Will Federer skip the clay again?

[Raul_SJ]

My understanding was that he skipped the Clay 2017 because he was coming off injury and wanted to rest.

Now that he is reportedly relatively healthy, I'd prefer to see him at least play the French.

He has won the French once and still has a slim outside chance, especially if Rafa gets knocked out. He says he feels fine. If that's true, there is no reason to skip it. He is capable of going deep in the French.

Skipping it just comes across like he's dodging Rafa and is afraid to be embarrassed.

 

[Wittgenstein]

Honestly. How does such a large proportion of this board fail to see that if he doesn't play the French it's not because he thinks it's a waste of time because he doesn't stand a chance, it's because it could jeopardise his winning a 9th Wimbly, indisputably the most legendary and prestigious of the slams.

P.S: by the way I agree he should play the French. Especially if he wins on Sunday because his GS lead will then be unassailable.

 

[Zebrev]

He has already made it clear several times that 2017 was an exception to the rule. He still intended to play RG until the last minute. He'll play an abbreviated clay season in 2018.

 

[MarcusInKensington]

l’empereur will grace Paris, and waltz away with La Coupe des Mousquetaires. It will be a beautiful moment.

All hail King Roger!

 

[rh310]

If he wins the AO, I hope he plays a few clay tournaments -- including RG. I'd dearly love if he could win RG twice. Go out with a cherry on top.

 

[tenisdecente]

Honestly, even without Nadal, he has a 10% chance to win RG. With Nadal, that chance goes to -50%

 

[BeatlesFan]

Thread #500 on this subject in the past month.

Literally.

 

[Silence]

Thread #500 on this subject in the past month.

Literally.

And what’s the consensus among the experts? That he needs Rome and MC to be considered GOAT? And another RG?

 

[JoshuaPim]

With Nadal, that chance goes to -50%

With the recent transformation in that match up, I think Federer could beat Nadal on clay. But maybe not in the Final after a 2 week endurance battle.

 

[Raul_SJ]

Honestly. How does such a large proportion of this board fail to see that if he doesn't play the French it's not because he thinks it's a waste of time because he doesn't stand a chance, it's because it could jeopardise his winning a 9th Wimbly, indisputably the most legendary and prestigious of the slams.

P.S: by the way I agree he should play the French. Especially if he wins on Sunday because his GS lead will then be unassailable.

Wimbledon is the most prestigious. But they are both very prestigious.

At this point in his career Roger would take a French Open head to head victory over Nadal vs collecting another Wimbledon win. Absolutely no doubt about that.

 

[FHtennisman]

Hopefully he does skip it, ultimately although the clay masters are good titles to have, clay really is all about RG. There, Roger hasn't played well since 2011 - he got straigt-setted by Novak in '12 and ever since then he's either lost at the QFs or before and hasn't been physically fit enough to play a couple of clay tournaments including RG. Obviously, when I talk about his fitness, it's about clay not being a conducive surface to his current brand of tennis as well as his knee being 'wonky' on the red dirt.

He's done playing on the surface and thank goodness for it, we finally got #8 at the AELTC last year.

 

[stringertom]

I don't know that the surface blends with his more aggressive tactics of shortening points but his keen droppers certainly would be weapons of clay destruction.

 

[underground]

It depends on how his body reacts to the clay. I don’t think preparing for Wimbledon will be too much of a factor of the decision, since he has won it last year and kind of finished the job that has gone on for years - getting the outright GOAT status at SW19

 

[3fees]

I don't know that the surface blends with his more aggressive tactics of shortening points but his keen droppers certainly would be weapons of clay destruction.

True yet he is not defending any points and has 2000 of them on the Grass at Wimbledon, injury on clay could cost.

3Fees

 

[Latetothegame]

fed Will skip the Clay sesaon and RG, he is just is not saying right now because..well he he is Fed and everyone wants him to play, he has become a master of managing his own body, and I tip my hat to him
He won't play clay.

 

[I Am Finnish]

I think not

1 Clay master (Madrid or rome) & Rg

 

[Sarzy]

Hopefully he'll skip RG. He's not stupid and knows what is right for him now. Best to focus on Wimbledon.

 

[YellowFedBetter]

I’m still waiting for UY to finally officially announce that he’s skipping the French so I can start referring to him as Roger Mayweather Jr.

Anyways years down the road when it comes out that UY was a blood doper (as well as Nadal) and a hotel carouser the FYA will have to find out the hard way like I had to years ago with Tiger. I actually feel kinda sorry for them.

So much that’s been discussed in our mass private convo.. it’s been so fun without having to deal with the FYA!

 

[Silence]

I’m still waiting for UY to finally officially announce that he’s skipping the French so I can start referring to him as Roger Mayweather Jr.

Anyways years down the road when it comes out that UY was a blood doper (as well as Nadal) and a hotel carouser the FYA will have to find out the hard way like I had to years ago with Tiger. I actually feel kinda sorry for them.

So much that’s been discussed in our mass private convo.. it’s been so fun without having to deal with the FYA!

...?

 

[chjtennis]

He looks slower than last year, notable sign of aging, which makes me think that he will skip RG. Clay requires longer rallies and the matches get more physical. It's just not the surface for a 36 yo. I personally would like to see how Federer matches up v Nadal with his new game on clay, but I wouldn't want to shorten his career just to satisfy my curiosity.

 

[Smasher08]

He has already made it clear several times that 2017 was an exception to the rule. He still intended to play RG until the last minute. He'll play an abbreviated clay season in 2018.

Agreed. Play Madrid and RG, so that even if he just makes the quarters of both, he gets a decent amount of points and a couple of weeks rest before a nice stroll at Halle.

