The reason Federer is mentally weaker now than in his prime

[Federer20042006]

It has absolutely nothing to do with his kids, or being content. The guy wants it more than he ever did. And that's WHY he's more nervous and mentally fragile now - he feels the pressure.

What pressure, you ask? The pressure of Nadal closing in on his slam record.

Before, when Federer was in his prime, Nadal wasn't close to him as an all-surface player, and Federer was still chasing Sampras. He wasn't worried about preserving his own status. He wasn't afraid.

Now, he's afraid. It feels like he could lose something that he now believes, after all the media gushing over the years, that he has a birthright to. How could they build him up so much only to tear him down? No matter what he says about being happy for Nadal (a ridiculous lie)...that's what I believe is going on in his mind.

 

[ibbi]

I don't think that's true at all. I'd say what you're talking about is probably what he was feeling when he broke down in tears in Australia in 2009. I'd say right now it's almost certainly a case of having achieved so much ("I've played enough tennis matches") being a dad, being in his 30s and flat out not able to go like he once could. Didn't he say as much at the beginning of the year? It's a different feeling that he gets from playing now than he used to? I think he's driven by love of the game as much as anything else at this point.

 

[Federer20042006]

I don't think that's true at all. I'd say what you're talking about is probably what he was feeling when he broke down in tears in Australia in 2009. I'd say right now it's almost certainly a case of having achieved so much ("I've played enough tennis matches") being a dad, being in his 30s and flat out not able to go like he once could. Didn't he say as much at the beginning of the year? It's a different feeling that he gets from playing now than he used to? I think he's driven by love of the game as much as anything else at this point.

No way.

First of all, he cried in Australia because it was Australia. He always gets emotional in the trophy ceremony there. He cried when he won it in 2006. Had nothing to do with Nadal or any of that crap. He had just won the US Open to finish the prior year and was just 1 away from Sampras. He knew he'd get it eventually, as Nadal wasn't going to win every single slam.

Now, the possibility of Nadal passing him has gotten very real. He's no longer driven to get to #1 in the world now that he's broken Sampras's record for total weeks at #1 (that was fueling him in 2012, coming off the great finish to 2011), but he wants another slam (or more) badly.

 

[aldeayeah]

When he was chasing Sampras, he felt heavy pressure. That's the point of the whole "I've created a monster" thing.

I agree with ibbi. If anything, he looks much more laid back now. For good or for bad, he's gotten used to not winning.

 

[Steve0904]

Has nothing to do with Nadal. Don't be stupid. It has to do with the fact that as you get older you start to realize that you can't physically execute like you once did. Same thing has happened to all great champions. And then, the more times you don't come up clutch the more the opponent realizes they have a chance.

 

[Backspin1183]

Has nothing to do with Nadal. Don't be stupid. It has to do with the fact that as you get older you start to realize that you can't physically execute like you once did. Same thing has happened to all great champions. And then, the more times you don't come up clutch the more the opponent realizes they have a chance.

Exactly. There comes a time when you know you're not that good anymore. You don't feel as energetic as you once did, you're slower...you know you aren't the same anymore.

 

[BHud]

It has absolutely nothing to do with his kids, or being content. The guy wants it more than he ever did. And that's WHY he's more nervous and mentally fragile now - he feels the pressure.

What pressure, you ask? The pressure of Nadal closing in on his slam record.

Before, when Federer was in his prime, Nadal wasn't close to him as an all-surface player, and Federer was still chasing Sampras. He wasn't worried about preserving his own status. He wasn't afraid.

Now, he's afraid. It feels like he could lose something that he now believes, after all the media gushing over the years, that he has a birthright to. How could they build him up so much only to tear him down? No matter what he says about being happy for Nadal (a ridiculous lie)...that's what I believe is going on in his mind.

Thank you for your anlaysis Doctor. I say older = declining skills = less confidence...and leave it at that.

 

[TheStranger]

I always thought it was because he's always been poor at mentally adjusting his game during matches because he never had to "figure out" his opponents. During his prime, his game was so great, everyone was trying to figure out ways to beat him.

