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

[Tennisgods]

Novak being closer doesn't mean Fed wasn't close himself.

It’s funny, they‘re really pushing this idea that Djokovic is miles ahead of the other two and they’re using this idea that Djokovic came close to CYGS as a way of proving it. Therefore, Fed can’t possibly be considered as one changed result away from the exact same achievement. If you say as much, some of them get really cross and call you stupid.

 

[Hitman]

OK, one more go.

This seems to be the closest translation of what Federer said - remember he was talking in German so something may be lost.

If it will happen that a player is winning the GS?

So we can infer from this: the question was something like "Do you think someone will win the CYGS one day?"

I think the possibility is there for sure. I think we have seen with Rafa, with Novak lately and also myself that it is possible

So all he's saying here - is that the Big 3 have shown it is possible - i.e that a player can achieve the necessary fitness and tennis level to make it doable. If for instance, no player had ever achieved more than two slams in a year we might legitimately believe that it may be impossible to do, but clearly that is not the case.

It's extremely difficult for sure. The problem is physically and mentally as the 5 set matches won't get easier. Therefore it has to be really rated highly what Novak did this year. That was absolutely top class. Simply amazing.

So he's basically saying the problem is that the pressure increases as you go on and therefore what Novak did in this year was "top-class" - he uses this phrase in the German interview. In other words he's saying the exact same thing as the Novak fans on this board.

Just to end with an example from another sport: in football (the English type) there used to be something called the "Impossible Treble" - winning the League Championship, The FA Cup and the European Cup in the same year. In 1977 Liverpool came close by winning two and reaching the FA Cup Final and in 1984 achieved "a" Treble but with the League Cup instead of the FA Cup. This was taken as proof by some that it was indeed impossible.

Twenty - two years later the feat was actually achieved by Manchester United. Because of course Liverpool had proved, not that it was impossible, but that it was perfectly possible with maybe a little bit of luck to carry you over the line.

Just as Federer and Novak have proved that it is possible. Some day it will be achieved.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1439944367012302852

This is a more reasonable take.

No one is denying that Federer, along with Djokovic and even Nadal have shown the capability tennis skills wise to win all four. We know they have the tennis ability. Even Agassi had the tennis ability.

 

[T007]

And what about when he had Wimbledon 2021 on his racket, how did that go? I know Federer has dealt with tremendous pressure before, but lets not pretend like he hasn't cracked under it either.

As your idol hasn't cracked. 2008-10 after his maiden slam he didn't win anything.
After his 2011 performance he lost 4 finals.

Something which Federer never had as he dominated slams in his prime expect in French where he had to face a Prime Nadal

 

[zagor]

Novak‘s closeness was 2x Fed‘s.
According to the 28 matches scorecard CYGS progression, Novak’s best was 27 in 2021, Fed’s best was 13 in 2006 and 2007, and Nadal’s best was 10 in 2009. No comparison possible.

I don't see it as it being that simple and straightforward. Already explained my reasoning earlier in the thread, not gonna repeat myself like a broken record.

 

[zagor]

This is a more reasonable take.

No one is denying that Federer, along with Djokovic and even Nadal have shown the capability tennis skills wise to win all four. We know they have the tennis ability. Even Agassi had the tennis ability.

Agassi had the ability in '95, Nadal in 2010 but neither of them ever had a stranglehold on the tour the way Fed did in 2006, not even close.

 

[Hitman]

As your idol hasn't cracked. 2008-10 after his maiden slam he didn't win anything.
After his 2011 performance he lost 4 finals.

Something which Federer never had as he dominated slams in his prime expect in French where he had to face a Prime Nadal

Did I say Novak hasn't cracked before? Keep grasping. We are talking about giving garanteed wins here to Federer.

Doesn't change the fact that giving garanteed wins to someone who has cracked on 40-15 not once, not twice, but three times is a little too much.

 

[Hitman]

Agassi had the ability in '95, Nadal in 2010 but neither of them ever had a stranglehold on the tour the way Fed did in 2006, not even close.

But isn't that what Federer is talking about? Ability?

