Which Fedr got you the most excited?

[Deleted member 742196]

NOT polling which one is the best/peak.

Which version of Fedr had you feel the most impassioned, or excited?


Happy voting people, there’s Fedr version out there for everyone!


[ignore the actual question above the poll, editing issues]

 

[MasturB]

There is only one Fedr

 

[hoodjem]

The first one.

Certainly not old grandpa changing diapers Fed. Like watching a shark feed on guppies.

 

[Fedforever]

They all had their moments. 2003 was exciting as I realised my firmly held conviction that there would never be a more beautiful player than McEnroe was about to be tested. In retrospect 08-12 heartbreak was probably necessary to make late Federer even more special. And most of 13-16 was just feeling grateful he was playing at all. But 17-18 well... so much beyond our wildest hopes...has to be the winner.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

The 2011 RG semi-final Federer that stopped GOATing Novak from giving me another heart-attack in the RG final.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

2017-2018 because I treat all of his matches as his last one.

 

[hoodjem]

The 2011 RG semi-final Federer that stopped GOATing Novak from giving me another heart-attack in the RG final.

Finger-wagging Fed?

 

[Deleted member 742196]

There’s a hidden Fedr in the poll for all you Nadal/Djokovic fans. Haven’t left you guys out.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Finger-wagging Fed?

I think that's the one. Man, Djoker was giving Rafa a hard time that season - it would have been an epic final if he made it through.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

The 2011 RG semi-final Federer that stopped GOATing Novak from giving me another heart-attack in the RG final.

Come on, be honest. When has any opponent across the Clay God ever been cause for a heart attack in a RG final?

Even Zeus himself intervened to get in the way as Joker went on a tear that one year.

The closest thing we have to a gimme in tennis is Rafa in a RG final. He’s that ridiculously good.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Come on, be honest. When has any opponent across the Clay God ever been cause for a heart attack in the RG final?

Even Zeus himself intervened to get in the way as Joker went on a tear that one year.

The closest thing we have to a gimme in tennis is Rafa in a RG final. He’s that ridiculously good.

True - Djoker came mighty close in 2012, 2013 and 2014. I think 2011 would have been the best version of them all but yes, Rafa excels in best of 5 clay court tennis so I think he would have snuck over the line.

 

[MichaelNadal]

The 2011 RG semi-final Federer that stopped GOATing Novak from giving me another heart-attack in the RG final.

I got a new car that day, it was a great day all-around

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I got a new car that day, it was a great day all-around

Nice! New car and two days later RG # 6

 

[Deleted member 688153]

Federer then:

Federer now:

 

[Deleted member 742196]

True - Djoker came mighty close in 2012, 2013 and 2014. I think 2011 would have been the best version of them all but yes, Rafa excels in best of 5 clay court tennis so I think he would have snuck over the line.

I vividly remember feeling crushed by your man in that 2011 final. Fed was reallyreallyreallyclose. First set he was up 5-2 if I’m remembering right, before Rafa put on the jets to wrestle it from him 7-5

But I also remember thinking to myself as Fed took the third 7-5 that this was the template of a champion. Not necessarily a person that wins, but someone with a certain unmovable sense of self belief. I had this little epiphany when I realized that even I had given up hope after Rafa squeezed out the first two sets.

More than raw athleticism and talent and hard work, I think that self-belief is probably the quality most needed in a champion. It begins and ends with that conviction, the other things go in between.

Some might not remember the 2011 RG final very well, it was a really tight affair 7-5, 7-6, 5-7 those first three sets.

 

[MichaelNadal]

The 2011 FO final is very underrated. Excellent match and the ball was FLYING that day.

 

[MarcusInKensington]

2017-18 l’empereur for me. Mainly because I couldn’t stand him for the vast majority of his career, but now realise he’s a spectacular amazing brilliant geniusss.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

The 2011 FO final is very underrated. Excellent match and the ball was FLYING that day.

Just another another choke from Fedr.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Just another epic comeback from Nadal.

You better slay!

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

You better slay!

Have several seats.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Have several seats.

 

[metsman]

Duh

 

[KINGROGER]

The 2011 FO final is very underrated. Excellent match and the ball was FLYING that day.

Would’ve been amazing had Federer won the 1st set as could’ve legit gone to 5. That choke turned it into a travesty for me.

 

[stephenclown]

I think the first period where he was basically unstoppable outside of FO was the most complete tennis you could watch. His elegance and explosive forehand was incredibly exciting. His backhand may have had weaknesses but it was so fluid and clean..

 

[hoodjem]

Federer now:

“Let there be diapers . . .

. . . and nannies.”

 

[Candide]

There is far more drama and poignancy about current Federer than there ever was before. He seems both invulnerable and awfully fragile at the same time, like a beautiful, luminous soap bubble - seductively solid seeming but we know that at any minute the slightest change in air pressure or the merest collision and POP. He's gone forever. It's bracingly wonderful and achingly sad all in the same moment. Martin Amis said that there comes a point in the work of every novelist where you stop saying hello and start saying goodbye. It feels like Federer has been saying goodbye for about six years now but, selfishly, I still don't want it to end.

