Sports_fan
New User
Its about time A-Rod wins a match vs Fed its been a long time since he beat Fed.
[Merged] Federer's 2008: Let's Get Real
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superman1
Legend
Law of averages caught up with him. It's incredible that he has so many consecutive wins over such a big server - and it's not like all of those wins were easy. Some matches were extremely tight, one match he had to save match points. The freakish Federer era of dominance is over, and now Federer is just your ordinary, average all-time great player. Just another Pete Sampras.
samprasbackhand
Semi-Pro
Come on, show some damn respect for Andy Roddick. The man works his ass off and has to deal with the fact that everyone expects him to get his ass kicked whenever he plays Federer. He believes in himself rather than folding against Federer like most players do. Show some respect for the guy.
Fries-N-Gravy
Semi-Pro
i was going to say that too when i saw the thread.
no respect for roddick at all on these boards. a lot of the time they've played yes federer owned him completely but there were many times where the scores were pretty close. but no one ever remembers the scores, and fed usually came out on top but it wasn't that unanimous. for example at the US open the score was very close, but fed won both tiebreaks. roddick would've won with just a tiny bit more luck. it's interesting that the only times roddick has beaten fed, he won a tiebreak.
and apparently every time fed loses, all of his accomplishments and his ranking don't exist anymore...
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Seriously, Roddick didn't do anything spectacular apart from his serve. His groundstrokes had depth, and that was about it. Not amazing placement, not great pace on anything. He just made Federer hit alot of balls, and Federer eventually shanked the match away. If USO Roddick showed up at this match, there's no doubt in my mind that Federer would have gotten whomped, hard.
superman1
Legend
I'm thinking the same. His baseline play is looking very weak, although I didn't watch this match. The French Open might be out of his grasp, now.
NikeWilson
Semi-Pro
Fed's run of dominance is definitely over. and it has been for some time now, but this just validates it even more.
No, at least in Dubai Roddick played spectacular against Nadal and Djokovic. He hit clean winners, and was agressive with his forehand and backhand. He even hit great passing shots. Against Federer, he had less then 10 winners COMBINED from the forehand and backhand. He did nothing pretty, just put the ball into play and Federer imploded. Federer if he was anywhere near top form would have just crushed Roddick today.
SikSerb
Hall of Fame
Yeah. For someone of Federer's calibre it is a disgraceful defeat..
CAM178
Hall of Fame
Then you need to pay much closer attention to the match. Roddick did several things differently in this match:
1. serve was far more effective, due to:
a. high percentages
b. variety
c. no fear
2. played his game, not Fed's. Roddick was often dictating play, especially from the baseline.
3. hit out on his BH wing, something he is usually tentative to do. In particular, Roddick:
a. pulled Fed out wide on Fed's BH, knowing Fed would run around BH to hit FH, and then Roddick would go up the line
b. hit the ball up the line in mid-rally, as Fed was already leaning to BH side so as to run around BH
4. came to the net more frequently, so as to impose his will on Fed
5. played more angles, but instead of playing the angle game against the angle master, Roddick used the angles to set up the next 1-3 shots.
Overall, Roddick had the best game plan that I've seen him execute, and the big thing: he did not sway from his game plan. In the past, Roddick has come out with guns blazing, and after Fed neutralizes Roddick, it takes the wind out of Roddick's sails. Tonight Roddick stuck to his guns. Kudos to him.
That being said, Fed played a poor match. Not poor for any other ATP player, but poor for Fed. And one shot in particular let me know Fed's current mental state: he is scared. There was a shot that Fed hit deep and hard to Andy's BH side, when Andy had been at the FH wing. The old Fed would have already been at the net, but the current Fed hesitated, and took a stutter step. That's all I needed to see. He is not playing with the same intensity or fearlessness that he's had in the past. Call it complacency, boredom. . . whatever. Rog is not the man he used to be.
It's a quick fix, and one Fed knows he needs to address: he needs a coach, and he needs an outside coach. Not someone from his camp, as that isn't helping. It needs to be someone subtle, and someone who has been there. If I were Roger, I would make some calls to Pete and Andre, to start with. Andre has one of the most analytical minds in the game, and he can break down an opponent and a match like you wouldn't believe.
I'm getting way ahead of myself. I meant to post about Roddick, and I did that.
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BigGriff
Semi-Pro
I am defintely not a Roddick hater or fanatic but NamRanger claimed Roddick didn't do anything special but he played high percentage tennis and still managed to dictate from the baseline.
montx
Professional
I think a lot of people here are really young kids or something. It is obvious Fed is trying and battling a few battles at once, including a tennis court battle, he is battling nerves and what not.
