Why are Federer Fans still disappointed?

[flyinghippos101]

I almost feel like its a cliche at this point to have to continually remind us Fed-fans this: Federer has 17 GRAND SLAMS, the most of all male players in open-era history and is arguably one of the most competitive players in history for his age and the fact that he made TWO slam finals this year at 34 YEARS OLD is simply unprecedented in the game. You will certainly NOT see someone like Djokovic or Nadal making two finals at 34 years old or be competitive with younger rivals in their peak.

Win or lose (most likely lose at this point), I'm not at all upset that Fed hasn't been able to capitalize on his opportunities. Simply the fact that he's putting himself out there, in literal winning positions, speaks to the greatness and staying power of his game at such an age. Djokovic is a literal all-time great; there is absolutely no shame in losing extremely close encounters that Djokovic had to fight tooth and nail to win every single time.

So take heart, Federer fans, because for every final Fed is in, win or lose, is another record that will stand for years.

 

[killerboi2]

Well yeah Federer fans are gonna be dissapointed seeing him lose slam finals. 17 slams and high goat status should be a pretty big consolation though.

 

[tacou]

He's in a major final blowing one opportunity after another. Doesn't matter if he had 0 or 100 majors prior, he could've won this match had he played the important points better.

 

[Agassifan]

It is OK for Fed fans to be disappointed, but fans of everyone other than Djokovic have to be utterly disappointed because they neither have 17 slams nor did they get anywhere close to winning this.

 

[Photoshop]

I'm disappointed because his 17 slams came from the weak era. It doesn't matter how many slams he has. He couldn't beat Nadal and he can't beat Djokovic. To me Roger is not GOAT. In terms of # of slams, sure he may be the number 1 but he is not the best ever to grace the sport. He is lucky he was born a few years earlier than the true GOAT Djokovic.

 

[mule250]

You have to be disappointed, the way that match just went down... this one really hurt.

 

[tennisdad65]

4/23 .... you cannot hit 5.0 level groundies on break points and expect a 7.25 to miss shots/choke just because it is a break point... He needed to be more aggressive on BPs and he CHOKED big time.

 

[Wangtang1]

I thought there was almost no chance that Federer would win but I guess taking Djokovic to 4 sets after having literally no forehand shows that things can only get better, despite federer being old as hell

 

[kishnabe]

Federer had tons of chances....really try to wait for an error or BP. Djokovic was giving plenty but not when BP down.

 

[oneness]

He comes so close, the disappointment is understandable. It doesn't matter how much you have won before. You play to Win.

 

[duaneeo]

Just like at 2014 Wimbledon, Roger just gave away opportunity after opportunity.

Three years now without a slam. The Federer/Edberg combo simply isn't working at the majors.

 

[BeatlesFan]

I predicted Novak in 4 and the match was closer than I anticipated. I knew after the first set that is was essentially over. Fed choked as badly as he did at the '09 AO when he converted hardly any BP's, even though he had 20+ chances then. Tonight it was the same script. He can't mentally hold it together when the pressure is on, at least against Nadal or Nole.

Novak battling the crowd and not letting that get to him is one of his greatest-ever achievements. That mental fortitude was very impressive!

 

[LoboLaw1984]

Because he keeps coming so close.

 

[tennis_pro]

Because I wasted a full night, have to get up in 3 hours to go to work all of that just to see the stupid grin on Djokovic's face again. I don't care how much who won in the past because it's... well... IN THE PAST? The latter the round the bigger the dissapointment, I wouldn't have to go through all of this if Fed lost in the 2nd or 3rd round like at the AO. The dissapointment was non-existent then but this final loss will bug me for the next day.

Fed is reaching Slam finals too often for me to enjoy him just being a part of them. He's a top 2 player ffs, owns everyone below him and that includes Murray/Wawrinka yet he still comes up short every time. I don't want to see him smile and say "there's always next year". No, you got a chance - do everything you can to grab it. A lot of those big points were easily winnable. I actually believe that if Federer converted one of the 2 BP's he had at 4-3 he would've won the match, that's how close it was.

