Federev
G.O.A.T.
Backerer haunts him wherever he goes.
Is THIS...finally... the beginning of the end for Fed?
- Thread starter Federev
- Start date
Rosstour
Talk Tennis Guru
Having Djokovic back helps him, especially in the immediate term.
Djokovic is another player who can hurt Nadal. And recent history has shown that aside from Fed, no one else can hurt Nadal.
Rosstour
Talk Tennis Guru
Imagine if the back injury had never happened? So sad.
merlinpinpin
Hall of Fame
And you would be totally, absolutely, 100% wrong.
merlinpinpin
Hall of Fame
They'll be 34-35 at this time, though, so let's see whether they're still playing tennis before deciding what they can and can't do.
Rosstour
Talk Tennis Guru
This. We know he's at least going to play through the 2020 Olympics b/c of the new Uniqlo deal.
I'd say that USO 2020 would be the soonest we should expect a Curtain Call.
FiReFTW
Legend
I don't think so.
AO 2017 wasn't even that high of a level despite what OP claims, he managed to win but his level of play was very average, a miracle how he scrapped through.
He then had some average tournaments, and some shocking losses like Coric one, which all signaled further that he may be on a big decline.
But he actually played great tennis in Wimbledon, his forehand was on fire in most matches, some people here even almost compared it to 2006 fed, which is obviously an exaggeration.
Then he played vs Anderson on court 1 which is higher bouncing and faster (both which suit anderson by far) and which hurts federer's slice and federer's slice serve, specially against bigger guys, and yet he was 2 sets up with matchpoint.
I think he will be fine.
He can compete for AO for a couple more years, maybe have an ousiders chance at USO for a couple years, and he will be one of the favorites at Wimbledon for at least the next 3-4 years.
AO 2017 wasn't even that high of a level despite what OP claims, he managed to win but his level of play was very average, a miracle how he scrapped through.
He then had some average tournaments, and some shocking losses like Coric one, which all signaled further that he may be on a big decline.
But he actually played great tennis in Wimbledon, his forehand was on fire in most matches, some people here even almost compared it to 2006 fed, which is obviously an exaggeration.
Then he played vs Anderson on court 1 which is higher bouncing and faster (both which suit anderson by far) and which hurts federer's slice and federer's slice serve, specially against bigger guys, and yet he was 2 sets up with matchpoint.
I think he will be fine.
He can compete for AO for a couple more years, maybe have an ousiders chance at USO for a couple years, and he will be one of the favorites at Wimbledon for at least the next 3-4 years.
Benben245
Banned
The structure of the uniqlo deal will not dictate his careeer. Moreover he could play at his leisure beyond 2019 via olympics and a few events here and there but for all intensive purposes be retired
Pheasant
G.O.A.T.
Nice summary, Amigo.
EloQuent
Legend
This. I hate how the media makes Wim08 as the main focus point. I want to see a documentary covering his rise, rivalry, lean years- and then capped by AO17. Cover the pain of losing and then the redemption.
I can be your screenwriter, Hollywood.
Federev
G.O.A.T.
I agree it would motivate him to keep gong.
I think as long as he thinks he can win slams he will keep going. And wining slams has a way of helping you think you can win more slams.
He's going to have to have a pretty sure conviction he's got no chance before he leaves.
Mirka will probably have to drag him out w him scraping the lawn of Center Court with his finger nails.
Jontyg
Rookie
What a well written article..suprised that I never read this before...probably because I never seeked out articles on Fed during his lean years....The comparison between him, MJ and Kobe is spot on...in the US, where I am from, the warrior mentality exuded by the top athletes is celebrated...the notion of kill or be killed is drilled into you from a young age...even a small gesture of appreciation towards your opponent is considered weak...so accepting the fact that father time is undefeated and enjoying what's left is something frowned upon.. looks like Fed is giving all of us a lesson on how to enjoy your twilight years... Everyone has heard of Wallace's puff piece on Fed..not not sure many have read this...
Federev
G.O.A.T.
Do you mean AO'18? You must means AO '18.
I never thought AO'18 was as great a level as say AO'17 Rafa final. And certainly not IW2017 - which was nearly indistinguishable from peak Fed to me.
Still he was strong at AO'18. And showed some real courage v Cilic after his slip in the 4th. Esp games 1-2 of 5th set.
