Roger Federer - new historic perspective

[Rabbit]

Roger Federer is now 6th on the all-time list for Grand Slams won. The list now looks like this:

Pete Sampras..........14
Roy Emerson...........12
Bjorn Borg...............11
Rod Laver................11
Bill Tilden.................10
Roger Federer...........09

His winning rate has been phenomenal until this point. I keep thinking that he can't maintain the pace, but he does. Is there no one on the tour who can step up? Between now and age 30, Federer has a shot 20 Slams. Federer has the following things going for him:

1. He's clearly chasing history, he knows the importance of it
2. He's pacing himself, he knows how to cycle his playing so he peaks at Grand Slam time
3. He's not afraid to lose a match here and there as long as he does his best at the Slams
4. He's surrounded himself with the best people in the game
5. He's been relatively injury free, his technique, build, and game don't predispose him to injury like some other guys on tour
6. No one can/will challenge him (noted exception is Nads on clay)

I've changed my mind with this US Open win. I think Federer will eclipse Sampras' mark of 14 Grand Slam titles and I think he'll do so easily. There doesn't appear to be anyone on the horizon who can challenge his dominance. Federer has broken the mold of the academy game and will continue to dominate because he can play the entire court, and knows how to use the court better than his contemporaries. He also has more motivation than his contemporaries. Hell, I think they've all given up. They're all content to let him dominate and win everything in sight because they still make millions a year.

 

[Buuurnz]

I think the same way...!
Fed will probably win 2 Grand Slams on average in the next 3 years what gives him 15...!

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

Looks like he got shot when he hit the match point. He needs to be careful on those falling victory celebrations. He might get hurt and thus ruin his run to history.

 

[jelle v]

I am so hoping that Federer will brake the Pete Sampras record. I just wonder if he will be able to keep going at this rate.

On the one hand I'm thinking: "there will be no one in the near future to prevent Federer from taking at least three Grand Slams a year".

On the other hand I'm thinking: "It's impossible to achieve to keep on winning 3 Grand Slams a year.. It would be just too unbelievable".

 

[armand]

http://www.tennis28.com/studies/Federer_Sampras.html
Here's a comparison between Sampras and Federer up to this same point in their careers.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Fed can even make more history next year.Especially in wimbledon where he can tie Borg's streak of 5 consecutive wimbledon titles.I dont see anyone beating him there next year unless someone really gets on the zone but thats even more difficult still.

 

[Zets147]

Looks like he got shot when he hit the match point. He needs to be careful on those falling victory celebrations. He might get hurt and thus ruin his run to history.

Yea, that was a pretty good shooting scene lol

 

[ShooterMcMarco]

Yeah, Fed is just amazing to watch. Is he the only player in history to have won 3 slams in one calendar year twice? Obviously Laver won the grand slam 2 times so thats a different story.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

I hope Fed concetrates on the french now, he obviously improved alot this year by getting to the final.I noticed he feels comfortable on the clay now, he slides well.The thing with Fed is that he loves wimbledon more then the french, he has to know that the french can make him a tennis legend, he might be already but it puts him up there!!!!

 

[oberyn]

Just think the win of Safin over Federer in last year Australian Open. Isn't that more entartainning than any of Federer's wins? Or Nalbandian over Federer at Masters Cup last year

I get what you're saying, but Federer was a necessary ingredient in what made those matches so exciting.

It's David beating Goliath. You're rooting for David, but if it was David vs. Joe Schmoe, it wouldn't be such a big deal when he wins.

You can't have it both ways. Fed's dominance is what made those matches and the results so exciting.

 

[Rabbit]

I hope Fed concetrates on the french now,

If he does, he may be making a big mistake. Lendl concentrated on Wimbledon at the expense of other Grand Slams. He didn't play the French for a couple of years, years when he could've won it. If Federer puts all his eggs in a clay basket, he may wind up hurting himself.

I don't think I'd tamper with the system he has now. He doesn't over play himself, he doesn't get hurt, and he still has the drive to win it all.

 

[dh003i]

Rabbit,

I'd agree with you there, that he shouldn't over-concentrate on the French. But I think he should perhaps play a few less hard-court events after the AO, and a few less before the AO than he has other years. He should be practicing a lot on clay.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

The good thing is the changes that take affect next year in tennis!!!The masters finals wont be 3 sets anymore.They need to have a gap in between the french and wimbledon.

 

[crosscourt]

I don't think Roddick or Nadal have given up. And others will come and try.

 

[The tennis guy]

I've changed my mind with this US Open win. I think Federer will eclipse Sampras' mark of 14 Grand Slam titles and I think he'll do so easily. There doesn't appear to be anyone on the horizon who can challenge his dominance. Federer has broken the mold of the academy game and will continue to dominate because he can play the entire court, and knows how to use the court better than his contemporaries. He also has more motivation than his contemporaries.

Welcome on board. I am glad to see a true tennis fan like you changed your mind.

Look, Federer has very complete game. Yes, he doesn't serve and volley - it has more to do with the evolution of the game itself than his ability. He has the serve, the power, the spin, the footspeed, the touch, the ambition, and dedication. He has everything you can ask from a tennis player. He used all parts of court in yesterday's final, and he made it look easy, that's after he played 4 best of 5 matches in 5 days.

This guy is simply incredible!

 

[pham4313]

should we say by this time next year...Federer will be up with 12 or 13 grandslam titles ...what's that song on CBS...Federer is the predator, Federer is the grandslam man:mrgreen:

 

[drakulie]

It is amazing to think he could quite possibly have 12 slams by this time next year.

 

[shawn1122]

9 + 4 = 13

not 12

 

[shawn1122]

I agree. I thing he has more 8 or 9 slams in him.

the thing is...I just dont like to see him. I lik a player with carisma. I like Agassi, Safin, Roddick, Marcelo Rios, Guga, McEnroe, Connos.

Same reason I didnt like to see Sampras play...of course I liked his tennis..but they are just not guys that can transcend.

Just think the win of Safin over Federer in last year Australian Open. Isn't that more entartainning than any of Federer's wins? Or Nalbandian over Federer at Masters Cup last year

That is because you expect Federer to win, so it isn't as exciting when he actually does.

 

[pham4313]

9 + 4 = 13

not 12

yes...13 is hopefully done with the fact that Federer's record against Nadal is improving, so hopefully he can beat the so-called clay court king ...but as for now, Nadal still owns clay, Roger owns grass, but...who just owns New York street again? It's Roger baby

 

[Raistlin]

Probably the most beautiful thing to see for a federer fan is:

for federer to complete #15 at the french beating nadal and bagelling him in the 5th set

 

[FEDEXP]

Nah, the most beautiful thing to see would be for him to stay healthy, injury free, and playing great.

 

[West Coast Ace]

I dont see anyone beating him there next year unless someone really gets on the zone but thats even more difficult still.

I would tend to agree - as long as the Wimby tournament committee doesn't do something crazy and cut the grass super short and use really light balls - I doubt they would - I think people like the longer rallies. If they did, then someone like Dr. Ivo or Mad Max could serve 55 or 60 aces and knock him off.

 

[drakulie]

9 + 4 = 13

not 12

Uhmm , no sh***tt. I said 12 because of the French Open.