Is it over?

[Deleted member 688153]

I have a bad feeling it is now. The Indian summer was incredible - 2017 through to the end of Wimbledon was a fairytale, and even last year he achieved some incredible milestones.

Will he play on for a while yet even if the results don't improve? Will he and us fans suffer the final, crushing, years-in-the making indignity of him being overtaken by Nadal in the slam count? Will he somehow bounce back yet again?

Discuss

 

[Krish0608]

I think it is. Though he had an outside shot at one more Wimbledon later this year.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Honestly I thought he was done in 2016. The end result was numerous bumps of such posts.

Not going to repeat the same mistake again.

 

[tennisaddict]

Fed’s level is still pretty high. Lock for Basel. Also got Stuttgart and Halle . Don’t care about majors.

 

[Steve0904]

Honestly I thought he was done in 2016. The end result was numerous bumps of such posts.

Not going to repeat the same mistake again.

I thought he was done in 2016.

 

[PrinceMoron]

Schedule of Play 21 Jan

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[Steve0904]

I think it probably is as well. Although that said you look at his draw here and many people called it hard, but he wasn't actually that far away from beating Tsitsipas. If he goes up 2-0 he beats Tsitsipas IMO, and I still believe he would've beaten RBA. And then he'd be in the SFs again and we'd all be relatively happy that he was able to make it there even if it meant a loss to Nadal.. He wasn't beating Djokovic anyway, but it's not like he's getting destroyed in his losses. His serve alone keeps him in most matches.

I hold out a bit of hope for Wimbledon, but it's looking grim now as far as actually winning a major is concerned for sure.

As far as the slam count is concerned, I don't care a whole lot tbh. Of course I'd like Federer to keep it, but I say that just by default because he's my favourite player. Other than that, I just think Federer is the most talented player I've ever seen. That doesn't change regardless of what Nadal or Djokovic do. You can call this what you want. Call it a "defense mechanism." I don't care because it really isn't.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

 

[oldmanfan]

Schedule of Play 21 Jan

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At least line up the Swiss flag when you shoppe.

I have a bad feeling it is now. The Indian summer was incredible - 2017 through to the end of Wimbledon was a fairytale, and even last year he achieved some incredible milestones.

Will he play on for a while yet even if the results don't improve? Will he and us fans suffer the final, crushing, years-in-the making indignity of him being overtaken by Nadal in the slam count? Will he somehow bounce back yet again?

Discuss

C'mon now. Will Fed win another slam? Who knows. Will he still be a contender? Of course! Had 2-3points gone the other way, Fed would've won this in straights intead of losing in 4. He was 4x just literally 1 point away from a 2-0 sets lead. He even had a BP in set3, even after it was 1-1 sets. With a 2-0 sets lead, it'll like end in 3 sets. Fed has been saying it often, but this REALLY highlights that margins are truly slim at the top.

Fedr is still top3 favorite for WB19. Many won't agree, but I think he's top5 favorite for RG19. Probably top5 favorite for USO19, but too early to tell.

 

[PrinceMoron]

At least line up the Swiss flag when you shoppe.

Just out, like Federer


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[astronautzor]

I mean if Federer lost 6-2, 6-2, 6-4.. you might have a strong case.

 

[The Fedfather]

I don't know about Slam count or winning other major tournaments, but I don't want to not be able to see Federer play. Even if his tennis isn't nearly as brilliant as it used to be, and when he's in a poor form it can be upsetting, I still find watching him play and matches with him thrilling.

More accurately though would be to say that I don't want to not have Federer on tour. I am so emotionally attached at this point, it's not just about his tennis as in purely skills, but the general presence he has, his personality that I know I'm going to miss. When it'll be over I'll be saying goodbye to more than just a tennis player.

Because of this, I hope he will stay for some more time, that he would enjoy it even if the results are not spectacular. So far it doesn't seem like he's tiring psychologically, and that the drive to play, to lead this tour life is still there. And Federer is someone who's never satisfied with things just being as they are. As long as he is healthy and motivated to play he will do anything to up his level and improve whatever areas he can so we'll see some good performances from him for sure.

 

[Red Rick]

It definitely looks that way.

Enjoy the fight he still has left in him.

 

[3lite]

The man had his time, and what a time it was, beating the likes of Roddick for a good chunk of his slams.

 

[TripleATeam]

Maybe. Give it a couple more years. The man is consistency incarnate, but he may hit some hot streaks and go on a couple more winning runs. Or this might be the end. In terms of majors, I don't think so, but there's always a possibility.

 

[MarcusInKensington]

I think time has finally caught up with him. However, he could well prove us all wrong yet again, like he did with idiots like me who thought he was done at 30.

 

[tennis_pro]

The man had his time, and what a time it was, beating the likes of Roddick for a good chunk of his slams.

You're right, let's not focus on the past and think about the future.

So Tiafoe could be a very very difficult opponent and Nadal is gonna have to be at his very very best to have a chance to win the QF, no?