Now, his game has dimensioned a little and when he gets behind in a set, it's difficult for him mentally to deal with that situation. To mentally make the adjustments during the match.

 

[Enga]

Older men lose their ability to generate adrenaline, fathers lose the testosterone they used to have, their minds become less one-tracked.

It happens to everyone

 

[spinovic]

Thank you for your anlaysis Doctor. I say older = declining skills = less confidence...and leave it at that.

I think it is certainly that, combined with the knowledge that as you start to get closer to the end, you realize for the first time that your opportunities are finite. I don't believe that thought ever seriously enters a players mind early in their careers or during their prime.

I've heard several former players comment on this, that counterintuitively, as you get older, you start to feel more nervous in the big moments (primarily slams) because you never know how many more chances you'll have to get there. Makes sense to me.

I don't think Federer feels any pressure because Nadal has 14 slams. That is what it is.

 

[90's Clay]

NOW he has to contend with all surface Rafa and DJoker and Murray (better top competition) than in his prime when the field wasn't nearly as strong or talented at the top, combined with his declining game he has to rely more on mental toughness and strategy opposed to before where he could just blow mugs off the court

 

[castiron]

I don't think Federer is mentally weaker at all. First, emotion =/= weakness. Ergo crying does not equal weakness. Regardless, I think it's actually due to Federer's preternatural excellence that he has never and will never be mentally weak. The fact that he's become a punching bag for Nadal is simply a matter of not having the game to tackle the Rafa riddle: it's not a mental issue. i've always been under the very strong impression that Federer never has had to really think too much at all, per se, he just sort of flips a switch and goes into game mode. I believe this ability to "just play" as it were, and dominate in an absurd way, was part of the source of his great success. But as we have seen, the problem is that insofar as Nadal presents a puzzle that perhaps requires a different kind of engagement, this same ability becomes a kind of achilles' heel.

 

[Federer20042006]

Has nothing to do with Nadal. Don't be stupid. It has to do with the fact that as you get older you start to realize that you can't physically execute like you once did. Same thing has happened to all great champions. And then, the more times you don't come up clutch the more the opponent realizes they have a chance.

Knowing he can't physically execute when he has set points on his own serve, or is close to the finish line? When he has break points? When serving for the match? When serving for the set?

 

[Mayiru P]

Couldn't agree more. 90's Clay has got it right. You don't need mental strength to beat worthless fools like Andy Roddick.

- Mayiru Pudungi

NOW he has to contend with all surface Rafa and DJoker and Murray (better top competition) than in his prime when the field wasn't nearly as strong or talented at the top, combined with his declining game he has to rely more on mental toughness and strategy opposed to before where he could just blow mugs off the court

 

[ultradr]

It has absolutely nothing to do with his kids, or being content. The guy wants it more than he ever did. And that's WHY he's more nervous and mentally fragile now - he feels the pressure.

I'm not sure if it is all mental.

He showed same pattern in his prime though in rare occasions:
for example, 5 set match against Safin,
5 set matches against young Nadal.

IMHO, it's his style: if the match gets extended and pressure builds up, he
tends to play conservatively or defensively.

He is the greatest front runner in the history. He likes to draw first blood
and then become aggressive closing out the match quickly.

 

[Sentinel]

Couldn't agree more. 90's Clay has got it right. You don't need mental strength to beat worthless fools like Andy Roddick.

- Mayiru Pudungi

why are you highlighting your own name Mr. Pudding ... in every thread ?

 

[MasturB]

Amazing people seriously compare an almost 33 year old Federer with mid 20's Murray-Nadal-Djokovic's of the world.

Those guys will be lucky if they are as competitive in the Top 10 as Fed has remained in his 30's.

I'm in the Federer Fan camp, but I'm realistic about him. The days of him consecutively going to slam semis and even realistically reaching slam finals are long gone. Anything great he does at this stage of his career is gravy on the cake to an already illustrious, and historic career for the books. I think the fact he still can take matches off Djokovic like at Dubai and Monte Carlo, and Murray (granted Andy had back surgery) at AO, and 2 years ago beat the defending Wimby champ Djoker and Home Country favorite Murray in back to back matches at Wimby say a lot. At 29 he is the one that stopped Nole's ridiculous winning streak to start 2011. A few days later he played arguably one of the best matches against Rafa at Roland Garros anyone's played outside of Soderling in 2009.

