Is Fed about to go into a slump?

[BigForehand]

Uless you were blind, you could see on Fed's face and from his body language in his match vs. Rafa that he didn't want to play anymore. It was almost a tank, just hit the ball and nothing more. His head wasn't there, he had no emotion, he looked depressed (speaking of 2nd set). That's why he made UEs, he was not thinking about the game, he was just trying to smash the ball to end the point and end the match.

In January he was all happy and excited to play tennis and compete, he said it in numerous interviews. Do you all think this is gonna carry out into the future and just make Fed lose interest? Last night on his face I read "F this game I don't wanna play anymore". Even with the whole crowd cheering their lungs out he didn't even bother to respond. Was this just a 1-match thing or is it going to get him into a slump like last year between FO-Torronto?

 

[Porcupine]

I was just watching Federer highlights from 2005. He was hitting everything nowhere near as flat as he is now. It was much more spin but with a lot more punch. Why did he change?

 

[BigForehand]

I think he was hitting way flatter back in the day.

 

[bluescreen]

I think he was hitting way flatter back in the day.

i agree. back in the day he would just bludgeon you on either wing. if anything was left just a little short he would take advantage. There was no "safe" rally shot against him. Since '08 it's looked more spinny at times. While it almost seemed as if he could hit winners at will in his best years, now he plays more of this cat and mouse game.

 

[Power Player]

I was just watching Federer highlights from 2005. He was hitting everything nowhere near as flat as he is now. It was much more spin but with a lot more punch. Why did he change?

No.

He hit with way too much spin last night. It is pretty obvious he used to hit flatter and longer before.

 

[kishnabe]

I thought he is already in a slump since 2008!

 

[MrFlip]

I thought he is already in a slump since 2008!

The universe is yours. You win!

 

[Rickenbacker4003]

Laughing at the fans who thought Fed was gonna "be Fed" forever.

 

[cc0509]

I thought he is already in a slump since 2008!

Yet he still managed to win 4 slams since 2008. More than most people win in their entire careers. From what I see it is much worse now. I don't think he will be winning another 4 slams now. Decline gets worse as the years progress and the person gets older. They are able to bounce back a lot quicker when they are 26-27 than they can at age 30. Facts of life.

 

[Porcupine]

No.

He hit with way too much spin last night. It is pretty obvious he used to hit flatter and longer before.

Doesn't look like that from the video. In 2005, the balls look more loopy almost like they are going out and then all of a sudden they drop in. Nowadays they look like straight missiles from the start and come with a lot more UE's. In 2005, he always hit way more winners.

 

[Talker]

Good thread. I noticed the same lack of enthusiasm the last match against Nadal.
I was wondering what the problem was as Fed gets 'up' for Nadal matches.
And this is the time of year he has had some relatively poor results.

 

[rafan]

I think that this is something we all have to face with the players we like the most and that is that one day they are not going to be able to deliver as they used to. Then however when I think about Jimmy Conners and how incredible he was in his early thirties and I feel who am I to think such thoughts

 

[Bartelby]

I can't see a Federer who is losing retaining enthusiasm.

 

[Devilito]

Doesn't look like that from the video. In 2005, the balls look more loopy almost like they are going out and then all of a sudden they drop in. Nowadays they look like straight missiles from the start and come with a lot more UE's. In 2005, he always hit way more winners.

watch the Agassi / Nadal at the Rogers Cup in 2005. That's how you hit flat and hard against Nadal. Agassi was already on his way out by then but still managed to take Nadal to 3. That is aggressive baseline tennis. It in no way resembles how Federer played Nadal. Compared to how hard and flat Andre hit Federer is borderline trying to out clay court Nadal. Federer is also lucky that he has a good net game which unfortunately he never uses (or uses properly for that matter).

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

 

[hoodjem]

Did you say about to?

 

[All-rounder]

Slump as in 2008/2009 when he was losing to nobody's. No. But slump as in he won't win a masters/slam. YES

 

[Kobble]

I think Federer is looking past tennis. It must be getting very monotonous for him now. I'm sure he will fight like an animal at the Olympics in 2012, but the everyday tournaments must be boring.

 

[Carsomyr]

I think Federer is looking past tennis. It must be getting very monotonous for him now. I'm sure he will fight like an animal at the Olympics in 2012, but the everyday tournaments must be boring.

I agree with the last part. He's struggling to find motivation and bring his best to the smaller venues. Maybe it will affect his game in the Slams for the rest of the year and possibly his career.

 

[The Djoker]

He gonna win Wimbledon 2011! nuff said!

 

[Sid_Vicious]

He gonna win Wimbledon 2011! nuff said!

That picture of Novak is hilarious.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Only W and USO can really tell us ...