Roger Federer will never be the same

[xanger]

Has anyone noticed that Federer is playing much worse than his remarkable years in 04 05 06 and 07? He looks much slower/lazier out there, BOTH his forehand and backhand create tons of unforced errors. He generally looks much more passive and defensive and seems to have lost the brutal aggression he used to possess. In the past 3 matches he's played in IW, i've only seen him hit like 2 backhand winners....
Very dissapointing for a fed fan.

 

[GameSampras]

Hes still good enough to beat 99.9999999 % of the tour. Thats good enough in my book. He is not 06 peak form. But I would venture to say he would have a bit more losses than he did if throughout the season if Djoker and Murray were around and Nadal were primed.

He beats who he supposed to beat anyways in the slams. He consisently makes final after final, So he hasnt declined all that much. Only being 27 years old and not beginning his domination until 22 or 23?

 

[saram]

I think everyone surrounding him has just gotten better and he needs to take his performance to another level.

 

[egn]

Hes still good enough to beat 99.9999999 % of the tour. Thats good enough in my book. He is not 06 peak form. But I would venture to say he would have a bit more losses than he did if throughout the season if Djoker and Murray were around and Nadal were primed.

He beats who he supposed to beat anyways in the slams. He consisently makes final after final, So he hasnt declined all that much. Only being 27 years old and not beginning his domination until 22 or 23?

I am not sure about that but I think as you have pointed it he wins when it matters. Federer has lost half a step (more as it looks from the Verdasco match) Like Sampras post 96..he is picking and choosing what is important to him. He shows up for the big ones and does his best. As much as Fed says he wants to reclaim number 1 I think he has realized it is not the most important thing anymore and he is simply trying to stay competitive at the top.

If Fed fans are expecting him to play like 04-06..(I don't think 07 was personally that dominant outside of the fact that he won 3 slams it was just a really good year..) then they will be dissappointed. He is approaching his thirties and guys are popping up in their 20s. Nadal is now better than him, I would not say passed him as Fed has clearly gotten worse but there are other players. I don't think Djokovic and Murray are of higher caliber than Hewitt, Roddick, Nalbandian and Safin at the moment but they have the potential to be. Fed 09 would be 50/50 with any of those I feel at their best. Which is pretty impressive. Fed needs to just snap out of his losing streak against Murray but Fed 09 is still as Sampras said better than 99.999% of the tour. Nadal is better than him, Murray occasionally beats him but overall Fed is still more consistent and wins more of the important matches and DJokovic is just not their yet either. Fed fans just have to accept the fact that nobody can be number 1 forever.

 

[Tennis_Monk]

Has anyone noticed that Federer is playing much worse than his remarkable years in 04 05 06 and 07? He looks much slower/lazier out there, BOTH his forehand and backhand create tons of unforced errors. He generally looks much more passive and defensive and seems to have lost the brutal aggression he used to possess. In the past 3 matches he's played in IW, i've only seen him hit like 2 backhand winners....
Very dissapointing for a fed fan.

Not really. Roger is doing fine. It is unrealistic to expect him to play at the levels he played in those years.

He is doing enough to win a couple more grandslams if not more.

Lots of players on tour has watched and learned enough of him and have certain strategies to play against him. So he wont get too many easy oppurtunities when he plays top ranked players. Competition is always improving and that also may make him look slow/passive.


Lastly, he might be bored. Most players dont pose a challenge to him and he can beat them being lazy/passive or for that matter he can sleep walk to a win. There are only couple of players where the matches are challenging and there is like one or two who has his number (Nadal/Murray).

 

[punch]

He is getting older, logging more hours and miles on court.

It's no surprise, he's human after all.

Shouldn't come as a shock that Roger will 'never be the same.'

 

[BreakPoint]

That's what mono does to you.

Just look at Ancic before mono and after mono.

 

[LanceStern]

He definitely is moving slow and is not attacking at all. Much more defensive and passive. This was so evident in his IW match against Gonzalez, Verdasco... even AO vs. Roddick and Berdych. He's not as fast and his shots just don't have the same amount of steam. Seems flat footed sometimes as well.

I really don't think it is all age yet either, I think it is his back, like he's not telling us everything. If your back is messed up, you can't move as well (why he looks slow on court) and you can't swing as well. You can even see him feel it in the body a little when he has to stretch for a shot.

Then again, the type of players he's going against really don't challenge him. If they do manage to take the 2nd set (or 3rd set in best of five), he really ups his movement and game. Even on break/set points he plays like the Fed of old. perhaps he is getting away with being passive and defensive. Saves body energy.

The cool thing is he can win playing that kind of game, even with his opponent throwing their worst at him.

 

[sureshs]

Fatherhood will do that to you :wink::wink:

And the back pain

And the mono

 

[VivalaVida]

That's what mono does to you.

Just look at Ancic before mono and after mono.