I think it's insane to compare Federer to his prime days. He was younger, more hungrier, more athletic, quicker, and his body could handle longer points day in and day out. Those days are gone. I will always cherish being able to watch him in his prime. I think it's great he's adjusted his game to adapt at his age (playing more closer to the baseline, more drop shots, attacking more, etc.)

 

[Magnus]

Fed is not mentally weaker, he's pretty much stayed the same, maybe he's even a bigger fighter today than he was back in 2006. Problem is, he isn't great mentally at all, and his game declined so badly there's nothing to cover that mental weakness anymore. Federer, at his prime, didn't need to be mentally strong because his tennis was just art and he made his opponents look like rookies.

 

[Federer20042006]

I'm not sure if it is all mental.

He showed same pattern in his prime though in rare occasions:
for example, 5 set match against Safin,
5 set matches against young Nadal.

IMHO, it's his style: if the match gets extended and pressure builds up, he
tends to play conservatively or defensively.

He is the greatest front runner in the history. He likes to draw first blood
and then become aggressive closing out the match quickly.

I dunno, one match point that Safin played brilliantly doesn't mean much to me. Safin was the one who failed to serve it out in the 5th set up 5-3. Safin was out-playing him and deserved to win. I hate to do this, but Federer had a blister on his foot, and I'm pretty sure it affected his game as the match went on.

Didn't see any nerves from him in that match, just frustration with how well Safin was playing. Safin was hitting through him...just having a great day, and Federer wasn't at 100%.

 

[Noleberic123]

because he is older and is getting more and more frustrated that he cant seem to win a slam anymore

 

[Federer20042006]

Fed is not mentally weaker, he's pretty much stayed the same, maybe he's even a bigger fighter today than he was back in 2006. Problem is, he isn't great mentally at all, and his game declined so badly there's nothing to cover that mental weakness anymore. Federer, at his prime, didn't need to be mentally strong because his tennis was just art and he made his opponents look like rookies.

Yeah, OK, no mental strength needed against Nadal in the 5th set of Wimbledon 2007, down 15-40 on his serve.

No mental strength needed against Srichaphan in Basel, or Roddick at the Masters Cup in 06. Or Davydenko at the AO 06.

To come back from 4-0 in the 5th set in the Masters Cup final in 05 vs. Nalbandian.

And how many scares did he survive in 2008-2010 to keep his QF streak alive?

Tipsarevic at AO 08, Andreev at USO 08, Berdych at AO 09, Haas at FO 09, Falla at Wimbledon 10.

Federer had mental strength until he felt the heat of Nadal closing in on his entire career. And he's always been a fighter...at least since he started working hard circa 2003. He never gives up. He's better coming from behind that he is when he's ahead. The "Federer is a great front runner" thing has always been a myth. What happened in his prime is he'd get ahead and then other guys would give up. Once guys stopped giving up, we saw that Federer is actually a lousy front runner who takes his foot off the gas.

However, he used to be great at not only coming from behind, but in winning big, key points. He's the greatest tie break player of all-time, yet his record in tiebreaks this year is poor. He used to hold serve virtually every time he served for a set. Now it's a crapshoot whether or not he's going to do that. He used to only have trouble converting break points against Nadal. Now it's against everyone. It used to be that if he saved one break point at 15-40, or the first two break points at 0-40, he'd save the next and get to deuce. Now, he seems to usually lose that very last point to get broken.

 

[Noleberic123]

Yeah, OK, no mental strength needed against Nadal in the 5th set of Wimbledon 2007, down 15-40 on his serve.

No mental strength needed against Srichaphan in Basel, or Roddick at the Masters Cup in 06. Or Davydenko at the AO 06.

To come back from 4-0 in the 5th set in the Masters Cup final in 05 vs. Nalbandian.

And how many scares did he survive in 2008-2010 to keep his QF streak alive?

