Most significant and most realisitic achievement remaining for Federer in 2016?

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

No it's not. He had his run and he won't have another run like this in his career.................certainly not in his 30's.

You don't know that! Only Djoko can determine that, you best hope Father Time gets him quick, because if it doesn't, you will be panicking!

 

[Omega_7000]

I enjoying winding the fed fans up, they give it out enough! Most of what I saying, is facts and possibilities that could happen anyway

Yeah very possible that Djokovic's form is going to fall off a cliff like every player before him in their 30's in the history of tennis.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Yeah very possible that Djokovic's form is going to fall off a cliff like every player before him in their 30's in the history of tennis.

I repeat you hope that is gonna happen! So say Djoko wins the us open, you'll be lost for words and back to square one on your fall off the cliff theories

 

[Omega_7000]

I repeat you hope that is gonna happen! So say Djoko wins the us open, you'll be lost for words and back to square one on your fall off the cliff theories

I do hope that happens but I'm also basing this off of every player going downhill in their 30's in the history if mens tennis. I just hope you don't run away like a chicken when that happens.........

 

[tennisaddict]

Not smoking anything! He only 5 slams behind, he always big favourite at OZ and quite a strong fav at us open. Plus French he will get more chances. Wimbledon might be hardest to win again. There is still enough time, especially if he wins next 2!

He has 6 majors left to cross Fed. At 17 majors each, Fed will be regarded higher since he reached the bar first.you see any ranking lists and when two players are equal, they list the person who achieved earlier on the top.

So getting 6 majors is the REAL target for Novak. he has 12 majors playing for 10 years. Really don't see how he is going to get 6 more when he is not able to beat Sam Querrey. As one ages they choke a lot and we all have seen Djoko's propensity for that in the past

 

[Maestroesque]

Yeah it's still a few but with the way Djoko is playing overall, and he at 29 not 35, he got a few chances to get to 17! Will be tough but not impossible!

You are just dismissing it out of fear!

I am not dismissing anything out of fear...fans like you make me wish he gets another Querry moment at the US Open.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

I am not dismissing anything out of fear...fans like you make me wish he gets another Querry moment at the US Open.

And fans like you, make me wish we get another fed v raonic 5 set heartbreak loss for fed!

 

[Maestroesque]

And fans like you, make me wish we get another fed v raonic 5 set heartbreak loss for fed!

At least he went out in 5 sets, what did your guy do?

 

[Emperor of Belgrade]

Why am I not surprised with the direction this thread is going to?

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

At least he went out in 5 sets, what did your guy do?

Lost to the better player over the 2 days in round 3 in 4 sets! Querry deserved it, fair play to him!

 

[tennisaddict]

And fans like you, make me wish we get another fed v raonic 5 set heartbreak loss for fed!

Well, you were the one who started creating trouble in this thread with the very first post when the discussion was about what Fed can achieve this year

 

[RSH]

The U.S. Open is definitely in play. After the way he's lost the last 4 majors, I'm expecting him to walk into Flushing a determinator. Other than that, I think he can win a 1000 and reach the YEC final.

 

[Dilexson]

Always a slam. Obviously US Open now.

 

[OhYes]

the history of tennis tells us how easy it is to win 5 slams in your 30's

History told us that 4 in a row are nearly impossible. And dismissing player who achieved that for next 5 would be pretty foolish.

 

[uliks]

If Djokovic reach 17 and more than 302, with the NCYGS in his resume, the 2011 and 2015 as probably the best seasons in the OE since Laver, and his record of titles won at ATP Masters level and the H2H against his biggest rivals, every balanced and unbiased tennis expert and historian would view him infront of fed on the GOAT list, no doubt about that.

 

[icedevil0289]

Fed dropped the ball not getting 18, now him and his fans will be twitching, with Djoko and nadal still breathing down his neck! You act like his slam record is safe, remember Djoko is 6 years younger and nadal is 5 years younger.

lol nadal? djokovic I get but Idon't get how you can can list nadal there given the fact that he is in the same boat as fed with his body breaking down and to a certain extent, he is in even worse condition.

 

[tennisaddict]

History told us that 4 in a row are nearly impossible. And dismissing player who achieved that for next 5 would be pretty foolish.