ROFL. Federer hasn't blamed Mono for his performance, so I dont see any reason why you have to bring that up. The opponents have gotten better and federer is not as good as he used to be. It is a combination of both.
P.S- Ancic's mono was much much much worse than fed's

 

[CyBorg]

Mirka broke his back during rough sex.

 

[dr325i]

Hes still good enough to beat 99.9999999 % of the tour. Thats good enough in my book.

How many players you think are on the tour???
The percentage you put there tells me there should be about 20 million people on the tour...

 

[dr325i]

Mirka broke his back during rough sex.

and condom...finally

 

[Matt H.]

Federer has made 4 consecutive grand slam finals.

No other player on tour can say that.

He's made the semi's in EVERY slam since his 3rd rd loss at the french in 2004.

There is no player that can even come close to saying that.


Basically, what we are seeing is the shift to veteran's status in Federer's career. The time where ranking and smaller tournaments just do not get him excited or burn that competitive fire. It's clear he's after the slams record, because he cannot beat Pete's 6 year #1 record anymore.

 

[VictorS.]

I'm of a similar age to Federer however I haven't logged nearly the amount the miles on my legs from tennis matches. In addition, the intensity with which he plays is of the highest level. At his age, I honestly don't see how physically could be tailing unless it's due to mental burn-out and/or less training.

Kobe Bryant is 30 yrs old. He's played professionally since he was 17. He's been playing year round basketball the last few years representing Team USA in Olympics & qualifying. Everyone knows about his work ethic & how hard he trains. This dude isn't falling off one bit. It's taken a 6'8 hulk of a man (Lebron James) who is freakishly athletic to even approach his level. Now granted I realize that basketball is an entirely different beast. However, I don't see why Federer can't physically return to the level he was at 2004-6 when you've seen guys of all sports do well in their late 20s.

 

[BreakPoint]

ROFL. Federer hasn't blamed Mono for his performance, so I dont see any reason why you have to bring that up. The opponents have gotten better and federer is not as good as he used to be. It is a combination of both.
P.S- Ancic's mono was much much much worse than fed's

And you know that because you're a board certified medical doctor and have physically examined both Federer and Ancic thoroughly to determine that? :roll:

 

[xanger]

fed's display today against murray just proves my point. he is done.. his backhand is worse than ever

 

[sureshs]

I wouldn't say his BH is very bad. It is just not enough to do any damage. As a setup for the FH, it is OK, but by itself, his slice and topspin shots don't seem to bother the top players.

 

[muzza123]

here we go again. armchair critics saying federer is done/ should just retire/ commit suicide and more rubbish along those lines.

yes, his bh is ineffectual compared to his previous years. and murray exploits that well. and yes, fed's movement is not as good as his peak years.

HOWEVER, federer will, and continues to, beat 90+% of Tour players. He simply can't beat two particular players.

don't lose perspective.

save your doomsday comments for when Fed fails to consistently make GS SF's/Finals.

 

[Telepatic]

He needs to improve BH or hes done.

 

[bluetrain4]

I agree that he will never be the same as his 2005-07 peak. BUT, he's still incredible.

This is where things get interesting. Winning slams is going to be harder, but I'm convinced he can still do it.

 

[SoBad]

This is a great opportunity for Federer to retire.

 

[GameSampras]

I am not sure about that but I think as you have pointed it he wins when it matters. Federer has lost half a step (more as it looks from the Verdasco match) Like Sampras post 96..he is picking and choosing what is important to him. He shows up for the big ones and does his best. As much as Fed says he wants to reclaim number 1 I think he has realized it is not the most important thing anymore and he is simply trying to stay competitive at the top.

If Fed fans are expecting him to play like 04-06..(I don't think 07 was personally that dominant outside of the fact that he won 3 slams it was just a really good year..) then they will be dissappointed. He is approaching his thirties and guys are popping up in their 20s. Nadal is now better than him, I would not say passed him as Fed has clearly gotten worse but there are other players. I don't think Djokovic and Murray are of higher caliber than Hewitt, Roddick, Nalbandian and Safin at the moment but they have the potential to be. Fed 09 would be 50/50 with any of those I feel at their best. Which is pretty impressive. Fed needs to just snap out of his losing streak against Murray but Fed 09 is still as Sampras said better than 99.999% of the tour. Nadal is better than him, Murray occasionally beats him but overall Fed is still more consistent and wins more of the important matches and DJokovic is just not their yet either. Fed fans just have to accept the fact that nobody can be number 1 forever.

Well hes only 2 slams shy of the record. I dont think he needs to be 04-06 form to complete it really. Unless Nadal somehows is on the other end of the net every final of ever slam.

 

[All-rounder]

Well hes only 2 slams shy of the record. I dont think he needs to be 04-06 form to complete it really. Unless Nadal somehows is on the other end of the net every final of ever slam.

based upon the australian open its very likey

 

[defrule]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7EDb-tPpSw

Forehands like these!