FHtennisman
Professional
There's a difference between being dominant and being a contender, no?
Noleberic123
G.O.A.T.
We have been saying he is done since 2008 literally
FiReFTW
Legend
Yes AO18, it was not bad but far from AO17, so it would hint a decline, also his other results and some weird losses after, but at Wimbledon 18 he seemed to be better than last year and really got a high level going again.
Federev
G.O.A.T.
Even a broken clock is right once a day.
At 37 it seems a less absurd question than 10 years ago.
Sysyphus
Talk Tennis Guru
The good people of TTW have pronounced the end of Federer at regular intervals since 2007.
One day one of them will be right. It's not clear that this is that day.
One day one of them will be right. It's not clear that this is that day.
nolefam_2024
Bionic Poster
I don't want him to retire and I don't want him to win slams.
Would love if Zverev and other young, lost gen players win slams now. 1 more US Open for Novak would be awesome.
Would love if Zverev and other young, lost gen players win slams now. 1 more US Open for Novak would be awesome.
Barring injury he'd most likely want Wimbledon to be the last slam he plays and possibly Basel to be the place of his last ATP match. I'd count the Laver Cup as something else entirely.
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Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
Federer will make no less than QF no matter which Slam he plays. And if he's got a kind draw, he's good for an SF or even a Final.
I believe that out of all the Slams, the USO is the one place where Federer can bring down Djokovic based on the surface speed. He really should be 5-0 against Djokovic in USO semifinals meetings. They're 1-1 in USO finals. Although I thought Djokovic looked like complete garbage in the 2015 USO final against Federer. He was lucky that Federer played even worse than he did. LOL
Stanimal proved that in the USO 2016 Final when he bludgeoned Djokovic.
I believe that out of all the Slams, the USO is the one place where Federer can bring down Djokovic based on the surface speed. He really should be 5-0 against Djokovic in USO semifinals meetings. They're 1-1 in USO finals. Although I thought Djokovic looked like complete garbage in the 2015 USO final against Federer. He was lucky that Federer played even worse than he did. LOL
Stanimal proved that in the USO 2016 Final when he bludgeoned Djokovic.
D
Deleted member 716271
Guest
Dont think so, think he will make more grand slam finals, not sure Id pick him to win another one but you always give yourself a chance when you make it that far. I agree he will still be in the business end of whatever slam he enters most likely.
The difference is that Wawrinka at his best can outplay Djokovic at the baseline. Federer can't do that anymore, he is too old.
nolefam_2024
Bionic Poster
Are you talking about USO 2016 final, when Djokovic couldn't serve well? He can now. Forget it.
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
He's also 31. And he's had a bad injury. Who knows if he will maintain his hot form or become a hot and cold player.
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
Federer and Djokovic haven't played in 2 and 1/2 years. And Federer still has a top level serve.
Bukowski
Professional
If the courts weren’t so damned slow he’d be more in contention. The AO has shown he’s still one of if not the best faster court player. So who knows how the court speeds will be, I believe they can change every year. I don’t think Rafa and ND have the ability to actually improve their games in older age given their fairly 1 dimensional style. But we have yet to see a RF v. ND match up. I think Rogers biggest threat is to bigger hitters like Anderson, Isner, Cilic etc who can blow him off the court when playing very well and take him outve rhythm. Seems like Roger has solved the Rafa puzzle. But who knows going forward with a rejuvenated Novak.
nolefam_2024
Bionic Poster
That's okay. He can be hot and cold.
I mean Stan didn't prove any formula to beat Novak. Novak luckily reached final of USO 16. Now, if he meets Roger in later stages, hopefully in SF or later, he will be playing much better.
Novak can be upset much earlier though.
wangs78
Legend
Fed's got another couple of good runs. But he'll need some luck to win a Slam. He cannot have an "off" day when his opponent is a top player having an "on" day. That's the difference between Old Fed vs Prime Fed. Prime Fed could beat anyone regardless of what game they brought. The exceptions were Rafa and Nole, who got into his head. Old Fed, if he's playing his B game, can get beaten by lots of players.
mental midget
Hall of Fame
if he goes into the uso feeling rested and healthy and wins a few rounds i can't imagine he won't start thinking 'would be cool to win this.'
