Roger Federer

InfiniteBoredom said:
Nadal played mostly during the night sessions.

Prior to his match with Gael Monfils, Djokovic didn't ask to be scheduled at night.

The roof was closed tonight because 1) heat rule is in effect and 2) it was bloody 35C outside when the match started, you have 15k people inside the stadium as well.

And yes, organisers would put Fed on night time slots mostly because he's Tennis's golden goose. They want the biggest audience/advertising revenue.
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I heard Pat Cash say something like this on BBC Radio:
“It’s an outdoor tournament, it’s like Wimbledon. Why is the roof closed?"

“The way Roger plays, he swings so hard at the ball and takes it so early, any wind or variation of the ball moving will take it away from him. It’s why he’s one of the best players ever indoors."
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There were others who were clearly unhappy about the decision:
Rusedski: "Yes it’s hot but the court is under shade and an evening match.”
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Djokovic:
"It’s more business than a sport. At times I don’t like that. Of course we’re all blessed to have great financial compensation, great lives. I’m very grateful for that. At the same time, what is most important for us is our health and what happens after our careers, after you’re 30, 35. There are many players [who] can’t physically walk, run, jog, whatever. They’re struggling some way or another, health-wise or physiologically...."
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It's save to say that Djoko isn't happy about the conditions. You're right that he didn't say he wanted his match rescheduled but i also think that he wouldn't have declined to play on Federer's schedule.

Anyway, things are the way they are, but i'm not sure that Federer would have made it at 40 degrees against Cilic or other strong opponents. Of course he's the best player of all time.
 
InfiniteBoredom said:
It's 32C right now at 1 am. You can feel annoyed all you want but 15k people in a 35C, 93% humidity arena = over 40, possibly 50C on the court. It would be a shitfest of a final.

The condition the day Djokovic played was worse, yes, but he didn't request a night slot, so all the moanings of his fans about ' preferential treatment' = lul what? Had he requested it at the very least they would put him in twilight session starting at 5 pm or so.
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I'm far from annoyed. I think it's a bit unfair on Cilic, but not a crazy decision by any means.

More on the day Djokovic played, it seemed like playing under the roof made sense as from what I gathered playing outdoors that day was an ordeal for everyone. It's more that the organisers have to be more consistent or find a better way of deciding whether to play under the roof or not. Whether it was Djokovic or not doesn't matter as another pair would have played that slot outdoors instead.
 
Mourinhonista said:
Anyway, things are the way they are, but i'm not sure that Federer would have made it at 40 degrees against Cilic or other strong opponents. Of course he's the best player of all time.
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Federer trains in Dubai at 40 degrees regularly mate. He spent also less time on court than Cilic during the tournament. If someone would’ve been struggling most likely it would’ve been the Croatian.
 
I didn't see anything to suggest Federer would be the more likely to struggle outdoors. Both players like to hit through the ball. Last hear Federer had a tough run in the AO playing many 5 setters. It's his movement that gives him endurance.
 
Mourinhonista said:
I heard Pat Cash say something like this on BBC Radio:


There were others who were clearly unhappy about the decision:


Djokovic:
It's save to say that Djoko isn't happy about the conditions. You're right that he didn't say he wanted his match rescheduled but i also think that he wouldn't have declined to play on Federer's schedule.

Anyway, things are the way they are, but i'm not sure that Federer would have made it at 40 degrees against Cilic or other strong opponents. Of course he's the best player of all time.
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I was there during the match. Rudseski and Cash can take their opinion up their arse. 5 hours in a 40C stadium with children and the disabled in the crowd would be a disaster. They are very welcome to play in that condition. It was forecasted a week ago that today (well, yesterday now to be exact) would have a high of 38C and actually at high noon it was 42C. The organisers would not want players and audience steaming in a giant cauldron in the biggest match of the whole tournament.

As for your last conjecture, the ball boys were constantly mopping up the sweat on Cilic's side of the court, even airconditioned. I wouldnt bet on him physically outlasting Federer.

saivet said:
I'm far from annoyed. I think it's a bit unfair on Cilic, but not a crazy decision by any means.

More on the day Djokovic played, it seemed like playing under the roof made sense as from what I gathered playing outdoors that day was an ordeal for everyone. It's more that the organisers have to be more consistent or find a better way of deciding whether to play under the roof or not. Whether it was Djokovic or not doesn't matter as another pair would have played that slot outdoors instead.
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You will brooch no argument from me that players and spectators should not be made to participate in that sort of condition, and a conversation should be held about it. However, most of the moaning are from anti-Feds, mostly Djokovic's fans, with the usual conspiracy theorist whiff about it, as if organisers were purposefully trying to sabotage their 6 times champion in favour of Federer.
 
