Roger Federer reflects on Novak Djokovic's 'exceptional year'

[Sudacafan]

"We saw it with Novak, myself and Rafa (Nadal) that we come extremely close, but just doing it, I think you need a bit of luck, you need perseverance, strength, you need everything.
"That's why I think it's going to be hard but it's possible ...

Fed is talking nonsense here. The only Big Three that came extremely close of a CYGS was Nole.
Fed usually crashed at RG, and the only year he won RG, it was the only year Rafa won the AO (2009). So Fedal never got past the second leg of a CYGS contention.
With the first two CYGS legs accomplished, we had Courier in 1992; and Borg in 1978-80 with his Channel Slams, which occurred in the ten-year period when the AO was played in December being the last leg.
Nole was the closest unsuccessful CYGS attempt of all time (for both men and women) having won 3 legs, and getting to the final of the 4th leg. Serena lost in the 2015 USO SF, two matches short, being the second unsuccessful closest attempt.

Edit: also with the first two CYGS legs accomplished we had Wilander in 1988.

 

[roysid]

Roger Federer said Novak Djokovic had a "truly exceptional" year, even as the world No. 1 fell short of winning a calendar grand slam at the US Open.

Federer, who is recovering from knee surgery having last played at Wimbledon in July, added that he thinks achieving a calendar grand slam is still a possibility in the men's game.

"I think it is possible that it's going to happen again," he told Eurosport.
"We saw it with Novak, myself and Rafa (Nadal) that we come extremely close, but just doing it, I think you need a bit of luck, you need perseverance, strength, you need everything.
"That's why I think it's going to be hard but it's possible ... What Novak did this year was, of course, truly exceptional."

He said that he's "recovering well" from the surgery and is in the process of undergoing rehab.

"I've had no setbacks, every day's a better day, I'm feeling strong and excited for what's to come," Federer said.

"I experienced it, of course, already a little bit last year, and I was actually surprised how somewhat easy it was for me to go through the rehab process because I know it's not everybody's favorite thing to do, especially as a top athlete.

"But I think maybe, after all these years of traveling, it was also nice to be home, having more time for the family and other things.

"Of course, I wish I could be back on a tennis court as quick as possible, but I have to be patient. Look, it's a slower period right now. I've got to take it step by step and so far so good, so I'm very happy."

Roger Federer reflects on Novak Djokovic's 'exceptional year' (msn.com)

People often forget that tennis players aren't professional speakers and what they speak though may be PR inspired would have some bias or arrogance

1) True. Federer and particularly Nadal wasn't close to CGYS in the sense that they never won the first 2. But what fed meant is of course 3 slam wins. And while the pressure increases, in 2006 for sure fed wins w and uso had he won FO.

2) given that Federer and Djokovic relationship, u can't expect wholesome praise. Still Fed is saying nice things about Djokovic in recent years. Either it's maturity or PR. But no way it can be heartful warmth.
Well Djokovic after winning Wimbledon said about reaching 20 slams, says "that means no one will stop" . Instead of more PR appropriate..it's a great honour to reach Roger and Rafa at 20 slams and blah blah.

We shouldn't read too much into what is said

 

[beltsman]

He knows it was an insane year, though I don't agree with his statement that he and Nadal were extremely close, both never won the first two slams of the year and dealt with the mental pressure that came with each subsequent slam. Novak is the only one who got close.

Yes Federer especially and Nadal once got very close to a NCYGS, or simply 4 in a row, but even there, Novak has done that.

The pain is still fresh

 

[Djokodal Fan]

Lol, Federer inserting himself along side Novak. He already knows Djokovic has gone past him in all good measure. Good choice of words and good way to cope with the fact that he is no more the best out of the three!

 

[TripleATeam]

Come on guys, it's clear that Federer sees 3/4 as extremely close. He never said he was a match away, just that he came close. Does anyone truly think that 2006 Federer, if he had won that RG, wouldn't have at least reached the 2nd week of the USO?

Sure, he wasn't as close as Djokovic, as Nadal wasn't as close as he was. He still lumped them all together because he sees 3 slams a year as getting very close to the CYGS.

 

[NoleFam]

Classy comments as expected from Federer. And it's true that winning 3 of 4 consecutive majors is an incredible achivement.

But when we are talking about single season achievements, @NoleFam is right. Winning three majors CONSECUTIVELY and everything coming down to a pressure cooker final match in New York is different to winning 3 of 4 majors non-consecutively in a single season.

Even though Novak didnt win the GS this year we should still be looking upon this as one of the most special seasons ever.

