Nalbandian2006
Banned
Let's take a look:
Murray: He turns 29 next year and his recent matches with Federer haven't gone well. He's not the kind of guy I expect to age well because he doesn't have a reliable serve/easy ways of winning points offensively. Plus, he's already had back surgery.
Wawrinka: No threat to Federer unless it's the first 2 slams or a slow clay masters. On faster courts, Federer will pressure him and expose the limitation in his game. Gasquet was able to exploit it at Wimbledon this year, so it's not surprising Federer can.
Berdych: He's in decline. He's 30 years old and his movement isn't what it was, and it wasn't great to begin with. Federer had adjusted his game to avoid getting into protracted baseline rallies with him, and Berdych isn't a guy who wants to hit a bunch of passing shots. I don't expect him to beat Federer ever again.
Nishikori: Good player but not an overwhelming one. Over 5 sets I'd expect Federer to come through.
Nadal: Washed up. Turns 30 next year and if he doesn't have his monstrous forehand, he isn't a major threat. He'll never be an easy point winner with serving/serve and volleying.
Ferrer: Has never beaten Federer and is only a year younger. Had a crappy season overall.
Raonic: Federer still seems to handle the big servers well enough. I think Raonic has already peaked - his movement is the best it's going to get.
Simon: Despite the trouble he has given Federer over the years, Federer now had 5 consecutive victories against him and probably better understands what he needs to do in matches against him. 30 years old.
Gasquet: No threat to Federer. Even the 2 wins he had against him out of a ton of matches were tight 3 set masters victories on clay. 29 years old.
Anderson: So far, Federer has handled him with ease. 29 years old.
Isner: Big server with not too much else. Federer can handle almost every time.
Cilic: Dangerous opponent but has not shown the consistency at almost 27.
Goffin: Doesn't have the big weapons to hurt Federer, nor to move up much higher in the rankings.
Tsonga: I think he has a lot of tennis left in him despite being 30, but he hasn't shown the consistency before, and Federer still has a pretty good record against him.
Lopez: No threat to Federer, and the same age.
Karlovic: See Isner.
Dimitrov: Show me. Until then, he's nothing to be worried about.
Thiem: I like his game but his success so far has been on clay. Federer's future doesn't hinge on clay season.
Tomic: Headcase who was arrested not that long ago.
Bautista Agut: Federer has had no trouble with him so far. Already 27.
Monfils: Too much clowning to be taken seriously in terms of consistency. Mostly a danger on clay.
Troicki: I don't see any reason to think he would trouble Federer. Lacks weapons. 29.
Seppi: I don't see lightning striking twice as it did at the AO. 31 years old.
Chardy: Can be annoying and dangerous, but 28 years old and won't be consistent with his free-swinging approach.
Sock: No trouble for Federer in Indian Wells. A forehand and not much else.
Fognini: Could be dangerous in a given match but too inconsistent.
Garcia-Lopez: No threat to Federer. 32.
Robredo: No threat to Federer. 33.
Belluccci: 27 year old head case.
Paire: A backhand.
Kohlschreiber: A headcase. He'll never have the mental toughness to play to his talent level. Turns 32 this year.
Klizan: If he was going to make a move he probably would've done it by now. 26.
Dolgopolov: Will never have the consistency. Goes for too much. Good for 1-2 smaller tournaments a year.
Mayer: No threat to Federer in US Open this year makes Shanghai last year look like a fluke. 28.
Cuevas: Federer even handled him on clay. 29.
Coric: Doesn't look too impressive to me, other than being a successful teenager.
Mannarino: Hasn't threatened Federer at all in their matches so far. 27.
Rest of the notables:
Janowicz: Head case and 6'8."
Kyrgios: Head case who will likely never mature.
Vesely: Young serve-oriented 6'6" player.
Kokkinakis: 6'5" and clumsy.
Zverev: 6'6"
Of course, the downside to this is Djokovic has no threats, either. The main one responsible for beating Djokovic in Grand Slam matches to ensure he doesn't break Federer's record will be Federer.
