How did Federer motivate himself again at smaller tournaments?

[McEnroeisanartist]

In 2008-2009, Federer reached the finals of 8 non-Grand Slam tournaments and won 5 of them.

Compare that to 2014-15, Federer has reached the finals of 16 non-Grand Slam tournaments and won 9 of them.

Now, of course, in the last two years he has not performed in Grand Slams anywhere close to what he did in 2008-2009, but still amazing that he was able to motivate himself again to perform well at smaller tournaments.

 

[xan]

One could argue its easier to perform well in smaller tournaments. I mean at the end of the day he is making money playing tennis, getting huge fees just to show up at some of these smaller tournaments.
Whats so hard about it?

 

[El Diablo]

I think he motivates himself with greed and avarice; the winner gets paid more. And how much motivation is really required when, for example in 2014, he had to beat such legends as Alejandro Falla and David Goffin in finals at these tournaments?

 

[The_18th_Slam]

And how much motivation is really required when, for example in 2014, he had to beat such legends as Alejandro Falla and David Goffin in finals at these tournaments?

More than what is required to lose to Rosol, Darcis, and Brown at the grandest stage of all.

 

[ibbi]

Because he loves playing tennis?

 

[Shaolin]

He loves tennis and I'm sure also feels an obligation to the tournament (which has paid him tons in appearance fees) and wants to play his best for the fans who pay to see him. That and I'm sure he just loves to win tournaments. So, a lot of reasons.

 

[BeatlesFan]

I think he motivates himself with greed and avarice; the winner gets paid more.

Oh yeah... right.

The prize money for Federer is small change. He makes almost all of his money from off-court endeavors and endorsements. Had he won Wimbledon, it would have been about 3 million dollars. That's just chicken feed to him. He makes a million every time he shows up to any tournament just for appearance fees. There was a lot of speculation that Ellison paid him 3 million bucks just to show this year at IW.

Fed could win the CYGS and that would net him about 9 million dollars in winners checks. Nike and Mercedes combined shell out 9 million dollars a month to him. Lindt and Rolex just as much. Prize money is the last thing on his mind, securing and broadening his endorsements is the priority because it's where the huge money is.

What motivates Fed really? He wants to get more titles than Lendl, who sits at 94. He has never said it, but that fact he's playing more 250's each year would seem to strongly indicate it.

 

[Stanimal]

Yeah, 'cause Fed wouldn't play the mandatory Masters 1000 at Indian Wells without triple bribery, right?

Give me a ****ing break.

 

[MasturB]

Yeah, 'cause Fed wouldn't play the mandatory Masters 1000 at Indian Wells without triple bribery, right?

Give me a ******* break.

He would've played it, it's just Ellison paid him more to play doubles, as Ellison did with most of the top singles guys.

 

[Stanimal]

Now that I can see. My bad.

 

[TheSopranos]

Sure he loves tennis and all that, but showing up for Istanbul where he probably got paid double digit millions it should not be so hard to motivate yourself. Also you have always a big crowd there watching you.

 

[TommyA8X]

Yeah, 'cause Fed wouldn't play the mandatory Masters 1000 at Indian Wells without triple bribery, right?

Give me a ******* break.

It ain't mandatory for Federer, so Larry could have paid him to play it.

 

[Djokovic2011]

Fed simply has a great love for the sport and the sport is his life.

Roger is love, Roger is life.

 

[rossi46]

His hungry demanding wife now with 4 children probably explains it.

 

[Bukmeikara]

Money is not the reason why Federer wins titles. Being able to beat the field at a tournament means that you outsmart 30-40-60 guys just for a week ... and this is pure pleasure everytime you do it, no mather if is it a 250 or a Slam. For example I play poker. I have won some tournaments with medium stakes but still visit my local casino and play small stakes tournaments in which the overall level is low. Just a few times I lacked the passion to play serious, almost every other time I give my best to "beat" some ordinary people who play just for fun. Taking the first place prize always brings joy ... at least for me.