Has Federer's efficency in his post-prime surprised you? Why do you think he has been able to?

[McEnroeisanartist]

Yesterday, Federer reached his 50th Grand Slam quarterfinal.

He has reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal without losing a set in the first 4 rounds at the following slams:

Australian Open - 2005, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014
French Open - 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011
Wimbledon - 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2017
US Open - 2006, 2010, 2012, 2015

From 2004-2010 - 11 times
From 2011-2017 - 9 times

Of course, efficiency in the first four rounds of the tournament has not equated to great success in winning Grand Slams post-prime, but I would have thought that Federer would have struggled more in early round matches.

 

[BVSlam]

He has the perfect base game for longevity. Against the lesser opponents in the early rounds he (almost) always has too many options to outplay them. Better opponents in the later rounds can sometimes overpower him or overwhelm him with steady athletic play, but he can neutralise early big hitters who aren't consistent enough and just play around with baseliners who don't have enough weapons. Having a great serve and one-two punch helps a lot.

I also tend to feel many players put in worse performances against Fed early on than against the likes of Rafa, Djoko or Murray because of Fed having, or at least using, more options, and cannot get into a baselining rhythm as much.

 

[RacquetAbuse101]

He's extremely talented...

 

[forzamilan90]

Greatest ever, so spectacular level of play and plot twists and pleasant surprises are part of the story. We're close to the final chapter, but not yet, not yet...

 

[BeatlesFan]

He's extremely talented...

 

[KINGROGER]

Damn Fed has changed so much as a person since then. I remember that, the sore loser press conferences after losing Miami 09 and USO 11 to Djokovic (don't blame him for that one).

He's matured a lot since then. A lot wiser and more diplomatic.

 

[Jackuar]

The surprise is not in the efficiency. The only unchanged opinion for the past 13 years, I have of Federer, is that for his talent he would win 25 slams. Just that I recollect the thought less often these days but never ceased to believe. He might do it if he plays for another 5 years which looks possible given his intentions as he says and the next gen who are ever so ready to lose. Looking back at the years, I'm only surprised he didn't manage to pull off at the least a non calendar grand slam. The longevity was always a expected one for me.

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

I'm awestruck is what I am! Not all that surprised, though. He's so fleet on his feet and he takes the ball early, often at the net, and often out of the air. He serves and then gets up there so quickly! I believe these are the main reasons he's still got it going on.

 

[MasturB]

Damn Fed has changed so much as a person since then. I remember that, the sore loser press conferences after losing Miami 09 and USO 11 to Djokovic (don't blame him for that one).

He's matured a lot since then. A lot wiser and more diplomatic.

Well he's had kids since then.

Plus he has a multi million dollar brand he has to represent.

 

[BeatlesFan]

He's matured a lot since then. A lot wiser and more diplomatic.

What did Roger say in this presser that was not diplomatic? Was he supposed to deny he's talented? He's quite obviously the most talented tennis player that has ever lived. It's not being immodest of him to say out loud what everyone else already knows.

 

[KINGROGER]

What did Roger say in this presser that was not diplomatic? Was he supposed to deny he's talented? He's quite obviously the most talented tennis player that has ever lived. It's not being immodest of him to say out loud what everyone else already knows.

No I just mean his demeanor back then is a lot more confident/cool, some would say arrogant. He seems a totally different person now.

And I agree with what you're saying.