29 Jun 08
Originally posted by highflier934No way. Even if Federer loses here he has a great chance to win the U.S. Open this year, and pick up an additional slam title over the next couple years. Remember that Nadal has a hell of a time on hardcourts; they tear up his knees. It wouldn't surprise me if Federer loses Wimbledon this year and then wins the next two slams.
If Federer loses to Rafa at Wimbledon this year, it's gonna crush him. He HAS to win or this may very well be where the fed express stops, just two short of tying Sampras.
29 Jun 08
Originally posted by bbarrThe only problem with that is that Djokervich is nearly as good as he is (if not as good) on hard courts.
No way. Even if Federer loses here he has a great chance to win the U.S. Open this year, and pick up an additional slam title over the next couple years. Remember that Nadal has a hell of a time on hardcourts; they tear up his knees. It wouldn't surprise me if Federer loses Wimbledon this year and then wins the next two slams.
29 Jun 08
Originally posted by zebanoThat may depend on the type of hardcourt. The Decoturf at the U.S. Open plays faster and the balls bounce lower than they do on the Plexicushion at the Australian Open. Although both players prefer faster surfaces, I think the faster surfaces actually favor Federer and the slower surfaces favor Djokovic in head-to-heads.
The only problem with that is that Djokervich is nearly as good as he is (if not as good) on hard courts.
29 Jun 08
Originally posted by bbarrI'm sure I could be talking out of my duff and Federer will shake off the funk he's been in this year, but there's still a good bit of upcoming young talent for him to compete with. Rafa doing great and Djokovich might have had an early exit this year, but he's shown that he can definitely compete with the best.
No way. Even if Federer loses here he has a great chance to win the U.S. Open this year, and pick up an additional slam title over the next couple years. Remember that Nadal has a hell of a time on hardcourts; they tear up his knees. It wouldn't surprise me if Federer loses Wimbledon this year and then wins the next two slams.
29 Jun 08
Originally posted by highflier934Well I certainly think that Federer's days are numbered, and that he has at most three more years to capture a French (unlikely, barring a Nadal injury) or break Sampras' record (highly likely, in my opinion). I think that Federer is a victim of his own brilliance, in that he does not think he would stand to benefit from rigorous coaching.
I'm sure I could be talking out of my duff and Federer will shake off the funk he's been in this year, but there's still a good bit of upcoming young talent for him to compete with. Rafa doing great and Djokovich might have had an early exit this year, but he's shown that he can definitely compete with the best.
30 Jun 08
Originally posted by highflier934Geez, that is a pretty tough call! Federer has been unbelieveable over the last few years and the very moment has has a "lean" trot (by his amazingly high standards) you think he's gone. He's still only 26 and a good few years in front of him.
If Federer loses to Rafa at Wimbledon this year, it's gonna crush him. He HAS to win or this may very well be where the fed express stops, just two short of tying Sampras.
All players have a lull in their career (including Sampras) and this might just be Rogers now. Having said that, he did make the Semi's of the Australian Open and the final of the French Open - so not exactly a bad performance (especially from someone who's having a relatively "lean" trot by his own standards.)
BTW, Sampras towards the end appeared to be "gone" but he came back and won the US Open. So let's not give up on Federer just yet ok?
30 Jun 08
I don't doubt that Federer will tie Sampras for career grand slams, and I'm not trying to jump on the bandwagon with everyone else who either thinks or hopes that his run of excellence is over... All I'm trying to say is that if he doesn't win Wimbledon this year, I think we're gonna see a different Fed in 2009... One that probably isn't so sure of himself.. Not to say he's cocky, but he does carry himself like the champ for now, and rightly so.
30 Jun 08
Originally posted by bbarrWell, his days are numbered only because all careers must come to an end one day - this is like saying Rafa's days are numbered on clay - coz it WILL end one day.
Well I certainly think that Federer's days are numbered, and that he has at most three more years to capture a French (unlikely, barring a Nadal injury) or break Sampras' record (highly likely, in my opinion). I think that Federer is a victim of his own brilliance, in that he does not think he would stand to benefit from rigorous coaching.
You are right in that he's a victim of his own brilliance - where the very moment he loses a few matches, he's suddenly finished. Let's not forget the amazing career he's had so far and I am certain he's got a fair bit left in him.
Very few players can consistently challenge him. I can only name 2: Nadal (primarily on clay but probably not on other surfaces) and Djokovic (who probably has a more all-round game than Nadal and can play on all surfaces to challenge Fed more often). Of course you're going to get a few players who will occasionally spring a surprise and beat Federer (eg. Nalbandian, Safin, Canas) but none of them can produce it regularly.
So, for mine, Federer is still clearly the Number 1 and I'd expect him to stay there for a while yet.
30 Jun 08
Originally posted by AussieGI agree, Aussie. I remember when Andre Agassi reached #1 in the rankings in 1995 (he held that spot for 30 weeks), then he eventually slipped to as low as 141-st in the rankings in 1997. His career wasn't over, though, and he came back as strong as ever, reaching #1 again at the end of 1999. So Federer could probably slip a bit, have an off-year, and still regain his competitive edge to catch/pass Sampras.
...BTW, Sampras towards the end appeared to be "gone" but he came back and won the US Open. So let's not give up on Federer just yet ok?