What a waste.

 

[Luminaire]

Because he beats himself.

 

[SQA333]

As Federer fans, I don't think we should bother getting up for matches against fellow Big 3 players in GS finals.

The only way #18 is coming is if someone does the dirty work for Fed beforehand. Otherwise it's a formality for the higher ranked opponent.

 

[Apun94]

I predicted Novak in 4 and the match was closer than I anticipated. I knew after the first set that is was essentially over. Fed choked as badly as he did at the '09 AO when he converted hardly any BP's, even though he had 20+ chances then. Tonight it was the same script. He can't mentally hold it together when the pressure is on, at least against Nadal or Nole.

Novak battling the crowd and not letting that get to him is one of his greatest-ever achievements. That mental fortitude was very impressive!

Seriously, the crowd was just horrible. Supporting Fed is fine but cheering loudly when Djokovic misses a first serve or sth like that is just horrible.
Serious mental toughness by DJokovic. Impressive

 

[Netspirit]

I am disappointed by the quality of the final. What I saw in the final is not what I saw during the earlier rounds. Federer had had given me plenty of reasons to believe in his chances - much like after his Wimbledon semi-final.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Because I wasted a full night, have to get up in 3 hours to go to work all of that just to see the stupid grin on Djokovic's face again. I don't care how much who won in the past because it's... well... IN THE PAST? The latter the round the bigger the dissapointment, I wouldn't have to go through all of this if Fed lost in the 2nd or 3rd round like at the AO. The dissapointment was non-existent then but this final loss will bug me for the next day.

Fed is reaching Slam finals too often for me to enjoy him just being a part of them. He's a top 2 player ffs, owns everyone below him and that includes Murray/Wawrinka yet he still comes up short every time. I don't want to see him smile and say "there's always next year". No, you got a chance - do everything you can to grab it. A lot of those big points were easily winnable. I actually believe that if Federer converted one of the 2 BP's he had at 4-3 he would've won the match, that's how close it was.

What a waste.

Admit it, you wish Peakdal would return

 

[Down_the_line]

It's because of the way he leads us on. No matter how logical we are about it at first, he's always so convincing, not only leading up to the final but even at points IN the final, like being up 4-3 in the 3rd, 1 set all, with 2 break points. If he breaks there, he likely serves out the set, given he was on a roll at that point, and he actually has a great shot at the title!

He succeeded at completely converting my mindset halfway through the 3rd before again dashing all hopes with missed opportunities and erratic play. Oh yeah, then to top it all off, he rattles off 2 straight games down 5-2 in the 4th and gets 2 break points to actually tie the set at 5-all....only to screw those up too. It's just torture!

 

[Prabhanjan]

There is no reason to be disappointed. It is amazing to see his last two USO runs to semi's and final's. Obviously, Pete's run at last 3 USO's is not at all comparable. As a stand-alone, his two years run are amazing.

 

[Netspirit]

It's the mesmerizing greatness that keeps flashing through the guy. Tons of it. His tactics, his hands, his virtuous mastery. You never know what tricks he has in his sleeve, what miracle he will pull out the next minute. The opponent across the net looks like a tennis robot by comparison. You see one of those "Federer's magic points" and you immediately start thinking "there's no way anyone on this planet can beat THIS", and you think Federer can just keep doing it.

And then he sends a stinker long and wide, out of the blue, in a neutral rally.

He makes you believe, and then he leaves you in the cold darkness.

 

[VexlanderPrime]

Seriously, the crowd was just horrible. Supporting Fed is fine but cheering loudly when Djokovic misses a first serve or sth like that is just horrible.
Serious mental toughness by DJokovic. Impressive

Yup crowd was a joke tonight.

 

[Down_the_line]

Yup crowd was a joke tonight.

Federer is the people's champion. Always will be.

 

[VexlanderPrime]

Federer is the people's champion. Always will be.

Yup. Doesn't make it less embarrassing that the mob cheers 1st serve faults. It is what it is.