The 4 in a row was in the B.SQ era

We are now in A.SQ

 

[tennisaddict]

If Djokovic reach 17 and more than 302, with the NCYGS in his resume, the 2011 and 2015 as probably the best seasons in the OE since Laver, and his record of titles won at ATP Masters level and the H2H against his biggest rivals, every balanced and unbiased tennis expert and historian would view him infront of fed on the GOAT list, no doubt about that.

It doesn't work like that. The guy who set the benchmark is always listed ahead

 

[Chanwan]

Nadal is done winning slams....and Djokovic will not sustain that grinding style in to his 30's. When he falls, it will not be pretty. He's not going to go away slow like Sampras and Federer. It will be quick and brutal.

You don't go away quickly with
a) a serve combo as good as Novak's has become
b) a return that may fall a level or even two, but will still be elite in his mid 30's if he's playing
c) Novak's ability to take the ball relatively early and redirect it to whichever part of the court he pleases.

I understand where you're hope is coming from, but it's a fundamental misreading of what Novak's game is about.
Sure, there's the defensive grinding and part of that will diminish. But the fundamentals behind the grinding are more than solid and more than enough to keep him relevant for quite a few years to come if he pleases.

 

[Omega_7000]

You don't go away quickly with
a) a serve combo as good as Novak's has become
b) a return that may fall a level or even two, but will still be elite in his mid 30's if he's playing
c) Novak's ability to take the ball relatively early and redirect it to whichever part of the court he pleases.

I understand where you're hope is coming from, but it's a fundamental misreading of what Novak's game is about.
Sure, there's the defensive grinding and part of that will diminish. But the fundamentals behind the grinding are more than solid and more than enough to keep him relevant for quite a few years to come if he pleases.

Yeah he will still be top 5 but he ain't winning 4 in a row again. Federer hasn't gone away either but he only added 1 slam after 30. Sampras added only 1 too after 30. Nadal isn't likely to add more after 30. Unless Djokovic has access to some special vitamins, he's going down the same path too especially with his style of play. His serve isn't as good as Sampras or Federer to keep him relevant in to his 30's.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

You don't go away quickly with
a) a serve combo as good as Novak's has become
b) a return that may fall a level or even two, but will still be elite in his mid 30's if he's playing
c) Novak's ability to take the ball relatively early and redirect it to whichever part of the court he pleases.

I understand where you're hope is coming from, but it's a fundamental misreading of what Novak's game is about.
Sure, there's the defensive grinding and part of that will diminish. But the fundamentals behind the grinding are more than solid and more than enough to keep him relevant for quite a few years to come if he pleases.

Thank you! Some people are trying way too hard to force others to think Novak is similar to Rafa and that he will decline in the same quick sudden manner. I wonder why is there such a contrast then, with Nadal disappearing two years ago while Novak is still a world #1 at this stage of his career.

 

[Emperor of Belgrade]

Good news are there is no problem with his knee, that fall didn't cause any long term damage.

He is 9th in the race at the moment, it won't be very easy for him to secure the ticket for London.

 

[Chadillac]

Most people would like to make the semi's at wimbledon after coming off knee surgery, you guys are just picky

 

[Omega_7000]

Thank you! Some people are trying way too hard to force others to think Novak is similar to Rafa and that he will decline in the same quick sudden manner. I wonder why is there such a contrast then, with Nadal disappearing two years ago while Novak is still a world #1 at this stage of his career.

Maybe it has something to do with Nadal winning slams since he was 19........ They did not have the same career paths.

 

[OhYes]

The 4 in a row was in the B.SQ era

We are now in A.SQ

If it takes BS era for goat to be slamless for 4years, then it's not so BS afterall.

 

[Chanwan]

Yeah he will still be top 5 but he ain't winning 4 in a row again. Federer hasn't gone away either but he only added 1 slam after 30. Sampras added only 1 too after 30. Nadal isn't likely to add more after 30. Unless Djokovic has access to some special vitamis, he's going down the same path too especially with his style of play. His serve isn't as good as Sampras or Federer to keep him relevant in to his 30's.

@Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil - most welcome, I think you'll like the below as well.
His serve ain't as good, but the 1st serve and 2nd serve combo is plenty good combined with a vastly better ROS than either of them. If you're hoping for Novak to go downhill fast, I think you'll be truly disappointed.