It's crazy how many times he walked the tightrope in big matches and the fact that this run included the victory against Nadal in Paris. It was mental acrobatics from start to finish with this guy Djokovic and he really only showed how much mental burden he was carrying right at the end.

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[Sudacafan]

Come on guys, it's clear that Federer sees 3/4 as extremely close. He never said he was a match away, just that he came close. Does anyone truly think that 2006 Federer, if he had won that RG, wouldn't have at least reached the 2nd week of the USO?

Sure, he wasn't as close as Djokovic, as Nadal wasn't as close as he was. He still lumped them all together because he sees 3 slams a year as getting very close to the CYGS.

You don’t come close that way, with 3/4 slams. For a CYGS we know the requisite is consecutive and in the same calendar year.
Wilander also won 3/4 slams in 1988, losing the third leg in Wimbledon SF.

 

[NoleFam]

Yeah @NoleFam is almost always right. One of the best, most objective, knowledgeable posters around here.

 

[Milanez82]

Interesting way for Federer to equate himself with Djokovic

Where is Ben Rothenberg to refresh his memory that failing at 2nd slam of the year doesn't equate to coming close to CYGS?

 

[Fiero425]

Interesting way for Federer to equate himself with Djokovic

Where is Ben Rothenberg to refresh his memory that failing at 2nd slam of the year doesn't equate to coming close to CYGS?

I couldn't believe he said that! Fedal was not even close if they lose a slam final before the USO! Dropping AO, FO, or Wimbledon final before USO is not being close! What a fk'n idiot! I expected better from Roger!

 

[TripleATeam]

You don’t come close that way, with 3/4 slams. For a CYGS we know the requisite is consecutive and in the same calendar year.
Wilander also won 3/4 slams in 1988, losing the third leg in Wimbledon SF.

He didn't almost do it, but his achievement is close to the CYGS. It's entirely different. It's like the answer to a math question being 32.

Someone can guess 31. He came close, but was never "almost there". On the other hand, another person can work out everything and just forget to add back in the 1. He'd also get the answer 31, and he'd be close and almost there.

One was near the answer but was really far from actually getting it. The other was both close and almost had the answer.

 

[Sorry_to_tell_you_mate]

Fed is talking nonsense here. The only Big Three that came extremely close of a CYGS was Nole.
Fed usually crashed at RG, and the only year he won RG, it was the only year Rafa won the AO (2009). So Fedal never got past the second leg of a CYGS contention.
With the first two CYGS legs accomplished, we had Courier in 1992; and Borg in 1978-80 with his Channel Slams, which occurred in the ten-year period when the AO was played in December being the last leg.
Nole was the closest unsuccessful CYGS attempt of all time (for both men and women) having won 3 legs, and getting to the final of the 4th leg. Serena lost in the 2015 USO SF, two matches short, being the second unsuccessful closest attempt.

Edit: also with the first two CYGS legs accomplished we had Wilander in 1988.

So now being close to success is an achievement by itself!!. What will be next? Federer trying to break the record for the closest unsuccessful CYGS attempt? That will require him to win the first 3 slams, and lose the 4th in the final after holding match points. At least the last part won't be a problem for him.

 

[Tshooter]

I couldn't believe he said that! Fedal was not even close if they lose a slam final before the USO! Dropping AO, FO, or Wimbledon final before USO is not being close! What a fk'n idiot! I expected better from Roger!

You have a very interesting way of offering your opinion.

 

[Fiero425]

Fed is talking nonsense here. The only Big Three that came extremely close of a CYGS was Nole.
Fed usually crashed at RG, and the only year he won RG, it was the only year Rafa won the AO (2009). So Fedal never got past the second leg of a CYGS contention.
With the first two CYGS legs accomplished, we had Courier in 1992; and Borg in 1978-80 with his Channel Slams, which occurred in the ten-year period when the AO was played in December being the last leg.
Nole was the closest unsuccessful CYGS attempt of all time (for both men and women) having won 3 legs, and getting to the final of the 4th leg. Serena lost in the 2015 USO SF, two matches short, being the second unsuccessful closest attempt.

Edit: also with the first two CYGS legs accomplished we had Wilander in 1988.

Back in the day "the masses" tried to give it to Jimmy Connors in 1974 even though not permitted to play FO while participating in WTT! Getting 3 majors in a season was so rare, that we had people thinking like that every 10+ years when it happened with Connors, Wilander, then Fedalovic when they started taking 3 majors more routinely it seemed!