 

[BeatlesFan]

It's all gravy now in any case. I was a little surprised to see the number of Fed fans actually thinking he had a viable shot at the AO. Once we saw the draw his chances plummeted from "extremely difficult" to win to "almost impossible" to win. Since 2012, Fed's been locked in battle with an undefeated opponent: time. He'll be almost 38 at Wimbledon and unless he's gifted a miraculous draw, that's not happening either. It's OK, he's won 8 of them already.

We'll see if he can motivate himself to continue on tour when he isn't dominating, winning big events and losing to random guys. That's the most interesting scenario as we enter the ending stage of Fed's career. It happens to them all and it's been a great ride!

 

[Sysyphus]

Does look like the bad days are becoming too frequent and like his physical qualities have diminished to a point where perhaps his skill cannot compensate for it.

Then again, he can clearly still play. Wimbledon might still be a chance. But I got to say, after it looked like he had regained some of his stride after the off-season, this performance was a bit disappointing and surprising.

 

[Red Rick]

What's the HC spring schedule gonna look like btw? Just Dubai + Sunshine swing or any chance stuff gets added?

 

[True Fanerer]

He's still pretty competitive. No longer a favorite moving forward though. Still some magic left in his racket at times and he'll keep it interesting over the next few months. The end is near and all we can do is be there for the ride.

 

[Badabing888]

4 majors past the age of 30 is incredible. Same as Laver and Rosewall, and they didn’t play in 128 man draws to win all their 4 slams past 30. So I think unlikely Fed will win anymore if we are talking historically.

4 slams seems to be the limit/ceilng for players once they hit 30 and if that is the case then Rafa has 1 more - most likely RG, whilst Novak has another 2 more. But, of course, what goes before doesn’t always mean that this is what is going to happen next.

 

[bjsnider]

I just checked the rankings, and it looks like he'll drop somewhere around 6-8, which is shocking when there's no injury excuse. He's searching for answers. I'd expect some changes to the team between now and clay, although I don't think the team is necessarily to blame.

 

[big ted]

he knows the end is near thats why he's playing clay again...like others said anything he wins from here on out (which could be anything except a FO) is icing on the cake...

 

[ollinger]

"everything ends badly, otherwise, it would never end"
---a reflective and insightful Tom Cruise, in "Cocktail"

 

[Towny]

Wimbledon will always be the litmus test for me. If he bows out early there this year, then I'll start to think he could be done winning on the slam level. But I've learned not to second guess the old man. The draw can always open up for him.

 

[AceSalvo]

Yes it is. It was a fun ride especially the last few years.

 

[MugOpponent]

He's had a great run and resurgence. I suppose if things really broke well he might make one last Wimbledon run but it's hard to see him actually winning a slam. He'll do well at his pet events and have chances at those. I'm sure it's sad to realize the day is probably here but enjoy the twilight and remember the good times.

 

[Ray Mercer]

Yeah he’s done. His ground game is terrible these days. All of his shots are loopy with no power. He was bullied from the baseline by Tsitsipas.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Yeah he’s done. His ground game is terrible these days. All of his shots are loopy with no power. He was bullied from the baseline by Tsitsipas.

They just played at the Hopman Cup and Roger beat him there in two TB's. I really think the mental pressure is a significant factor in his matches now. His FH looked reasonably penetrating at the Hopman Cup and it's an exho so he doesn't have the pressure. He's not been the same since he choked to Goffin at the YEC in November, 2017, that was the beginning of the return of mentally fragile Roger.

It does seem now (with the benefit of hindsight) that his magnificent resurgence in 2017 was a temporary thing. In 2018, we got:

1. Choking three MP's to Del Po (one of them a sitter FH)
2. Choking to Coric on grass in Halle
3. Bizarre collapse to Anderson at Wimbledon
4. USO sweat-fest against Millman

 

[RF-18]

No.

 

[big ted]

He's not been the same since he choked to Goffin at the YEC in November, 2017, that was the beginning of the return of mentally fragile Roger.

when he came back in 2017 he played with no pressure & little expectations & it helped him, you could see it in his backhand.. then he literally won almost everything he entered and the pressure/expectations came back to duplicate..(i think..). plus hes older..

 

[TheFifthSet]

No

 

[3lite]

They just played at the Hopman Cup and Roger beat him there in two TB's. I really think the mental pressure is a significant factor in his matches now. His FH looked reasonably penetrating at the Hopman Cup and it's an exho so he doesn't have the pressure. He's not been the same since he choked to Goffin at the YEC in November, 2017, that was the beginning of the return of mentally fragile Roger.

It does seem now (with the benefit of hindsight) that his magnificent resurgence in 2017 was a temporary thing. In 2018, we got:

1. Choking three MP's to Del Po (one of them a sitter FH)
2. Choking to Coric on grass in Halle
3. Bizarre collapse to Anderson at Wimbledon
4. USO sweat-fest against Millman

He's never been mentally tough, has he? A killer frontrunner though.

 

[Deleted member 307496]

The man had his time, and what a time it was, beating the likes of Roddick for a good chunk of his slams.

Just like Djokovic beat the likes of Murray for a good chunk of his slams.

 

[Djokovic2011]

Just like Djokovic beat the likes of Murray for a good chunk of his slams.