Look at Federer's career post turning 29 (Novak's age now).
US 2010, lost to ND
AO 2011, L to ND
FO 2011, L to RN
W 2011, L to JWT
US 2011, L to ND
AO 2012, L to RN
FO 2012, L to ND
W 2012, W
US 2012, L to TB
AO 2013, L to AM
Rest of 2013, irrelevant
AO 2014, L to RN
FO 2014, L to EG
W 2014, L to ND
US 2014, L to MC
AO 2015, L to AS
FO 2015, L to SW
W 2015, L to ND
US 2015, L to ND
AO 2016, L to ND
FO 16, NA
W 16, L to MR

That's 11 losses to two of the greatest players to play the game, Djoko and Rafa (8 to Djoko), who were in their peaks and primes at the time of the losses. Plus one to Murray and one to Stan.

Now tell me, how many of those 11 slams he would have won, had there not been younger potential GOAT-candidates standing in his way? I dare say, more than a handful (and that's being conservative)
Now tell me, who's the potential GOAT-candidate or merely true ATG, who's supposed to "steal" the slams from Djokovic?
Andy's as old and seems to have developed a huge match-up disadvantage in recent years (though there's a slight chance, Lendl can fix some of that), Stan is older and somewhat inconsistent, Rafa is potentially done, same with Fed and he's shown he can't beat Novak in best of 5 anymore.

So again, who's there to stop him consistently? Raonic? Nishikori? Kyrgios? In order for a player as great as Novak to stop winning, someone needs to step up. As someone did vs. Fed back in the day. I just don't see who this someone is or these someones are.

Now that's not saying, that we've seen the last Querrey defeat from Novak. Fed also lost to Berdych, Tsonga, Stakhovsky and Robredo. But when he did go deep, Novak was always ready to stop him. Who's the player, who's there to stop Novak, when he does go deep the next 2-4 years?

Hence -> quite a few slams for Novak in the next 2-3 or more years.

 

[Chanwan]

Good news are there is no problem with his knee, that fall didn't cause any long term damage.

He is 9th in the race at the moment, it won't be very easy for him to secure the ticket for London.

Great news, link?
If he's body is injury free, he shouldn't have that much trouble getting into the last 8 from his current position.
Cause then it's doable to outperform most of the players near to him in the late summer and fall season:
4

Rafael Nadal 30.1 ESP1 2930 - - - - - -
5

Kei Nishikori 26.5 JPN1 2905 - - - - - -
6

Dominic Thiem 22.8 AUT1 2835 - - - - - -
7

Stan Wawrinka 31.2 SUI2 2370 - - - - - -
8

Tomas Berdych 30.8 CZE1 2260 - - - - - -
9

Roger Federer 34.9 SUI1 2130 - - - - - -
10

David Goffin 25.5 BEL1 1995

 

[BeatlesFan]

Win Olympic Gold in singles

Exactly. I doubt Rafa will be a factor and who knows what's up with Djoker. Andy's already won an OGM, so he doesn't have the obsessional desire Roger has. I doubt he has a chance, but who knows with the venue, the Zika virus and everything else.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Hence -> quite a few slams for Novak in the next 2-3 or more years.

Nope, I think one more and two tops. Your prediction flies in the face of every stat of every player in the Open Era after the age of 29. Novak will go the way of all the others, even with his weak competition.

 

[Emperor of Belgrade]

Great news, link?
If he's body is injury free, he shouldn't have that much trouble getting into the last 8 from his current position.
Then it's doable to outperform most of the players near to him in the late summer and fall season:
4

Rafael Nadal 30.1 ESP1 2930 - - - - - -
5

Kei Nishikori 26.5 JPN1 2905 - - - - - -
6

Dominic Thiem 22.8 AUT1 2835 - - - - - -
7

Stan Wawrinka 31.2 SUI2 2370 - - - - - -
8

Tomas Berdych 30.8 CZE1 2260 - - - - - -
9

Roger Federer 34.9 SUI1 2130 - - - - - -
10

David Goffin 25.5 BEL1 1995

http://www.**************.org/Tony-...Cups-next-up-for-the-Swiss-articolo34365.html

We shall see. I think he has exceeded expectations with a Wimbledon semifinal, considering he barely played in 2016 before that and didn't have promising results in grass warm-up events. It's just that I don't completely trust a soon to be 35 year old to reach the top 8. I would rather see him in London than Berdych and others though, no doubt. He can still be dangerous and fun indoors.