 

[dh003i]

Federer had tons of chances....really try to wait for an error or BP. Djokovic was giving plenty but not when BP down.

This is a quality of Djokovic that is very irritating to me. I really miss the old Chokovic in that regards. It seems like he is incapable of playing two bad service points at that point when at deuce. But I'm sure it's irritating to his fans too, because he's also almost incapable of playing two good points in a row.

Ditto for Federer on the return, but in opposite.

 

[Down_the_line]

Yup. Doesn't make it less embarrassing that the mob cheers 1st serve faults. It is what it is.

Agreed there.

 

[dh003i]

It's the mesmerizing greatness that keeps flashing through the guy. Tons of it. His tactics, his hands, his virtuous mastery. You never know what tricks he has in his sleeve, what miracle he will pull out the next minute. The opponent across the net looks like a tennis robot by comparison. You see one of those "Federer's magic points" and you immediately start thinking "there's no way anyone on this planet can beat THIS", and you think Federer can just keep doing it.

And then he sends a stinker long and wide, out of the blue, in a neutral rally.

He makes you believe, and then he leaves you in the cold darkness.

Well, as much as I can't stand Djokovic in some ways -- although in other ways I think he's worked really hard and is more admirable -- I have to say he is a shotmaker too off the baseline. His shotmaking off the baseline reminded me of Federer's shotmaking off the baseline in his prime.

 

[dh003i]

Because I wasted a full night, have to get up in 3 hours to go to work all of that just to see the stupid grin on Djokovic's face again

Yep, I kinda feel the same way. LOL at "that stupid grin on Djokovic's face". He is a very annoying obnoxious player in many ways. And going up into the crowd to embrace his team? Disrespectful. Just like Nadal at Wimbledon 2008. I think Del Potro also did at the USO 2009, which I also found distasteful. Federer has never done that.

Oh well, at the end of the day he was just got back that extra shot, made some great shots himself, and was a bit better on the bigger points and irritatingly incapable of stringing together two bad service points at deuce (I was seriously rooting for Chokovic of pre-2011 to make a return).

 

[SoBad]

The trolls should be happy he still gets tossed flyover mickey-mouse bones like Cincy.

 

[dh003i]

Seriously, the crowd was just horrible. Supporting Fed is fine but cheering loudly when Djokovic misses a first serve or sth like that is just horrible.
Serious mental toughness by DJokovic. Impressive

Maybe they don't like mentally soft time-wasters and constant ball-bouncers who have a history of quitting from belly-aches. ;-) Ok, a bit harsh as he hasn't quit in years, but he still does at least stretch the time-limit rules.

I don't think it disadvantaged him at all. He looked like he was feeding off of that energy to get himself motivated.

 

[BevelDevil]

We all know Fed has a terrible BP conversion rate, and Djoker has a great BP save rate. Old news. Get over it.

1. Despite the errors and missed opportunities the match was hugely entertaining. Styles make the fight, and Djoker is actually really fun to watch when he's against an aggressive player, especially a creative one like Fed.

2. I'm impressed by Federer's ability to remake himself. He was attacking the net much more and going for backhand winners, as well. The guy basically makes up SABR goofing off in practice, and a few weeks later he's using it effectively in a slam final. Just enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[junior74]

Federer playing so much better at 15 all than BP up is a big big downer. Sad to see.
Djokovic didn´t have to produce much to avoid being broken more often. Except get the serve in.
That said, some of Djokovic´ defending tonight was extreme. He played really well.

 

[Apun94]

Maybe they don't like mentally soft time-wasters and constant ball-bouncers who have a history of quitting from belly-aches. ;-) Ok, a bit harsh as he hasn't quit in years, but he still does at least stretch the time-limit rules.

I don't think it disadvantaged him at all. He looked like he was feeding off of that energy to get himself motivated.

If you think Djokovic feeds off of crowds not supporting him, then you really havent watched tennis long enough.
Not trying to be rude, but Djokovic has a chronic problem of letting crowds affect his game

 

[tennisaddict]

1/11 on second serve BP ?