InfiniteBoredom said:
You will brooch no argument from me that players and spectators should not be made to participate in that sort of condition, and a conversation should be held about it. However, most of the moaning are from anti-Feds, mostly Djokovic's fans, with the usual conspiracy theorist whiff about it, as if organisers were purposefully trying to sabotage their 6 times champion in favour of Federer.
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You're clearly missing my point. Today's match being played under the roof is fair enough, I'm just saying the day that Djokovic - Monfils played also should have been held in the same regard.
 
Mourinhonista said:
I heard Pat Cash say something like this on BBC Radio:


There were others who were clearly unhappy about the decision:


Djokovic:
It's save to say that Djoko isn't happy about the conditions. You're right that he didn't say he wanted his match rescheduled but i also think that he wouldn't have declined to play on Federer's schedule.

Anyway, things are the way they are, but i'm not sure that Federer would have made it at 40 degrees against Cilic or other strong opponents. Of course he's the best player of all time.
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Federer is supremely fit and would have coped just fine. After 20 slams and consistently beating opponents in all sorts of conditions I'm not sure why you'd even put that in to question.
 
Can’t knock his greatness.

However prime Nadal and prime Djokovic still beats prime Federer.
 
saivet said:
You're clearly missing my point. Today's match being played under the roof is fair enough, I'm just saying the day that Djokovic - Monfils played also should have been held in the same regard.
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What did I miss? I clearly said that a conversation should be held and players shouldn't be made to play in the condition Djokovic/Monfils played in.
 
InfiniteBoredom said:
What did I miss? I clearly said that a conversation should be held and players shouldn't be made to play in the condition Djokovic/Monfils played in.
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Talk of conspiracy theories. Don't think I've seen any on here anyway
 
On a different note, I hope I get tickets in the ballot for Wimbledon this year. The only player from the big four that I've not seen live.
 
saivet said:
Talk of conspiracy theories. Don't think I've seen any on here anyway
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Read any comment section on AO videos, facebook of AO/Wimbledon following that match. It was a general observation about the whole controversy.


Don't think we even have any Djokovic fan posting here tbh, not after @Muller_Utd and his rants.
 
Disgraceful stuff informing Cilic that they will close the roof few minutes before the players were supposed to go out on the court.
 
gaucho_10 said:
Disgraceful stuff informing Cilic that they will close the roof few minutes before the players were supposed to go out on the court.
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The conditions are the same for both players.

Perhaps the organizers didn’t want to send another player to hospital and that played a big part in their decision?
 
Enigma_87 said:
The conditions are the same for both players.

Perhaps the organizers didn’t want to send another player to hospital and that played a big part in their decision?
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Tell that to someone who doesn't actually follow the sport.

No one is attacking Federer here. He just plays the game.
 
gaucho_10 said:
Tell that to someone who doesn't actually follow the sport.

No one is attacking Federer here. He just plays the game.
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Nah not trying to sound defensive mate.

Cash always seems to spout bollocks tho. I guess he hasn’t bothered to read the AO official statement regarding the decision to close the roof.

During the afternoon the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index reading was above the threshold of 32.5, and was closely monitored.

At 6.30pm it was 32.7.

With no dramatic reduction in the WBGT reading forecast (the 8.30pm forecast was 32.5) the referee exercised his discretion and called for the roof to be closed.

At 7.29pm it was 32.5, and at 7.32pm, when the umpire called time to commence the match, it was 32.6.

The tournament referee made this decision based on qualified and professional advice from the Bureau of Meteorology who are on site, and the tournament’s Chief Medical Officer.

Based on their advice, and the fact that the WBGT reading had been above the 32.5 threshold for a considerable period of time, and was forecast to be at 32.5 at 8.30pm, the tournament referee used his discretion to invoke the extreme heat policy and close the roof prior to play.

At no other time during the event this year has the WBGT reading reached the threshold.
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He's pretty much been the GOAT since about 2007 - regardless of the slam record. Most of the ex players had him at the top after the 2007 wimbledon final win.
 
Enigma_87 said:
Nah not trying to sound defensive mate.

Cash always seems to spout bollocks tho. I guess he hasn’t bothered to read the AO official statement regarding the decision to close the roof.
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“That was very, very difficult, especially for the final to, you know, be in that kind of a situation.”
“Well, no, they didn’t ask me. They just came to me to tell me that they are thinking about decision, and they going to make the final decision just around 7pm, just slightly before the match,” Cilic said.
 
gaucho_10 said:



“That was very, very difficult, especially for the final to, you know, be in that kind of a situation.”
“Well, no, they didn’t ask me. They just came to me to tell me that they are thinking about decision, and they going to make the final decision just around 7pm, just slightly before the match,” Cilic said.
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It’s not his say mate. After what happened to Halep yesterday and temperatures peaking compared to the start of the tournament it was really non brainer.

After all players health should always be priority not to mention having a packed crowd for 3-4 hours at scorching heat..