 

[tennis_hand]

almost every player improves when they have a new coach. e.g. murray, ivanovic, roddick. He needs a coach for sure.
His talent has last him so long, but it is no longer enough.

 

[swedechris]

He definitely is moving slow and is not attacking at all. Much more defensive and passive. This was so evident in his IW match against Gonzalez, Verdasco... even AO vs. Roddick and Berdych. He's not as fast and his shots just don't have the same amount of steam. Seems flat footed sometimes as well.

I really don't think it is all age yet either, I think it is his back, like he's not telling us everything. If your back is messed up, you can't move as well (why he looks slow on court) and you can't swing as well. You can even see him feel it in the body a little when he has to stretch for a shot.

Then again, the type of players he's going against really don't challenge him. If they do manage to take the 2nd set (or 3rd set in best of five), he really ups his movement and game. Even on break/set points he plays like the Fed of old. perhaps he is getting away with being passive and defensive. Saves body energy.

The cool thing is he can win playing that kind of game, even with his opponent throwing their worst at him.

i agree. he is more passive now. he used to be more forward leaning wanting the ball and attacking it. much more engaged in his decisive shots , in particular the serves when in a jam and on the volleys.

 

[All-rounder]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7EDb-tPpSw

Forehands like these!

please thats long gone you won't see an ounce of that ever again

 

[Nadal_Freak]

Change. Now it's time for change. Nothing stays the same. Now it's time for change. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jAQCA54YwY

 

[tennis_hand]

please thats long gone you won't see an ounce of that ever again

his forehand no longer is that lethal, shallow and too spinny.

 

[Inner Game]

Get a life Nadal Freak....your man has no server and is just a pusher with a rocket launcher racquet he can control...Yes he's fast and a retriever.....but a sad excuse for a number one....Rod Laver would have owned him......and yes stick a fork in Roger he's done...

For what its worth

 

[federerdomination]

This is a great opportunity for Federer to retire.

Why should he retire? He loses to someone who is of a very high caliber. That is not shocking. In fact, considering the H2H going into this match, one could argue that Fed was the underdog.

So fed has trouble with a few players but can't beat just about everyone else on tour....

Therefore he should retire? WHAT???

Then everyone not named Nadal or Murray (or Djokovic) should also all retire because they can't beat Nadal or Murray either? What about all the people who lost in the first round? Should they retire?


What about the people who didn't even make it into the tournament? Should they all retire at this instant?

Should we make the ATP tour a 2 man battle with Nadal and Murray playing each other for every title?

Even the best of the best lose sometimes. What about Nadal's 6-0, 6-1 (something like that) loss to Youzney (spelling) or Tsonga's beatdown of Nadal at AO 2008? What about when Murray lost to Fed at the USO?

Do u think they should have retired after those losses?

 

[GameSampras]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7EDb-tPpSw

Forehands like these!

That was against Hewitt mind you. Nadal and Murray are better Hardcourt players than that guy Im sorry. Whether Murray is slamless or not. He is certainly a tougher player on hard than Hewitt is. Hes a bigger, stronger, version of Hewitt, with a better serve and much more to his arsenal than Hewitt ever had. Murray has more elements to his game that can hurt Federer

 

[sh@de]

Hmm... but Fed definitely is really passive and disinterested looking. I think he needs a bigger team: a coach + psychologist may really help him a lot. It's always good to get some fresh ideas and approaches to try and improve or adjust his game.

 

[vince evert]

I'm afraid Roger is on the wrong side of 20. Also cannot see him improving anymore as a player.

 

[tennis_hand]

he needs to adjust his games for all these upcoming players. He has beaten his generation of players, but he has many problems with the young ones.
and a coaching team must be there to help.

great players learn how to adjust to different playing styles and different times in their career. if Fed really wants to play successfully until 35 as he said, he has to change some. He still has plenty of time now. If still not, it would be really too late.

 

[lambielspins]

If he wins today that might all change again.

 

[epicsocks]

Yeah, he isn't quite the same is he? It's the combination of getting older, accumulated strain on the body, and - perhaps - getting wiser. He understands that continuing to perform at those levels (2004-2006) would only drain him. I see him conserving his energies... and also conserving his abilities in order to increase longevity. In an interview, Federer has said that one of the reasons the field has been catching up the past few years, is due to their getting more looks at his gameplay - in 5 set matches and just general time on the court. They're seeing all that there is to him, and he's "no longer a mystery."

I wouldn't discount the mono issue, either. It's not like the flu; it's not some disease where you have it, and then you don't. It's contracted and stays in your system for a long time. I had it when I was younger: put me out of school for 2 months and there were days I couldn't hardly open my eyes. My performance in athletics has noticeably dipped since that incident. I'm not sure Federer's case was as severe, but it's still an important factor.