Worried about Federer

[Mick3391]

Anybody noticed that there's something different about Federer this year? I'm a huge RF fan, I personally think he's the GOAT, but my gut feeling tells me that 2013 might be the last if things keep going like this for him. He hasn't served well at all since the beginning of the year and he seems to have lost a bit of pace on his groundstrokes. I thought he looked a bit helpless against Murray. Mediocre against Benneteau. I knew Berdych would trouble him today, but I still expected a better performance.

Obviously Federer is 31, going on 32 in August. I'm glad that he's still here, but if he doesn't bounce back from this, how can he honestly expect to be a threat at the Slams?

Me too, just a gut feeling, but a proud guy like Fed hates to lose, hates so much he cries often.

Who knows, his new strategy of resting much may turn things around, but hasn't so far.

I get the feeling we may hear an announcement soon. Then again he still makes millions playing, would you retire if you were ranked number 2 in the world and still won against the top players? And like boxers, they hate to retire, the miss the glory, the crowds, and always make dates their bodies can't keep.

 

[MonkeyBoy]

Ferrer has earned more points than Federer thus far this year. I think even a top four YE ranking maybe a get if current trends continue.

 

[spinovic]

Unless Federer's slam performances decline, he won't fall out of the top 4. Nadal basically has only one slam on his point total and Ferrer has barely knocked him off the top 4. Let's not get crazy because Federer lost a couple of matches in some 500 level tournaments in February...considering he pushed Murray to 5 sets in the Aussie SF's.

The decline of Roger Federer...in effect since 2008 and counting.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

C'mon Sid, not that Fed fans (me included, guilty as charged) don't bring Fed's age/mileage too often and bring up all sorts of absolutist conclusions from it (disregarding how many variables go into every match, especially between two top players) but the bolded is just not true and we both know it.

A good number of former pro regulars ( "historians" ), Nadal and Sampras fans consider Fed to be playing as good as ever or marginally worse at most (which still makes him in his prime), of course some of those same Nadal fans consider Nadal's prime to have lasted 4 months in 2008 + 2010 USO (everything besides that Nadal was a baby, injured or too old/in decline) and some of those same Sampras fans have no issue completely excusing his losses to Safin, Hewitt, Roddick, Fed (their Wimbledon encounter) to such a degree that they still consider them to be clowns regardless of their winning H2H against Pete.

Let's not forget that what age excuse is for Fed (especially these days), injury excuse is for Nadal, the guy is always injured and as a consequence his victories are that much more impressive (winning against all odds, what a warrior, only Rafa could have achieved that through such pain etc.) and his losses don't really count.

Not to mention acting like the tourney should be abolished and all players should join in prayers for martyr Rafa or something that when Nadal gets injured, the eventual doesn't get any credit regardless (especially Fed, the only "reason" he won the tourney is because Rafa was injured) and players who are less injury prone like Fed and Novak aren't given any credit for that, they're just plain lucky (in the same vein I could say Nadal's lucky to be born with such athleticism and FH, a lot of pros would kill for those).

My point is that outside Fed fans not that many people here acknowledge that Fed is past his prime, it's just that Fed fans are by far the most numerous fan group here (disregarding the polls but you can just see how many people gang up on a poster when he criticizes Fed in some way) which as a consequence makes it seem that way.

You are right. I didn't want to push any buttons, but my post was pretty stupid and short sighted. Many Nadal and Djokovic fans are pathetic with their self-serving labeling of certain years as part of the "weak era" and using terms like "pre-prime baby" to excuse their favorites from past losses. Also, it was wrong of me to accuse only fed fans of discrediting other player.Especially when you think of all the bile that Nadal and Sampras fanboys have spewed about players from the so-called "weak era". So, that post was my bad.

I just logged in and saw the usual knee-jerk reactions after a Federer loss and made that post on impulse.

 

[zagor]

You are right. I didn't want to push any buttons, but my post was pretty stupid and short sighted. Many Nadal and Djokovic fans are pathetic with their self-serving labeling of certain years as part of the "weak era" and using terms like "pre-prime baby" to excuse their favorites from past losses. Also, it was wrong of me to accuse only fed fans of discrediting other player.Especially when you think of all the bile that Nadal and Sampras fanboys have spewed about players from the so-called "weak era". So, that post was my bad.

I just logged in and saw the usual knee-jerk reactions after a Federer loss and made that post on impulse.

Wouldn't say that, you were spot on for the most part, I just disagreed with the part I mainly responded to (that we all know Fed's past his prime).

Really, all fanbases here behave similarly, Fed fans are just much more numerous which makes it hard for others sometimes.

 

[fps]

He's playing a semi-retirement schedule. But a lot of the top guys are playing less at the start of this year, so we'll see. I don't see him winning another slam. But he'll have his moments this year I'm sure he'll be in the conversation at the business end of slams as ever.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

hates so much he cries often.

Really?
10 chx

 

[TheMusicLover]

Interesting stuff.
I can't help but notice the overreaction occuring any time Fed wins AND loses nowadays - whenever he loses, he's en route to fast retirement, whenever he wins, he's playing just as good as in his prime - both of which are silly exxagerations of his current shape and form and I just cannot decide which of both is the silliest.