 

[Sudacafan]

Summary of CYGS attempts (total matches out of 28 required to be won) for a CYGS completion:

Djokovic: 27 (failed at 2021 USO F)
Serena Williams: 26 (failed at 2015 USO SF)
Borg: 20, twice (failed at USO F in 1978 and 1980)
Mats Wilander: 19 (failed at 1988 Wimbledon SF)
Borg: 19 (failed at USO SF 1979)
Jim Courier: 16 (failed at Wimbledon 3R in 1992)

 

[Deleted member 762343]

Reflecting on his "exceptional year" was literally just him saying "it was an exceptional year."

That's some high level of reflection, can't you just appreciate it ?

 

[Tshooter]

Summary of CYGS attempts (total matches out of 28 required to be won) for a CYGS completion:

Djokovic: 27 (failed at 2021 USO F)
Serena Williams: 26 (failed at 2015 USO SF)
Borg: 20, twice (failed at USO F in 1978 and 1980)
Mats Wilander: 19 (failed at 1988 Wimbledon SF)
Borg: 19 (failed at USO SF 1979)
Jim Courier: 16 (failed at Wimbledon 3R in 1992)

What you are presenting is a gross distortion:

Every player intending to play all four Majors in a particular year begins the year with a “CYGS attempt.“. Your list is not a “summary of CYGS attempts“ but a list of players (presumably complete?) that won at least 16 matches in one year among the four Majors. The number 16 and the list being arbitrary. And you ignore the essential CYGS element that all matches must be won in order. Your presentation may suggest incorrectly to some that number of matches won determines how close you are to completion — which it does not. For example, apart from 1983, Borg never even made an attempt at the CYGS but your presentation suggests that he had some traction on the prize 3x***. Or take a player that loses in the final of the AO and wins the other three Majors (27 matches): that players CYGS journey like every other player other than the AO winner began and ended two weeks after it started, in January.

***note a diminished prize in his day due to the relative lack of AO prestige. Also note the AO field was only 64 in 1978/79/80 (so only 6 matches to win the title).

 

[Tennisgods]

He knows it was an insane year, though I don't agree with his statement that he and Nadal were extremely close, both never won the first two slams of the year and dealt with the mental pressure that came with each subsequent slam. Novak is the only one who got close.

Yes Federer especially and Nadal once got very close to a NCYGS, or simply 4 in a row, but even there, Novak has done that.

I disagree, he was one win away. Ignore all this stuff about pressure etc, Federer was statistically one win away, just as Novak was.

I think Federer knows how close he came. An FO win doesn’t change his Wimbledon and USO’s in those years, in my opinion of course.

 

[Tennisgods]

Fed was 1 slam away as was Novak. One may have had more pressure that the other but the facts don’t change.

This.

 

[Tennisgods]

We don't know for sure how things would have played out, the whole butterfly effect. You change one thing, you cannot say for sure everything else following it stays the same.

Maybe not, but we can take a reasonable guess.

 

[Tennisgods]

Easiest way for me to explain it is this…if you change the order of the slams played, and the FO was the last slam on the calendar in his 3 slam years, he’d probably be in the same boat as Djoker this year. The only guy he was losing to at slams was Nadal at the French.

To be fair, it is true that it was never gonna happen for Fed, because a strong Nadal was always waiting in the FO. So although he was close, just like Djokovic he may as well have been miles away.

In summary, we’re probably wasting our time talking about this because ultimately they both failed. Bit pointless debating who failed better.

 

[Tshooter]

…ultimately they both failed. Bit pointless debating who failed better.

Just for the record, Stan did. Proof is on his forearm.

 

[Tennisgods]

Best Federer did was win the first 13 matches, best Nadal did was win the first 10 matches, best Djokovic did was win the first 27 matches...they all failed, but Djokovic was the only one who got close.

27 out of 28 wins for each guy in the calendar year.
I get the stuff about continuous wins, pressure etc but anyone saying that being one altered result away isn’t close is being churlish to be honest.

 

[Tennisgods]

Just for the record, Stan did.

Thrice in fact!

 

[Tshooter]

27 out of 28 wins for each guy in the calendar year.
I get the stuff about continuous wins, pressure etc but anyone saying that being one altered result away isn’t close is being churlish to be honest.

Feel free to make up your own metrics but Fedal were never close to a CYGS. It’s sad to see FEDRs mental decline. But you need not embrace it by humoring him. Vamos staying silent is both wise and caring.

 

[Tennisgods]

Lol, Federer inserting himself along side Novak. He already knows Djokovic has gone past him in all good measure. Good choice of words and good way to cope with the fact that he is no more the best out of the three!