Tipsarevic at AO 08, Andreev at USO 08, Berdych at AO 09, Haas at FO 09, Falla at Wimbledon 10.

Federer had mental strength until he felt the heat of Nadal closing in on his entire career. And he's always been a fighter...at least since he started working hard circa 2003. He never gives up. He's better coming from behind that he is when he's ahead. The "Federer is a great front runner" thing has always been a myth. What happened in his prime is he'd get ahead and then other guys would give up. Once guys stopped giving up, we saw that Federer is actually a lousy front runner who takes his foot off the gas.

However, he used to be great at not only coming from behind, but in winning big, key points. He's the greatest tie break player of all-time, yet his record in tiebreaks this year is poor. He used to hold serve virtually every time he served for a set. Now it's a crapshoot whether or not he's going to do that. He used to only have trouble converting break points against Nadal. Now it's against everyone. It used to be that if he saved one break point at 15-40, or the first two break points at 0-40, he'd save the next and get to deuce. Now, he seems to usually lose that very last point to get broken.

I agree his mental strength is highly underrated

 

[Jaitock1991]

Wow.. It's just totally absurd how some of you guys are able to actually believe that Fed is mentally weak. Sure. I'll agree with OP(though for different reasons) that he's not nearly as clutch these days as he typically would be back in his prime(he was a beast back then). But it's painfully obvious now. His game has declined dramatically in ALL departments(whoever claims otherwise is either a self-denying hypocrite or just plain stupid). He's not half the player he once was. And deep inside, I'm pretty sure Roger knows this damn well. So it's only natural, and happens to every single athlete in the world. That with such a dramatic physical decline, an equally dramatic mental decline follows. It's very simple. The moment he realized he was getting weaker, was the start of his true decline.

To me, his Wimbledon 2012 victory was miraculous. Defeating prime Nole and Muzza back to back for the title at such a point in his career. That tournament says a lot about what a titanic champion he is; mentally, as well as physically.

Benneteau said it well after their 3rd round match: "Even though I was up 2 sets to love, Roger did not reveal a single expression in his face. Nothing. It was like playing a machine, and to me, it almost felt like he was the one up two sets. That scared me." Yeah.. Roger is such a mental midget...

 

[Jaitock1991]

Yeah, OK, no mental strength needed against Nadal in the 5th set of Wimbledon 2007, down 15-40 on his serve.

No mental strength needed against Srichaphan in Basel, or Roddick at the Masters Cup in 06. Or Davydenko at the AO 06.

To come back from 4-0 in the 5th set in the Masters Cup final in 05 vs. Nalbandian.

And how many scares did he survive in 2008-2010 to keep his QF streak alive?

Tipsarevic at AO 08, Andreev at USO 08, Berdych at AO 09, Haas at FO 09, Falla at Wimbledon 10.

Federer had mental strength until he felt the heat of Nadal closing in on his entire career. And he's always been a fighter...at least since he started working hard circa 2003. He never gives up. He's better coming from behind that he is when he's ahead. The "Federer is a great front runner" thing has always been a myth. What happened in his prime is he'd get ahead and then other guys would give up. Once guys stopped giving up, we saw that Federer is actually a lousy front runner who takes his foot off the gas.

However, he used to be great at not only coming from behind, but in winning big, key points. He's the greatest tie break player of all-time, yet his record in tiebreaks this year is poor. He used to hold serve virtually every time he served for a set. Now it's a crapshoot whether or not he's going to do that. He used to only have trouble converting break points against Nadal. Now it's against everyone. It used to be that if he saved one break point at 15-40, or the first two break points at 0-40, he'd save the next and get to deuce. Now, he seems to usually lose that very last point to get broken.

Not to mention the backhand pass he hit during the Wimbledon final 08.

"Fourth set tie break. Championship point Nadal. If Rafa wins, he'll be new world #1, and Roger will officially be dethroned as the best player in the world, and the whole dynamics of their rivalry will change completely. Rafa hits a perfectly placed 1st serve to the backhand. An even better approach, and Roger, whose backhand had been terrible all match, comes up with that shot. And ends up taking it to five."

