Gilles Simon on "The Federer Myth" and why he wants Djokodal to overtake him

Legend of Borg said:
Gilles Simon Reveals Why He Wants Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to Break Roger Federer’s Records

BY KSHITIJ TAYAL
OCTOBER 21, 2020


Former World No.6 Gilles Simon is about to release his first book later this month. Titled “This Sport That Makes You Crazy”, Simon has given an interesting outlook towards the “Greatest of All Time” debate surrounding Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. The Frenchman has an entire chapter titled “The Federer Myth”, where he writes about trainers having an obsession to train a new Federer in France.


Recently, during an interview, Simon talked about people’s fixation with Federer resulted from his conventional playing style and his colossal achievements over the last two decades. He felt that people don’t want any player to break Federer’s records. It would open up the GOAT debate, and make people incline towards Djokovic or Nadal.

“If Federer keeps his records, that will allow us to say that, of course, Djoko and Nadal are good players too, but above all that, they are less strong. That’s why this GOAT story has been gaining such proportions for years, because there are many who believe that Federer’s records will never fall. But if Djokovic overtakes him when he hardly makes any volleys, it will break the thought patterns of a lot of people.” said Simon.


Simon on people’s obsession with Roger Federer
The 14-time career titlist believes that if Djokovic overtakes Federer in the Grand Slam race, people may not take it too kindly. World No.2 Nadal has already equaled the Swiss maestro’s record of winning 20 major championships after lifting the French Open 2020 for a record 13th time.


Simon revealed that if Federer keeps his records, kids will be forced to emulate him. Hence, he wants Nadal or Djokovic to overcome Federer so that fans don’t limit tennis to one player and young players can approach the game through various playing styles.

“Federer, who keeps his records, means that for generations to come, they will put him in all the sauce. And I don’t want that. I would like a kid who is forced to play like Federer can answer: “Yes, but Novak and Rafa have won twenty-one titles by playing differently,” remarked Simon.


Notably, both Nadal and Djokovic lead their head-to-head against Federer by 24-16 and 27-23, respectively. With Roger having turned 39 this year, the 2021 season might be the last time we witness his magical stroke play.
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would gilles 'door slamming' simon @Candide like to see kids play like simon ? :unsure:
i sure wouldn't... :sick:
vive le beau jeu ! said:
oh and watching gilles simon is like receiving drops of lemon juice in the eyes...
covereyes.gif
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Candide said:
I was going to include Gilles too. His stiff armed backhand is like a door slamming in the wind.
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Sysyphus said:
perhaps he feels a bit bitter of having ended up in the shadow of more flair-possessing compatriots such as Tsonga, Monfils and Gasquet or something like that.

who knows.

he does at least sound salty about players with other playing styles than him. I remember he sad some stuff about Feli Lopez also.
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definitely... he's always been resentful because people don't like his boring ugly tennis and his turnip-like charisma :cry:
 
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novak/neds playing style cannot be replicated at a high level so not sure where he is going with this. You only see people copying fedr at the club level where you can get away with being flashy but there's no results to show for it because poor man fedr have an even higher ceiling (see diMUGtrov)
 
i can see why the french federation would prefer federer
the torch would go from sampras to federer, who is actually a more modernized form of sampras
nadal and djoka are just base liners so it would be the complete lost of any attacking game or all around court players
its really about racket technology, development in rackets will keep favoriting baseline players
its seems impossible now but all of the big 3 will actually end up losing the slam record in a few years to new players with more advance rackets
 
AnOctorokForDinner said:
And yet the hard-working unflashy simon isn't even top 3 among the modern French tennisbois. Tsonga, Gasquet and Monfils all rank above him. Either simug isn't that gritty or flashiness isn't that bad, at least better than gritty simuggery.
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He was a top 10 player. Has a better finales score than other French players.

An injury in 2008 or 2009 stopped him just as he had reached the top 10.

Not bad for a "man without talent"?
 
Yes Gilles, your robotic baseline style has been the boring norm for far too long, and we of course understand why you wouldn't want a new generation of players emulating a style that is so unlike yours......................

It's actually easy to play boring baseline tennis, with no imagination............

