Great match by Federer : Never been happier even after a Federer loss

[Prisoner of Birth]

The old guy really took it to Murray. This was always the Slam he was least likely to win (even more so than the FO, IMO), but he had a great run against tough opponents and pushed Murray to the 5th. I'm happy, I really couldn't have expected him to do any better. His chances of beating Djokovic were always low and after two back-to-back 5-setters? Highly unlikely. Good match, good tournament, ALLEZ, Federer! You made us proud!

 

[TJfederer16]

Agreed, shame he ran out of gas in the 5th but he gave it his all and pushed it as far as it could have gone and thats all that matters, i expect him to be back strong in his next tournament.

 

[Dgpsx7]

I'm really proud of him. Pure heart. Imagine if his serve was on today.

 

[FEDisanAlien]

Agreed !!!
After the 5 sets marathon against tsonga it would have been really tough to beat murray
Murray today probably had one of his best service days in his career
also i got exited when federer broke him while he was serving for the match fed=champion !!

 

[Bobby Jr]

To lose in 5 sets set after playing as poorly as Federer did for most of the match is pretty astonishing really.

He'll pick his battles imo... I think his no lead-up tournament plan could be considered a success in most ways. He's defended his points from last year which a good hurdle for him really at the non-ideal tournaments/surfaces.

 

[Slimshady53]

Agreed he keeps proving to people why he's the GOAT

 

[DragonBlaze]

Yea, pretty content after this match. Here's hoping to another stellar season!

 

[Bartelby]

Stiffness from the cold and lack of mobility put Fed behind all the match. Not a good sign for his future success.

 

[Prisoner of Birth]

Stiffness from the cold and lack of mobility put Fed behind all the match. Not a good sign for his future success.

LOL, future success? Does he need any more? I'm content with what he's achieved. I'm happy even with quarterfinals at this point. Look what Sampras was doing at the same age. Oh wait, he was (pretty much) retired.

 

[Seventeen]

The old guy really took it to Murray. This was always the Slam he was least likely to win (even more so than the FO, IMO), but he had a great run against tough opponents and pushed Murray to the 5th. I'm happy, I really couldn't have expected him to do any better. His chances of beating Djokovic were always low and after two back-to-back 5-setters? Highly unlikely. Good match, good tournament, ALLEZ, Federer! You made us proud!

Absolutely, I completely agree.

 

[Jeffrey573639]

Allez!!
Cmon Fed for 2013 FO

 

[President]

I am not happy at all, how many more tough losses like this can Roger take before he gets discouraged and starts to lose motivation? In a way a straight sets loss would have been better, I really don't want him to retire anytime soon...

 

[mandy01]

People look at his five set losses but they never look at what it took out of him to push those guys to fifth sets. Federer almost NEVER goes down easily to anyone in a major. If that isn't fortitude I don't know what is.

 

[Metalica]

The old guy really took it to Murray. This was always the Slam he was least likely to win (even more so than the FO, IMO), but he had a great run against tough opponents and pushed Murray to the 5th. I'm happy, I really couldn't have expected him to do any better. His chances of beating Djokovic were always low and after two back-to-back 5-setters? Highly unlikely. Good match, good tournament, ALLEZ, Federer! You made us proud!

Yes, I thought Fed fought very well the last two matches, winning 4 tie breaks out of the 5 sets he won. He was pressured nearly every service game which must have been very uncomfortable for a guy who's so serve reliant.

 

[forzamilan90]

The heart of a champion.

 

[Tafmatch]

Fed really looked his age today but he put up a brilliant fight. Well done!

 

[FlashFlare11]

I am not happy at all, how many more tough losses like this can Roger take before he gets discouraged and starts to lose motivation? In a way a straight sets loss would have been better, I really don't want him to retire anytime soon...

I used to fear this too. I always dread the one match that will, eventually, send him into retirement earlier than planned. But I'm not so sure anymore. I think thse close matches prove that he's really not far from where he once was and that even at 31, he can just about match players 24/25 years of age. Also, I think he uses these close matches to push himself even harder in training and his subsequent tournaments.

With that said, I agree, OP. I've never seen Federer fight so hard while being in a losing position for almost the entire duration of the match. Even in defeat, I hope he's as proud of himself for his tremendous effort as much as we are of him.

 

[Prisoner of Birth]

I used to fear this too. I always dread the one match that will, eventually, send him into retirement earlier than planned. But I'm not so sure anymore. I think thse close matches prove that he's really not far from where he once was and that even at 31, he can just about match players 24/25 years of age. Also, I think he uses these close matches to push himself even harder in training and his subsequent tournaments.