 

[D.Nalby12]

He will. Wise enough not to change winning formula.

 

[Omega_7000]

Isn't it obvious. Clay is not suitable to his style of play anymore. He needs to skip it.

It's not worth messing up his game and risking injury for a 10% chance at winning RG.

 

[Al Czervik]

I'd play Rome and RG just to keep sharp and get a few points. But, I totally understand the risk for it screwing up his grass court season.

 

[Otacon]

RF : My foundation is something that's super important to me. I'm going to have a trip in April of this year, going down to Africa, to Zambia most likely.

 

[Vanilla Slice]

I think if Nadal is playing quite poorly and Fed looks at the draw and realizes half the players are mentally weak and the others talentless baseline hacks, he might throw his hat in the ring.

If Nadal is healthy he will not play.

 

[edberg volleys]

I'd play Rome and RG just to keep sharp and get a few points. But, I totally understand the risk for it screwing up his grass court season.

Agree 100%

 

[Tennis_Hands]

My understanding was that he skipped the Clay 2017 because he was coming off injury and wanted to rest.

Now that he is reportedly relatively healthy, I'd prefer to see him at least play the French.

He has won the French once and still has a slim outside chance, especially if Rafa gets knocked out. He says he feels fine. If that's true, there is no reason to skip it. He is capable of going deep in the French.

Skipping it just comes across like he's dodging Rafa and is afraid to be embarrassed.

Nadal has never been the reason for Federer's major decisions.

Even the racquet change came when Federer stopped being competitive against the field, not against Nadal.

Go figure.

 

[Defcon]

Rafa has skipped HC half his career, why is he never called out for it. h2h is meaningless anyway.

 

[Prabhanjan]

Strategically, he should skip clay so long as he has meaningfull chance of winning Wimby. He should return to FO only on the farewell tour!

 

[coloskier]

And what’s the consensus among the experts? That he needs Rome and MC to be considered GOAT? And another RG?

Amongst the experts he already is the GOAT.

 

[dgold44]

If he wins the AO, I hope he plays a few clay tournaments -- including RG. I'd dearly love if he could win RG twice. Go out with a cherry on top.

He has zero shot at French as its a young gun event !!!
Best to skip clay !!!

 

[dgold44]

My understanding was that he skipped the Clay 2017 because he was coming off injury and wanted to rest.

Now that he is reportedly relatively healthy, I'd prefer to see him at least play the French.

He has won the French once and still has a slim outside chance, especially if Rafa gets knocked out. He says he feels fine. If that's true, there is no reason to skip it. He is capable of going deep in the French.

Skipping it just comes across like he's dodging Rafa and is afraid to be embarrassed.

I would tell him to skip clay !!!
Focus on grass

 

[chjtennis]

If he really wants to play RG one last time, he may go into FO without any lead up tournaments. Then, if he loses early, he can just go with usual Stuttgart-Halle-Wimby schedule, while if he goes deep at RG, he can simply cancel Stuttgart. Anyway, I don't think the chance he will participate in FO is that high.

 

[Mike Sams]

Clay is off his radar. It's all about a 9th Wimbledon. That's his motivation.

 

[MatsPhilander]

Unless Rafa pulls out due to injury then no. The problem is it is too close to Wimbledon.

 

[Bukmeikara]

Breaking news

Federer to enter the South American clay swing

 

[I Am Finnish]

Breaking news

Federer to enter the South American clay swing

Rio de Janeiro sao Paulo & Buenos Aires?

 

[Bukmeikara]

Rio de Janeiro sao Paulo & Buenos Aires?

Just the first one in Chile

 

[Terry Tibbs]

The problem is that RG and Wimbledon are too close together. I think they should bring RG forward a week or two and Wimbledon back a week or two. Silly to have 2 grand slam events only a few weeks apart from each other.

 

[MasturB]

Tournament director at Rome seems to think he'll play Rome.

If that's the case he'll probably play RG.

 

[acintya]

i really dont care

 

[VolleyHelena]

Tournament director at Rome seems to think he'll play Rome.

If that's the case he'll probably play RG.

Source?

 

[Boom-Boom]

Breaking news

Federer to enter the South American clay swing

and Gstaad / Hamburg after Wimbledon as well

 

[Red Rick]

Thread #500 on this subject in the past month.

Literally.

That's about every thread.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

My understanding was that he skipped the Clay 2017 because he was coming off injury and wanted to rest.

Now that he is reportedly relatively healthy, I'd prefer to see him at least play the French.

He has won the French once and still has a slim outside chance, especially if Rafa gets knocked out. He says he feels fine. If that's true, there is no reason to skip it. He is capable of going deep in the French.

Skipping it just comes across like he's dodging Rafa and is afraid to be embarrassed.

Sure he's dodging Nadal, and knows he can only win the FO when Nadal is not the other finalist, so that--and his age--are reasons to skip clay (specifically the FO) and concentrate on Wimbledon.

 

[albertobra]

Roger could very well win AO, take a break, skip IW and Miami and go direct to clay season.

I mean, let's face it. What is the plus for Roger play (and probably win) again Miami and IW? How boring! For the fans it would be much nicer to get into southern Europe this year!

 

[fps]

Tournament director at Rome seems to think he'll play Rome.

If that's the case he'll probably play RG.

Man's got ticket to sell.

 

[Chanwan]

Please no clay.
OP, he also said that clay hurt his knee and his coaches adviced against it.

 

[MeatTornado]

In his mind I think he actually believed that last year would be a one time thing. It was his best chance to finally grab the Wimby record and he didn't want to take any chances.

But after seeing how well that worked, idk why he wouldn't do it again.