And you, you are a workmanlike player and not a wizard and maestro like the Great Roger Federer.........

Gilles: " I want them to train kids to play like me, not Federer. It's so unfair....."
 
The idea that the winner of the slam race will decide how french kids train is stupid. It can't be denied. But don't forget it is only a few lines picked by the publishers to sell it. I'm sure his opinions are much better explained in the book.

@UnderratedSlam is absolutely right here, that is what Simon meant. The french federation of tennis mostly trusts very talented kids with flashy skills. This is the profile they are looking for because there is too much old school thinking in vigor. Simon has already talked about that in the past, and Yannick Noah too. They don't believe in kids who just show great determination, i think it is a bit elitist.

I'm sure Simon IS salty because they actually didn't believe in him and didn't really help him. As a small guy who made everything against the odds and with a laborious brainy gamestyle, he is kind of annoyed at Roger's popularity, because the narrative people know about him is mostly his incredible talent, and he would want to be recognize for what he himself did (I give him the ultimate overachiever title, I have a lot of respect for him). Just look at Nadal and Federer's favorite movies, it tells everything : Gladiator and Will Hunting.
 
Thriller said:
Should be an interesting read.
I think this is more of a bash at the rigid French Federation who seem to have a very fixed (and perhaps dated) view of how tennis should be played that they force on the young. I.E. play like Roger.
This fits with another section from the book:
Basically if Nadal was a french kid they would have ruined him by trying to change every aspect of his game. Fortunately for the world, Nadal was given the freedom to develop independently.
www.sportskeeda.com

If Rafael Nadal had trained with the French federation, they would've changed everything about his game: Gilles Simon

Gilles Simon has spoken at length about the peculiarities of Rafael Nadal's game in his new autobiography. The Frenchman believes Nadal's game would have been very different if he had trained in France as a youngster.
www.sportskeeda.com www.sportskeeda.com

Simon himself has an idiosyncratic style so probably was hassled by low-achieving, know-nothing coaches trying to change his style throughout his entire career.
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France has 11 players in the top 100, they put the LTA to shame when you consider the largesse available from Wimbledon every year.
 
He should focus on winning his next match in less than 5 sets.
 
"Simon revealed that if Federer keeps his records, kids will be forced to emulate him. Hence, he wants Nadal or Djokovic to overcome Federer so that fans don’t limit tennis to one player and young players can approach the game through various playing styles."

If he really said that Simon doesn't know jack sh*t about what is going on in the training camps all-around the world: kids are discouraged to use OHBH left right and center, are encouraged to use SW grip and start with ever bigger head sizes.

He could not be further away from the truth even if he tried.

8-)
 
Tennis changed already in the 90s, more and more players became baseliners with 2hb who hit the ball very hard, so I don't know why Nadal and Novak are considered different in his pov. That style is also easier to teach and costs a lot less. Just take a look at the Bollettieri Academy, a man who had no clue about tennis became famous and rich for teaching all children the same style of tennis and he probably calculated that at least 5 players would make it to the very the top which was good enough to promote his academy.

I am sure the german tennis federation, who once used to make the most money, also teaches the same baseline style and hasn't had much success either in men's tennis since Becker and Stich and everyone knows that hard work, discipline and determination are the main things germans care about the most.
 
Fanboys living vicariously is one thing, a non-retired professional tennis player wishing for vindication over one player using another's achievements is as lame as it gets.

***** territory lame.

(I do agree there is some over-the-top fawning over Roger in the sport; kinda bound to happen though alongside deserved accolades for someone that's been so consistently good for a long time. But that's for reasonable observers to say.

Usually the folks who get all bent up about his popularity are just being hypocritical because they wouldn't mind the same thing for their guy)
 
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Legend of Borg said:
Gilles Simon Reveals Why He Wants Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to Break Roger Federer’s Records

BY KSHITIJ TAYAL
OCTOBER 21, 2020


Former World No.6 Gilles Simon is about to release his first book later this month. Titled “This Sport That Makes You Crazy”, Simon has given an interesting outlook towards the “Greatest of All Time” debate surrounding Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. The Frenchman has an entire chapter titled “The Federer Myth”, where he writes about trainers having an obsession to train a new Federer in France.