Even though he lost the match in the end; considering everything that was at stake, this shot is, to me, the most clutch shot in the history of the sport. Simply legendary

 

[Mayiru P]

It's my signature, Sentinel. I hope it does't look too awkward.

By the way, Miss & Mr Pudding? LOL X 10,000!

why are you highlighting your own name Mr. Pudding ... in every thread ?

 

[sportsfan1]

When he was chasing Sampras, he felt heavy pressure. That's the point of the whole "I've created a monster" thing.

I agree with ibbi. If anything, he looks much more laid back now. For good or for bad, he's gotten used to not winning.

This is correct, he's realized that it's not just upto him anymore. He's not going through Rafa, and only on his best ever days will he get through Djoko. He's susceptible to many others such as Wawrinka, Tsonga, Berdych etc, and also liable to fall early in a tournament. So a lot of luck and then some has to go his way to win a GS. Even so, as a Fed fan, I don't think he will win another GS.

 

[SoBad]

It has absolutely nothing to do with his kids, or being content. The guy wants it more than he ever did. And that's WHY he's more nervous and mentally fragile now - he feels the pressure.

What pressure, you ask? The pressure of Nadal closing in on his slam record.

Before, when Federer was in his prime, Nadal wasn't close to him as an all-surface player, and Federer was still chasing Sampras. He wasn't worried about preserving his own status. He wasn't afraid.

Now, he's afraid. It feels like he could lose something that he now believes, after all the media gushing over the years, that he has a birthright to. How could they build him up so much only to tear him down? No matter what he says about being happy for Nadal (a ridiculous lie)...that's what I believe is going on in his mind.

I honestly feel sorry for Federer. As long as Nadal avoids serious injuries, surpassing 18 slams is just a matter of time – a mathematical certainty.

Once the inevitable happens, the imaginary world will collapse and Federer will likely engage in behavior that will make Borg and Philippoussis look like wise, prudent, and frugal men of sound sense.

No court will award him custody of the kids, so there goes the bulk of the cash. He’ll probably end up on the street unless Toni Nadal takes him in as a staff teaching pro at the academy.

 

[The Green Mile]

I honestly feel sorry for Federer. As long as Nadal avoids serious injuries, surpassing 18 slams is just a matter of time – a mathematical certainty.

Once the inevitable happens, the imaginary world will collapse and Federer will likely engage in behavior that will make Borg and Philippoussis look like wise, prudent, and frugal men of sound sense.

No court will award him custody of the kids, so there goes the bulk of the cash. He’ll probably end up on the street unless Toni Nadal takes him in as a staff teaching pro at the academy.

:lol:

 

[BHud]

I honestly feel sorry for Federer. As long as Nadal avoids serious injuries, surpassing 18 slams is just a matter of time – a mathematical certainty.

Like Tiger Woods was a certainty to surpass Jack, no?

 

[Mr.Lob]

Thank you for your anlaysis Doctor. I say older = declining skills = less confidence...and leave it at that.

Close. I think the older a player gets, the harder it is to maintain the razor sharp focus needed throughout a match and tournament. A couple of loose points can cost the match.

 

[SoBad]

Like Tiger Woods was a certainty to surpass Jack, no?

That's just winning half the slams for the next couple of years -- a very conservative short-term estimate, wouldn't you agree?

 

[Sentinel]

It's my signature, Sentinel. I hope it does't look too awkward.

By the way, Miss & Mr Pudding? LOL X 10,000!

Yes, Herr ksbh,

But i am puzzled, why not just post under the "ksbh" username ? Why a new one with a ridiculous name that I just will *not* stop mocking. I shall employ every cell of my tiny, useless, atrophied brain to find some new way to make fun of your curdled, putrid monicker

And what is this silly, infantile Madhuri / Mayuri / Miyagi , ROTFL X 1,000,000 (as you used to end your posts with).

 

[Mayiru P]

Herr Sentinel ... if there's one thing that hasn't changed, it's your sense of humor! Top notch and always first class!