 

[Beulah Jesus]

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)

I see nothing wrong in what he said. Yes Djokovic had an exceptional year and yes he has been a thorn in his two rivals' flesh but he lost and got creamed by Medvedev which confirmed how difficult it is to win all four slams in one year.

It's still 20-20-20. Let's see what 2022 will bring.

 

[NoleFam]

You don’t think Fed has faced tremendous pressure before? I would argue the pressure he faced after Nadal went down at 2009 RG was more than what Novak faced at the US Open. Novak just had to beat a couple bums in Medvedev and Zverev. He should have been feeling great knowing the competition right now is pure garbage.

If Zverev and Medvedev were bums then what were the remaining players in Federer's draw in 2009 RG? None of them had won a Masters title while those two have won multiple. None of them had won the ATP finals. Both Zverev and Medvedev have, and none had made a Slam final while both Zverev and Medvedev have. How could Federer's pressure there equal what Djokovic was feeling at this past USO when Djokovic was going for the CYGS and the Slam record, when Federer was going for neither in that tournament?

 

[T007]

Did I say Novak hasn't cracked before? Keep grasping. We are talking about giving garanteed wins here to Federer.

Doesn't change the fact that giving garanteed wins to someone who has cracked on 40-15 not once, not twice, but three times is a little too much.

So what He choked thats why djoker won and i agree to that. But that was a post prime fed. But the same won clutch moments in 2007 Wimbledon facing BPs against Nadal. He saved 4 set points against roddick in 2009 final. Saved 8 Set points Vs djokovic in 2007 USO Finals.

Your hypothetical prediction that Federer would buckle is an eyewash.

 

[zagor]

But isn't that what Federer is talking about? Ability?

It's a combination of ability and results. Agassi never had a 3 slam year and Nadal never reached 4 slam finals in a single season.

Just as Fed never got as close as Novak did this year, neither Agassi nor Nadal displayed the same level of dominance as Fed did.

 

[Sudacafan]

I don't see it as it being that simple and straightforward. Already explained my reasoning earlier in the thread, not gonna repeat myself like a broken record.

I also explained my reasoning earlier, and I won't repeat it. I think we are even.

 

[zagor]

I also explained my reasoning earlier, and I won't repeat it. I think we are even.

Fine by me.

 

[Hitman]

So what He choked thats why djoker won and i agree to that. But that was a post prime fed. But the same won clutch moments in 2007 Wimbledon facing BPs against Nadal. He saved 4 set points against roddick in 2009 final. Saved 8 Set points Vs djokovic in 2007 USO Finals.

Your hypothetical prediction that Federer would buckle is an eyewash.

Yes of course, he choked because he couldn't find a decent serve due to being past his prime, despite his serve actually improving the older he got.

My hypothetical? You are the one making hypotheticals here. I am simply stating a fact that you are finding awfully hard to digest...Federer's quest for CYGS ended at RG each time and he never played W with the additional pressure. That is a historical fact. You give him hypothetical wins post RG wins as garantees and I disagree, he never had the chance, and you make up all these scenarios or hypotheticals, but that word in itself should give you a clue...he actually never played for it with that pressure.

Never once did I say Federer, or indeed Nadal did not exhibit the ability to win all four, but he actually never got close he did not even make over the half way mark. You are meant to win 28 matches straight, you lose anywhere, you are out...Federer got to 13 wins then lost Nadal got to 10 wins then lost and Djokovic got to 27 wins then lost...so who got the closest? Djokovic one match away, Federer two slams away.

 

[Hitman]

It's a combination of ability and results. Agassi never had a 3 slam year and Nadal never reached 4 slam finals in a single season.

Just as Fed never got as close as Novak did this year, neither Agassi nor Nadal displayed the same level of dominance as Fed did.

I don't really disagree with that. Fed did get closer than those two. But of course, he himself is talking ability here.

 

[NoleFam]

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.

Pete won 8 games, Federer won 4 and Nadal won 8. Not only did they win not many games but they got dominated points wise. Those were shellackings. Djokovic won 13 in that Wimbledon match and 12 in the USO match, and he was closer points wise. Not quite on the same level. The one match that is in that level is the 2020 RG final. In that one he got destroyed and won 7 games. Plus he played much worse than either the Wimbledon or USO match.