Recently, during an interview, Simon talked about people’s fixation with Federer resulted from his conventional playing style and his colossal achievements over the last two decades. He felt that people don’t want any player to break Federer’s records. It would open up the GOAT debate, and make people incline towards Djokovic or Nadal.

“If Federer keeps his records, that will allow us to say that, of course, Djoko and Nadal are good players too, but above all that, they are less strong. That’s why this GOAT story has been gaining such proportions for years, because there are many who believe that Federer’s records will never fall. But if Djokovic overtakes him when he hardly makes any volleys, it will break the thought patterns of a lot of people.” said Simon.


Simon on people’s obsession with Roger Federer
The 14-time career titlist believes that if Djokovic overtakes Federer in the Grand Slam race, people may not take it too kindly. World No.2 Nadal has already equaled the Swiss maestro’s record of winning 20 major championships after lifting the French Open 2020 for a record 13th time.


Simon revealed that if Federer keeps his records, kids will be forced to emulate him. Hence, he wants Nadal or Djokovic to overcome Federer so that fans don’t limit tennis to one player and young players can approach the game through various playing styles.

“Federer, who keeps his records, means that for generations to come, they will put him in all the sauce. And I don’t want that. I would like a kid who is forced to play like Federer can answer: “Yes, but Novak and Rafa have won twenty-one titles by playing differently,” remarked Simon.


Notably, both Nadal and Djokovic lead their head-to-head against Federer by 24-16 and 27-23, respectively. With Roger having turned 39 this year, the 2021 season might be the last time we witness his magical stroke play.
Click to expand...
Interesting take. I'm pretty sure there isn't a coach in the world who wouldn't love to see their student play like Djokovic, though.
 
BeatlesFan said:
I reckon he's trying to sell his book. Nobody cares about Simon and few people outside of serious tennis fans have ever heard of him. Diss Fed and he gets a headline and creates a buzz. He sure never created any buzz on his own throughout his 17 year career.
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Perhaps.

His disdain isn't new though and it seems to be about baseliners vs S&V players (or something like that)

Here are similar comments from him from 2015 about Federer, Djokovic and interestingly enough, picks on Feli Lopez and gets owned on twitter - http://www.tennisnow.com/Blogs/NET-...Lopez-Kills-Gilles-Simon-with-Kindness-o.aspx
 
He doesn’t want kids to emulate Federer? Lolwut? Since when do kids do that? Seems like everyone plays the ball bashing style these days.
 
GhostOfNKDM said:
For baseline play, yes. It seems to suffice for the surfaces that predominate the tour these days.
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Djokovic's short game and volleys are heavily underrated. It's been a big weapon in his arsenal since 2013.

People just see his overhead (a shot which is truly beyond saving) and conflate that with his net game as a whole.
 
Legend of Borg said:
this is a strange one

his main point of contention here is that Fed's style will predominate the juniors because all the coaches want to make mini-Feds

however, wouldn't we run into the very same problem if/when Djokodal become GOATS?

every kid is gonna be forced into a two hander and taught to camp the baseline

you can argue this already is a problem considering the new gens are allergic to net play and have a seizure every time they attempt a volley
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I had the same thought. Only guys on tour that seem like Federer are Dimi, Tsitsipas, Shaps...

Djokovic has lots of clones!
 
Legend of Borg said:
this is a strange one

his main point of contention here is that Fed's style will predominate the juniors because all the coaches want to make mini-Feds

however, wouldn't we run into the very same problem if/when Djokodal become GOATS?

every kid is gonna be forced into a two hander and taught to camp the baseline

you can argue this already is a problem considering the new gens are allergic to net play and have a seizure every time they attempt a volley
Click to expand...
Tsitsipas and Shapovalov are very competent net players, though. (Then again, they seem to come from the Federer mold rather than Djokovic)
 
BeatlesFan said:
I reckon he's trying to sell his book. Nobody cares about Simon and few people outside of serious tennis fans have ever heard of him. Diss Fed and he gets a headline and creates a buzz. He sure never created any buzz on his own throughout his 17 year career.
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Bingo.
 
