There is a real possibility he could win the US Open as well. Just imagine he wins 3 grand slams this year at his age it would be unheard of
Tennis 2017
- Thread starter The Man Himself
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As things stand he has to be the favorite as well. Djokovic and Murray seem injured and not in their best form, Cilic would probably be right up there and of course Nadal and Wawrinka. Maybe Raonic but very outside chance.
I think that Nadal and Cilic are Federer's biggest threats at the USO, even though Wawrinka is the reigning champion. Federer's record versus Wawrinka is very good; I think Fed's only loss to him in a GS was at the FO in 2015. Most people might be in danger of under-rating Cilic after today's performance although he can still take the racket out of Federer's hands à la the USO SF in 2014. . Nadal though may not actually be as difficult an opponent as Federer would fear, mainly due to the sizable improvement in Federer's backhand. Anyway, it's hard for me to envisage anyone outside of those four winning the USO (Raonic's record at the USO hitherto has been very poor).
Cilic is way too unpredictable and I won't be surprised if he disappears again for a year or so and randomly turns up at a Slam final again in 2 years. Stan on his day is unplayable and should be making the SF atleast. Nadal, if he plays how he did pre clay on the hards, should be there or thereabouts as well. Since the clay began, he's really improved his backhand as a weapon so I want to see how that plays in North America. Federer will be the obvious favorite though. As for Raonic, well, he's not going to be testing anyone.
Think Cilic has a very good chance of taking Federer out at the USO tbh. Higher bounce, Cilic also is better on HC's and generally feels the court better. He's the one player I'd rather see at the other half of the draw.
Fed should be able to take Nadal and Wawrinka out on current form. Nadal is actually easier opponent perhaps - I agree, despite his record against Wawrinka.
If Federer had've improved his backhand earlier on in his career, the Federer-Nadal W/L record would look a lot better in Federer's favour. Federer's performances against Nadal at Indian Wells and Miami illustrated this better than the AO Final IMO.
I'll be surprised if Cilic is anywhere near the SF at USO tbh. Nadal almost won at a much faster than usual Australian Open against Fed. I think he'd be competitive, more so than Stan who just can't seem to play vs Federer.
I could listen to Federer talk all day.
History suggests Cilic will likely get to the QF's, only the Sock loss last year as prevent him doing the Wimby-US QF double for the past 4 years. And he's lost to Novak 4 times in that span, Fed the other two and last one well he won.
Not sure where I go after, I think it's time Fedal happened at the US though....and they should be 1-2 unless Novak seriously finds it out of nowhere and a shoulder injury....
Not sure where I go after, I think it's time Fedal happened at the US though....and they should be 1-2 unless Novak seriously finds it out of nowhere and a shoulder injury....
I think Fedal at USO is never going to happen. Long given up on it and on this years form I'm glad if it doesn't happen anyway
It's something you gained with experience also. The current racquet which he worked on for 3 years after Edberg pinpointed the need to improve his backhand is a crucial element in doing that.
I think Fedal at USO is never going to happen. Long given up on it and on this years form I'm glad if it doesn't happen anyway
Right now both Roger and Rafa are playing better Tennis than anyone else on the tour, so its entirely conceivable they could meet. Although I suppose the rankings would need to make that possible with Murray still in the picture.
As much as the rivalry would demand it, I can't see them being the final....which is why them being 1-2 will be what holds it back. Semi's would be very conceivable, but I think it falls flat a bit if you get it in the semi. Kind how like everyone forgets Nadal-Novak epic at RG.....because it was in the semis, that match was every bit as good as their Aussie Epic...if not better, for me, because of the story of Novak chasing Nadal on clay.
Well he revamped his game. I don't think his backhand actually is better than his peak level, but it's more solid with less shanks thanks to the larger frame.
Nadal just can't run and get all those balls he could 10 years ago tho, which helps Federer to take control in the rallies as well as obviously being more experienced and better in tactical POV.
But for backhand in 2006 it was definitely better as a shot - for example against Blake in the TMC.
for one his slice is definitely worse - floats a lot more than before.
That day Blake was playing against a wall.
Nah Cilic is very dangerous at the USO.Wouldn't count against him winning there again.
Fed against Nadal at the AO had also huge psychological pressure on his shoulder. He didn't play for half an year and was just getting back into shape. He had couple of five setters along the way.
In even slower conditions at Miami and IW he literally destroyed Nadal in a way I've never seen him doing it before.
Flushing is his bread and butter. I'd love if he meets Nadal there and both are healthy and in optimal form. Don't think Nadal will beat him there tho. Probably the worst surface he could meet Fed along with Cincy and WTF.