Throughout the entirity of his carreer, Fed has won matches which he could well have lost just the same, and has lost matches which he perhaps should've won - just like everyone else, bar the fact that the first outnumber the latter greatly. With his age and mileage, this is bound to naturally change over the course of time, mostly due to a serious loss in consistancy of level of play during the course of a tournament.
Has everyone already forgotten that GS #17 would never have been if not for Benneteau running out of steam halfway the third set at that 2nd round match at Wimbledon last year, just to name an example?

I cannot see him hang up the racket until the times arrive when he will regularly lose in the early rounds of tournaments. As long as he still manages to make the 2nd week of GS's, he'll hang on in there, as he's no Borg or Henin.
Imho, that is, of course.

On the other hand I cannot deny having witnessed a bit of a change of attitude whenever he loses nowadays - he's waving at the crowd, and actually even shows up to sign autographs and have pictures taken after a bad loss, like he did in Rotterdam after his loss to Benneteau recently. It might be a slight indication of him taking losses a bit more easier nowadays, indicating that he's fully aware of the fact that every good win (let alone tournament victories) in the coming season(s) is just an additional cherry on an already huge cake.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

Interesting stuff.
I can't help but notice the overreaction occuring any time Fed wins AND loses nowadays - whenever he loses, he's en route to fast retirement, whenever he wins, he's playing just as good as in his prime - both of which are silly exxagerations of his current shape and form and I just cannot decide which of both is the silliest.

Throughout the entirity of his carreer, Fed has won matches which he could well have lost just the same, and has lost matches which he perhaps should've won - just like everyone else, bar the fact that the first outnumber the latter greatly. With his age and mileage, this is bound to naturally change over the course of time, mostly due to a serious loss in consistancy of level of play during the course of a tournament.
Has everyone already forgotten that GS #17 would never have been if not for Benneteau running out of steam halfway the third set at that 2nd round match at Wimbledon last year, just to name an example?

I cannot see him hang up the racket until the times arrive when he will regularly lose in the early rounds of tournaments. As long as he still manages to make the 2nd week of GS's, he'll hang on in there, as he's no Borg or Henin.
Imho, that is, of course.

On the other hand I cannot deny having witnessed a bit of a change of attitude whenever he loses nowadays - he's waving at the crowd, and actually even shows up to sign autographs and have pictures taken after a bad loss, like he did in Rotterdam after his loss to Benneteau recently. It might be a slight indication of him taking losses a bit more easier nowadays, indicating that he's fully aware of the fact that every good win (let alone tournament victories) in the coming season(s) is just an additional cherry on an already huge cake.

I think that is just the smaller tournaments. Federer has been lax on those losses for a while.

I actually saw an intensely competitive atitude from him at the AO this year. He was so fired up during that Murray match. He was swearing loudly after points and pumping himself throughout. People made excuses for his heated words to Murray during the match... apparently Federer was pissed that Murray stopped playing in hopes of a call and then rejoined the point and won it. That is complete nonsense. Federer was just really angry that he had played such a great point and Murray's defense still got the better of him. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I was happy to see that Federer can still compete that hard.

I remember Federer behaving similarly in matches against Nadal at Miami '05 and Wimbledon '07. So, I'm hopeful Federer can have more success going forward.

 

[Steve0904]

I think Fed will be fine. Of course there will come a time when he's really finished, and I am a little disappointed that he has so much trouble with Berdych these days, but a loss in the semis of a 500 to a guy like Berdych where he had MP's is hardly cause for extreme concern.

Fans have been overreacting about Federer since 2008, and some just don't get it. Federer has continually bounced back from tough stretches and losses in his career, and it looks like he will do so again. Until he has trouble at the slams (i.e loses to people he really shouldn't be losing to) then I will continue to believe that he's ok as far as his playing goes. Besides, at this point in his career, I'm not sure anything but slams really matters to him although he still seems to give whatever he's got on the day in smaller tournaments. That also does not mean that the wins people get over him in smaller events don't count because they obviously do.

 

[Steve0904]

I think that is just the smaller tournaments. Federer has been lax on those losses for a while.

I actually saw an intensely competitive atitude from him at the AO this year. He was so fired up during that Murray match. He was swearing loudly after points and pumping himself throughout. People made excuses for his heated words to Murray during the match... apparently Federer was pissed that Murray stopped playing in hopes of a call and then rejoined the point and won it. That is complete nonsense. Federer was just really angry that he had played such a great point and Murray's defense still got the better of him. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I was happy to see that Federer can still compete that hard.

I remember Federer behaving similarly in matches against Nadal at Miami '05 and Wimbledon '07. So, I'm hopeful Federer can have more success going forward.

He actually was quite fond of talking to himself a bit in a few of his matches (particularly losses or close matches) in 2005. He was very animated in the AO SF against Safin, and the RG SF against Nadal, along with the Miami match. I don't think Federer quite "let go" of his former self for lack of a better term that early into his prime. And as you said he has never fully lost his former headcase self. He's just gotten better at controlling it over the years, but occasionally it comes out like it did against Murray.