Fed just needs to go complete attack just like he did from set 2, although not on a consistent basis.

Novak is a consistent player and you cannot beat him on rallies

 

[Apun94]

Just like at 2014 Wimbledon, Roger just gave away opportunity after opportunity.

Three years now without a slam. The Federer/Edberg combo simply isn't working at the majors.

Are you kidding? Edberg is a big reason Fed is able to make such runs in slams these days. His mentality and tactics have totally changed since adding Edberg to his team, and it has paid dividents. Its just that he isnt good enough against The Wall these days. And there is no shame in that

 

[Omega_7000]

Federer has been mentally weaker in slam finals ever since he started working with Edberg.

 

[ruerooo]

I am disappointed by the quality of the final. What I saw in the final is not what I saw during the earlier rounds. Federer had had given me plenty of reasons to believe in his chances - much like after his Wimbledon semi-final.

I think that's the part that puzzled me. He destroyed Andy Murray in that Wimbledon SF; he deconstructed Wawa in the SF here. And then ... I can't even tell what happens when it's like someone else shows up on those important points, and has trouble capitalizing on those break chances.

 

[Emiliano55]

Federer ALWAYS had troubles when facing rivals who he knows he doesn't own psychologically and physical. Yesterday was no exception. The match looked exactly as a Roger-Rafa match from 2006.

IMO, it was really disappointing seeing that Federer still cannot win these kind of matches that are mentally and physically tough.

I mean, Roger is a beast, but he won all 17 major against rival that, back then, he always felt psychologically superior. Nadal was the first player that brought up this mental weakness from Roger.

DJokovic was a monster yesterday, but Federer had 23bps. You don't get 23bps if your rival doesn't let you. Had he won the 3rd set, he was in a inredible position to finally win one of this epic matches and, to me, he still owes winnig a match like this. Too bad it's late now.

 

[Fed881981]

You have to be disappointed, the way that match just went down... this one really hurt.

It hurts more than after Wimbledon 2 month ago. Fed had many chances yesterday... even when Novak was serving for the title twice.

 

[Dharmaboy]

Disappointed Fed didn't win but he had too much of a mountain to climb against Novak who was forcing the points with his incredible gets and returns. I knew Novak would win in 4. Funny how my Serbian friend would say Roger won all those championships because he had no real competition. Irony is that Nole is in that very same position presently but I don't see the Serbian fans realizing that.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

What is the drama?

Federer played a very good tournament and lost to a motivated and capable ATG at the top of his powers.

Relax, people.

 

[LinePainter]

Novak is better than Federer at the moment. Yes, Fed did miss 20 other oppurtunities to break and he can't expect to win with that stat line but most other players would choke under the pressure of facing those break points. Also, we have to remember Novak broke Federer numerous times. Sometimes Roger was just breaking back into the match not taking the lead.

 

[dh003i]

Federer ALWAYS had troubles when facing rivals who he knows he doesn't own psychologically and physical. Yesterday was no exception. The match looked exactly as a Roger-Rafa match from 2006.

IMO, it was really disappointing seeing that Federer still cannot win these kind of matches that are mentally and physically tough.

I mean, Roger is a beast, but he won all 17 major against rival that, back then, he always felt psychologically superior. Nadal was the first player that brought up this mental weakness from Roger.

DJokovic was a monster yesterday, but Federer had 23bps. You don't get 23bps if your rival doesn't let you. Had he won the 3rd set, he was in a inredible position to finally win one of this epic matches and, to me, he still owes winnig a match like this. Too bad it's late now.

Nadal and Djokovic have never had to face younger all-time great rivals with talent and toughness. They've never really been tested like that either. Where is Nadal's mental toughness now? How "mentally tough" will Djokovic be against an opponent 6 years younger than him when he's 34?