With that said, I agree, OP. I've never seen Federer fight so hard while being in a losing position for almost the entire duration of the match. Even in defeat, I hope he's as proud of himself for his tremendous effort as much as we are of him.

Federer will hang around, trust me. I know what he's thinking. These guys, Djokovic, Murray, they're not gonna sustain their level of past 2 or 3 years given their physical style of play. Federer realizes he can more than hang with them in their peaks and primes, and he might be suspecting that he can outlast them. I mean, these guys might decline faster than Federer will a couple of years from now. Think about it. It might not happen but it's probable enough for Federer to hang on.

 

[Steve0904]

Federer will hang around, trust me. I know what he's thinking. These guys, Djokovic, Murray, they're not gonna sustain their level of past 2 or 3 years given their physical style of play. Federer realizes he can more than hang with them in their peaks and primes, and he might be suspecting that he can outlast them. I mean, these guys might decline faster than Federer will a couple of years from now. Think about it. It might not happen but it's possible enough for Federer to hang on.

I've always thought this as well. Look at Nadal for example. It won't get any easier, but I think Murray, and especially Djokovic will decline much faster than Federer ever did. Agree with your original sentiment as well.

 

[FlashFlare11]

Federer will hang around, trust me. I know what he's thinking. These guys, Djokovic, Murray, they're not gonna sustain their level of past 2 or 3 years given their physical style of play. Federer realizes he can more than hang with them in their peaks and primes, and he might be suspecting that he can outlast them. I mean, these guys might decline faster than Federer will a couple of years from now. Think about it. It might not happen but it's possible enough for Federer to hang on.

If there's one thing Federer does better than anyone else, it's the ability to shrug off tough losses. I'm certain that he'll come back stronger and more determined. He relishes the chance to prove himself time and again and that's what'll push him him forward.

 

[Prisoner of Birth]

I've always thought this as well. Look at Nadal for example. It won't get any easier, but I think Murray, and especially Djokovic will decline much faster than Federer ever did. Agree with your original sentiment as well.

Yeah, but looking at Tomic, I think he'll be a better player than Federer 4 years from now. And there will other guys coming up too. Will be tough for sure but if Agassi could tough it out, so can Federer. Let's see if he will.

 

[Bartelby]

So, you think he keeps playing because he's happy to lose?

LOL, future success? Does he need any more? I'm content with what he's achieved. I'm happy even with quarterfinals at this point. Look what Sampras was doing at the same age. Oh wait, he was (pretty much) retired.

 

[Prisoner of Birth]

So, you think he keeps playing because he's happy to lose?

He keeps playing because he's happy to play.

 

[Wilander Fan]

It was a pretty gritty effort and Murray had been steam rolling people coming in. The 4th set was just grittiness but you could see the wheels coming off in the 5th. Federer had the same kind of spent look in the Wimbledon loss to Berdych. It was really a nightmare draw as well.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

A great run and great tournament by Roger. I had him going out to Murray, so it kind of played out how I expected. But, he played some thrilling tennis, loved his match against Tsonga, and despite being outplayed for most of the match, I loved his heart and fight back against Murray. At least taking the younger, fresher athlete to five sets.

Great run!

I am glad for Murray also. I think he needed a win over Roger in a slam, and he got it.

 

[Ico]

I was astonished it went to five. Obviously I'd prefer a win but there are a lot of positives to be taken from the match. Peak Murray vs. geriatric Fed is still a toss-up. Wow.

 

[Fedex]

The old guy really took it to Murray. This was always the Slam he was least likely to win (even more so than the FO, IMO), but he had a great run against tough opponents and pushed Murray to the 5th. I'm happy, I really couldn't have expected him to do any better. His chances of beating Djokovic were always low and after two back-to-back 5-setters? Highly unlikely. Good match, good tournament, ALLEZ, Federer! You made us proud!

And thanks Roger for spoiling Murray's chances.
Roger "F**k it up" big time for Andy.

 

[Duncan Bell]

I was astonished it went to five. Obviously I'd prefer a win but there are a lot of positives to be taken from the match. Peak Murray vs. geriatric Fed is still a toss-up. Wow.

Yeah - although I think Murray still can and will improve, so I wouldn't say Murray has peaked; although that was pretty much 'peak Murray' from what we've seen from him so far.

