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Federers slump
- Thread starter wicked77
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He's done just about everything a player could do in a career. And by just about, I mean everything bar a calendar slam. If not for the one in a trillion emergence of a clay court freak, he'd have sealed that record as well.
He'll win a couple more slams, maybe more, but whatever happens he absolutely owns his position at the top rung of the modern tennis era.
He'll win a couple more slams, maybe more, but whatever happens he absolutely owns his position at the top rung of the modern tennis era.
So after a streak of 20-something consecutive slam semi-finals in a row, Federer falls at the quarter final stage for the 2nd successive slam.
Combine that with his performances in the smaller tournaments - uncharacteristic losses to players he had big winning streaks over - and you can no longer deny that Federer has entered the decline period of his career.
With big hitters like Berdych, Del Potro and Soderling, Federer no longer controls the baseline. Try as he might, he can no longer outhit these guys over the course of a 5 set match and is too stubborn to change it up and attack the net to compensate.
The heavy hitting causes him to press his forehand too much. The errors off that wing now come thick and fast.
As for his backhand, it looks like Fed has tweaked it this year, perhaps as a result of addressing problems he's had dealing with balls bouncing high to the backhand side.
Now it seems he puts more weight into it and is more comfortable with hitting it flatter. But, like a kid playing too much with a new toy, Federer seems to hit that flat backhand too often instead of going with a more effective slice.
This is really evident when he's scrambling, trying to continue a toe-to-toe baseline rally by hitting a flat backhand instead of slicing his way back into the point. He seems to think the best defense is a good offense and that just ain't working with the result being either a forced error or a reply that lands around the service line area and is subsequently punished by the opponent.
It'll be interesting to see how Federer reacts to his struggles.
Does he have to desire to go back to the lab and work on his groundies?
Will he start making the most of his all-court game?
In post match press conferences Federer likes to put a positive spin on losses, but at times it seems like he's in denial, just trying to convince himself that everything's still OK while the tennis landscape around him changes.
So are we entering the age of Nadal/Murray/Djokovic? Or perhaps the age of Nadal/Del Potro/Soderling/Berdych? Or will Federer return to the top?
Combine that with his performances in the smaller tournaments - uncharacteristic losses to players he had big winning streaks over - and you can no longer deny that Federer has entered the decline period of his career.
With big hitters like Berdych, Del Potro and Soderling, Federer no longer controls the baseline. Try as he might, he can no longer outhit these guys over the course of a 5 set match and is too stubborn to change it up and attack the net to compensate.
The heavy hitting causes him to press his forehand too much. The errors off that wing now come thick and fast.
As for his backhand, it looks like Fed has tweaked it this year, perhaps as a result of addressing problems he's had dealing with balls bouncing high to the backhand side.
Now it seems he puts more weight into it and is more comfortable with hitting it flatter. But, like a kid playing too much with a new toy, Federer seems to hit that flat backhand too often instead of going with a more effective slice.
This is really evident when he's scrambling, trying to continue a toe-to-toe baseline rally by hitting a flat backhand instead of slicing his way back into the point. He seems to think the best defense is a good offense and that just ain't working with the result being either a forced error or a reply that lands around the service line area and is subsequently punished by the opponent.
It'll be interesting to see how Federer reacts to his struggles.
Does he have to desire to go back to the lab and work on his groundies?
Will he start making the most of his all-court game?
In post match press conferences Federer likes to put a positive spin on losses, but at times it seems like he's in denial, just trying to convince himself that everything's still OK while the tennis landscape around him changes.
So are we entering the age of Nadal/Murray/Djokovic? Or perhaps the age of Nadal/Del Potro/Soderling/Berdych? Or will Federer return to the top?
- Jul 11, 2007
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Apart from clay, Sampras > Federer.
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Very classy roger... as usual.
Q Some of these big, flat hitters seem to be having an effect on you. Do you need to alter your game to adjust to that?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, if I'm healthy I can handle those guys, you know. Obviously it's a pity that Del Potro is not around, because I think he would have a run at world No. 1 or a run at another Grand Slam. It's unfortunate for him.
Q Some of these big, flat hitters seem to be having an effect on you. Do you need to alter your game to adjust to that?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, if I'm healthy I can handle those guys, you know. Obviously it's a pity that Del Potro is not around, because I think he would have a run at world No. 1 or a run at another Grand Slam. It's unfortunate for him.
FFS the guy is being honest. Do you really think a fully fit and firing Federer couldn't beat Berdych on grass? The jounalist asked if there was something about his game that was weak against these types of players, he said no, it's my health not my tactics letting me down.