 

[Sudacafan]

Djokovic wasn't close as he was 3 sets away.
In 2006-7 Federer was 2 sets away as he lost in 4 sets to Nadal in FO on both ocassions.
Nadal lost early in USO.

Needless djoko fanatics won't accept it.

In 2006-07 Fed was 2 sets away of completing half of the road required for a CYGS, losing in the 14th stage of a 28-stage quest. It did not matter at all that he won Wimbledon and USO in 2006 and 2007, because he was already out of contention, and with no pressure at all of achieving a CYGS. Unfortunately, for spin doctors, this does not work retroactively, unless you have a time machine.
Finally, let it be known that I am a Federer fan.

 

[Waves]

Not to belabour things, but with respect to the physical exhaustion factor, Djokovic has been in 5 set matches prior and won them, he seemed to be physically inferior to opponents and down 1 or 2 sets prior to comebacks many times. Yes the olympics may have been an extra physical stress. However this is the first time he’s lost to next gen in a GS. It’s the first time he had an opportunity at the cygs, it’s the first time he said he would play it like it’s his last match ever, and it’s the first time he’s broken down emotionally and cried mid match.

He choked on the pressure imo. Not in doubt, but I would be willing to have my mind changed if there is evidence to the contrary.

Re. the op, Federer does acknowledge Novak’s incredible year, but yes, in his usual, nuanced, dick way, he does slide himself into the conversation. But nothing new here.

I don't think he was done in by pressure actually, he just hit a wall physically (Zverev match emptied the tank basically) and ran into a guy who had an exceptional serving day and can rally with him on HC.

 

[Kralingen]

Pete won 8 games, Federer won 4 and Nadal won 8. Not only did they win not many games but they got dominated points wise. Those were shellackings. Djokovic won 13 in that Wimbledon match and 12 in the USO match, and he was closer points wise. Not quite on the same level. The one match that is in that level is the 2020 RG final. In that one he got destroyed and won 7 games. Plus he played much worse than either the Wimbledon or USO match.

Opposition weighs a ton here.

RG '08 Nadal and AO '19 Djokovic were ridiculous, not giving an inch. So if you weren't absolutely on point you would lose a game. Not so against Wimby '13 Murray and USO '21 Medvedev.

Those two are clearly inferior both as players and in form to the above performances. I don't think that's really debatable.

Basically yeah Djoko wasn't catastrophically bad but he also broke himself 3x in the Medvedev match and seemed to let BP chances fall apart with weird uncharacteristic misses. Add to that it was probably his worst returning performance since the Pepe years and you're looking at a shocker of a match. It's not necessarily about the scoreline but how you play the big points and how close you are to actually winning. Honestly the scoreline flatters him a bit anyway, Medvedev got super tight with the crowd when serving for the match at 5-2 so could have been even worse.

I actually thought he was better, intensity and movement wise, in the RG 2020 match than in either WB/USO match tbh. His shots were silly and he was making errors left and right but he was at least competing.

 

[NoleFam]

Opposition weighs a ton here.

RG '08 Nadal and AO '19 Djokovic were ridiculous, not giving an inch. So if you weren't absolutely on point you would lose a game. Not so against Wimby '13 Murray and USO '21 Medvedev.

Those two are clearly inferior both as players and in form to the above performances. I don't think that's really debatable.

Basically yeah Djoko wasn't catastrophically bad but he also broke himself 3x in the Medvedev match and seemed to let BP chances fall apart with weird uncharacteristic misses. Add to that it was probably his worst returning performance since the Pepe years and you're looking at a shocker of a match. It's not necessarily about the scoreline but how you play the big points and how close you are to actually winning. Honestly the scoreline flatters him a bit anyway, Medvedev got super tight with the crowd when serving for the match at 5-2 so could have been even worse.

I actually thought he was better, intensity and movement wise, in the RG 2020 match than in either WB/USO match tbh. His shots were silly and he was making errors left and right but he was at least competing.

