Which Fedr got you the most excited?

[ibbi]

2013-16, not that 2013 did anything much, but he did have a nice trilogy during the indoor season with Del Potro. No, mainly it's the stuff from the years that followed, where he started playing with more aggression than he had done since his youth (the era you left out before he became god!) And totally proved wrong people like me who had been put off by the stubbornness he had displayed in those glory years.

All it took was his hero to come on the team, and the guy was happy to shake things up, and most funnily of all nobody on the tour save Djokovic could really hang with him when he reverted to that type of tennis that was fading out of the game because it allegedly didn't work anymore.

That's when I was turned around on Roger Federer. When his true greatness really came shining through. When you're young and in your prime and have no limitations you can afford to be less reliant on being smart. When you're forced to prove yourself and you step up? That's what gets me going the most.

I'm not saying anyone could do what he did in those 'I'm extremely talented' years, as that's clearly not the case, but what he's done these past 5 years is harder if you ask me.

 

[JackGates]

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.

Yeah, it's great. When he isn't god mode and has to force it and win ugly. And it still looks smooth, you almost can't tell.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

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

Gotcha. I grew up a bit funny when it comes to English. My spelling is all over the place, some of it American, some British. My grammar is wholly messed up - drafting papers is a chore. Can relate to some of your woes.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

2013-16, not that 2013 did anything much, but he did have a nice trilogy during the indoor season with Del Potro. No, mainly it's the stuff from the years that followed, where he started playing with more aggression than he had done since his youth (the era you left out before he became god!) And totally proved wrong people like me who had been put off by the stubbornness he had displayed in those glory years.

All it took was his hero to come on the team, and the guy was happy to shake things up, and most funnily of all nobody on the tour save Djokovic could really hang with him when he reverted to that type of tennis that was fading out of the game because it allegedly didn't work anymore.

That's when I was turned around on Roger Federer. When his true greatness really came shining through. When you're young and in your prime and have no limitations you can afford to be less reliant on being smart. When you're forced to prove yourself and you step up? That's what gets me going the most.

I'm not saying anyone could do what he did in those 'I'm extremely talented' years, as that's clearly not the case, but what he's done these past 5 years is harder if you ask me.

Wholly agree with this. I loved how the the work put in with Edberg has paid off. Initially it seemed a bit gimmicky, SABR and whatnots, but oh boy, I couldn't see how it was all coming together. Many times I felt that while the finishing volley was nice enough, the approach shot to the volley felt off, it was awkward and sometimes seemed forced, or even desperate.

Now he's using that first volley to set up a putaway smash, or short angle/touch finish. It's been glorious to see him play tic-tac-toe with the modern baseliners who seem to have absolutely no idea how to thwart it.

SABR was just the flashy paint job of a totally overhauled engine on that BH wing, one which he's ready to bring out if Playbook 1.0 [slice that BH] isn't working.

 

[Shaolin]

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?

Yes I'd vote for 1999-2003 for sure. Although 2004-2007 is almost a tie. I loved the early Fed.

 

[hoodjem]

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

Do you think it was embarrassment? Frustration? Dashed hopes?

Or something else?

 

[tennisaddict]

Do you think it was embarrassment? Frustration? Dashed hopes?

Or something else?

Dashed hopes ? LOL. He had 10+ majors at that time.
Embarassment and frustration ? LMAO. For playing a 5 setter ?

Disappointment is more like it.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Dashed hopes ? LOL. He had 10+ majors at that time.
Embarassment and frustration ? LMAO. For playing a 5 setter ?

Disappointment is more like it.

The last set was embarrassing.

 

[hoodjem]

Dashed hopes ? LOL. He had 10+ majors at that time.
Embarassment and frustration ? LMAO. For playing a 5 setter ?

Disappointment is more like it.

Ahh. Disappointment. OK.

Coming so close . . .

 

[Deleted member 742196]

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

Yes I'd vote for 1999-2003 for sure. Although 2004-2007 is almost a tie. I loved the early Fed.

It's up there guys.

As incredible as it is find myself saying this, thanks for pointing us out to a missed Fedr chapter [Federera?]