He still made it to the quarterfinals which means there is still game in him to play.
Everyone has ups and downs and though the medias pressure on his down and the fans pressure on his down is really tough on him, he is no doubt still a legend.
He has no doubt gone through a rough patch this year, but sometimes champions bounce back. It does happen.
He still made it to the quarterfinals which means there is still game in him to play.
Everyone has ups and downs and though the medias pressure on his down and the fans pressure on his down is really tough on him, he is no doubt still a legend.
He has no doubt gone through a rough patch this year, but sometimes champions bounce back. It does happen.
MEAC_ALLAMERICAN
Legend
You of all the Nadal heads have a long day in store for you tomorrow. The match is set for the afternoon, so you better hope it's humid and windy.
Tomas Berdych isn't the best in the wind and you need to hope for that element to work in Rafael's favor.:shock:
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M
Morrissey
Guest
We'll see. The times they are a changing. Nadal beating Blake and now Roddick beating Fed.
lethalfang
Professional
Okay, Federer, time to hire a coach.
Whatever you were doing since you went without a coach, other players have figured out, and it's no longer working.
Whatever you were doing since you went without a coach, other players have figured out, and it's no longer working.
quicken
Professional
I don't think thats a bad choice.
I think Federer should hire Sampras and switch to a larger head size because he was shanking too many balls against Roddick.
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M
Morrissey
Guest
Brad Gilbert is still available, so is Jimmy Connors. 
MEAC_ALLAMERICAN
Legend
Roger Federer lost today, at the same time James Blake is an upcoming player at 28 years old. :shock:
Times are definitely changing yes, but Tomas has yet to reach the potential he is capable, and at the same token how much longer can he implode against a player he has the tools to defeat.
Until you guys get to the clay courts where the bragging rights are clear, in the back of some of the Nadal fans, if not all there is always that worry.
Morrissey you're not the Nadal fan that I want to show his/her ugly face, the one that I really want has taken a little leave of absence, but when he/she resurfaces you will know.
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MEAC_ALLAMERICAN
Legend
Brad Gilbert is still available, so is Jimmy Connors.
Roger doesn't need the one dimensional coaches. :?
Jose Higueras or Killa Cahill aren't bad choices though.
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Darth Nihilus
Rookie
I think if this keeps happening we will mark this match as the possible change in his "era". Federer should not lose to Roddick, no matter what. This is not supposed to happen. The last time Roddick won was before Federer dominated. In that gap Federer dominated and didn't lose to Roddick. Maybe, I guess this is where it changes. Domination is gone. I wonder what else is gone? But his confidence couldn't get much lower. Roger always loved playing Andy.
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
Sampras really wouldn't be a great choice. Why does everyone assume that the very top players would make great coaches? No doubt, sometimes that's the case, but I don't think it applies to everyone.
I guess Sampras could inspire Fed and pump him up. But, what would Pete tell him? "My advice to you Roger is to dominate on you serve and take chances on your return games. Things should fall into place."
Sampras didn't exactly have the most nuanced game. It was straight ahead, agressive tennis. And, I guess he could instill that in Roger.
I can also see top players as coaches getting impatient. Especially somone who is arguably the GOAT.
I guess Sampras could inspire Fed and pump him up. But, what would Pete tell him? "My advice to you Roger is to dominate on you serve and take chances on your return games. Things should fall into place."
Sampras didn't exactly have the most nuanced game. It was straight ahead, agressive tennis. And, I guess he could instill that in Roger.
I can also see top players as coaches getting impatient. Especially somone who is arguably the GOAT.
Alafter
Hall of Fame
I noticed his backhand doesnt whip like in 06 and earlier in 07.
Nowadays when he does a backhand, the motion looks slower, and it looks like an outward push. I mean, it is a full backhand and all, but looks almost like just enough to block the ball back rather than attacking it. Compared to previous years, the ball doesnt seem to bite.
I also dont see his feet carrying him into positions quickly anymore. He looks as if he lost the ability to anticipate shots; whether that's true or not, he apparently isnt getting to the ball in time to dominate the shot.
Anyone else notice this?
Nowadays when he does a backhand, the motion looks slower, and it looks like an outward push. I mean, it is a full backhand and all, but looks almost like just enough to block the ball back rather than attacking it. Compared to previous years, the ball doesnt seem to bite.
I also dont see his feet carrying him into positions quickly anymore. He looks as if he lost the ability to anticipate shots; whether that's true or not, he apparently isnt getting to the ball in time to dominate the shot.
