Tennis 2015

Ayush_reddevil said:
Roger doing so well at 35 is amazing but he hasn't beaten Rafa in a slam final since Rafa was 21 and hasn't beaten Novak in a final since Novak was 20 .
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That stat with Novak is unfair, Federer's best victory against him was in the French semi about 3-4 years ago, when Djokovic was at his absolute peak.
 
Kevin said:
Yep. Unlike football, 29-30 really is the age where tennis players start to fade. Actually, most are already going downhill at 28, apart from Djokovic and Wawrinka. Sampras, Federer, Nadal, they all started winning far less Grand Slams at 28. It's a very demansing sport.
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While that is true it also depends on what's coming after you, there is hardly anyone in the 22-26 age group who looks good enough to take over
 
Raoul said:
I actually think Nadal could win another French before he goes.
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Yeah, I don't think he's dead and buried just yet, especially not at Roland Garros. However, you just know Djokovic is going to be that much more motivated to add that missing title to his collection.
 
Federer is incredible, reaching finals at his age. Arguably the greatest player ever, certainly of the modern era anyway. Nadal and Novak not far behind -- Novak might surpass him.
 
Mciahel Goodman said:
Federer is incredible, reaching finals at his age. Arguably the greatest player ever, certainly of the modern era anyway. Nadal and Novak not far behind -- Novak might surpass him.
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That's what I find remarkable about him and what clearly separates him from the other GOAT contenders. He is playing world class tennis at 34 and probably has another year of it left in his tank.
 
Raoul said:
That's what I find remarkable about him and what clearly separates him from the other GOAT contenders. He is playing world class tennis at 34 and probably has another year of it left in his tank.
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I tend to stay away from the GOAT debate - there are just too many variables. But I seriously doubt I will ever enjoy watching anyone play as much as I enjoy watching Federer. It's just the most graceful tennis you could imagine. Strangely, I also find his failings (occasional bottling being the principal one,) make him that much more likeable.
 
Well that was as good a chance as federer could have gotten at winking number 18. It was one set each and he had break points at 4-3 in the third with Djokovic looking out of sorts. Should have taking control then. Sigh.

17 it will be.
 
Still can't believe how close he came. Very different from Wimbledon. Argh.
 
If Federer keeps his level then he can easily get another slam.

Djokovic isn't going to win every slam especially the focus will be on Olympics next year too.

And after Djokovic, I don't see many players to win grandslams hence why Federer should get another one.

There are doubts about Nadal. But I don't see Nadal winning Wimbledon or any of the hard court grandslams again.

Murray is a tricky one. The last few times he's faced Federer and Federer has just blew him away. Even at the o2 last year it was embarrassing. He lost to Djokovic 8 times in a row before Montreal. But at times he is passive and then other times he is playing good aggressive tennis.

I just feel Lendl was the perfect coach for him. Mentally he gave him something extra. Plus he's gone back to this routine of shouting at his box. Which he never did under Lendl because obviously Lendl would tell him to feck off.

Wawrinka is another player who is unpredictable.

What next year needs is Federer to keep his current level. Nadal to up his level. Del Potro to come back from injury because he's a player who would have won more slams if it wasn't for his wrist injuries. Really hope he comes back.

Oh and hope Solderling comes back too.
 
Bojan11 said:
If Federer keeps his level then he can easily get another slam.

Djokovic isn't going to win every slam especially the focus will be on Olympics next year too.

And after Djokovic, I don't see many players to win grandslams hence why Federer should get another one.

There are doubts about Nadal. But I don't see Nadal winning Wimbledon or any of the hard court grandslams again.

Murray is a tricky one. The last few times he's faced Federer and Federer has just blew him away. Even at the o2 last year it was embarrassing. He lost to Djokovic 8 times in a row before Montreal. But at times he is passive and then other times he is playing good aggressive tennis.

