If Federer becomes No.1, will it be the greatest comeback of all time?

SuperHead

SuperHead

Rookie
Considering he had a disastrous year in 2013 and dropped to as low as No.8 in the World. However 2014 has been remarkable for Fed, pure perfection from the maestro- he has won an incredible 5 titles including 2 Masters 1000 tournaments in Cincinnati and Shanghai, 2 ATP 500 tournaments in Dubai and Basel and a 250 tournament in Halle, and has the possibility of winning another 1000 Masters tournament in Paris and the WTF so a potential of 7 titles this year. He has also reached to No.2 in the world, climbed up a staggering 6 places, and if he makes it to No.1, will it be the greatest comeback of all time to have ever taken place? Especially after the awful year he had last year?
 
SuperHead said:
Considering he had a disastrous year in 2013 and dropped to as low as No.8 in the World. However 2014 has been remarkable for Fed, pure perfection from the maestro- he has won an incredible 5 titles including 2 Masters 1000 tournaments in Cincinnati and Shanghai, 2 ATP 500 tournaments in Dubai and Basel and a 250 tournament in Halle, and has the possibility of winning another 1000 Masters tournament in Paris and the WTF so a potential of 7 titles this year. He has also reached to No.2 in the world, climbed up a staggering 6 places, and if he makes it to No.1, will it be the greatest comeback of all time to have ever taken place? Especially after the awful year he had last year?
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It would be the 2nd Greatest Comeback ever after Agassi's. Maybe third after Muster's.
 
These matters can be judged somewhat objectively, on the basis of the rankings involved. No. 8 to No. 1 would be a big leap, and even more impressive considering the player is 33 years old. But the greatest comeback ever? No.
 
With back problem and having to wear the undershirt for protection, last year was one of his worst year since over a decade. To reach the top again in a highly competitive sport does deserve an argument for the greatest comeback of all time.

Agassi comeback was great, but at that point he was 29, Federer is 33.
 
I dont think so. Federer should have never dropped to No. 8 in the first place. He did so only because he was injured.

In reality he has been always top 3.
 
Agassi coming back from 140 in the world in 1997 to #1 in 1999 after breaking his METH addiction is the biggest comeback of all time. If Fed wants a bigger comeback, he should get on METH ASAP, ruin his career and then stage a comeback in 2018.
 
Yes, it will be. Because Federer is the greatest player of all time. It only makes sense that he would have the greatest comeback of all time.
 
tennisdad65 said:
Were any of those guys past 30 at the time? Doing it at 25-29 is FAR FAR FAR easier than doing it at 33.
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As I noted, Fed would get extra points for being an exceptionally old No. 1. In fact, that's really what would make this comeback special. Otherwise, it's not a particularly big deal, because he hasn't had to come back very far. Sure, 2013 was a bad year for Federer, especially by his lofty standards, but he still finished the year in the top 10. He still qualified for the WTF, and performed respectably. In contrast, Agassi was virtually out of the sport. He was ranked No. 141, playing Challengers and using meth.
 
tennisdad65 said:
Were any of those guys past 30 at the time? Doing it at 25-29 is FAR FAR FAR easier than doing it at 33.
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Agassi dropped down to around 200 in the world, and had to fight tooth and nail on the challenger's tour to come back to the main tour, then fight hard to come back to be number 1, complete his career grand slam, and win 5 more majors. You're really trying to compare Federer's comeback with this?

I place Nadal's comeback over Federer's because Nadal came back from a serious knee injury that forced him to take time off the tour. He then almost swept the clay season, went on an absolute during the outdoor hardcourt season, not to mention getting back to number 1 and winning 2 majors.

The only things Federer has done on this comeback are: make a final at Wimby; win 2 (maybe 3, depending on this week) Masters titles; and win a couple of minor tournaments. He didn't even win a slam. And yes, he's 33, but he has been pretty much injury free for the entirety of his career, with the exception of last year.
 
No, it probably isn't the greatest comeback in tennis history, but it would be up there, seeing how many times people have written him of already, and considering how dark it looked one year ago.
 
Lol no.
Agassi's, and Nadal's were way greater. Don't know about Muster's, which people have mentioned (don't know much about his career).

Nadal actually won 2 Slams, 5 Masters and became world #1, while both him and Djokovic were playing top Tennis. To add to that, Murray was in top form till post Wimbledon. You may say that Fed wasn't in top form in 2013, but then Fed has never been an issue for Nadal.

Even though Fed's resurgence this year is very praiseworthy, it has to be duly noted, that he has taken advantage of a much weaker opposition at the top of the rankings, as his 3 major rivals have been struggling with form due to various reasons.

Murray totally struggling with post Surgery comeback for the major part of the year, Nadal facing multiple injuries and illness, and missing a Slam and 3 Masters and WTF, and Djokovic not fully focused due to marriage and child birth.