 

[FederErizeD]

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.

He had a set point on Rafa's serve at 5-2.
Fed was absolutely flying that tournament, played an excellent 1st 3 sets until fatigue got to him. I genuinely believe Fed could've impressively beat Nadal in that final had that stupid drop shot on set point been a few millimetres closer.

Ugh tennis is unfair, man.

 

[fedtennisphan]

He had a set point on Rafa's serve at 5-2.
Fed was absolutely flying that tournament, played an excellent 1st 3 sets until fatigue got to him. I genuinely believe Fed could've impressively beat Nadal in that final had that stupid drop shot on set point been a few millimetres closer.

Ugh tennis is unfair, man.

Even if Federer had won the first set, the match was not on his racket because of the threat of him coming back. Djokovic has beaten Nadal at the FO and what good did it do him?

 

[Fedforever]

Do you think it was embarrassment? Frustration? Dashed hopes?

Or something else?

Only one person knows (and I'm not even sure about that) but if forced to guess probably frustration. On clay I think he accepts that Rafa is better, off clay I think he felt he should win and that to some extent he was beating himself. Probably underrates Rafa's abilities off clay in reality, but I think that's how it is in Fed's head.

 

[Fedforever]

When you're young and in your prime and have no limitations you can afford to be less reliant on being smart. When you're forced to prove yourself and you step up? That's what gets me going the most.

I suspect that's what he himself means when he says he's a better player than he was when he was younger. He's making better use of what he has, in his actual game and in his mental attitude, not letting himself getting caught up in mind games with Nadal for instance.

 

[FederErizeD]

Even if Federer had won the first set, the match was not on his racket because of the threat of him coming back. Djokovic has beaten Nadal at the FO and what good did it do him?

I'm sorry I really don't understand your argument. The threat of whom coming back? Nadal? Well, of course you're right but I think going into the 2nd set with an authoritative lead in the 1st could've made a huge difference. I'm saying this only based on Fed's level of play that tournament and in that final too. He was playing really well and was very effectively challenging Nadal in a shot-to-shot basis. Remember the 2nd set was really really close and ended up with a tie-break where confidence is one of the biggest deciding factors if not the biggest.

As for the second part of your argument, I really can't see its pertinence to the topic at hand. If you could please elaborate.

 

[hoodjem]

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

Speaking of raw and unrefined Fed, here you go:

 

[Deleted member 742196]

He had a set point on Rafa's serve at 5-2.
Fed was absolutely flying that tournament, played an excellent 1st 3 sets until fatigue got to him. I genuinely believe Fed could've impressively beat Nadal in that final had that stupid drop shot on set point been a few millimetres closer.

Ugh tennis is unfair, man.

I think it was a missed drop shot? It was so difficult to weather because all of us knew how important getting that first set was to the match.

That missed set point, more than anything else that has ever happened between them, haunts me the most.

He had Nadal in 2011. I am convinced of it.

Edit
Yep, you mentioned drop shot. It’s one match I never revisit on YouTube because it hurts.

As you perfectly said tennis is unfair. It’s really a sport for people that enjoy a certain kind of pain.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

I'm sorry I really don't understand your argument. The threat of whom coming back? Nadal? Well, of course you're right but I think going into the 2nd set with an authoritative lead in the 1st could've made a huge difference. I'm saying this only based on Fed's level of play that tournament and in that final too. He was playing really well and was very effectively challenging Nadal in a shot-to-shot basis. Remember the 2nd set was really really close and ended up with a tie-break where confidence is one of the biggest deciding factors if not the biggest.

As for the second part of your argument, I really can't see its pertinence to the topic at hand. If you could please elaborate.

The first theee sets were the whole match. Tight Tight Tight. 7-5, 7-6, 5-7.

I’m with you on this, if Fed converts that set point it would be huge.

But this is why Nadal at RG is the toughest out in the sport. The dude skewered my heart so many times I had to respect him.

 

[tennisaddict]

The last set was embarrassing.

Then we should call Rafa's 5 set losses at AO even more embarassing because he managed to lose after being a break up in the 5th, two times.

