Roger Federer Chief Strategist

[Zebrev]

As we have all witnessed this season, the rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Rog let Federer has flopped this season and now Roger is dominating Rafa just like the reverse used to be true. The problem is that the pair don't have to enough years on tour for Roger to correct the deficit in the H2H, right? So how does Roger prove that he has truly conquered his old rival when the H2H and career statistics say otherwise? There is only one way I can think of. Roger needs to beat Rafa in his own back yard. Roger needs to beat Rafa on clay.

Think about it. We only truly believed that Rafa had surpassed Roger on that famous day in 2008 when the Swiss was dismantled on his favoured surface. Well it's ten years on, (in 2018, that is) and it's time for Roger to return the favour. Yes, I know Roger already beat Rafa before, but to do it at this age would truly show who is the better player. If Roger can beat Rafa on clay in 2018, then the H2H is officially irrelevant, No?

What I propose is that Roger plays a 250 event early in the clay stretch, just to get a feel for the surface again. After that, he heads straight to Barcelona, where he'll know Rafa will be playing. Roger and Rafa are ranked 1 and 2, so they will be in opposite sides of the draw for certain. Not to mention the field will be much weaker than a 1000 event or RG. Gives Roger the maximum possibility to make the final.

Roger will be fresh for this event, and he can throw everything he has into it. No holding back. Once victory is secured, and the H2H is officially nullified. Then Roger can pull out of the masters with an "injury", tank after the first few rounds at RG and then rest up for Grass season. Impossible accomplished! Now, I know it's risky, but I think that might actually work. What do you think, am I worthy of becoming Roger's chief Strategist?

 

[Backspin1183]

TTW experts never cease to amaze you, huh?

 

[tennisaddict]

I think Fed is too much of a gentleman and friend that he would not want to cause mental damage to Rafa that is sure to occur if he beats him on clay.

I have no doubts this Fed will give severe beating or two to Rafa in BO3. BO5 in clay is for grinders

 

[Steve0904]

This isn't Federer being extremely smart by any stretch. He's just not being utterly stupid. There's a difference. Some might call that smart anyway. To me and most others I'm sure, it's obvious. He's 35-36 so he didn't play on clay. He didn't play Paris between Basel and the WTF. He may have made a mistake playing Montreal, but he could've gotten injured in Cincy too so that's just bad luck. And he played a small event he was likely to win on his favourite surface. Halle. He also played Dubai So it makes perfect sense. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what Fed's schedule should be at his age.

 

[Zebrev]

I think Fed is too much of a gentleman and friend that he would not want to cause mental damage to Rafa that is sure to occur if he beats him on clay.

I have no doubts this Fed will give severe beating or two to Rafa in BO3. BO5 in clay is for grinders

That's why I think the Rafael Nadal court is the perfect venue to take revenge for Wimby 2008. It's certainly doable for Roger to reach the final, and once there he can throw everything at it, whereas Nadal has to hold back for the Masters and RG. Roger has the tactical advantage, and as his chief strategist I'm obligated to advise him on the best course of action.

 

[yokied]

I can't believe I'm saying this but the idea has merit, but further down the line. Fed prioritises the slam count higher than the H2H. As such, given the gap remains unchanged at the beginning of 2018, and given any clay action jeopardises Fed's chances in the slam count, I don't see it happening in 2018. I don't know what slam gap Roger feels comfortable with though. So if Roger picks up 2+ slams to Rafa's 0 in 2018, then I can see this idea possibly factoring in 2019 or beyond.

 

[Steve0904]

And btw, sorry OP. I like you, but you're crazy. Federer's feet should never touch the clay surface in competitive play again for the rest of his career. If they do I'll fly to whatever tournament he's playing at and smack him over the head with a frying pan. Seriously.

 

[Fedforever]

And btw, sorry OP. I like you, but you're crazy. Federer's feet should never touch the clay surface in competitive play again for the rest of his career. If they do I'll fly to whatever tournament he's playing at and smack him over the head with a frying pan. Seriously.

Love it.

You know what, Nadal is better than Fed on clay. He's accepted it, no doubt he wishes it had been otherwise, but that's how it is. He could not have been clearer at his post Shanghai press conference. Getting the odd victory now might be satisfying but wouldn't change anything. For some reason this seems to annoy some of Nadal's fans (not getting at OP here - this is a nice light-hearted thread) who are convinced that Fed should be all tortured and miserable about it.

 

[User123]

And btw, sorry OP. I like you, but you're crazy. Federer's feet should never touch the clay surface in competitive play again for the rest of his career. If they do I'll fly to whatever tournament he's playing at and smack him over the head with a frying pan. Seriously.

Let's hope he does play on clay again. I want to see a video of you doing that.

 

[Steve0904]

Let's hope he does play on clay again. I want to see a video of you doing that.

Obviously it's a serious joke, seriously. But yeah, I won't be too happy just because the risks far outweigh the rewards at this point in his career.