Of course Fed cannot be held responsible for all of these woes of Nadal, Djoko and Muzza, but it obviously should be taken into consideration.

Federer has won 2 masters, and rest are 500 & 250 titles. He may get #1 due to his consistent performances and multiple other reasons mentioned above, and it would be very praiseworthy, but in no way does it rank anywhere near greatest comebacks. The thought itself is LOLworthy.
 
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Not unless he holds a grand slam singles title concurrently. Otherwise, it will seem like Caroline Wozniacki all over again.

#PTL #JC4Ever

AngieB​
 
LazyNinja19 said:
Lol no.
Agassi's, and Nadal's were way greater. Don't know about Muster's, which people have mentioned (don't know much about his career).

Nadal actually won 2 Slams, 5 Masters and became world #1, while both him and Djokovic were playing top Tennis. To add to that, Murray was in top form till post Wimbledon. You may say that Fed wasn't in top form in 2013, but then Fed has never been an issue for Nadal.

Even though Fed's resurgence this year is very praiseworthy, it has to be duly noted, that he has taken advantage of a much weaker field, as his 3 major rivals have been struggling with form due to various reasons.
Murray totally struggling with post Surgery comeback for the major part of the year, Nadal facing multiple injuries and illness, and missing a Slam and 3 Masters and WTF, and Djokovic not fully focused due to marriage and child birth.

Of course Fed cannot be held responsible for all of these woes of Nadal, Djoko and Muzza, but it obviously should be taken into consideration.

Federer has won 2 masters, and rest are 500 & 250 titles. He may get #1 due to his consistent performances and multiple other reasons mentioned above, and it would be very praiseworthy, but in no way does it rank anywhere near greatest comebacks. The thought itself is LOLworthy.
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In 2013 Nadal was same age as Fed was in 2008. So lets say Fed was a weirdo like Nadal and decided to stop playing at the start of 2008 for 7 months and then came back and won 2008 USO, reached final of 2009 AO, won 2009 FO and 2009 Wimbledon and reached final of 2009 USO and got his number #1 rank back. Wait it did happen minus the not playing for 7 months because he is not a weirdo.
 
Nadal's 2013? Give me a break. Agassi's comeback is easily the greatest. Djokovic was at his peak in 2013? No, just no. If anything he has played better this year. Federer is never a problem for Nadal....except on grass and indoors(and possibly fast hards). No wonder Nadal won Cincinnati for the first time last year of all years and reached the WTF final. I mean if you take months away from the game and only play when you are at your very best then it is easier to do well and produce better results. Don't even compare it to Agassi's.

Federer's 2014 has been good. Nadal fans as usual doing their bit to denigrate him. Nadal missed the WORST part of his season. It's not like he didn't play RG and Roger won it lol. In fact the ATP site shows Nadal as having played 18 tournaments to Federer's 17. Only slam Nadal missed was the USO and they wouldn't have met before the semi anyway(and there's no history there to suggest Nadal would start the overwhelming favourite). Nadal's break here only helps his stats and his win percent. He wants no part of this Federer indoors or Djokovic anywhere.
 
Silly question, anything Federer does is the greatest. Another example is his H2H against his main "rival".
 
Winning slam is the greatest achievement for a tennis player. Even if Fed becomes No.1, it will be only be on paper, since he failed to win the tournaments that really matter most.
 
rossi46 said:
Silly question, anything Federer does is the greatest. Another example is his H2H against his main "rival".
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Yep, it's very rare to see two top tier greats having such a lopsided H2H like that. These kind of things just doesn't happen usually. Unfortunately, Nadal has such a match-up advantage that allows him to dominate Federer so much.
 
Muster's is the greatest, and it's not close.

Roger came back from a disastrous 8th in the world. That's not a comeback, that's an off year with plenty of points to make the next.

Andre came back from drug problems, getting fat, and getting lazy. That's not a comeback...that's maturing.

Muster got his leg shredded out of nowhere...wasn't supposed to play again. Got to the top of the ladder.

THAT'S a comeback
 
jakemcclain32 said:
Muster's is the greatest, and it's not close.

Roger came back from a disastrous 8th in the world. That's not a comeback, that's an off year with plenty of points to make the next.

Andre came back from drug problems, getting fat, and getting lazy. That's not a comeback...that's maturing.

Muster got his leg shredded out of nowhere...wasn't supposed to play again. Got to the top of the ladder.

THAT'S a comeback
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+1. There is no contest.

I also find Nadal amazing. Taking off more than 6 month and coming back
to top echelon of tennis just doesn't happen often. And he does it all the time
like 3-4 times since the age of 17. This is actually quite amazing.
 