But Nadal and Federer still had to play badly in order for the score to be that lopsided. Djokovic in the 2008 RG SF won 12 games in comparison to Federer winning 4. Somewhat routine in the SF but not destruction like the final which is the difference. The Wimbledon match of Djokovic and Murray wasn't even that great and was a nervy affair with choking all over the place. Medvedev, on the other hand, played exceptional and that may not have been Djokovic's day, and he definitely didn't play all that great, but he actually had chances in that match if he could have held his game together. Nadal and Federer had virtually zero chances in those matches.

That RG match is the worst match I have ever seen Djokovic play in his Grand Slam career. He served something like under 40% for the 1st half of the match if I am remembering correctly. Definitely have to disagree with you there.

 

[swordtennis]

I'm so hyped for it. Way back when we found out that Joshua vs Fury wasn't going to happen, I kept thinking some dodgy mandatory would be whipped in as the opponent for AJ. The longer it took to be announced, the more I thought the replacement fighter would be a retired boxer brought back in.

But here we are. I just hope Usyk has the heavyweight goods in him. I do still want Joshua vs Fury but I'm probably leaning towards Usyk here.

Usyk needs to use his faster hands like Ruiz did.
He has a good shot.
Joshuas chin can be touched!

 

[T007]

In 2006-07 Fed was 2 sets away of completing half of the road required for a CYGS, losing in the 14th stage of a 28-stage quest. It did not matter at all that he won Wimbledon and USO in 2006 and 2007, because he was already out of contention, and with no pressure at all of achieving a CYGS. Unfortunately, for spin doctors, this does not work retroactively, unless you have a time machine.
Finally, let it be known that I am a Federer fan.

A fed fan never needs to introduce himself his words speak louder then the fake emotions of saying iam a Federer fan.

 

[T007]

Yes of course, he choked because he couldn't find a decent serve due to being past his prime, despite his serve actually improving the older he got.

My hypothetical? You are the one making hypotheticals here. I am simply stating a fact that you are finding awfully hard to digest...Federer's quest for CYGS ended at RG each time and he never played W with the additional pressure. That is a historical fact. You give him hypothetical wins post RG wins as garantees and I disagree, he never had the chance, and you make up all these scenarios or hypotheticals, but that word in itself should give you a clue...he actually never played for it with that pressure.

Never once did I say Federer, or indeed Nadal did not exhibit the ability to win all four, but he actually never got close he did not even make over the half way mark. You are meant to win 28 matches straight, you lose anywhere, you are out...Federer got to 13 wins then lost Nadal got to 10 wins then lost and Djokovic got to 27 wins then lost...so who got the closest? Djokovic one match away, Federer two slams away.

Keep crying hard ....at the end Djokovic won 3 for the whole year which is similar to Federer doing on 3 ocassions and also reaching final and performing better than Djokers 2021 in the final slam.

Had he Won CYGS he would have separated from Federer 3/4 in multiple seasons ...it doesn't how many matches he won in a row as its 3/4 this year.

 

[Nadal_Django]

Roger "I was one match away from a CYGS" Federer...

 

[Hitman]

Keep crying hard ....at the end Djokovic won 3 for the whole year which is similar to Federer doing on 3 ocassions and also reaching final and performing better than Djokers 2021 in the final slam.

Had he Won CYGS he would have separated from Federer 3/4 in multiple seasons ...it doesn't how many matches he won in a row as its 3/4 this year.

Still chasing your own tail after your statement being systematically destroyed? Doesn't understand that winning three in a row and entering USO with the CYGS on the line and winning any 3 out 4 are not the exact same thing but yeah I'm crying hard...

 

[T007]

Still chasing your own tail after your statement being systematically destroyed? Doesn't understand that winning three in a row and entering USO with the CYGS on the line and winning any 3 out 4 are not the exact same thing but yeah I'm crying hard...

Systematically destroyed yes Med did that to your idol. That destruction has made you mad so you are blabbering uselessly.

As you can't accept the fact that both of them had 3 out of 4 slams at the end of the season.