100% about his physical condition.
100% about his physical condition.
Federev
G.O.A.T.
Of all the things I've heard over the last year and a half that really sticks out (besides improved backhand and taking the ball early) its this idea that he came to the AO in 2017 "free".
He had no expectations after his long time away. And he said often after - and into IW '17 (another mind blowing performance) - that this freedom allowed him to play the game he wanted, freer to the ball, freer to play the ball and not the opponent, freer to play with more risk and courage and fun. He talked about how important it was he maintained that.
Has victory defeated him? (to quote a Batman movie!). Did his success eventually lead to a greater emotional restrictiveness and reflect on his game not swinging for the fences with confidence and enjoyment he had in early 2017?
Somehow I would love for him to find that free spirit more consistently again. Don't think its been around as much this year.
He had no expectations after his long time away. And he said often after - and into IW '17 (another mind blowing performance) - that this freedom allowed him to play the game he wanted, freer to the ball, freer to play the ball and not the opponent, freer to play with more risk and courage and fun. He talked about how important it was he maintained that.
Has victory defeated him? (to quote a Batman movie!). Did his success eventually lead to a greater emotional restrictiveness and reflect on his game not swinging for the fences with confidence and enjoyment he had in early 2017?
Somehow I would love for him to find that free spirit more consistently again. Don't think its been around as much this year.
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Sport
G.O.A.T.
No. In fact, both Nadal and specially Djokovic are more favorites than him for Wimbledon 2019.
tennisaddict
Bionic Poster
Djokovic - yes , Nadal - No
When it comes to USO chances for Fed , you are so quick to dismiss his chances saying he last won in 2008, even though he has made several SF and finals
How come none of that logic apply for Nadal when he has sucked at a Wimb big time since 2010 ?
True Fanerer
G.O.A.T.
What are you smoking? Nadal is not favorite over Federer at Wimbledon.
I think you people are looking at 2017 with rose-colored glasses. While I agree he was more aggressive more often last year, he wasn't playing that great and freely. Besides Wimbledon, he had matches all throughout the year that were close and could have gone the other way. Kei, Stan, and Rafael at the AO; Donskoy after that; Steve Johnson at IW was super close due to a passive Fed; Bautista Agut and Berdych could have easily been lost in Miami; etc. Especially at the AO, it wasn't till afterward that everyone was talking about his backhand and claiming he was being more free. During the tournament, there was no talk of that. And since he scraped by many of those other matches throughout the year and got the W, it was only really in hindsight that he got the praise once people started forgetting that he had those close calls.
EloQuent
Legend
I think there's something to that. Before AO18 he said "I don't think a 36 year old should be the favorite". He won anyway, but you get the feeling that he didn't enjoy the pressure of being expected to win.
Sport
G.O.A.T.
Nadal was close to winning Wimbledon this year in the better match of 2018 against Djokovic. The match was exrtremelly close, the 5th set could have gone either way. The SF was the real final, had Nadal won, Anderson was no rival for him.
Federer will never win Wimbledon again.
tennisaddict
Bionic Poster
But Fed won Wimb in 2017 and Nadal has reached second week at a Wimb one time since 2011
Federev
G.O.A.T.
Easy now.
Yes, Nadal can win Wimbledon - he came close this year and did great...with concrete hard and high bouncing grass.
But I don't think he should ever be considered a standard favorite over Fed there.
Federev
G.O.A.T.
Well, that settles it then.
We can all move on.
Just like we could in 2010, 2011, 2013, 14, 15, 16...
True Fanerer
G.O.A.T.
According to your posts lately you have Nadal as the favorite for UO, FO, and Wimbledon LMAO.
tennisaddict
Bionic Poster
Fed was 2 points from title in USO 09
Fed had 2 MP in SF in USO 10 and 11
Fed had 23 BP in 2015 finals and reached finals without loss of sets
Sport
G.O.A.T.
Solid arguments.
tennisaddict
Bionic Poster
The London weather completely benefited Rafa. That kind of hot weather had never been in the past and Rafa missed a golden chance .
Federev
G.O.A.T.
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True Fanerer
G.O.A.T.
Nadal beats Delpotro at Wimbledon and suddenly he's winning the calendar slam next year.
Noleberic123
G.O.A.T.
Nadal will never win the French Open again
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