I just feel Lendl was the perfect coach for him. Mentally he gave him something extra. Plus he's gone back to this routine of shouting at his box. Which he never did under Lendl because obviously Lendl would tell him to feck off.

Wawrinka is another player who is unpredictable.

What next year needs is Federer to keep his current level. Nadal to up his level. Del Potro to come back from injury because he's a player who would have won more slams if it wasn't for his wrist injuries. Really hope he comes back.
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Thing is, Federer is at the age where the dip could happen anytime, and it will be drastic as it usually is. So he can't keep spurning opportunities. And I think this was the most genuine chance he's had in ages. At the Wimbledon final he wasn't really in it. Last Wimbledon I suppose. In this one the third really should have been his. Djokovic was looking up against it, Federer was really hurting the Djokovic serve by coming in and forcing mistakes and he really should have converted.

I reckon he's at the stage now in his career where he really needs a bit of luck to win a major. Djokovic going out, Djokovic making errors, a lucky break here and there, an easy draw etc. The semis and finals just seem very difficult for him.
 
I have called into question Federer's GOAT status before. But the level of tennis he is playing at 35 is incredible. I was actually hoping he would win this one since that would cemented that claim but still you have to applaud him for how close he can push Djoko who is his absolute peak.
 
GOAT can be such a tiresome debate especially when you invariably end up comparing players across different generations. As someone who started watching tennis in the Sampras era and for whom Safin was my first favorite player, I just wanna say there is such majesty and grace to Federers game. Even if Nadal or Djoko end up winning more eventually, I can't think of anyone else that gives shot making such an ethereal quality. The fact that he appears to be a gent off court is pretty cool too.
 
crappycraperson said:
I have called into question Federer's GOAT status before. But the level of tennis he is playing at 35 is incredible. I was actually hoping he would win this one since that would cemented that claim but still you have to applaud him for how close he can push Djoko who is his absolute peak.
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What did you think about last night's match? Third set was the killer for me. Federer genuinely had a big chance IMO. I read that break points were also 23 to 13. Not the most reliable stat but apparently Federer won more points as well, in a match he lost.

But yeah, can only applaud the standard at which he's performing. I wish he'd sign off with one grandslam purely for maintaining such a high level.
 
I can see Djokovic winning another 4-5 slams. Should win another couple next year and potentially the year after that.
 
I like Federer but tbh it's actually quite funny how he repeatingly gets stopped by Djokovic from getting another Slam. Everyone always talkes how strong Federer is looking in the tournament, he has the whole crowd on his side and then the Djoker comes as the spoil-sport.
 
Properly glad to see Federer failed that. I've never understood this love in everyone has with him.
 
amolbhatia50k said:
What did you think about last night's match? Third set was the killer for me. Federer genuinely had a big chance IMO. I read that break points were also 23 to 13. Not the most reliable stat but apparently Federer won more points as well, in a match he lost.

But yeah, can only applaud the standard at which he's performing. I wish he'd sign off with one grandslam purely for maintaining such a high level.
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I actually got up right when Fed had won the second set. He should have closed out the third but I don't think he was winning this match. Djoko would have taken it in 5 then. Even when he was on the ropes, Djoko did not go into panic like he can when he bottles some of these big games.
 
Waldner said:
Properly glad to see Federer failed that. I've never understood this love in everyone has with him.
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Couldn't agree more. Oh and the crowd was a proper disgrace last night. Cheering failed Djokovic serves was disgusting
 
Ixion said:
I can see Djokovic winning another 4-5 slams. Should win another couple next year and potentially the year after that.
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Yeah me too. But tennis is a funny sport.

A year ago a lot of us were predicting that Nadal would reach Federers grandslam record with no problems and he'd be a shoe in for future French opens.

The last time Djokovic won 3 slams, he ended up only winning one the following year.