As for the moniker, yes it's a rather weird one. But everyone deserves a chance to unwind, as do I. In any case, in this forum here, only the folks from a certain South Indian state in Hindustan [/Bhave any clue what the moniker is, so no harm done!

Yes, Herr ksbh,

But i am puzzled, why not just post under the "ksbh" username ? Why a new one with a ridiculous name that I just will *not* stop mocking. I shall employ every cell of my tiny, useless, atrophied brain to find some new way to make fun of your curdled, putrid monicker

And what is this silly, infantile Madhuri / Mayuri / Miyagi , ROTFL X 1,000,000 (as you used to end your posts with).

 

[Feather]

why are you highlighting your own name Mr. Pudding ... in every thread ?

He is from the South Indian state of Kerala. His user name is a slang used for describing pubic hair in the local language Malayalam. Somehow he gets a kick by addressing himself by that name

 

[Mr.Lob]

He is from the South Indian state of Kerala. His user name is a slang used for describing pubic hair in the local language Malayalam. Somehow he gets a kick by addressing himself by that name

Why would he want to address himself as, " pubic hair" ?

An odd way to get ones kicks... whatever.

 

[PrinceMoron]

Pressure is not having one of the Slams on your résumé, ask Nole.

Federer has zero pressure.

It is not even as if he is fighting to preserve his pride. He is playing well and reaching finals.
The last bit of pressure he faced was weeks at No 1.

 

[Noleberic123]

Pressure is not having one of the Slams on your résumé, ask Nole.

Federer has zero pressure.

It is not even as if he is fighting to preserve his pride. He is playing well and reaching finals.
The last bit of pressure he faced was weeks at No 1.

how was weeks at No.1 pressure? didn't he already break it

 

[PrinceMoron]

how was weeks at No.1 pressure? didn't he already break it

The last bit of pressure he facED WAS weeks at No 1 i.e. in the past, you know, gone, finished, kaput, no more, once upon a time, Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away.

What is so hard about understanding that? Really?

OK, let me rephrase that, Federer is in the lucky position of having won everything that matters and can be as relaxed as he wants. Nole still has to win the FO. Federer even has record for number of weeks at No 1.

I guess he could lower his expectations and go for record number of weeks at No 2. Who owns that record currently?

And please don't even mention the Olympics. Tennis does not even belong there. If Nadal won the high jump or parallel bars, I might be impressed, but tennis? Seriously??

 

[Noleberic123]

The last bit of pressure he facED WAS weeks at No 1 i.e. in the past, you know, gone, finished, kaput, no more, once upon a time, Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away.

What is so hard about understanding that? Really?

OK, let me rephrase that, Federer is in the lucky position of having won everything that matters and can be as relaxed as he wants. Nole still has to win the FO. Federer even has record for number of weeks at No 1.

I guess he could lower his expectations and go for record number of weeks at No 2. Who owns that record currently?

And please don't even mention the Olympics. Tennis does not even belong there. If Nadal won the high jump or parallel bars, I might be impressed, but tennis? Seriously??

ok I understand now and im pre sure nadal has the record number of weeks at No 2

 

[sliceroni]

In 2012, Federer whom was visibly a step slower than in his prime, less venom on the fh side, got to number one and bageled Djokovic in Cincy. Imo to me, with the exception of the FO, he would have dominated anyway. Also the conditions have slowed, even grass, the past couple of year making it more difficult for all-court players and easy for baseline bashers to play on any of them, even indoors.

 

[Noleberic123]

In 2012, Federer whom was visibly a step slower than in his prime, less venom on the fh side, got to number one and bageled Djokovic in Cincy. Imo to me, with the exception of the FO, he would have dominated anyway. Also the conditions have slowed, even grass, the past couple of year making it more difficult for all-court players and easy for baseline bashers to play on any of them, even indoors.

That was more of djokovic having a bad match

 

[sliceroni]

That was more of djokovic having a bad match

I have the match on dvr and watched it plenty of times. Fed was just in the zone in the first set. Taking the ball early, serving and moving well. Nole's level stayed constant while Fed's level drop in the second.