 

[Chanwan]

Nope, I think one more and two tops. Your prediction flies in the face of every stat of every player in the Open Era after the age of 29. Novak will go the way of all the others, even with his weak competition.

so my entire post was for nothing, cause all you do is look at past Open Era players? Look at the current top-10, older than anything since the early 70's? What does that tell you?
And are you disagreeing with me that Fed would have won 5+ (properly closer to 7-8) had there been no peak/prime Rafole in his way 11 times the past 6 years?
If not, then why can't Novak win more than 2?

to me perfectly clear, I don't want Novak to overtake Fed's 17. But I do think he's got a more than decent shot of doing so for the reasons stated above in this post and the previous.

 

[Chanwan]

http://www.**************.org/Tony-...Cups-next-up-for-the-Swiss-articolo34365.html

We shall see. I think he has exceeded expectations with a Wimbledon semifinal, considering he barely played in 2016 before that and didn't have promising results in grass warm-up events. It's just that I don't completely trust a soon to be 35 year old to reach the top 8. I would rather see him in London than Berdych and others though, no doubt. He can still be dangerous and fun indoors.

Thanks, obviously, it depends on his body. But if his body is fit, I trust him to outperform the vast majority of the players just listed in the fall season.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

@Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil - most welcome, I think you'll like the below as well.
His serve ain't as good, but the 1st serve and 2nd serve combo is plenty good combined with a vastly better ROS than either of them. If you're hoping for Novak to go downhill fast, I think you'll be truly disappointed.

Look at Federer's career post turning 29 (Novak's age now).
US 2010, lost to ND
AO 2011, L to ND
FO 2011, L to RN
W 2011, L to JWT
US 2011, L to ND
AO 2012, L to RN
FO 2012, L to ND
W 2012, W
US 2012, L to TB
AO 2013, L to AM
Rest of 2013, irrelevant
AO 2014, L to RN
FO 2014, L to EG
W 2014, L to ND
US 2014, L to MC
AO 2015, L to AS
FO 2015, L to SW
W 2015, L to ND
US 2015, L to ND
AO 2016, L to ND
FO 16, NA
W 16, L to MR

That's 11 losses to two of the greatest players to play the game, Djoko and Rafa (8 to Djoko), who were in their peaks and primes at the time of the losses. Plus one to Murray and one to Stan.

Now tell me, how many of those 11 slams he would have won, had there not been younger potential GOAT-candidates standing in his way? I dare say, more than a handful (and that's being conservative)
Now tell me, who's the potential GOAT-candidate or merely true ATG, who's supposed to "steal" the slams from Djokovic?
Andy's as old and seems to have developed a huge match-up disadvantage in recent years (though there's a slight chance, Lendl can fix some of that), Stan is older and somewhat inconsistent, Rafa is potentially done, same with Fed and he's shown he can't beat Novak in best of 5 anymore.

So again, who's there to stop him consistently? Raonic? Nishikori? Kyrgios? In order for a player as great as Novak to stop winning, someone needs to step up. As someone did vs. Fed back in the day. I just don't see who this someone is or these someones are.

Now that's not saying, that we've seen the last Querrey defeat from Novak. Fed also lost to Berdych, Tsonga, Stakhovsky and Robredo. But when he did go deep, Novak was always ready to stop him. Who's the player, who's there to stop Novak, when he does go deep the next 2-4 years?

Hence -> quite a few slams for Novak in the next 2-3 or more years.

I don't know, people are thinking (or some of them are hoping for it) that from now on Querrey cases will be often, or that Murray (who is actually another 29 year old) will start winning Slams on a regular basis, or that Djokovic will just drop to the next generation's (Raonic, Thiem, Nishikori, Goffin) level in a month or two.

Since the last US Open my prediction has been 14-16 for Novak. What he has done in the last two years was crazy and that rhythm isn't something usual so it has to slow down at some point. Hardly any player ever has such dominant periods.

 

[tennis_pro]

Still playing.

 

[cc0509]

Win Olympic Gold in singles

I can't see Federer winning the OG this year. He not in good enough form. Djokovic and Murray would have to skip the event for Fed to have a chance and there are other players who can beat current Federer at the moment like Raonic as we have just seen.