Come on Saby, you can't compare an absolute world class player like Murray to Roddick. Just doesn't compute.

 

[Sport]

Just like Djokovic beat the likes of Murray for a good chunk of his slams.

Come on Saby. To compare Murray with Roddick is like comparing Hewitt with De Miñaur, or like comparing Einstein with Freud. Sacrilege!!

 

[Gary Duane]

I have a bad feeling it is now. The Indian summer was incredible - 2017 through to the end of Wimbledon was a fairytale, and even last year he achieved some incredible milestones.

Will he play on for a while yet even if the results don't improve? Will he and us fans suffer the final, crushing, years-in-the making indignity of him being overtaken by Nadal in the slam count? Will he somehow bounce back yet again?

Discuss

I think it's over. I only watched the first 2 sets last night, but when I tried to sleep I kept waking up, so I checked the score when it was at the end of set 3, and then again right before the end. I know all players have dry spells for BPs, but these days you just get the feeling that when it gets past 2 sets it's downhill, and that's been the story of every again ATG. They can still beat anyone in the world on a good day if it's best of 3, but they just can't string together wins at majors. I think that's where we are now, and it's only a matter of time before the same thing happens for the other two.

 

[texasleaguer]

just ask John McEnroe. he'll be glad to tell you.

 

[travlerajm]

He needs everything to line up right to win another major.

Favorable draw, easy straight set wins, favorable scheduling, preferably with 2 off days before any difficult opponent. All night matches. And drawing defense style opponents he can push around.

 

[oldmanfan]

Just like Djokovic beat the likes of Murray for a good chunk of his slams.

Come on Saby. To compare Murray with Roddick is like comparing Hewitt with De Miñaur, or like comparing Einstein with Freud. Sacrilege!!

Interesting stat:

Fedr/Roddick at slams: 8-0
Djokr/MuryGOAT at slams: 8-2

Djokr/Roddick at slams: 1-1
Fedr/MuryGOAT at slams: 5-1

Roddick vs Djokerer at slams: 1-9
MuryGOAT vs Djokorer at slams: 3-13

Not much difference given that the one slam win MuryGOAT has over 31yo-Fedr was in his worst year with back issues at AO13 and he still needed 5 sets.

 

[-NN-]

Wait until after Wimbledon.

 

[TahoeTennis]

you crazy kids, fedal have been has been and shoudl have been retired and finnished for 5 years now, they'll both win more slams.

 

[MeatTornado]

They just played at the Hopman Cup and Roger beat him there in two TB's. I really think the mental pressure is a significant factor in his matches now. His FH looked reasonably penetrating at the Hopman Cup and it's an exho so he doesn't have the pressure. He's not been the same since he choked to Goffin at the YEC in November, 2017, that was the beginning of the return of mentally fragile Roger.

It does seem now (with the benefit of hindsight) that his magnificent resurgence in 2017 was a temporary thing. In 2018, we got:

1. Choking three MP's to Del Po (one of them a sitter FH)
2. Choking to Coric on grass in Halle
3. Bizarre collapse to Anderson at Wimbledon
4. USO sweat-fest against Millman

The most concerning thing is bizarrely encouraging too. For all his physical shortcomings compared to his prime, his biggest issue lately is mental. Practically all his losses over the past year were extremely winnable matches. So at least he's still physically capable of winning, he just needs to fix his mindset. I'd been hopeful that 2019 would turn over a new leaf and he'd be back in dgaf mode like 2017. Seems like it's just more of 2018 again.

It's all these tie-break woes that are so infuriating. So many double-faults and mental errors.
Both against Delpo were a mess.
Dropped the decider against Kokkinakis.
Blew set-point in the 1st vs Coric.
The one against Stan in Cincy was one of the worst he's ever played. Think he blew multiple set-points in the 2nd before finally converting.
Both against Millman were terrible. Should've been up 2-0 if he hadn't botched set-points on his own serve in the 2nd anyway.
Shanked set-point in the 1st vs Novak. The 3rd was just like IW. Had been competitive all day and completely threw it away in about 2 minutes.

 

[aman92]

You're right, let's not focus on the past and think about the future.

So Tiafoe could be a very very difficult opponent and Nadal is gonna have to be at his very very best to have a chance to win the QF, no?

A Federer threat and all you can think about is Nadal. You need help mate...

 

[helterskelter]

Come on Saby. To compare Murray with Roddick is like comparing Hewitt with De Miñaur, or like comparing Einstein with Freud. Sacrilege!!

Or like comparing Karl Popper with an average Talk Tennis poster, right?

 

[EdMcMush]

i believe most people including me thought it was over when he blew a 2-0 lead at Wimby against Andreson

 

[Julian Houston]

Quite sad but its ending soon at 38 he has no power from both wings.

His shoulders look much bigger (pumped up from gym) in AO 2017 to hit those backhands.

 

[Druss]

I’m just beyond happy that I can always look back and say I was there Live on 28 January 2018 at RLA when the GOAT won his 20th slam and 6th AO title.

 

[Bartelby]

This is the penultimate year.