Murray: He turns 29 next year and his recent matches with Federer haven't gone well. He's not the kind of guy I expect to age well because he doesn't have a reliable serve/easy ways of winning points offensively. Plus, he's already had back surgery.
Wawrinka: No threat to Federer unless it's the first 2 slams or a slow clay masters. On faster courts, Federer will pressure him and expose the limitation in his game. Gasquet was able to exploit it at Wimbledon this year, so it's not surprising Federer can.
Berdych: He's in decline. He's 30 years old and his movement isn't what it was, and it wasn't great to begin with. Federer had adjusted his game to avoid getting into protracted baseline rallies with him, and Berdych isn't a guy who wants to hit a bunch of passing shots. I don't expect him to beat Federer ever again.
Nishikori: Good player but not an overwhelming one. Over 5 sets I'd expect Federer to come through.
Nadal: Washed up. Turns 30 next year and if he doesn't have his monstrous forehand, he isn't a major threat. He'll never be an easy point winner with serving/serve and volleying.
Ferrer: Has never beaten Federer and is only a year younger. Had a crappy season overall.
Raonic: Federer still seems to handle the big servers well enough. I think Raonic has already peaked - his movement is the best it's going to get.
Simon: Despite the trouble he has given Federer over the years, Federer now had 5 consecutive victories against him and probably better understands what he needs to do in matches against him. 30 years old.
Gasquet: No threat to Federer. Even the 2 wins he had against him out of a ton of matches were tight 3 set masters victories on clay. 29 years old.
Anderson: So far, Federer has handled him with ease. 29 years old.
Isner: Big server with not too much else. Federer can handle almost every time.
Cilic: Dangerous opponent but has not shown the consistency at almost 27.
Goffin: Doesn't have the big weapons to hurt Federer, nor to move up much higher in the rankings.
Tsonga: I think he has a lot of tennis left in him despite being 30, but he hasn't shown the consistency before, and Federer still has a pretty good record against him.
Lopez: No threat to Federer, and the same age.
Karlovic: See Isner.
Dimitrov: Show me. Until then, he's nothing to be worried about.
Thiem: I like his game but his success so far has been on clay. Federer's future doesn't hinge on clay season.
Tomic: Headcase who was arrested not that long ago.
Bautista Agut: Federer has had no trouble with him so far. Already 27.
Monfils: Too much clowning to be taken seriously in terms of consistency. Mostly a danger on clay.
Troicki: I don't see any reason to think he would trouble Federer. Lacks weapons. 29.
Seppi: I don't see lightning striking twice as it did at the AO. 31 years old.
Chardy: Can be annoying and dangerous, but 28 years old and won't be consistent with his free-swinging approach.
Sock: No trouble for Federer in Indian Wells. A forehand and not much else.
Fognini: Could be dangerous in a given match but too inconsistent.
Garcia-Lopez: No threat to Federer. 32.
Robredo: No threat to Federer. 33.
Belluccci: 27 year old head case.
Paire: A backhand.
Kohlschreiber: A headcase. He'll never have the mental toughness to play to his talent level. Turns 32 this year.
Klizan: If he was going to make a move he probably would've done it by now. 26.
Dolgopolov: Will never have the consistency. Goes for too much. Good for 1-2 smaller tournaments a year.
Mayer: No threat to Federer in US Open this year makes Shanghai last year look like a fluke. 28.
Cuevas: Federer even handled him on clay. 29.
Coric: Doesn't look too impressive to me, other than being a successful teenager.
Mannarino: Hasn't threatened Federer at all in their matches so far. 27.
Rest of the notables:
Janowicz: Head case and 6'8."
Kyrgios: Head case who will likely never mature.
Vesely: Young serve-oriented 6'6" player.
Kokkinakis: 6'5" and clumsy.
Zverev: 6'6"
Of course, the downside to this is Djokovic has no threats, either. The main one responsible for beating Djokovic in Grand Slam matches to ensure he doesn't break Federer's record will be Federer.