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

There is far more drama and poignancy about current Federer than there ever was before. He seems both invulnerable and awfully fragile at the same time, like a beautiful, luminous soap bubble - seductively solid seeming but we know that at any minute the slightest change in air pressure or the merest collision and POP. He's gone forever. It's bracingly wonderful and achingly sad all in the same moment. Martin Amis said that there comes a point in the work of every novelist where you stop saying hello and start saying goodbye. It feels like Federer has been saying goodbye for about six years now but, selfishly, I still don't want it to end.

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

I'm glad somebody out there thinks like this.

In the difficult 2013 ~ 2016 period I chanced across the below amazing Grandland piece that gave it lovely perspective:

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-sun-never-sets-on-roger-federer-endings-and-wimbledon/

I realized I felt most endeared to Fed after his peak/prime. The more human aspects of this great story began to come though, at which point what he does - and continues to do - resonated more poignantly.

Being honest, AO2017 is the first time I felt one of his wins more/as much as I felt crushing losses, if that makes any sense. Probably because it was Nadal across the net, and there was an element of redemption for what happened on the same court in 09.

 

[Shaolin]

There should be an option for pre-slam 2000-2002ish Federer.

I loved his tennis so much when he destroyed the US in Davis Cup (sorry, not very patriotic of me), won his first 1000 in Hamburg and annihilated Hewitt in Miami 2002 when Hewitt was in his prime looking unbeatable.

 

[Appels]

I loved him in the "God this is killing me" moments. He was so vulnerable and real.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

There should be an option for pre-slam 2000-2002ish Federer.

I loved his tennis so much when he destroyed the US in Davis Cup (sorry, not very patriotic of me), won his first 1000 in Hamburg and annihilated Hewitt in Miami 2002 when Hewitt was in his prime looking unbeatable.

I can throw in the option certainly but I would need some help from your end:

1. A tasty quote from RF that nicely sums up the period.
2. Your honourable word you will choose the 2000-2002 period as your favourite version of Fedr.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

I loved him in the "God this is killing me" moments. He was so vulnerable and real.

Yep, me too.

I ended up going with "I can be #1" from above, but "God this is killing me" is a very close second. I felt the absolute worst at AO2009. Even Wimby 08 wasn't that bad because it could have gone either way, and it never seemed like Fed quite gave up.

5th set AO2009 Nadal just put a lance right through his heart and things seemed like they could never look up again.

What made 2009 especially interesting to me is how he managed to pick himself right back up to win his first [only] French a few months afterwards, and then reclaim Wimby in that excoriating final against Roddick. And then, go on to lose so unexpectedly at the USO to Delpo as he so arrogantly (it seemed) refused to adjust to the massive groundstrokes coming his way.

If I had to pick a single year being a FedFan put me through the full spectrum of emotions 2009 would be it.

I felt crushed, redeemed, guilty, relieved and mortified that year.

 

[TheAssassin]

2003-05

 

[fedtennisphan]

NOT polling which one is the best/peak.

Which version of Fedr had you feel the most excited about tennis?


Happy voting people, there’s Fedr version out there for everyone!


[ignore the actual question above the poll, editing issues]

I voted 2017-2018 Federer because due to fact he overcame to win his 20th GS title and regained the no. 1 ranking. SUK IT, haters.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

2003-05

See @Shaolin's post above. It would need to be some period up until 2004. No issues there, but I'd need a good quote from RF that sums up his view on himself.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

I voted 2017-2018 Federer because due to fact he overcame to win his 20th GS title and regained the no. 1 ranking. SUK IT, haters.

I hear you. “the dream continues” is an awesome time to be a Fedfan.

 

[Shaolin]

I can throw in the option certainly but I would need some help from your end:

1. A tasty quote from RF that nicely sums up the period.
2. Your honourable word you will choose the 2000-2002 period as your favourite version of Fedr.

I would call this period ''Raw, Unrefined Federer'' or just ''Young Fedr''.

I don't have a quote from him so I'll make one up…''Hi I'm young Fedr and I'm gonna be the GOAT''.

Hope that helps

 

[Deleted member 742196]

I would call this period ''Raw, Unrefined Federer'' or just ''Young Fedr''.

I don't have a quote from him so I'll make one up…''Hi I'm young Fedr and I'm gonna be the GOAT''.

Hope that helps

Haha, awesome attempt but we need to look for a tasty one from him.

It’s nice to know how he views himself - the insight has always been such an interesting part of the journey as a Fedfan.

 

[Fedforever]

I'm glad somebody out there thinks like this.

In the difficult 2013 ~ 2016 period I chanced across the below amazing Grandland piece that gave it lovely perspective:

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-sun-never-sets-on-roger-federer-endings-and-wimbledon/

I realized I felt most endeared to Fed after his peak/prime. The more human aspects of this great
story began to come though, at which point what he does - and continues to do - resonated more poignantly.