There's a lot of things I don't like about Federer but he's one of the classiest players going around. He gives plenty of credit where credit is due.
The whole Fed vs Rafa fanboy thing is getting out of control on this site. It's the whole reason I abandoned menstennisforums.com and started paying more attention to this subforum instead.
There's a lot of things I don't like about Federer but he's one of the classiest players going around. He gives plenty of credit where credit is due.
The whole Fed vs Rafa fanboy thing is getting out of control on this site. It's the whole reason I abandoned menstennisforums.com and started paying more attention to this subforum instead.
- Moderator
- #33
yep, nadal v Fed has been done about 20 times. to be fair, there is only one completely biased fan on this site, who likes to pick fights.
i dont see whats wrong with the above quote. what is he meant to say? That is cant play anymore and should quit. Only an idiot like you total power would believe that. That is a classy quote, as he is giving someone who has beat a compliment.
The Fed hasnt had time to change his game between the last 2 open. We will see how much hunger he has left for tennis if he continues this form slump. And when i say form slump, a couple of 1/4's finals appearances are half bad for a normal tennis player.
Anyway, compared to the Williams sisters, everyone is a saint.
i dont see whats wrong with the above quote. what is he meant to say? That is cant play anymore and should quit. Only an idiot like you total power would believe that. That is a classy quote, as he is giving someone who has beat a compliment.
The Fed hasnt had time to change his game between the last 2 open. We will see how much hunger he has left for tennis if he continues this form slump. And when i say form slump, a couple of 1/4's finals appearances are half bad for a normal tennis player.
Anyway, compared to the Williams sisters, everyone is a saint.
you dont fire everyday, all year round.Such is life.Dont u think a firing Sampras could have won 20+ slams??? how about giving credit to berdych and accept that he was better than him.
He gives credit when he wins.When he loses he is a different man.He criticised clay courters last month, then he publicly criticised muzza last year after losing to him.Go figure.
I am not discussing nadal vs federer you dimwit.Fed did not give berdych any credit for the victory...go read his presser.He blamed it all on his injury.Funny that berdych kicked his ass in miami too...maybe he was injured there too... or maybe soderking at french.Its impossible to beat federer fairly it seems
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_6184557,00.htmlFunny that berdych kicked his ass in miami too...maybe he was injured there too... or maybe soderking at french.Its impossible to beat federer fairly it seems
Yeah, he's a real sore loser.
Gosh you come out with some crap. You do realise that you can like Nadal without having to trash everything Federer does, right?
- Moderator
- #37
I am not discussing nadal vs federer you dimwit.Fed did not give berdych any credit for the victory...go read his presser.He blamed it all on his injury.Funny that berdych kicked his ass in miami too...maybe he was injured there too... or maybe soderking at french.Its impossible to beat federer fairly it seems
It would be tough to find a post by you where u havent bagged Federer, or supported Nadal. It is always Fed v Nadal with u. Nothing wrong with having a fav player, or supporting that player btw, but it is really tiresome your hatred of Federer.
Seriously, why do u care so much???
he could possibly win 1 or 2 more grand slam titles even without being the favourite
This is a board for posting opinions, this is not nazi rule.If you dont like what i post then put me under ignore.Seriously get a thicker skin.I dislike federer and if you have a problem with it, i dont really give a ****
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_6184557,00.html
Yeah, he's a real sore loser.
Gosh you come out with some crap. You do realise that you can like Nadal without having to trash everything Federer does, right?
He blamed it on the light after losing to rafa at wimbledon
sure, he did finally gave rafa a little bit of credit but he said it was impossible to see the ball then.Soderking just blased him off the court, he had no option but to give him credit.He also criticised clay players saying you can get away being less talented on clay.Wonder who he aimed that at
The birdmans response on the ego kings injury excuse haha classic
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- Jul 11, 2007
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Berdych took it to Fed for 2-3 sets at the AO a year or two ago off the top of my head.
Played awesome tennis and was setting fed up for an early exit in 3, until berdych choked and gave the match away in 5.
A poster on this board made the comment that it was the match that could've made berdych - has all the talent but was mentally weak and that's why we'd never see him at the top
Fair call, coz look how berdych has mentally improved and look where it's gotten him
Played awesome tennis and was setting fed up for an early exit in 3, until berdych choked and gave the match away in 5.
A poster on this board made the comment that it was the match that could've made berdych - has all the talent but was mentally weak and that's why we'd never see him at the top
Fair call, coz look how berdych has mentally improved and look where it's gotten him
Vdubs
Hall of Famer
What's the news there? He lost, and he has pain.