The other guys like Murray and Nadal need to step it up. Would like to see Murray face Djokovic at Wimbledon again. And Nadal needs to step it up big time if he wants to win the French open. That forehand and serve need to improve from this year. Rafa needs to do what Federer did and change his racquet. I think he should do it for the next few tournaments and even possibly the Australian open.
 
amolbhatia50k said:
Thing is, Federer is at the age where the dip could happen anytime, and it will be drastic as it usually is. So he can't keep spurning opportunities. And I think this was the most genuine chance he's had in ages. At the Wimbledon final he wasn't really in it. Last Wimbledon I suppose. In this one the third really should have been his. Djokovic was looking up against it, Federer was really hurting the Djokovic serve by coming in and forcing mistakes and he really should have converted.

I reckon he's at the stage now in his career where he really needs a bit of luck to win a major. Djokovic going out, Djokovic making errors, a lucky break here and there, an easy draw etc. The semis and finals just seem very difficult for him.
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Good post, and I completely agree with you. He seems to have more trouble mentally too when he gets to finals against Rafa and Novak, like he tries too hard and speeds up too much, or not sticking to a gameplan for the whole match, like he should have come in more against Rafa and Novak over the years and he might have two more majors than he has.

What is the point of Edberg when he doesn't stick to the coming in and tactics for the whole match. All these years of struggling against Nadal and Jok from the baseline and losing the longer points etc has been happening for too long.

Federer just can't change his game and mindset to beat these two guys, if I was Edberg I would demand he sticks to the tactics or I would leave as coach.

Roger won the French when Nadal was out, looks like he needs Jok to be injured or out too as he won't change enough to beat Jok over five sets.

Love Fed and I know it's easier said than done to just change and beat an incredible Nadal or Djok, guess I'm just pissed right now that he can't get that one more slam to put him out of sight as the greatest ever.
 
Fed has had trouble his whole career of not converting BP opportunities. So frustrating as a fan to see him blow them again in a final. He still struggles with the physicality of playing Novak though. Djokovic rallies and retrieves so well, a 34 year old Fed just can't compete. From a pure tennis perspective though he is unquestionably the better player.

The era is a little weak at the moment which means Novak might beat Nadal's slam tally. The biggest shame for me is that Murray got that back injury just as he figured out how to win Grand Slams. He got the US, the Olympics, and then Wimbledon and looked set to really push on in his career. No doubt that it has set him back significantly.
 
Man of Steel said:
Good post, and I completely agree with you. He seems to have more trouble mentally too when he gets to finals against Rafa and Novak, like he tries too hard and speeds up too much, or not sticking to a gameplan for the whole match, like he should have come in more against Rafa and Novak over the years and he might have two more majors than he has.

What is the point of Edberg when he doesn't stick to the coming in and tactics for the whole match. All these years of struggling against Nadal and Jok from the baseline and losing the longer points etc has been happening for too long.

Federer just can't change his game and mindset to beat these two guys, if I was Edberg I would demand he sticks to the tactics or I would leave as coach.

Roger won the French when Nadal was out, looks like he needs Jok to be injured or out too as he won't change enough to beat Jok over five sets.

Love Fed and I know it's easier said than done to just change and beat an incredible Nadal or Djok, guess I'm just pissed right now that he can't get that one more slam to put him out of sight as the greatest ever.
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To be fair the guy is 34. Tactics are all well and good but the other guy is truly in his prime whereas you are not. Those margins make the key difference.

ZDwyr said:
Fed has had trouble his whole career of not converting BP opportunities. So frustrating as a fan to see him blow them again in a final. He still struggles with the physicality of playing Novak though. Djokovic rallies and retrieves so well, a 34 year old Fed just can't compete. From a pure tennis perspective though he is unquestionably the better player.

The era is a little weak at the moment which means Novak might beat Nadal's slam tally. The biggest shame for me is that Murray got that back injury just as he figured out how to win Grand Slams. He got the US, the Olympics, and then Wimbledon and looked set to really push on in his career. No doubt that it has set him back significantly.
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I wouldn't say his whole career. More as he's grown older. The physicality thing is expected.