Being honest, AO2017 is the first time I felt one of his wins more/as much as I felt crushing losses, if that makes any sense. Probably because it was Nadal across the net, and there was an element of redemption for what happened on the same court in 09.

It's just such an amazing story altogether. Your poll is great and clearly there are different Fed eras but each one has more resonance when you know the rest of the story - and we still don't know the ending.

 

[Fedforever]

Haha, awesome attempt but we need to find a nice one from him. It’s always nice to know how he summarizes himself. That’s been such an interesting part of the journey as a Fedfan.

How about this from 15 year old Fed?

“I know that I can’t always complain and shout because that hurts me and makes me play worse,” he said. “I hardly forgive myself on any mistakes although they’re normal.” He looked in the distance and said almost to himself-“One should just be able to play a perfect game.”

Source: http://www.tennisgrandstand.com/tag/roger-federer-excerpts-rene-stauffer/

 

[Deleted member 742196]

How about this from 15 year old Fed?

“I know that I can’t always complain and shout because that hurts me and makes me play worse,” he said. “I hardly forgive myself on any mistakes although they’re normal.” He looked in the distance and said almost to himself-“One should just be able to play a perfect game.”

Source: http://www.tennisgrandstand.com/tag/roger-federer-excerpts-rene-stauffer/

Fair enough. That's a nice one - thanks for digging it up. We need to parse it for the right bits to squeeze into the poll - seeing as its your effort here, care to do it?

@Shaolin > the second bit? If 2000 ~2003 is added to the poll, your good word this is your choice for which Fedr had you the most excited/impassioned?

 

[Sentinel]

[ignore the actual question above the poll, editing issues]

Haha ! I didn't even notice that till you drew my attention to it.

Super !

 

[Deleted member 742196]

I think the first period where he was basically unstoppable outside of FO was the most complete tennis you could watch. His elegance and explosive forehand was incredibly exciting. His backhand may have had weaknesses but it was so fluid and clean..

You wouldn't happen to also be a hockey fan, would you?

 

[Deleted member 742196]

Haha ! I didn't even notice that till you drew my attention to it.

Super !

Ha! Thanks for noticing. I'm a bit of a stickler when it comes to be pedantry - probably too many years at boarding school having my knuckles rapped. Also, I have a girlfriend who has an amazing capacity to trip me up on the smallest little detail unless I very carefully express myself.

 

[TheMaestro1990]

I loved the 2011-2012 years...

 

[Fedforever]

Fair enough. That's a nice one - thanks for digging it up. We need to parse it for the right bits to squeeze into the poll - seeing as its your effort here, care to do it?

@Shaolin > the second bit? If 2000 ~2003 is added to the poll, your good word this is your choice for which Fedr had you the most excited/impassioned?

You could try 1998 - 2003 "complain and shout...play worse" Fedr

 

[stephenclown]

You wouldn't happen to also be a hockey fan, would you?

Nah from Australia, just writing how I would naturally speak unfortunately it makes legal research a *****...

 

[Tornes]

I choose "God, this is killing me" Fedr, because exactly at this period I become his true fan. When he was winning everything I like him but I did like other players too (Roddick, Novák). However when he started losing all those close matches, all those heartbreaks (Wimbledon 2008, AO 2009, USO 2009-2011, even RG 2011), that was the time he got me. From the machine he became human. And all those victories nowadays are so sweet just because of those defeats that preceded them.

For me 2008-2012 period is the period that truly shows how great Federer is. When Borg lost Wimbledon final, he quit. When Fed lost Wimbledon final, he came back. When he lost another, he came back again. And not only that. He came back and won them again. Defeat after defeat he came back every time.

 

[JackGates]

2008-2012. He started to show emotions, he was like Borg till then. And when he started losing it showed how he deals with it, and he had to work harder, much more exciting.
When things aren't going your way is more important.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

I choose "God, this is killing me" Fedr, because exactly at this period I become his true fan. When he was winning everything I like him but I did like other players too (Roddick, Novák). However when he started losing all those close matches, all those heartbreaks (Wimbledon 2008, AO 2009, USO 2009-2011, even RG 2011), that was the time he got me. From the machine he became human. And all those victories nowadays are so sweet just because of those defeats that preceded them.

For me 2008-2012 period is the period that truly shows how great Federer is. When Borg lost Wimbledon final, he quit. When Fed lost Wimbledon final, he came back. When he lost another, he came back again. And not only that. He came back and won them again. Defeat after defeat he came back every time.

You and I are absolutely on the same page here. The belief needed as crushing losses piled up, to change his game style and the racquet that had brought him all that success, is an amazing thing for me.

How does someone do this exactly?

A big part of what I find fascinating about RF is his motivation. It isn't quite money, it isn't quite fame, it's something undefinable.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

2008-2012. He started to show emotions, he was like Borg till then. And when he started losing it showed how he deals with it, and he had to work harder, much more exciting.
When things aren't going your way is more important.

Haha, I find it funny/cute/insightful when he sometimes gets a bit grumpy on court. Its an interesting little thing to now watch. I think in the recent Rotterdam final he got a bit tempestuous at one point.