he'd a) spend his 30s in a dogfight with two other younger, hungrier ATGs who had his records to chase (and his precedents to show what was possible), or b) would even necessarily be capable of still being competitive with those ATGs. And there was no blueprint / precedent in doing so.

Then, when it became apparent that there was a possibility he'd be surpassed, he was in his mid 30s. He rallied, beat his main career rival in 5 of their last 6 matches, won slams (benefitting from Djokovic wavering himself), and - ironically - once again set precedents for the younger men to chase.

And still, that probably would have been enough, had two players the calibre of a 24 year old Djokovic and 25 year old Nadal joined the tour in 2017 to blunt Djokovic's march through his 30s. Alas, it didn't happen.

Fair points.

 

[TennisXpert@2023]

This thread was about “new” information, but
I always knew Federer was not a good sportsman. Redemption and forgiveness is a compelling part of any story, Federer filmed a documentary and now admits he was disrespectful, you can put two and two together. Although he is older now and hopefully more mature.

Completely separate from what I wanted to point out which was that Federer fans who make the “Federer was not motivated” story are lying to themselves. This goes for Djokovic and Nadal fans as well who want to claim their favorite was “not motivated”

These two things are both separate from the tennis goat debate, which for some fans is not just about the big 3

No, this thread is not new information. This thread is like all the others. One of the Big 3 players says some that can be reinvented then spun into a false narrative by the people here because they only care about boasting on and on each player’s achievements. You mean the same documentary no one cared about here because Roger retired at the dreaded Laver Cup until these quotes were discovered, which has spread like a wildfire on social media for Big 3 fans to “interpret“ as they see fit.