 

[Dilexson]

Always the current version.

 

[Roddick85]

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.

I definitely feel the same way. When he started to become more vulnerable, he became more likable and relatable. It was nice to see him finally face some adversity. I loved those years because unpredictability was still there which made not only Federer more exciting to watch but the entire tour as well. It's much more satisfying to see Federer win Wimbledon in 2012 after being in tense 5 setters and facing Djokovic/Murray en route to the title than whatever jobber he faced at Wimbledon 2017 or Australian Open 2018.

 

[Aitkers]

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

2017 got me most hard. Exciting matches, less predictable than peak years where he was steam rolling 24 consecutive finals won etc. Those days also had me hard but not as much

 

[Surecatch]

Probably 05-06 when I became a fan after watching USO '05. My fun fact is that I've seen Roger play just once in person, during arguably his most dominant season (2006) and it was 2nd round loss to a young Andy Murray at Cincy', the only loss of the season to a player not named Rafa', and his only instance of falling short of a finals that season. I still believe that he likely tanked to conserve for USO after playing so much to that point.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

Probably 05-06 when I became a fan after watching USO '05. My fun fact is that I've seen Roger play just once in person, during arguably his most dominant season (2006) and it was 2nd round loss to a young Andy Murray at Cincy', the only loss of the season to a player not named Rafa', and his only instance of falling short of a finals that season. I still believe that he likely tanked to conserve for USO after playing so much to that point.

You lucky guy. Actually got to see him do his magic from the baseline when he had his Godly forehand.

I too have seen him play, but only recently - after journeying almost a thousand kilometres and just barely getting into my seat the match got done in 40 minutes as he baffled the opponent chip and charging the net.

While yours was a loss and mine was a win, it might well have felt the opposite for both of us.

The caramel popcorn they sold wasn't half bad though.

 

[-NN-]

2002-2005 Fed. The transformation.

After that it's 2017-2022 Fed.

 

[BeatlesFan]

The first match I ever saw Roger play on TV was in 1998 against Agassi. I became a fan in 2000/01 and by far the most excited I ever was throughout any moment of his career was this---

 

[Deleted member 756486]

The first match I ever saw Roger play on TV was in 1998 against Agassi. I became a fan in 2000/01 and by far the most excited I ever was throughout any moment of his career was this---

When Rafa went 3-1 up in the fifth I was ready to go to bed but my dog kept barking at the TV which convinced me to keep watching

 

[abmk]

2004-07 fed

 

[Nadalgaenger]

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.

Epic as in straight sets for Novak?

 

[BeatlesFan]

When Rafa went 3-1 up in the fifth I was ready to go to bed but my dog kept barking at the TV which convinced me to keep watching

I hear you, at 3-1 in the fifth, I actually had my finger on the remote button to turn it off, but I changed my mind. So glad I did, because it was the greatest moment I have ever had as a lifelong tennis fan.

 

[limmt]

I hear you, at 3-1 in the fifth, I actually had my finger on the remote button to turn it off, but I changed my mind. So glad I did, because it was the greatest moment I have ever had as a lifelong tennis fan.

I was desperate at 3-1, and even more after all those wasted BP. But then it was the greatest tennis moment I'll ever live.

I have watched this 5th like ten times, I'm still so emotional about it each time.

 

[Red Rick]

The Federer that went a set and 6-3 down in a tiebreak vs Roddick in a Wimbledon final. The Fed that appeared after that I didn't enjoy very much

 

[Deleted member 756486]

The Federer that went a set and 6-3 down in a tiebreak vs Roddick in a Wimbledon final. The Fed that appeared after that I didn't enjoy very much

Admittedly I cheered for Roddick during that match and I felt so sorry for him when he lost.

 

[Red Rick]

Admittedly I cheered for Roddick during that match and I felt so sorry for him when he lost.

Even reading the match thread hurts man. Everyone going 'omg lol Fed in 3' before Roddick turns it into an epic. Roddick won a lot of hearts that day, but he also made sure his most memorable achievement was a loss.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Even reading the match thread hurts man. Everyone going 'omg lol Fed in 3' before Roddick turns it into an epic. Roddick won a lot of hearts that day, but he also made sure his most memorable achievement was a loss.