Watching games like this makes it mind-boggling that people would think Federer is playing better now than he did back then. His footwork and court coverage were absolutely phenomenal back then and the the power and precision behind the forehand as well.
94-5 in 2006 was a phenomenal record. Playing that much tennis and be that dominant is no walk in the park.
Indeed it was.
Playing against Blake at the time was no walk in the park either for that brief period of 06/07.
You can see his court coverage against Nadal as well in the RR game and how strong he was on both wings:
People love to shit on players like Blake when it comes to opponents Fed played against, but that lad got a game on HC's.
I remember Blake destroying Nadal a few times on HC during that period. Ofc, back in 06 Nadal was yet to enter his peak across all surfaces, he was still known as a clay prodigy largely.
He was quite good, not so gassed out in the tail end of the season as he was still young. He won Canada and Madrid(indoors) in 2005 so whilst not at his HC peak, his post USO season was pretty good the year before.
Well he wouldnt win his first HC Grand Slam until 3 years later (and what a match that was too
), so was still a notch below his absolute best on the surface.Also quite funny how the best year of the Top 3 carrer all came at practically the same age (Roger 06, Nadal '10 and Novak '11). Of course, you can make a case for Nadal's 08 being his best year, winning two Slams and the Olympic Gold, as well as beating Fed on grass.
Yeah it's amazing what he's doing, but this Federer was just on a different plane to everyone else:
Regarding Djokovic's decline - has anyone heard these rumours:
The banal theory is that Djokovic is serial womanizer which his wife recently discovered wrecking their marriage and his game. The more interesting plausible explanation is that both Djokovic and Nadal (along with significant portion of the tour) have been taking some sort of drug to boost recovery time which the ATP have recently banned. Given their high-profiles, this was brushed under the carpet but since then Djokovic has struggled and, while Nadal has adjusted, he also struggles once matches go the distance.
The banal theory is that Djokovic is serial womanizer which his wife recently discovered wrecking their marriage and his game. The more interesting plausible explanation is that both Djokovic and Nadal (along with significant portion of the tour) have been taking some sort of drug to boost recovery time which the ATP have recently banned. Given their high-profiles, this was brushed under the carpet but since then Djokovic has struggled and, while Nadal has adjusted, he also struggles once matches go the distance.
Whatever the reasons, I know someone who used to be on the tennis circuit with him who said he would have two hotels booked when he went away, one official and one in secret to take women to. It is bound to be a contributing factor.
I do fully believe Nadal was taking something, along with many other Spanish athletes who all fell off a cliff at the same time. That's for another thread though.
Thanks for posting that, really enjoyed that. She remarked on his memory just as I was thinking about it. I wonder how much of a weapon that is for him? He seems to remember every match with such clarity and that is a huge advantage for any sportsman in a sport when learning your opponents game plan and remembering what worked and what didn't work for you in similar scenarios is a huge advantage.
It's often said that he plays the game in his head, he just so happens to have immaculate technique to excecute it. It make sense when you hear him talk like that about specifics of games that happened 14 years ago.
I had this conversation with my cousin yesterday as he remembers that I used to be as fanatical about tennis as I am about football today. I think there's a dearth of upcoming superstars in tennis coupled with the advances in technology & fitness that have diminished the edge that players could have over others. Federer represents a unique combination of mental strength, stature and skill set that sets him apart in the modern era. Some surfaces (Clay obviously) give others an opportunity to close that gap but in general I think it'll be difficult to see another tennis champion reproduce what Roger has done
That being said, Hopp Suisse!
That being said, Hopp Suisse!
Maybe, just maybe it gets a little more difficult to sustain this style of play at 31 for 5 sets. More than tiredness, he's been lacking confidence at the end of tight matches for the past year and a half or so (Aussie Open apart)
Oh I know Fed would be a huge favorite against Nadal but if the latter can get a read on Fed's serve and plays close to the level he's shown most of the season, he should challenge for the title.
Yes let's buy into these shitty theories.
Maybe just maybe they adapting to turning 30. Even Federer had that problem.
Djokovic won 11 slams in a 5 year period. It was always going to be tough to maintain that.
And yes the old Nadal is on drugs. Despite him saying he is willing to show his blood records and results in public. He also sued a french minister for spouting bullshit against him. And the Spanish football team declined because guess what their key players like Villa, Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso and Puyol got old. Not because they ran out of drugs.
Never said I believed them but I'm not refusing to rule them out either. I think there's more than just age that explains Djokovic's slump.
The rift with his wife for whatever reason is true, and the very public mess with his brother and the guru. Beyond that. it's pure conjectures and we shouldn't impugn his or any other player's integrity with unfounded rumours.