 

[mariecon]

Berdych has beat fed from day one starting with the Olympics so start your prime rubbish, berdych owns FED.

Yeah Berdych owns Fed with an 11-6 H2H in Fed's favor. Dream on.

 

[NEW_BORN]

One thing i've noticed is that when Fed wins a point or a set or the match, there is almost no reaction whatsoever from his camp these days - Luthi and Mirka in particular are just emotionless.

To me this is a worrying sign because Fed is probably not getting the inspiration he should be getting from his support group. It's as if they don't care anymore. This can rub off on Fed's mental state in a very negative way.

 

[rafan]

No fan of Federer myself but I think his game is amazing. The guy is playing singles for heaven sake and that is not like doubles whereby you have a backup. His movement and style is still there. He is doing very well to get to the semi-finals. I mean where are the younger ones who should be challenging him? They don't seem to have his determination or guts. I dread the thought of any of the top four going because who is there to replace them.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

No fan of Federer myself but I think his game is amazing. The guy is playing singles for heaven sake and that is not like doubles whereby you have a backup. His movement and style is still there. He is doing very well to get to the semi-finals. I mean where are the younger ones who should be challenging him? They don't seem to have his determination or guts. I dread the thought of any of the top four going because who is there to replace them.

Balanced post, thank you!

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

Berdych has beat fed from day one starting with the Olympics so start your prime rubbish, berdych owns FED.

Ask the casual sports fan if they've heard of Fed and of course they'll say "yes" because of his long winning history. Now be truthful: ask those same people about Berdych and you KNOW they'd probably reply: "Burdish?...Birdshit?...who???"

Berdych does not own Federer, djokokomo.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Interesting stuff.
I can't help but notice the overreaction occuring any time Fed wins AND loses nowadays - whenever he loses, he's en route to fast retirement, whenever he wins, he's playing just as good as in his prime - both of which are silly exxagerations of his current shape and form and I just cannot decide which of both is the silliest.

Throughout the entirity of his carreer, Fed has won matches which he could well have lost just the same, and has lost matches which he perhaps should've won - just like everyone else, bar the fact that the first outnumber the latter greatly. With his age and mileage, this is bound to naturally change over the course of time

Very true.

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

There is an eye thing as well... when you are 30-36 your eyes do funny things and one of the floating lenses in the cornea start becoming more fixed. It matters and though I always root against fed I appreciate what he is doing at this age. Berdman matches up well against Fed and he knows he needs to make a move this year.

 

[ultradr]

Don't worry until Federer loses prior to quarter-finals of slams at least 2
consecutive times and drop out of top 4.

 

[spinovic]

That's what I look for...slam results, plain and simple. He looked unfocused in February and lost. But, it is amazing how quickly we forget that he went 5 sets with Murray in the Aussie SF's.

When he starts losing to the Tomic's in the R32 and the Raonic's in the R16 in slams, then I think the end is nearing. It may happen this year, who knows?

However, even then, let's not forget Pete Sampras. These all-time greats can still have one great performance and run in them even when the results start to fade. Assuming he's healthy, I would never count Federer out at Wimbledon. You never know when he could get hot, catch a timely break or two and notch another slam.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Don't worry until Federer loses prior to quarter-finals of slams at least 2
consecutive times and drop out of top 4.

Something like that yes. And he might even enjoy playing being a bit below top 4.

 

[ultradr]

That's what I look for...slam results, plain and simple. He looked unfocused in February and lost. But, it is amazing how quickly we forget that he went 5 sets with Murray in the Aussie SF's.

AFAIK, he did not play any warm up and straight into this year's Aussie.
That's pretty good for slam as a warm up.

 

[ultradr]

Berdych/Tsonga/Del Potro seem to be increasingly a threat to Federer
prior to or at quarter-finals.

But these players never beaten Federer on clay.

Besides Nadal, only clear risk on clay for Federer is Djokovic, IMHO.

 

[rufus_smith]

it is going to be tough for any 31 yo to win a Grand Slam event on those slow GS courts these days versus all those grinders. Consecutive five-set matches are just too hard on the 31 yo body. I wish him luck.

 

[accidental]

I'm a little worried about him too

 

[merwy]

Well at least it's not as bad as in 2013. Still not great though. Chances of another slam are looker slimmer and slimmer. I'm very curious about how Wimbledon will go.

 

[ScentOfDefeat]

Worried about the most successful player in tennis who's beaten all the main records in the sport and is still number 2 in his thirties. There's just no limit to some Federer fans' greed. :roll:

 

[Rhino]

Funny, I just saw that this thread began in 2013. I seem to remember threads like this showing up from about 2008 onwards!

Federer is still capable of great things. There's still life in the old man yet.

 

[RFGOAT1992]

Worried about the most successful player in tennis who's beaten all the main records in the sport and is still number 2 in his thirties. There's just no limit to some Federer fans' greed. :roll:

a champion has to be greedy:twisted: so will his fans lol