That's why he needs to keep the points shorter so ends up making errors, whereas Djokovic can be more patient.

I suppose if he's playing this way right now he's got a shot at the Aussie Open. I just feel it would be a shame for it to end without another one. His level is fantastic. You rarely a sportsman this good at this age, and that too consistently. Legend.
 
amolbhatia50k said:
To be fair the guy is 34. Tactics are all well and good but the other guy is truly in his prime whereas you are not. Those margins make the key difference.
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Yes, that's very true but Roger has been struggling for years against Nadal and Djok, it's not just something he is now experiencing at the age of 34. He has won so much for so long playing his way that I just don't think he was ever able to fully change tactics and be rigid enough to stick with it. Match after match against those two always followed the same pattern to be honest. I think he could have won at least 2 more majors if he had changed tactics against just those two opponents maybe 5 years ago.

Play the same against other opponents and of course change and adjust, but then go into 'Nadal tactics' mode or 'Novak tactics' and stick to it completely. The chances are he would still lose more than he wins of course but he would have more chance doing this than the same old pattern repeating. The thing is he is good enough to play these tactics too and evidence shows that it works. Look at set 2 and 3 last night?
 
This us open were different from many encounters in the past. Usually he just lost against the basics of djokovic´s /Nadal´s game and couldn´t do much about it. This time he actually came up with tactics, that allowed him to play around djokovic´s strength and pressure him. He just showed nerves in the important points, something that isn´t new. His mind set is at least part of the problem.
 
Man of Steel said:
Yes, that's very true but Roger has been struggling for years against Nadal and Djok, it's not just something he is now experiencing at the age of 34. He has won so much for so long playing his way that I just don't think he was ever able to fully change tactics and be rigid enough to stick with it. Match after match against those two always followed the same pattern to be honest. I think he could have won at least 2 more majors if he had changed tactics against just those two opponents maybe 5 years ago.

Play the same against other opponents and of course change and adjust, but then go into 'Nadal tactics' mode or 'Novak tactics' and stick to it completely. The chances are he would still lose more than he wins of course but he would have more chance doing this than the same old pattern repeating. The thing is he is good enough to play these tactics too and evidence shows that it works. Look at set 2 and 3 last night?
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I don't peak Fed would have much trouble dispatching of Djokovic. He's 34 which is well past the time Tennis players begin to wane, which makes him making two consecutive slam finals all the more impressive. I can't recall many top players who played this well this far into their 30s. He's truly a one off and certainly belongs in the pantheon of all time greats, if not the greatest.
 
PedroMendez said:
This us open were different from many encounters in the past. Usually he just lost against the basics of djokovic´s /Nadal´s game and couldn´t do much about it. This time he actually came up with tactics, that allowed him to play around djokovic´s strength and pressure him. He just showed nerves in the important points, something that isn´t new. His mind set is at least part of the problem.
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This.

Those past encounters against Djokovic or Nadal he wasn't even given a sniff. You can't really say that last night. He had a crazy amount of break points. Djokovic had only faced that many break points twice more in his career.
 
Raoul said:
I don't peak Fed would have much trouble dispatching of Djokovic. He's 34 which is well past the time Tennis players begin to wane, which makes him making two consecutive slam finals all the more impressive. I can't recall many top players who played this well this far into their 30s. He's truly a one off and certainly belongs in the pantheon of all time greats, if not the greatest.
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Djokovic troubled him when he was at his peak. But mentally back then Djokovic was weak. As he choked especially in a few semi finals.

Still can't believe the transformation he's made since 2011.
 
Bojan11 said:
Djokovic troubled him when he was at his peak. But mentally back then Djokovic was weak. As he choked especially in a few semi finals.

Still can't believe the transformation he's made since 2011.
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The mental game is part of the equation. Players are fighting a war within themselves to summon the mental/psychological energy to overcome their opponents mental strength. The physical action of hitting the ball back and forth is just a manifestation of this. When Federer was at his peak he was the most dominant figure in sport, mainly because of his mental toughness, which is also helping him today at the grandpa age of 34. Djokovic has this element to him as well, which is what makes him the dominant champ he is today.
 