LazyNinja19 said:
Lol no.
Agassi's, and
Federer has won 2 masters, and rest are 500 & 250 titles. He may get #1 due to his consistent performances and multiple other reasons mentioned above, and it would be very praiseworthy, but in no way does it rank anywhere near greatest comebacks. The thought itself is LOLworthy.
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People said Fed should retire to protect his legacy. ie his results in 2014 would be so terrible it would take away from his career. To then finish YE #1 would be an incredible turn around.

Yes it is a weak era but thay didn't start in 2014. Also Nadal took a 6 month break to heal his knee and refresh. His game never dropped. Nadal played great tennis 2010-13.

Fed had twins this year su your pont on Novak is silly. Fed missed a masters lost first match in rome the. had worst RG result in 10 years. So no excuses or Novak.
Also you bring up Murray's struggles yet talk about Nadal's great comeback. Nadal had great success on clay and NA HC. Murray wqs a non factor in both. His t
 
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helloworld said:
Yep, it's very rare to see two top tier greats having such a lopsided H2H like that. These kind of things just doesn't happen usually. Unfortunately, Nadal has such a match-up advantage that allows him to dominate Federer so much.
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I wouldn't say it's unfortunate, it's good for the sport.

There is more to the sport than prancing around the court like a ballerina, yet having the mental strength of a 5 year old when your back is against the wall.
 
Not way! You all were the fools for writing him off last year. He never sunk below 8th, even while playing with injury. If he gets #1 that would be very impressive, especially at 33.

But he never really sunk that low for this to be considered a monumental "comeback" just another great accomplishment in an unbelievable career.
 
jakemcclain32 said:
Muster's is the greatest, and it's not close.

Roger came back from a disastrous 8th in the world. That's not a comeback, that's an off year with plenty of points to make the next.

Andre came back from drug problems, getting fat, and getting lazy. That's not a comeback...that's maturing.

Muster got his leg shredded out of nowhere...wasn't supposed to play again. Got to the top of the ladder.

THAT'S a comeback
Click to expand...

Agree, except you have to acknowledge Agassi's comeback. Although his fall was self inflicted, there was certainly no guarantee he'd make it all the way back, especially to number 1 and win more slams.
 
Nadal's comeback IMO is more impressive considering how devastating his injuries were. If Fed gets back to number 1, and wins Wimbledon, I think it would add to his legendary career no doubt
 
tennisaddict said:
I dont think so. Federer should have never dropped to No. 8 in the first place. He did so only because he was injured.

In reality he has been always top 3.
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Agreed. There have been better comebacks, and Roger was never far from the top of the game.
 
Now everyone is saying Federer was never outside top 3, but there were so many people calling for Federer to quit about a year ago. What difference a year can make. Federer is so unbelievably amazing to silence all his critics like this.
 
chjtennis said:
Now everyone is saying Federer was never outside top 3, but there were so many people calling for Federer to quit about a year ago. What difference a year can make. Federer is so unbelievably amazing to silence all his critics like this.
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I dont think this is true. Few months back there was a thread as to what is the lowest rank Fed will go and no one dared to say , he will be out of the top 10.

Most said he will be top 5 or barely outside that.
 
tennisaddict said:
I dont think this is true. Few months back there was a thread as to what is the lowest rank Fed will go and no one dared to say , he will be out of the top 10.

Most said he will be top 5 or barely outside that.
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If you just go through posts from 2013, not just on this forum but others as well, You will come across so many posts saying Federer was done and should retire with dignity. Even Federer fans didn't want to say anything against those comments back then.
 
SuperHead said:
Considering he had a disastrous year in 2013 and dropped to as low as No.8 in the World. However 2014 has been remarkable for Fed, pure perfection from the maestro- he has won an incredible 5 titles including 2 Masters 1000 tournaments in Cincinnati and Shanghai, 2 ATP 500 tournaments in Dubai and Basel and a 250 tournament in Halle, and has the possibility of winning another 1000 Masters tournament in Paris and the WTF so a potential of 7 titles this year. He has also reached to No.2 in the world, climbed up a staggering 6 places, and if he makes it to No.1, will it be the greatest comeback of all time to have ever taken place? Especially after the awful year he had last year?
Click to expand...

No, it would be a terrible thing. Undeserved, slamless, weak and shallow YE #1, achieved mostly due to sheer luck, cakewalk draws and Novak being distracted due to his firstborn child. is something that Federer and Federer fans should never be proud of and brag about.
 
Chico said:
No, it would be a terrible thing. Undeserved, slamless, weak and shallow YE #1, achieved mostly due to sheer luck, cakewalk draws and Novak being distracted due to his firstborn child. is something that Federer and Federer fans should never be proud of and brag about.
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Why you hate Federer more than Nadal ?
 
Chico said:
No, it would be a terrible thing. Undeserved, slamless, weak and shallow YE #1, achieved mostly due to sheer luck, cakewalk draws and Novak being distracted due to his firstborn child. is something that Federer and Federer fans should never be proud of and brag about.
Click to expand...

:lol: Have several seats.
 
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