That’s why all you guys are out here claiming Djokovic got “closest” to CYGS huh? You know he hasn’t got the clear daylight he needs yet… Can’t you just wait and come back to boast when he has?

 

[MichaelNadal]

That’s why all you guys are out here claiming Djokovic got “closest” to CYGS huh? You know he hasn’t got the clear daylight he needs yet… Can’t you just wait and come back to boast when he has?

Who would have imagined Medvedev would be the one to cause the damage?

 

[Tennisgods]

Feel free to make up your own metrics but Fedal were never close to a CYGS. It’s sad to see FEDRs mental decline. But you need not humor him.

All irrelevant. No one did CYGS, it’s over for now. But sure, Fed was a win away too and that’s literally undeniable. Amusing to see people try though!

 

[Tshooter]

All irrelevant. No one did CYGS, it’s over for now. But sure, Fed was a win away too and that’s literally undeniable. Amusing to see people try though!

No, it’s literally delusional but I appreciate it’s probably done out of concern for FEDR. And it’s not irrelevant because it constitutes one of the GOAT seasons by Egg.

 

[TMF]

So you jumped from Federer was 1 set short of the CYGS that I'm so glad Medvedev cut the Utronian extension cord? You're gonna have to troll harder to kill that Ultronian high. Even without the CYGS, Novak still has the best career of anyone in the Open Era. So will you take that any day as well? Lol

 

[Tennisgods]

No, it’s literally delusional but I appreciate it’s done out of concern for FEDR. And it’s not irrelevant because Djoker had one of the GOAT seasons.

Whatever you think. Djoker had a great season, but he missed out on CYGS and Olympics and I think that hurts a bit more than some of you are letting on, otherwise why go so hard on an opinion?

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Federer knows he would have 2 back to back CYGS if it were not for Nadal.
Djokovic knows he would have 1 CYGS if it were not for Medvedev.
I wonder who sleeps better at night.
You are welcome

 

[TMF]

McEnroe, Wilander, Borg all had good cases for being one match away from the CYGS by this new criteria.

Nope.

None of them never reach all 4 slams in a calendar year.

 

[goldengate14]

New thing seems more like redefining one of (if not the most) elusive tennis accomplishments — the CYGS — so you can claim you were just as close to acheiving it as the guy that was one match away.

May as well not be close doing it as gettin shellacked in the final.

 

[Nadal_Django]

Whatever you think. Djoker had a great season, but he missed out on CYGS and Olympics and I think that hurts a bit more than some of you are letting on, otherwise why go so hard on an opinion?

Because it's not an opinion. It's an outright stupidity. It's like you saying that the earth is flat although you had heard about this other opinion about earth being elipsoid. Of course normal people will have go at you.

 

[goldengate14]

Federer knows he would have 2 back to back CYGS if it were not for Nadal.
Djokovic knows he would have 1 CYGS if it were not for Medvedev.
I wonder who sleeps better at night.
You are welcome

Brutal

 

[Tshooter]

Whatever you think. Djoker had a great season, but he missed out on CYGS and Olympics and I think that hurts a bit more than some of you are letting on, otherwise why go so hard on an opinion?

Oly I don’t care about though I think it’s very important for Eggvax. Not winning the CYGS when so close has to be among his most devastating loses if not the most.

Why “so hard.”? Because I’m a big believer that facts matter and so does a shared sense of reality. CYGS has a specific meaning. Weight it’s value anyway you want and make up or use any other metric however you want but don’t change the meaning of the CYGS to claim Fedal were just as close or close at all. Because they weren’t.

 

[Tshooter]

May as well not be close doing it as gettin shellacked in the final.

I guess with hindsight you can certainly argue that but I don’t think it’s a strong argument. He did get shellacked though. By a guy with a fugly game too.

 

[Tennisgods]

Because it's not an opinion. It's an outright stupidity. It's like you saying that the earth is flat although you had heard about this other opinion about earth being elipsoid. Of course normal people will have go at you.

Normal people??? None here mate.

27 out of 28 is still close. If you want a dick measuring contest you can say Djokovic is closer, whatever. But 27/28 isn’t close to full marks??? Not close???

Of course it is, daft to argue otherwise.

 

[Nadal_Django]

May as well not be close doing it as gettin shellacked in the final.

Where was your guy while Novak was winning 3 Slams in 21 and contesting for the CYGS. Selling fish at Mallorca local market!?