 

[Emiliano55]

Nadal and Djokovic have never had to face younger all-time great rivals with talent and toughness. They've never really been tested like that either. Where is Nadal's mental toughness now? How "mentally tough" will Djokovic be against an opponent 6 years younger than him when he's 34?

Djokovic and NAdal always brings his A+ game in this complicated, mental and physical matches. They have played each other a ton of times, they have played against the so called GOAT a ton of times also and beat him a lot of times in GS finals. You can't compare. Federer mental aspect is EXTREMELY weak. Nadal was the first to evidence this, now Djokovic.

Federer was lucky that by the time he won most of his majors, he faced good players but he really felt superior to all of them, this along with the matches no being so physical, gave him confortable victories.

Age is not an excuse here. I have never seen Roger play like this in 6 GS consecutive matches sin AO 2007, he played AWESOME every damn match, and then in the final he plays garbage from the very beginning. Same thing in the last Wimbledon.

You guys have to admit that Roger is an incredible player, one of the best of all the times, and maybe the more fun to watch in history, but the guy has serious mental issues when facing tough mental and psysical matches.

To me, the 10 GS that DJokovic won are more significant than Roger's 17.

What is more important ? Beating the best Nadal in a marathon match in AO, or beating Soderling at RG ? Beating the so called GOAT 3 times in a row (2 at GRASS) or beating Roddick multiple times ?

Oh, yeah, maybe you think beating Baghdatis is more important.

 

[dh003i]

Where has Nadal's A+ game been all year? Where was he this US Open? Getting defeated by a mental giant, I guess. The "mental" aspect of the game is largely over-rated and comes almost entirely at the very top level from underlying physical reality. Beating the guy in front of you is all that matters: Nadal didn't matter at the FO 2009 final because Soderling lost and was the most worthy final opponent, not Nadal. End of discussion.

Where was Djokovic's mental strength in 2012 W SF? Nowhere to be seen because his talents on grass were inferior and Federer was still young enough for age to matter less.

 

[Krish0608]

Federer has been mentally weaker in slam finals ever since he started working with Edberg.

It has nothing to do with Edberg.. It has everything to do with the quality of his opponent(Nole is just AMAZING) and his relatively advanced age. Federer is still making players of a younger era play at their very best to beat him. I'm a proud fan. All these trolls who have crawled out of the woodwork after his loss also know deep down, nobody is getting to 17. Let them enjoy this short lived moment. The number 17 is safe and when all is said and done, all this weak er nonsense will hold no water and that number 17 alone will count. That is enough for me as a Federer fan because he really is arguably the best we have ever seen.

 

[Emiliano55]

Where has Nadal's A+ game been all year? Where was he this US Open? Getting defeated by a mental giant, I guess. The "mental" aspect of the game is largely over-rated and comes almost entirely at the very top level from underlying physical reality. Beating the guy in front of you is all that matters: Nadal didn't matter at the FO 2009 final because Soderling lost and was the most worthy final opponent, not Nadal. End of discussion.

Where was Djokovic's mental strength in 2012 W SF? Nowhere to be seen because his talents on grass were inferior and Federer was still young enough for age to matter less.

Lol, Nadal's been in the circuit for more than 10 years, its 3 Slam close to Federer and you are talking trash about him just because of this year ?? Are you kidding me ? Federer was a ghost in 2013, you are not going to talk about that?

Give me a break.

 

[Nostradamus]

I think All the Federer fans are disappointed just cause we ALL feel that that might have been the LAST chance Federer will have to win another major...... they are all afraid that in 2016, Age will finally come into play and Roger will slow down and level will fall and slip out of top 5........very afraid of this happening

 

[dh003i]

Lol, Nadal's been in the circuit for more than 10 years, its 3 Slam close to Federer and you are talking trash about him just because of this year ?? Are you kidding me ? Federer was a ghost in 2013, you are not going to talk about that?

Give me a break.

And then he reinvigorated his game, because he's capable of doing that. I doubt Nadal is, but it's possible.

The point is, mental strength is mostly knowing that you are playing great and that your game works well against your opponent. That's it. It is more of a consequence of other things.