There’s a match thread for it? If you have a link then I’d be interested in reading people’s thoughts as the match went on.

 

[Fedforever]

I was desperate at 3-1, and even more after all those wasted BP. But then it was the greatest tennis moment I'll ever live.

I have watched this 5th like ten times, I'm still so emotional about it each time.

I couldn't bear to watch it live. My partner told me he'd won but it was only watching the highlights that I learnt the full story. I was convinced at 3-1 that partner had played a very nasty trick on me. I've probably watched the last five games less than any other fan - I'm STILL convinced that it's going to turn out a different way.

 

[Red Rick]

There’s a match thread for it? If you have a link then I’d be interested in reading people’s thoughts as the match went on.

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...009-mens-final-2-federer-vs-6-roddick.271991/

First page is downright painful

 

[Deleted member 756486]

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...009-mens-final-2-federer-vs-6-roddick.271991/

First page is downright painful

Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...009-mens-final-2-federer-vs-6-roddick.271991/

First page is downright painful

Hey, it's 0530 where I am right now and I was looking for something nice to read before nodding off. Thanks for this! I never quite thought to poke around for old match threads, it sounds super interesting.

 

[Deleted member 742196]

Oh well, hey.

After months of trying out these things it turns out there is actually a poll in which Federer doesn't win. Ha!

 

[nikdom]

2003-2006

And

2017-2018


The first period of domination was just amazing having come out of nowhere against an array of promising, talented players.

I still remember JCF, Nalbo, Safin, Gonzo, Roddick, Davydenko, Blake, Hewitt, Ferrer and a few others all coming up and playing alongside my then fav, Agassi. In that new generation at one point it wasn’t clear Fed would be the dominant one - Hewitt got out of the gates early and Safin looked like Kyrgios does today.

I became a fan somewhere around the time Rog played Sampras. The 2003 season solidified it.

After that period I’ve enjoyed 2017 the most.

2008-2017 had their lows and (a few) highs - 2009 RG and Wimby being the best...but those were also the ‘slog’ years.

 

[nikdom]

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 foreve

Beautiful!

 

[Deleted member 756486]

2003-2006

And

2017-2018


The first period of domination was just amazing having come out of nowhere against an array of promising, talented players.

I still remember JCF, Nalbo, Safin, Gonzo, Roddick, Davydenko, Blake, Hewitt, Ferrer and a few others all coming up and playing alongside my then fav, Agassi. In that new generation at one point it wasn’t clear Fed would be the dominant one - Hewitt got out of the gates early and Safin looked like Kyrgios does today.

I became a fan somewhere around the time Rog played Sampras. The 2003 season solidified it.

After that period I’ve enjoyed 2017 the most.

2008-2017 had their lows and (a few) highs - 2009 RG and Wimby being the best...but those were also the ‘slog’ years.

They are very similar but do you think Kyrgios can be more successful than Safin? Safin was very talented but never really fulfilled his potential hopefully Krygios is different.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

85" pre poly Federer and 2017-2018 Older-er with his new enhanced offensive Edberg/Sampras game.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...009-mens-final-2-federer-vs-6-roddick.271991/

First page is downright painful

thanks for the thread! It would be interesting to find some more classic match threads but they are pretty hard to find.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

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.

Good points - it was actually a really tight final.

 

[KINGROGER]

Even if Federer had won the first set, the match was not on his racket because of the threat of him coming back. Djokovic has beaten Nadal at the FO and what good did it do him?

Federer was the better tennis player for 3 sets but ended 2-1 down. He needed 2-1 up at least to force a 5th.

 

[oldmanfan]

2002-2005 Fed. The transformation.

After that it's 2017-2022 Fed.

Confirmed! Fedr will not retire before 2022.

 

[Nadalgaenger]

Admittedly I cheered for Roddick during that match and I felt so sorry for him when he lost.

Cheering for Roddick when Fed was trying to break Sampras’ record?

Seriously?

 

[Tennisanity]

2009 or 2017, toss up.