Rusedski sounds bitter and that’s about it.
 
Rusedski and Cash are basically saying: "They fecked up the heat decision and stuck to their rules on the day Djoko played Monfils. Now they fecked up by making the right decision and again sticking to the rules."

As if a 2nd wrong decision would somehow make the 1st one less wrong.
 
I already said this before but I will repeat again, it was a 15k fullhouse crowd with children, the elderly and disabled in it.

Even if not for the players, forcing that many people who paid a minimum of 300 bucks for the cheapest ticket to stick through 4-5 hours of sweltering heat is just not on, or are you telling me they should suck it up and leave if they couldn't stand it? The seats are packed close together and if you weight over 13 stones chances are you will spill out of your seat.
 
InfiniteBoredom said:
I was there during the match. Rudseski and Cash can take their opinion up their arse. 5 hours in a 40C stadium with children and the disabled in the crowd would be a disaster. They are very welcome to play in that condition. It was forecasted a week ago that today (well, yesterday now to be exact) would have a high of 38C and actually at high noon it was 42C. The organisers would not want players and audience steaming in a giant cauldron in the biggest match of the whole tournament.

As for your last conjecture, the ball boys were constantly mopping up the sweat on Cilic's side of the court, even airconditioned. I wouldnt bet on him physically outlasting Federer.

You will brooch no argument from me that players and spectators should not be made to participate in that sort of condition, and a conversation should be held about it. However, most of the moaning are from anti-Feds, mostly Djokovic's fans, with the usual conspiracy theorist whiff about it, as if organisers were purposefully trying to sabotage their 6 times champion in favour of Federer.
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I agree with you first paragraph. It's very important to have the best conditions for the players as well as the crowd.

I just asked whether 'the road to the final' was the same for everyone, taking a closer look at he playing conditions. It looked to me that Federer had better arrangements than some of his opponents. As stated above, not trying to take something away, it's an outstanding accomplishment to win the AO, especially at his age.

AndyJ1985 said:
Federer is supremely fit and would have coped just fine. After 20 slams and consistently beating opponents in all sorts of conditions I'm not sure why you'd even put that in to question.
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Training and actually competing are two different pair shoes, as well as the conditions in which some of the matches leading to the final have been played at. Maybe for future tournaments there can be a tad more of equality. Something has to change with the global warming anyway.
 
Mourinhonista said:
I just asked whether 'the road to the final' was the same for everyone, taking a closer look at he playing conditions. It looked to me that Federer had better arrangements than some of his opponents. As stated above, not trying to take something away, it's an outstanding accomplishment to win the AO, especially at his age.
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But isn't that the whole point of a Grand Slam? You play 7 matches, potentially 2,3,4 five setters. Then you have the Melbourne weather in the summer, heatwave one day and the next it's raining non stop and tempt drop to about 12-14C, it's all about adapting to the conditions at a short notice, recover between the matches in quick succession. And it's natural that as you get more achievements in the sport and become a bigger draw, you get perks that as a youngster or player of lesser standing in the game you wouldnt get. It's the same shite being brought up again as with Wimbledon's court allocation, that evil Roger is influencing organisers to undermine his opponents, while the obvious Occam's razor is that it's all about the $$$ and they will always look to have him where the biggest crowd/audience is. If more people tune in during the day then despite the heat you can bet your left nut he'll be playing day session mostly too.

As for specific better arrangement, Nadal had about the same allocation being on the other side of the draw. Cilic played some day matches earlier being on that side but from the QF onwards all night sessions, most of them cool with tempt in the mid 20s. The final is the first time all tournament Roger played under a closed roof, just like him. The biggest controversy regarding playing condition of the tournament was the Djokovic match, and as you already know he didn't request a more favourable time slot, although they did feck up by not closing the roof.
 
Nr. 1 again. One of the great achievements in the history of sports. And he keeps shattering records.
 
Revan said:
I seriously think that he has a case for greatest sportman ever.
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Only person I could potentially give the edge to would be Ali, but in my lifetime? Roger is right up there. Not only is he the greatest, but he does so while playing some of the most aesthetically pleasing tennis ever seen... I guess the Messi comparisons are kinda apt.
 
What a man. His second youth that started with the AO last year has made and already legendary career even more special. We need to enjoy it while it lasts, because I doubt we'll ever see someone like him again in our lifetime.
 
The sheer longevity of his success in a sport where most top players are lucky to last a decade is incredible.
 
Kazi said:
Nope, no one can touch Ali’s greatness.
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Guess so, but that has far more to do with off the screen things rather than with what he did in the ring. Ali isn't even the best boxer of all time.
 
Raoul said:
In that case Ali is definitely not even the greatest boxer, much less the greatest across the board.
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Depends how you define greatness within a sport. What Ali did during his sporting career defines greatness.
 
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