 

[Tennisgods]

Oly I don’t care about though I think it’s very important for Eggvax. Not winning the CYGS when so close has to be among his most devastating loses if not the most.

Why “so hard.”? Because I’m a big believer that facts matter and so does a shared sense of reality. CYGS has a specific meaning. Weight it’s value anyway you want and make up or use any other metric however you want but don’t change the meaning of the CYGS to claim Fedal were just as close or close at all. Because they weren’t.

They won 27 out of 28. With hindsight, that’s really really close. You absolutely know that.

 

[goldengate14]

I guess with hindsight you can argue that but I don’t think it’s a strong argument. He did get shellacked though. By a guy with a fugly game too.

It might be the worse performance in a Major final by an ATG of all time. I think most accept Nadal Federer Sampras Borg and Djokovic are the Famous Five of the Open Era. Have the other 4 ever capitulated like that to a guy with as limited game as Mededev. The one match where 100 drop shots would work was v Medvedev yet Djokovic did not hit any but served and volleyed. Was he trying to prove in the biggest match potentially of last 60 years he was that great he could serve volley and win?

 

[goldengate14]

Where was your guy while Novak was winning 3 Slams in 21 and contesting for the CYGS. Selling fish at Mallorca local market!?

Most likely making out with his wife on his catamaran resting for his shot at history in 9 months.

 

[Nadal_Django]

Most likely making out with his wife on his catamaran resting for his shot at history in 9 months.

Dude your guy is done, ended, finished, kaputed, and all that at the hand of Djokovic. What shot at history. He is a dead man. Lol

 

[Tshooter]

They won 27 out of 28. With hindsight, that’s really really close. You absolutely know that.

“I just want to find 11,780 votes Fedal really close to a CYGS.“ [I’ll do the rest.]

 

[Tennisgods]

“I just want to find 11,780 votes Fedal really close to a CYGS. [I’ll do the rest.]

No probs, see it how you like!

 

[goldengate14]

Dude your guy is done, ended, finished, kaputed, and all that at the hand of Djokovic. What history.

Really? Federer and Nadal go into next season leading the slam race. Doubt they are finished now. They should have been by now yet they now have their chance to settle the Slam race on their terms. As does Djokovic of course. Personally i like Nadals chamces the best now but we will see.

 

[Kralingen]

It might be the worse performance in a Major final by an ATG of all time. I think most accept Nadal Federer Sampras Borg and Djokovic are the Famous Five of the Open Era. Have the other 4 ever capitulated like that to a guy with as limited game as Mededev. The one match where 100 drop shots would work was v Medvedev yet Djokovic did not hit any but served and volleyed. Was he trying to prove in the biggest match potentially of last 60 years he was that great he could serve volley and win?

I mean they've all had stinkers, except for Borg really who retired before he could stink up the joint.

These are all 3/10 or lower performances -

Pete's USO '01 Final
Djokovic Wimby '13 Final/USO '21 final
Federer RG '08 final
Nadal AO '19 final

Fedal were playing incredible players in great form so get a pass to an extent but they were still quite bad. Djokovic seemed to be hampered physically in both but also just fell apart mentally, but tbh I think Pete was worse in '01 USO because he physically had no explosion left after the first set.

I do think given the stakes the USO '21 final was about as bad as it could possibly get though.

 

[Tshooter]

It might be the worse performance in a Major final by an ATG of all time. I think most accept Nadal Federer Sampras Borg and Djokovic are the Famous Five of the Open Era. Have the other 4 ever capitulated like that to a guy with as limited game as Mededev. The one match where 100 drop shots would work was v Medvedev yet Djokovic did not hit any but served and volleyed. Was he trying to prove in the biggest match potentially of last 60 years he was that great he could serve volley and win?

I don‘t know off my head. Maybe. But I’ve learned from TTW wisdom that it wasn’t “the biggest match potentially of last 60 years” because apparently everyone and his brother has been oh so close to completing the CYGS.

 

[goldengate14]

I mean they've all had stinkers, except for Borg really who retired before he could stink up the joint.

These are all 3/10 or lower performances -

Pete's USO '01 Final
Djokovic Wimby '13 Final/USO '21 final
Federer RG '08 final
Nadal AO '19 final

Fedal were playing incredible players in great form so get a pass to an extent but they were still quite bad. Djokovic seemed to be hampered physically in both but also just fell apart mentally, but tbh I think Pete was worse in '01 USO because he physically had no explosion left after the first set.

I do think given the stakes the USO '21 final was about as bad as it could possibly get though.

Sampras was pretty bad alhough his form was way off as a whole if i recall?