 

[robert.s]

Federer never was a mental rock. His skill and talent were through the roof, but he always had troubles with guys that don't give up fighting.

 

[PrinceMoron]

ok I understand now and im pre sure nadal has the record number of weeks at No 2

Hi

I wasn't really asking who owns the enviable record of most weeks at No2

 

[merwy]

No way.

First of all, he cried in Australia because it was Australia. He always gets emotional in the trophy ceremony there. He cried when he won it in 2006. Had nothing to do with Nadal or any of that crap. He had just won the US Open to finish the prior year and was just 1 away from Sampras. He knew he'd get it eventually, as Nadal wasn't going to win every single slam.

Now, the possibility of Nadal passing him has gotten very real. He's no longer driven to get to #1 in the world now that he's broken Sampras's record for total weeks at #1 (that was fueling him in 2012, coming off the great finish to 2011), but he wants another slam (or more) badly.

So that guy actually makes a proper argument and you reply by basically saying: "No way, he cried in australia because he always cries there."
Yeah, good stuff man.
-1/10 thread

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

It has absolutely nothing to do with his kids, or being content. The guy wants it more than he ever did. And that's WHY he's more nervous and mentally fragile now - he feels the pressure.

What pressure, you ask? The pressure of Nadal closing in on his slam record.

Before, when Federer was in his prime, Nadal wasn't close to him as an all-surface player, and Federer was still chasing Sampras. He wasn't worried about preserving his own status. He wasn't afraid.

Now, he's afraid. It feels like he could lose something that he now believes, after all the media gushing over the years, that he has a birthright to. How could they build him up so much only to tear him down? No matter what he says about being happy for Nadal (a ridiculous lie)...that's what I believe is going on in his mind.

Interesting theory OP but I honestly think the "Nervous Nelly" meltdowns are more with the 'fanboy' sector of his fans. Their nervousness at the prospect of Nadal challenging Fed's 17 GS total are revealed in the number of Nadal swipes ever since he won the French. And it becomes obvious when the more trollish fanboys (e.g. fed_rulz, TFM) go the extra mile by dragging Sampras into non-Sampras threads if just to put him down or diminish his career. Should Rafa win Wimbledon (something I doubt he will--I think Fed has a better chance) then the fanboy-turned-fangirl hysteria should get reeeally funny. Stay tunned.

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

Couldn't agree more. 90's Clay has got it right. You don't need mental strength to beat

worthless fools like Andy Roddick.

-Mayiru Pudungi

Real nice. Lemme guess: fedfanboy? :neutral:

 

[Federer20042006]

So that guy actually makes a proper argument and you reply by basically saying: "No way, he cried in australia because he always cries there."
Yeah, good stuff man.
-1/10 thread

Oh my GOD are you an idiot. Holy ****...this is unbelievable.

Anyone who thinks Federer cried in Australia because of anything to do with Nadal is an absolute idiot. If the fact that he broke down crying after winning the AO in 06 wasn't enough, the fact that Federer SAID it was simply because of it being in Australia and the quiet ceremony/fan reaction should prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt. Well, to someone who isn't a complete dolt like you.

Where's the logic in claiming something that makes no sense? That Federer crying at the same place he cried just 3 years before after WINNING proves he was feeling the pressure of Nadal?

MY Argument is the proper one. I completely dismantled his argument by pointing out a fact that disproves his claim. He made a claim that is blatantly false based on FACT. And here you are, saying the exact opposite? How stupid are you?

 

[Antonio Puente]

Should Rafa win Wimbledon (something I doubt he will--I think Fed has a better chance) then the fanboy-turned-fangirl hysteria should get reeeally funny. Stay tunned.

Thank god for Stan in Australia, otherwise half this forum would already be on suicide watch.

 

[Defcon1]

Has nothing to do with Nadal. Don't be stupid. It has to do with the fact that as you get older you start to realize that you can't physically execute like you once did. Same thing has happened to all great champions. And then, the more times you don't come up clutch the more the opponent realizes they have a chance.

This

Federer cant hold a 5 set game right now vs Djokovic or Nadal.

Soon this will be the same for Nadal or another player that get older.