I'm sorry, I'm a big Federer fan but unless he magically gets into much better form I can't see how he will win the OG unless all of the players who can threaten him don't go to Rio.

 

[CYGS]

What do you think is the most significant and most realistic achievement remaining for Federer in 2016?

I would think:
Qualify for the ATP Tour Finals - would be 15th overall/consecutive year doing so
Win a Title - would extend his record to 16 consecutive seasons of winning at least 1 Title
Finish year in the top 10 for a 15th year

Now it's just sad.

 

[NEW_BORN]

1) Win a title, any title
2) Win another title, any other title
3) Win yet another title, you get the drift

 

[Omega_7000]

@Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil - most welcome, I think you'll like the below as well.
His serve ain't as good, but the 1st serve and 2nd serve combo is plenty good combined with a vastly better ROS than either of them. If you're hoping for Novak to go downhill fast, I think you'll be truly disappointed.

Look at Federer's career post turning 29 (Novak's age now).
US 2010, lost to ND
AO 2011, L to ND
FO 2011, L to RN
W 2011, L to JWT
US 2011, L to ND
AO 2012, L to RN
FO 2012, L to ND
W 2012, W
US 2012, L to TB
AO 2013, L to AM
Rest of 2013, irrelevant
AO 2014, L to RN
FO 2014, L to EG
W 2014, L to ND
US 2014, L to MC
AO 2015, L to AS
FO 2015, L to SW
W 2015, L to ND
US 2015, L to ND
AO 2016, L to ND
FO 16, NA
W 16, L to MR

That's 11 losses to two of the greatest players to play the game, Djoko and Rafa (8 to Djoko), who were in their peaks and primes at the time of the losses. Plus one to Murray and one to Stan.

Now tell me, how many of those 11 slams he would have won, had there not been younger potential GOAT-candidates standing in his way? I dare say, more than a handful (and that's being conservative)
Now tell me, who's the potential GOAT-candidate or merely true ATG, who's supposed to "steal" the slams from Djokovic?
Andy's as old and seems to have developed a huge match-up disadvantage in recent years (though there's a slight chance, Lendl can fix some of that), Stan is older and somewhat inconsistent, Rafa is potentially done, same with Fed and he's shown he can't beat Novak in best of 5 anymore.

So again, who's there to stop him consistently? Raonic? Nishikori? Kyrgios? In order for a player as great as Novak to stop winning, someone needs to step up. As someone did vs. Fed back in the day. I just don't see who this someone is or these someones are.

Now that's not saying, that we've seen the last Querrey defeat from Novak. Fed also lost to Berdych, Tsonga, Stakhovsky and Robredo. But when he did go deep, Novak was always ready to stop him. Who's the player, who's there to stop Novak, when he does go deep the next 2-4 years?

Hence -> quite a few slams for Novak in the next 2-3 or more years.

Things change quickly in tennis. People thought Nadal was a lock to beat Feds record and people also thought Federer will win more than 17 after winning wim in 2012..
You think Novak is going to maintain this physical game in his 30's? I also think his serve is going to drop. His ROS is one of the best of all time and i dont see that dropping anytime soon...but someone is bound to step up and take over soon.

 

[The_18th_Slam]

Making the US Open final would be great. That would put him over Sampras at all 4 Slams. In a weird way, I'd also like to see him win Bronze at the Olympics. That would give him all 3 kinds of medals

 

[newpball]

What do you think is the most significant and most realistic achievement remaining for Federer in 2016?

A money milking retirement world tour!

 

[junior74]

I think Federer has made incredible progress. 8 weeks ago he lost to Thiem in Rome not being able to move around court and looking very vulnerable. At Wimbledon consistency was a lot better and there were glimpses of top stuff.

USO (anything less than a SF is a disappointment)
Olympic medal
Masters title

 

[Chanwan]

Things change quickly in tennis. People thought Nadal was a lock to beat Feds record and people also thought Federer will win more than 17 after winning wim in 2012..
You think Novak is going to maintain this physical game in his 30's? I also think his serve is going to drop. His ROS is one of the best of all time and i dont see that dropping anytime soon...but someone is bound to step up and take over soon.