 

[Hitman]

Systematically destroyed yes Med did that to your idol. That destruction has made you mad so you are blabbering uselessly.

As you can't accept the fact that both of them had 3 out of 4 slams at the end of the season.

After embarassing yourself you still carry on, everyone can see your deliberate attempts to equal a run to a CYGS and winning any 3 out of the 4 slams, the anger, frustration and annoyance at watching Federer's records fall to this guy, but having said that....

Enjoy continue going around in circles.

 

[T007]

After embarassing yourself you still carry on, everyone can see your deliberate attempts to equal a run to a CYGS and winning any 3 out of the 4 slams, the anger, frustration and annoyance at watching Federer's records fall to this guy, but having said that....

Enjoy continue going around in circles.

The Gif suits you very well. That straight set defeat still hurts ouch... wonder what will happen if he again gets humbled at AO. Iam pretty sure you will disappear from here

 

[Hitman]

The Gif suits you very well. That straight set defeat still hurts ouch... wonder what will happen if he again gets humbled at AO. Iam pretty sure you will disappear from here

Were you doing this also during that very moment?

 

[guanzishou]

Forget Fedjokodal, the only person here who got so close to a double calendar year grand slam is Suresh.

 

[Keystoner]

I see two people going around in circles.

 

[Nadal_Django]

The Gif suits you very well. That straight set defeat still hurts ouch... wonder what will happen if he again gets humbled at AO. Iam pretty sure you will disappear from here

If he survived the 2017, I'm pretty sure he can survive another 3 Slam season, that for sure. Lol

 

[Third Serve]

And what about when he had Wimbledon 2021 on his racket, how did that go? I know Federer has dealt with tremendous pressure before, but lets not pretend like he hasn't cracked under it either.

you're telling me there was a chance?

 

[Sunny014]

Oh, Med deserves full credit. Novak is a great big match player, but not impervious to pressure. And as Johnny Mac pointed out, when feeling nerves, it can affect your movement as well. Still, I I formally gave that factor 20%.

Novak is impervious to Pressure - Period

He did not wilt under pressure, during the match itself he showed so many signs that his legs are just not working.

He was tired, as simple as that.

Should have skipped Tokyo and rested, that cost him the USO where he was dropping so many sets, then stretched to 5 by Zverev and finally drained out before the final.

 

[RaulRamirez]

Novak is impervious to Pressure - Period

He did not wilt under pressure, during the match itself he showed so many signs that his legs are just not working.

He was tired, as simple as that.

Should have skipped Tokyo and rested, that cost him the USO where he was dropping so many sets, then stretched to 5 by Zverev and finally drained out before the final.

I don't know that any player is impervious to pressure -- whether Novak, Rafa, Michael Jordan or Tom Brady.
Novak has lost plenty of big matches - some that appeared to be winnable - and perhaps, he even tightens up a bit more at the Olympics, and at times in his country or representing it. I think it means almost too much for him in those moments.

Primarily, I don't want to take anything away from Medvedev - he's underrated by many on TTW, and additionally, he served and played great. He's fully deserving, of course.
You may be right about Tokyo - and playing both singles and mixed - taking too much out of him.
We'll never truly know.

 

[slipgrip93]

Crabp, I wasn't really following tennis back in 2006. But just looking it up out of curiosity, Fed was like cleaning up that whole year, unreal, only lost a few but critical matches to a 20 yo Nadal and one to Murray. Even won a 1st set breadstick off Nadal in that FO final.. the what if..

(Fed in 2006)

 

[InsideOut900]

"But but.... Unbeatable dal' was in may instead of September"

That's because the pressure mounts the closer you get to a CYGS.

Facing Nadal at RG last would make it even less probable he actually gets it, though it's obviously not happening either way.

You need to be so ahead of the field nothing can potentially go wrong.

Heck, 2007 Fed and 2015 Djoker could have lost Wimb or USO if they won RG those years. 2006 Fed likely gets it though.

 

[T007]

Were you doing this also during that very moment?

Nope i was trying to replicate this
https://tenor.com/view/novak-djokovic-us-open-tennis-line-judge-lineswoman-gif-18367659