Nadalgaenger said:
I had the same thought. Only guys on tour that seem like Federer are Dimi, Tsitsipas, Shaps...

Djokovic has lots of clones!
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Most of the NextGens aren't exactly Djokovic clones. Too passive. Djokovic was a monster from the baseline, the likes of Zverev and Coric are just bots with lots of power and not much precision or strategy.

The only true "baby-Djoker" I see in this generation is Sinner.
 
King No1e said:
Djokovic's short game and volleys are heavily underrated. It's been a big weapon in his arsenal since 2013.

People just see his overhead (a shot which is truly beyond saving) and conflate that with his net game as a whole.
Click to expand...
Doesn't help that he looks way awkward at the net, like every time. Think people rate his slices /drop shots similarly too. lol
 
King No1e said:
Most of the NextGens aren't exactly Djokovic clones. Too passive. Djokovic was a monster from the baseline, the likes of Zverev and Coric are just bots with lots of power and not much precision or strategy.

The only true "baby-Djoker" I see in this generation is Sinner.
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Not saying they approach his combination of skills but they clearly based their game on his style.
Examples everywhere: Nishikori, Goffin, Coric, Sinner...
 
PeoplesChamp said:
No one can play like Federer anyway, but if they could surely they would win French Opens because Nadal was the only guy standing in his way for years.
Click to expand...
Not true. Another myth. Federer didn't make any headway for 6 hyears before he first played Nadal at RG.

 
Coincidentally, I’m releasing my book later this month entitled “Simon Sez: Grinding Takes Talent Too.”

Feliciano Lopez Kills Gilles Simon with Kindness on Twitter

Tennis Now's blog, covering everything from player rankings, to tennis player birthdays, to news, analysis, predictions, and coverage of off-court happenings. We will also include any tennis-related bits that we stumble upon from the internet. Tweets? Facebook status updates? Player blog...
www.tennisnow.com www.tennisnow.com
 
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Legend of Borg said:
Gilles Simon Reveals Why He Wants Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to Break Roger Federer’s Records

BY KSHITIJ TAYAL
OCTOBER 21, 2020


Former World No.6 Gilles Simon is about to release his first book later this month. Titled “This Sport That Makes You Crazy”, Simon has given an interesting outlook towards the “Greatest of All Time” debate surrounding Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. The Frenchman has an entire chapter titled “The Federer Myth”, where he writes about trainers having an obsession to train a new Federer in France.


Recently, during an interview, Simon talked about people’s fixation with Federer resulted from his conventional playing style and his colossal achievements over the last two decades. He felt that people don’t want any player to break Federer’s records. It would open up the GOAT debate, and make people incline towards Djokovic or Nadal.

“If Federer keeps his records, that will allow us to say that, of course, Djoko and Nadal are good players too, but above all that, they are less strong. That’s why this GOAT story has been gaining such proportions for years, because there are many who believe that Federer’s records will never fall. But if Djokovic overtakes him when he hardly makes any volleys, it will break the thought patterns of a lot of people.” said Simon.


Simon on people’s obsession with Roger Federer
The 14-time career titlist believes that if Djokovic overtakes Federer in the Grand Slam race, people may not take it too kindly. World No.2 Nadal has already equaled the Swiss maestro’s record of winning 20 major championships after lifting the French Open 2020 for a record 13th time.


Simon revealed that if Federer keeps his records, kids will be forced to emulate him. Hence, he wants Nadal or Djokovic to overcome Federer so that fans don’t limit tennis to one player and young players can approach the game through various playing styles.

“Federer, who keeps his records, means that for generations to come, they will put him in all the sauce. And I don’t want that. I would like a kid who is forced to play like Federer can answer: “Yes, but Novak and Rafa have won twenty-one titles by playing differently,” remarked Simon.


Notably, both Nadal and Djokovic lead their head-to-head against Federer by 24-16 and 27-23, respectively. With Roger having turned 39 this year, the 2021 season might be the last time we witness his magical stroke play.
Click to expand...

Very weird statement by simon. Federer isn't one dimentional. Novak and rafa is. Federer is multi-dimentional. That is why he is the GOAT
 
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