Why would his serve drop? That doesn't make sense. Pete had and still has his serve. Fed still has his serve. Karlovic still has his serve. Rafa is the exception here, but he only ever had a good serve every now and then for whatever reason.
People weren't sure about more than 17 after 2012 no. But back at the AO 2010, when no one realized just how good Djoko would soon become, there were higher hopes yes.
But again, the truth of the matter is there's no prime/peak Rafa waiting, no prime/peak Novak. There's a Murray who's as old as Djoko and then Fed, Rafa and Stan who are all older.
Who's to win the slams if Novak doesn't? That's the question I'm lacking an answer to. Who's to take him out time and time again.
Yes, his physical game will drop off a bit at some point, but it can and he'll still be a top-1 or top-2 player.

I don't know, people are thinking (or some of them are hoping for it) that from now on Querrey cases will be often, or that Murray (who is actually another 29 year old) will start winning Slams on a regular basis, or that Djokovic will just drop to the next generation's (Raonic, Thiem, Nishikori, Goffin) level in a month or two.

Since the last US Open my prediction has been 14-16 for Novak. What he has done in the last two years was crazy and that rhythm isn't something usual so it has to slow down at some point. Hardly any player ever has such dominant periods.

It's like they are refusing to listen to reason just because they hope he stays where he is. But there are no good reasons to believe Novak will stay at 14 slams or below. I think you're being too conservative with your 14-16 as well to be honest. 15 is a bare minimum for me. 17 is not far off a 50-50. And he can do that while slowing down.

Who's to beat him in the next 12 slams more often than not? Say he wins 4. That's a massive slow down for his current standards. And after that, if he continues to play, he still has 8-12 slams, where he can be relevant. He's 6 years younger than Fed. That's 24 slams. With no Rafole in the horizon to usurp him in the next few years.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

It's like they are refusing to listen to reason just because they hope he stays where he is. But there are no good reasons to believe Novak will stay at 14 slams or below. I think you're being too conservative with your 14-16 as well to be honest. 15 is a bare minimum for me. 17 is not far off a 50-50. And he can do that while slowing down.

Who's to beat him in the next 12 slams more often than not? Say he wins 4. That's a massive slow down for his current standards. And after that, if he continues to play, he still has 8-12 slams, where he can be relevant. He's 6 years younger than Fed. That's 24 slams. With no Rafole in the horizon to usurp him in the next few years.

As you said previously, nobody is explaining further, if Novak won't win any more, who will. In fact, at times I have seen comments how Murray won't add any more, how Nadal and Federer surely won't win another one, how all the new generation guys won't win a single Slam... It's like tennis will be shut down or something.

The thing is his recent standards are incredibly high. 4 in a row and 6/8 prior to the last Wimbledon, you hardly ever see that happen.

My prediction could change, it wouldn't be the first time. I mean, before Wimbledon 2014 I didn't think he would reach 10. At the moment I have him as a solid favorite for the next two Slams. If he wins them and nobody improves, I might say he has a shot at 17, but not likely. I am just not someone who looks at the long term future because it is unknown.

 

[Chanwan]

As you said previously, nobody is explaining further, if Novak won't win any more, who will. In fact, at times I have seen comments how Murray won't add any more, how Nadal and Federer surely won't win another one, how all the new generation guys won't win a single Slam... It's like tennis will be shut down or something.

The thing is his recent standards are incredibly high. 4 in a row and 6/8 prior to the last Wimbledon, you hardly ever see that happen.

My prediction could change, it wouldn't be the first time. I mean, before Wimbledon 2014 I didn't think he would reach 10. At the moment I have him as a solid favorite for the next two Slams. If he wins them and nobody improves, I might say he has a shot at 17, but not likely. I am just not someone who looks at the long term future because it is unknown.

Exactly. It's mindboggling how they do it.
If there was an obvious challenger or two, I would be a bit more conservative too. But there isn't and then I don't see him dropping from his current level (6 out of 8) to less than 3-4 out of 12. Anyway, caution ain't a bad thing. Just not my thing ;-)

 

[Chanwan]

I do hope that happens but I'm also basing this off of every player going downhill in their 30's in the history if mens tennis. I just hope you don't run away like a chicken when that happens.........

Out of curiosity, who are you arguing with? I apparently have said poster on ignore

 

[Noelan]

Win Basel then retire

 

[Flash O'Groove]

It's funny how different the expectations would be if Fed had held at 40-0 and won the ensuing breaker against Rao.