Seems a bit odd Nadal got massive doping allegations after a half year "absense" and then came back out of nowhere to be at a phenomenal level....yet Federers not getting much attention over it, man Federer even skipped the Olympics. He's also about 8 years older than Nadal was.
I most certainly wouldn't be surprised if it stuff started to roll out once they retire. The game has too much tied into the "Big 4" for them to truly care now though, Sharapova just got too sloppy. But either way, just gotta roll with it, as with cycling or baseball in the 90's, shits too much fun regardless.
I most certainly wouldn't be surprised if it stuff started to roll out once they retire. The game has too much tied into the "Big 4" for them to truly care now though, Sharapova just got too sloppy. But either way, just gotta roll with it, as with cycling or baseball in the 90's, shits too much fun regardless.
I never believed the Nadal nonsense but you're right in a way. If people are accusing Novak and Rafa (after his absence) of taking drugs, you'd think Fed would suffer from the same conspiracy theories considering he went from not winning a Slam in years to coming back after a huge break and suddenly playing back to back to back 5 setters and winning Slams.
I would like to believe none of the Big 4 have ever taken any PEDs, it would be quite a downer if it ever comes out that any of these guys cheated. I'd lose my faith in the sport.
Don't think Nadal and Djokovic are taking drugs, top tennis players are checked quite frequently so it has to be one helluva drug to exit their systems fast enough.
I know the background of the Spanish doctors and Nadal getting pumped up at the USO then never reaching the same service levels, the Djoko-Nadal marathon at the AO etc, but still it's hard to imagine either of them are on PED.
I know the background of the Spanish doctors and Nadal getting pumped up at the USO then never reaching the same service levels, the Djoko-Nadal marathon at the AO etc, but still it's hard to imagine either of them are on PED.
He wasn't close at the IW and Miami and USO surface suit Federer a lot more. Would be hard for Nadal to challenge him there. Think he will be gassed out as well if he decides to play the full American swing.
Well he wouldnt win his first HC Grand Slam until 3 years later (and what a match that was too
Also quite funny how the best year of the Top 3 carrer all came at practically the same age (Roger 06, Nadal '10 and Novak '11). Of course, you can make a case for Nadal's 08 being his best year, winning two Slams and the Olympic Gold, as well as beating Fed on grass.
Yeah I agree. His USO '10 form is the best he produced on HC's, but he really didn't repeat that level IMO there, not even in '13.
Probably because Nadal is characterised as a powerhouse and supreme athletic specimin. Federer represents grace and finesse. One is all wrist the other all bicep. It simply looks like Nadal is more likely to be hepped up on goofballs than Federer.
In reality both would probably benefit in similar ways. I doubt either is on any banned substance, unless of course the authorities are turning a blind eye like cycling did.
In reality both would probably benefit in similar ways. I doubt either is on any banned substance, unless of course the authorities are turning a blind eye like cycling did.
Tennis players aren't tested as much as cyclists or athletes actually, no way near.....and they've generally hid it well in the past, and despite my love of cycling, most likely still are in a lot of cases, just not as systematic and rigorous US Postal were, though maybe...Sky clearly have the money.
Think the issue is off season, Federer called for more intensive testing during then. Still Sharapova was banned recently and caught and she's pretty high profile name in the WTA.
Not many cases of PED recently so it's either. If players like Djokovic and Nadal are taking and the ATP sweeping it under the carpet to keep the image would be real pity but highly doubt it will be the case.
July 17-23
Newport (ATP 250 • Grass) - Isner and Karlović top two seeds
Swedish Open (ATP 250 • Clay) - Carreño Busta and Ramos Viñolas top two seeds
Croatia Open (ATP 250 • Clay) - Goffin and Monfils top two seeds
Bucharest Open (WTA International • Clay) - Sevastova and Suárez Navarro top two seeds
Swiss Open (WTA International • Clay) - Garcia and Bertens top two seeds
Ace leaders
Isner 575 (27)
Muller 565 (40)
Čilić 502 (43)
Raonić 502 (35)
Karlović 490 (24)
Newport (ATP 250 • Grass) - Isner and Karlović top two seeds
Swedish Open (ATP 250 • Clay) - Carreño Busta and Ramos Viñolas top two seeds
Croatia Open (ATP 250 • Clay) - Goffin and Monfils top two seeds
Bucharest Open (WTA International • Clay) - Sevastova and Suárez Navarro top two seeds
Swiss Open (WTA International • Clay) - Garcia and Bertens top two seeds
Ace leaders
Isner 575 (27)
Muller 565 (40)
Čilić 502 (43)
Raonić 502 (35)
Karlović 490 (24)
Only one day and I'm already restless.
Got to wait until August for the next Masters 1000 and no football in that time either.
Got to wait until August for the next Masters 1000 and no football in that time either.
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