 

[Zebrev]

Maybe 2018 is the year Roger take revenge on Novak for all those Slam finals in 2014 - 15. Who knows.

 

[Phoenix1983]

And btw, sorry OP. I like you, but you're crazy. Federer's feet should never touch the clay surface in competitive play again for the rest of his career. If they do I'll fly to whatever tournament he's playing at and smack him over the head with a frying pan. Seriously.

I think Fed will play the French Open once more, in the year he retires.

Otherwise I agree with you.

 

[Steve0904]

I think Fed will play the French Open once more, in the year he retires.

Otherwise I agree with you.

Yes. I think he'll probably make that exception as well. Providing he plans out his retirement of course. I think that may also depend on whether or not he still has a realistic shot at Wimbledon tbh, but I also think he'll only retire when he knows he can no longer win any of the slams.

 

[Powderwombat]

Roger is not beating Rafa at RG...

 

[BeatlesFan]

So how does Roger prove that he has truly conquered his old rival when the H2H and career statistics say otherwise?

H2H (for the 20,000th time) is not a tennis statistic. Roger doesn't need to "prove" he has truly conquered Nadal. His career statistics eloquently prove he has conquered not just Nadal, but the entire tennis field. He has 19 majors, 300+ weeks at #1 and has won three of the slams 5 or more times each. Nobody else is close to any of those measuring sticks (and if Nadal fans thinks 3 majors is "being close," then it's laughable).

The whole premise is pointless because Roger is not playing clay again, nor does he have to. He won the FO, that box is ticked off on his GOAT resume 8 years ago. He's 36 years old and won two slams this year. The only people wanting Roger to play clay are Nadal fans or those who have issues with Fed and wish him to "fail." Never realizing that if a 36 year old even makes it the fourth round of MC or Rome, it would be an amazing feat.

How many times do we have to endure these "Fed and clay" threads? He's said he is not playing it, it makes his knee feel "wonky" post-meniscus surgery and he needs to rest up for grass season. What about these explanations are so hard to understand?

 

[BeatlesFan]

Maybe 2018 is the year Roger take revenge on Novak for all those Slam finals in 2014 - 15. Who knows.

Roger is 36, Nole is 30. Do you see a slight advantage for the Serb? Djoker is not a generational rival of Fed. The fact is, after 2011, he should never have lost to him anywhere, since Fed was then 30 and Djoker only 24.

 

[YellowFedBetter]

Roger is 36, Nole is 30. Do you see a slight advantage for the Serb? Djoker is not a generational rival of Fed. The fact is, after 2011, he should never have lost to him anywhere, since Fed was then 30 and Djoker only 24.

This comment isn’t aimed directly at you, I respect you and your opinions and value you as an internet friend, even if I disagree with many of your views. Mostly this is at the media and other fanboys.

But Judas Priest I can’t stand this circle jerk over Fed’s success at his age. Seriously Fed winning slams at his age is NOT the greatest accomplishment in sports history like people are making it out.

First off as has been well established in this era of higher fitness it is not uncommon at all for players to not only have reasonable success in their 30’s but have the BEST results of their careers. Look at Muller and Haas for two good examples this decade.

And Fed having all this success at his age is NOT the same thing as many other’s doing well at his age. Fed has not had to play a physically draining style like Rafa and Djokovic have. Therefore it’s common sense he’s going to have more longevity. Not to mention that his “comeback” this year is highly exaggerated. It’s not like really ever went anywhere. He was the clear second best player of 2015 and even was a big threat to win Wimbledon 2016 (I think had he gotten past Raonic he would have). I said before the AO even started that the 6 month layoff (to give his body the rest that EVERYONE needs at some point) was the best thing that could have happened for him and that he would win that event. But of course people called me crazy. Who ended up being right?

The age difference thing with Fed and his rivals is blown way out of proportion. As I’ve said before Fed is more like 32 in tennis terms because of the relative lack of strain he’s had and Rafa is more like a true 35 year old.

PS another thing I can’t stand from Fed fans (not yelling at you please understand) is this “na na na na na Fed’s the GOAT because of his token French in ‘09” attitude many (including and especially media of types) have.

If you wanna give Fed credit for making good adjustments and improving his game to get better results, fine. I’m just so sick of the “ZOMG Fed winning at 36” crap. If I hear it one more time I think I’m gonna hurl. George Foreman just called and he wants his GOAT of boxing title back because he won the Heavyweight championship at 45.

If you wanna call Fed the GOAT based on his whole body of work fine. But I can’t stand it when people say “well he had to win RG to be the best, now just because he won it once when Rafa lost he’s the greatest ever so stfu!”

Hope I didn’t lose a friend here but that was a fuse blown that was a long time coming..

 

[ChaelAZ]

H2H (for the 20,000th time) is not a tennis statistic.

Weird that everyone agrees it is a tennis statistic, and generally accepted in many sports as a very significant statistic of who is the more dominant team, player, etc..

But okay. Just go with it.