Then even if Fed lost to Murray, there would be a lot of talk about him being a top guy for the US Open.

IMO Federer is a contender for the US Open, although I do want to see him stay healthy and continue to get match fit.

No in my opinion Federer was competitive against Cilic and Raonic because both of them have a lot of trouble handling his serve, and he survived thanks to his serve. If he had to play a better baseliner, but overall inferior player than Raonic and Cilic, I could easily see him lose earlier. Fed overachieved at Wimbledon.

However he was going upward from his injury and we don't know if he can continue to progress and come closer to his 2015 level. Right now, Mcenroeartist expectation are about right.

 

[BGod]

Realistic as in likely? Making the WTF and winning a 500.

 

[AceSalvo]

@Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil - most welcome, I think you'll like the below as well.
His serve ain't as good, but the 1st serve and 2nd serve combo is plenty good combined with a vastly better ROS than either of them. If you're hoping for Novak to go downhill fast, I think you'll be truly disappointed.

Look at Federer's career post turning 29 (Novak's age now).
US 2010, lost to ND
AO 2011, L to ND
FO 2011, L to RN
W 2011, L to JWT
US 2011, L to ND
AO 2012, L to RN
FO 2012, L to ND
W 2012, W
US 2012, L to TB
AO 2013, L to AM
Rest of 2013, irrelevant
AO 2014, L to RN
FO 2014, L to EG
W 2014, L to ND
US 2014, L to MC
AO 2015, L to AS
FO 2015, L to SW
W 2015, L to ND
US 2015, L to ND
AO 2016, L to ND
FO 16, NA
W 16, L to MR

That's 11 losses to two of the greatest players to play the game, Djoko and Rafa (8 to Djoko), who were in their peaks and primes at the time of the losses. Plus one to Murray and one to Stan.

Now tell me, how many of those 11 slams he would have won, had there not been younger potential GOAT-candidates standing in his way? I dare say, more than a handful (and that's being conservative)
Now tell me, who's the potential GOAT-candidate or merely true ATG, who's supposed to "steal" the slams from Djokovic?
Andy's as old and seems to have developed a huge match-up disadvantage in recent years (though there's a slight chance, Lendl can fix some of that), Stan is older and somewhat inconsistent, Rafa is potentially done, same with Fed and he's shown he can't beat Novak in best of 5 anymore.

So again, who's there to stop him consistently? Raonic? Nishikori? Kyrgios? In order for a player as great as Novak to stop winning, someone needs to step up. As someone did vs. Fed back in the day. I just don't see who this someone is or these someones are.

Now that's not saying, that we've seen the last Querrey defeat from Novak. Fed also lost to Berdych, Tsonga, Stakhovsky and Robredo. But when he did go deep, Novak was always ready to stop him. Who's the player, who's there to stop Novak, when he does go deep the next 2-4 years?

Hence -> quite a few slams for Novak in the next 2-3 or more years.

The way you are taking Federer and comparing his achievements to predict how Novak will do is pointless. You could have wrote the same thing about Nadal in 2013 and a 17+ looked inevitable. Last time I checked, Nadal was loosing to nobody's fairly consistently.

Can Novak battle fatigue for going ruthless on the tour for last year and a half? Father time will have the final say. Federer's performance past 29 means close to nothing here.

 

[Rosstour]

Nadal is done winning slams....and Djokovic will not sustain that grinding style in to his 30's. When he falls, it will not be pretty. He's not going to go away slow like Sampras and Federer. It will be quick and brutal.

Sampras didn't go away slowly...he fell off a cliff at 30 and came back for one last miracle at the USO.

Exactly. I doubt Rafa will be a factor and who knows what's up with Djoker. Andy's already won an OGM, so he doesn't have the obsessional desire Roger has. I doubt he has a chance, but who knows with the venue, the Zika virus and everything else.

I don't think Fed cares about the Olympics much. I'm one of those who think he tanked the 2012 London match against Murray, having just won the prize that mattered to him most at Wimbledon.

Was sad to see him choke away the match against Milos, but for the first Slam after the first surgery of his career...if he weren't 34, everyone would be mightily encouraged by the SF result.

Hopefully the USO will be similarly chaotic to Wimbledon and he can come through for #18, but I'm not holding my breath.