 

[BeHappy]

LOL, future success? Does he need any more? I'm content with what he's achieved. I'm happy even with quarterfinals at this point. Look what Sampras was doing at the same age. Oh wait, he was (pretty much) retired.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oizEjkreZw

 

[Carsomyr]

I am not happy at all, how many more tough losses like this can Roger take before he gets discouraged and starts to lose motivation? In a way a straight sets loss would have been better, I really don't want him to retire anytime soon...

He just won a major last year, beating Murray and Djokovic on the way. He was just WORLD NUMBER ONE last year. Yes, it was a tough loss, but I think there are positives to be made out of it. The most important thing was continuing to compete after going down a break in the fourth set. I don't really approve of his method of getting fired up, but at least he showed he still had drive and desire. And honestly, I still felt he had a chance in the 5th despite getting completely outplayed the entire match.

 

[Prisoner of Birth]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oizEjkreZw

Eh? That's 2002, not 2003.

 

[zagor]

And thanks Roger for spoiling Murray's chances.
Roger "F**k it up" big time for Andy.

Roger is a troll, you should have learned that by now

 

[Nickzor]

Good thread!

May seem weird to say this about Frederer but~ I almost felt that he knew he would win in the fifth, but he was just happy to take 2 sets of Murray, who he knows and who everyone else knows is about in his prime, and someone in great physical Condition.

For people who say Murray isn't in his prime yet, well his had multiple wins against the big three since 2010, been to 6 grandslam finals, won Us Open last year, and also the Olympic gold, wow I can't wait to see him when his in his prime! We're probably looking at 2 calendar grand slams at the least! (not even being serious)

 

[Nickzor]

Good thread!

May seem weird to say this about Frederer but~ I almost felt that he knew he wouldn't win in the fifth, but he was just happy to take 2 sets of Murray, who he knows and who everyone else knows is about in his prime, and someone in great physical Condition.

For people who say Murray isn't in his prime yet, well his had multiple wins against the big three since 2010, been to 6 grandslam finals, won Us Open last year, and also the Olympic gold, wow I can't wait to see him when his in his prime! We're probably looking at 2 calendar grand slams at the least! (not even being serious)

 

[President]

And thanks Roger for spoiling Murray's chances.
Roger "F**k it up" big time for Andy.

I don't think his chances are spoiled, Murray looks fitter than ever and this match wasn't too long for a 5 setter. There were many quick points, I don't think Andy will be too tired in the final.

 

[Fedex]

Roger is a troll, you should have learned that by now

I just hope Murray makes it respectable on Sunday Zag.
Djokovic is a machine on speed.

 

[ruariatp]

Federer did a great job to take it to 5 - he was outplayed pretty much throughout, so winning those tiebreaks just shows how tough he is. here are some of my ideas for the final - I don't think Murray will be tired, but he will have to tighten up and be more agressive in the important stages more than he was today.

 

[Fedex]

I don't think his chances are spoiled, Murray looks fitter than ever and this match wasn't too long for a 5 setter. There were many quick points, I don't think Andy will be too tired in the final.

I think the way Federer plays he makes you have to do a lot more quick sprints around the court which is more physically demanding.
You've maybe run the same distance in another match but it's how you've run them that matters too.
A 200 m jog compared to 10 x 20 m sprints is far less taxing to use an extreme example to emphasise the point.

 

[zagor]

I just hope Murray makes it respectable on Sunday Zag.
Djokovic is a machine on speed.

I think he will, he might feel the effects of match against Fed if it goes to 5 sets but he didn't expand much energy navigating through the draw leading up to SF so he should be fine overall.

I'll be rooting for Novak (like I was rooting for Fed today) but I'd fine with Murray winning, the guy has become a terrific player, people who call him pusher from now on are really full of it, he was overpowering Fed today in many rallies. He faltered a bit in key moments (and Fed fought like a lion) but his game overall was in excellent shape.

Novak did look machine like against Ferrer but Murray is a different match-up, don't think Novak will bring that level of aggression to the final but we'll see. I hope it will be a competitive match but I'm not itching to see a 5-6 hour marathon or something to be honest.

 

[Bartelby]

Nonsense, he plays also to win and he just lost quite badly.

He keeps playing because he's happy to play.

 

[mandy01]

Roger is a troll, you should have learned that by now

I was ROFLing after the fourth set. I was like, " Roger you cheeky man!" It was hilarious. I at no point saw him winning the match but the way he took the fourth set was beyond EPIC.