Man of Steel said:
Good post, and I completely agree with you. He seems to have more trouble mentally too when he gets to finals against Rafa and Novak, like he tries too hard and speeds up too much, or not sticking to a gameplan for the whole match, like he should have come in more against Rafa and Novak over the years and he might have two more majors than he has.
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Maybe he has it in his head that he's a few years older than them and that everyone knows he's far less likely to win a long match against them. Must be in his mind.
 
Amir said:
Maybe he has it in his head that he's a few years older than them and that everyone knows he's far less likely to win a long match against them. Must be in his mind.
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he can´t win baseline rallies against Novak. The match started like almost all grand slam matches between those two started: Novak killed him in the first set and without the stumbling he would have done so even more decisively. In the second set Federer got his serve going and started to mix up stuff on the return. The flow of the game changed completely and Federer was able to put pressure on Djokovic; that is something he was rarely ever able to do during their last encounters. He was spot on with his tactics in the second and third set. That is as good as it will get for him, because he´ll never be able to dominate longer exchanges from the baseline. He has to be creative and he has to end points early.
 
Bojan11 said:
Yeah me too. But tennis is a funny sport.

A year ago a lot of us were predicting that Nadal would reach Federers grandslam record with no problems and he'd be a shoe in for future French opens.

The last time Djokovic won 3 slams, he ended up only winning one the following year.

The other guys like Murray and Nadal need to step it up. Would like to see Murray face Djokovic at Wimbledon again. And Nadal needs to step it up big time if he wants to win the French open. That forehand and serve need to improve from this year. Rafa needs to do what Federer did and change his racquet. I think he should do it for the next few tournaments and even possibly the Australian open.
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Nadal did change his racquet start of the season but it didnt work out for him and went back to his old one in Madrid or Rome
 
wr8_utd said:
Nadal did change his racquet start of the season but it didnt work out for him and went back to his old one in Madrid or Rome
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He has nothing to lose now. Till the end of the year he has no points to defend. So should try different approaches.
 
PedroMendez said:
he can´t win baseline rallies against Novak. The match started like almost all grand slam matches between those two started: Novak killed him in the first set and without the stumbling he would have done so even more decisively. In the second set Federer got his serve going and started to mix up stuff on the return. The flow of the game changed completely and Federer was able to put pressure on Djokovic; that is something he was rarely ever able to do during their last encounters. He was spot on with his tactics in the second and third set. That is as good as it will get for him, because he´ll never be able to dominate longer exchanges from the baseline. He has to be creative and he has to end points early.
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Which is why he needs some luck to win another grandslam. Because he's essentially making an extra effort to win points quickly, knows he will struggle if it goes to five, can't afford to get into 20 shot rallies, and has to take more chances.

Still, I haven't seen many sportsman this good at this age, especially in a sport as demanding as tennis.
 
Great performance by Djok. He was on his own against 20000!
It was not the best of games though. I did find that both were too sloppy.
 
Federer made it more competitive than I thought it would be, even if the end result was expected. The encouraging thing is that, even in best of 5 at slams, he looks comfortably the second best player in the world right now - if he can keep this level up until Wimbledon or the US Open next year he just needs someone to take out Djokovic and he'll have a great chance.
 
The talent pool isn't really that good coming through, it's a shame really unless you just want Federer to break endless "oldest" records.

It's the same on the womens side though, given the boom Federer gave the sport, kids who started because of him should probably be coming through soon-ish.....will he still be playing them, and looking effortless? Think he still loves it, but it's going to damage his "GOAT" status losing to Djokovic as an old man like endlessly losing to Nadal on clay did.
 
It's not damaging his GOAT status when he's making finals as a old man. It's emphasing it more that he is the greatest.
 
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