Anyone else notice this?
vndesu
Hall of Fame
i was comparing between fed old matches
03 wimbledon vs roddick
06 basel vs srichipan (spell check)
07 uso roddick
during 03-04 he did attack more with his backhand
more followthru and very fierce.
at 06 he was still attacking but not as much as 03-04 with his n90
his uso against roddick he mainly didnt do a full swing as much but he did on cross court and approach shots.
what i see is that he really toned down his backhand since 03.
seeing it at wimbledon or at basel really amased me on how he would take control with his backhand and attacked.
03 wimbledon vs roddick
06 basel vs srichipan (spell check)
07 uso roddick
during 03-04 he did attack more with his backhand
more followthru and very fierce.
at 06 he was still attacking but not as much as 03-04 with his n90
his uso against roddick he mainly didnt do a full swing as much but he did on cross court and approach shots.
what i see is that he really toned down his backhand since 03.
seeing it at wimbledon or at basel really amased me on how he would take control with his backhand and attacked.
MEAC_ALLAMERICAN
Legend
How many of you guys actually play tennis, instead of just watching?
Mind you I am asking question, not trying to be smart. If for that one particular poster thinks I am trying to be smart.
Mind you I am asking question, not trying to be smart. If for that one particular poster thinks I am trying to be smart.
SikSerb
Hall of Fame
That ****ing cracked me up man lol
vndesu
Hall of Fame
How many of you guys actually play tennis, instead of just watching?
Mind you I am asking question, not trying to be smart. If for that one particular poster thinks I am trying to be smart.
i play. its just i cover over feds game to learn more.
its not like imma exactly copy him or anything
Lendl and Federer Fan
Hall of Fame
Should Federer change racquet?
Personally I think he should change racquet bases on the way he is playing now. He seems indecisive now with his forehand. I remember he whipped his forehand with the Ncode 90, now he brushes the ball with more topspin. This kind of reminds me of how Boris Becker lost his edge when he put more topspin on his grounstrokes and 2nd serve to try to improve his consistency.
I know from the fact that K90 tends to sail on my forehand, and that is why I go back to the N90. I don't suggest he reuses the N90, but Wilson should make a new racquet for him; something with cross section of 17mm like the PS85 and N90, not 18mm like the K90.
BTW, he should use the backhand slice more. Even though his topspin BH is much improved, but it sits up and presents no threat to the 2HB players on the backhand to backhand exchanges.
Personally I think he should change racquet bases on the way he is playing now. He seems indecisive now with his forehand. I remember he whipped his forehand with the Ncode 90, now he brushes the ball with more topspin. This kind of reminds me of how Boris Becker lost his edge when he put more topspin on his grounstrokes and 2nd serve to try to improve his consistency.
I know from the fact that K90 tends to sail on my forehand, and that is why I go back to the N90. I don't suggest he reuses the N90, but Wilson should make a new racquet for him; something with cross section of 17mm like the PS85 and N90, not 18mm like the K90.
BTW, he should use the backhand slice more. Even though his topspin BH is much improved, but it sits up and presents no threat to the 2HB players on the backhand to backhand exchanges.
MEAC_ALLAMERICAN
Legend
paperduetoday
New User
that's funny.. i'm a chang and nadal fan.
I don't think he should change his racquet to get better. He should change his foot work and work on his tennis more. I thiink maybe its from him slackin or playing too much golf.
I don't think he should change his racquet to get better. He should change his foot work and work on his tennis more. I thiink maybe its from him slackin or playing too much golf.
vndesu
Hall of Fame
well how would you kno if its really a k90?
what if its a pj?
we all kno that pj are just used for market scandals....
lethalfang
Professional
Conflict of interest. :twisted:
Alafter
Hall of Fame
How many of you guys actually play tennis, instead of just watching?
Mind you I am asking question, not trying to be smart. If for that one particular poster thinks I am trying to be smart.
I play, of course. Hehe I wouldnt follow tennis news and have tennis idols if I didnt play
Alafter
Hall of Fame
How many of you guys actually play tennis, instead of just watching?
Mind you I am asking question, not trying to be smart. If for that one particular poster thinks I am trying to be smart.
You should never stop trying to be smart, because if you stop trying to be smart, you will not be smart, and we all want to interact with smart people. PS who is that poster? sorry I dont follow the pro discussion board very much, but i do know the regulars. Gimme a hint?
verdasco67
Professional
i agree. please go play on the ATP tour and tell me how hard it is to stay as dominate as federer. give him a break.
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