 

[mandy01]

My only doubt regarding Murray is him sustaining a level of play aggressive enough to take Djokovic down. Because he had lulls today. He reverted to being passive, but Roger had nothing going for him so he got out of it.

 

[DeShaun]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oizEjkreZw

Of all the clips that I've seen of Pete and Andre playing one another, none ever seems to give me the feeling that Andre could consistently take Pete out of his comfort zone. It's as if there was something about Andre's game that never really troubled Pete. This is why I have been reluctant to compare Andre-as-Pete's-rival with Rafa-as-Roger's-rival. The two so called rivals are not in the same league (IMO) in terms of the amount of pressure that they could put on Roger and Pete respectively. In this clip, Pete seems to be having things go mostly all his way, while Andre is looking hard for a seam; and that is common to most every clip that I've ever seen of Andre playing Pete.

 

[DeShaun]

My only doubt regarding Murray is him sustaining a level of play aggressive enough to take Djokovic down. Because he had lulls today. He reverted to being passive, but Roger had nothing going for him so he got out of it.

I think Andy is for real now. What he said after the match was, "I hope the final on Sunday will be painful because that would mean it's a good match." Murray has arrived, IMO. Djokovic needs to watch his back because this Andy is not of the mindset to wait around for someone's level to drop--this Andy is of the mindset to march up the hill and rip the Golden Bough from Novak's grip. Andy and Novak supposedly are friends. But Novak himself is quoted as saying (to paraphrase) It's kind of hard to maintain real friendships with the other guys on tour because we're all competing for the same glory and limited pile of money." This Andy went straight at Roger at net on Center Court in Wimbledon where Roger was thought beloved--hitherto unheard of behavior. This Andy is tough and ready to take what won't be given, Novak be damned. Watch, you guys will see something very interesting on Sunday.

 

[kishnabe]

Stiffness from the cold and lack of mobility put Fed behind all the match. Not a good sign for his future success.

People were saying the same crap after 2012 AO Semi.....which was followed by Wimbledon win and Silver Medal.

He will do well in all majors....maybe win one if he gets a hot streak!

 

[Mick3391]

The old guy really took it to Murray. This was always the Slam he was least likely to win (even more so than the FO, IMO), but he had a great run against tough opponents and pushed Murray to the 5th. I'm happy, I really couldn't have expected him to do any better. His chances of beating Djokovic were always low and after two back-to-back 5-setters? Highly unlikely. Good match, good tournament, ALLEZ, Federer! You made us proud!

Played well? I commentated like every shot. Fed had no serve, no strategy, was tired and lethargic.

Take nothing away from Murray, he played awesome, but Fed was NOT on his A game, every commentator said the same thing as me.

 

[Prisoner of Birth]

Nonsense, he plays also to win and he just lost quite badly.

Of course he plays to win, he'd be a loser not to, but he plays to play first and playing involves trying to win. Would he be a "player" if he didn't play to win? Stop being dense, now, make an effort.

And he didn't lose "quite badly", are you serious? He just took the match to a 5th set. You're unbelievable.

 

[Prisoner of Birth]

Played well? I commentated like every shot. Fed had no serve, no strategy, was tired and lethargic.

Take nothing away from Murray, he played awesome, but Fed was NOT on his A game, every commentator said the same thing as me.

There's your A game. Then there's playing well. Then there's playing mediocre. And then there's playing bad. Federer wouldn't have taken this to the 5th set the way Murray was playing if he hadn't played well.

And doesn't matter what the commentators say, they're paid to say something to fill in the time. And none of them said Federer was playing bad, anyway, they only said he had a bad service day. I don't know who you were listening to. Perhaps yourself?

 

[cc0509]

My only doubt regarding Murray is him sustaining a level of play aggressive enough to take Djokovic down. Because he had lulls today. He reverted to being passive, but Roger had nothing going for him so he got out of it.

Murray's serving stats and return of serve stats have been better than Djokovic's thus far in this tournament. If Murray can both serve and return better than Djokovic in the final, he has a good shot to win.

 

[Talker]

Yeah, this loss was much easier to take given the circumstances.

Serve wasn't really working, too many easy misses even with the forehand.
The movement was a little slow.

Pretty amazing it went 5 and after taking the fourth set I felt he would pull it out. It seems he used up all he had just to get to the fifth set.

Murray played a very good match none the less.

Djokovic will be fully rested, he'll have the energy to get to balls in good position, it's a big advantage.