ATP World Tour Finals 2017, London, UK

[GameSetAndMath]

At some point, Roger will do a victory lap and hit all of the big tournaments, including the clay ones.

Nope, Roger has said that he will not do such a thing. In fact he has said that instead of disappearing at some point instantly, he would like to gradually disappear, sort of like going through phased retirement.

 

[Moxie]

Nope, Roger has said that he will not do such a thing. In fact he has said that instead of disappearing at some point instantly, he would like to gradually disappear, sort of like going through phased retirement.

What is the difference between a phased retirement and an announced "last year," or something? If he announces he's going to retire, and doesn't just show up in Basel with that bombshell, then isn't he going to go around the tour and let folks fete him?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

What is the difference between a phased retirement and an announced "last year," or something? If he announces he's going to retire, and doesn't just show up in Basel with that bombshell, then isn't he going to go around the tour and let folks fete him?

He says he wants to fade away slowly. This year he played only 12. I expect it to actually go up next year (not by much, but may be by 1 or 2). Afterwards, it will keep decreasing steadily, until finally he plays may be just 5 tourneys in his last year (Halle, Wimbledon, Cincy, USO and Basel).

 

[Moxie]

He says he wants to fade away slowly. This year he played only 12. I expect it to actually go up next year (not by much, but may be by 1 or 2). Afterwards, it will keep decreasing steadily, until finally he plays may be just 5 tourneys in his last year (Halle, Wimbledon, Cincy, USO and Basel).

Got ya...I guess I could see it going something like that, once he announces.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Got ya...I guess I could see it going something like that, once he announces.

My main point is that he is not going to have a swan-song year in which he attends a lot of tourneys to say good-bye.

 

[DarthFed]

At some point, Roger will do a victory lap and hit all of the big tournaments, including the clay ones. That will not be next year. I buy the notion that clay bothers his knee. Also that he prefers to save himself for grass. As to Roger being the #2 on clay this past year, if he'd played it: maybe. But then he likely wouldn't have won Wimbledon, so what's the point? I don't think you can insert Roger as the #2 in a whole part of the year he didn't play, as an assumption, and then assume the rest of the year would have gone the same.

Completely agree which is why I'm glad he skipped clay this year and hope he does again next year. Not sure he will ever do a "victory lap" as that would be if he's something like #20 and has no shot at winning another major. If Roger only plays another few years he will still be very much in the mix at Wimbledon if healthy and possibly a legit contender elsewhere.

But if he had played a couple clay events this year there is no reason to think he wouldn't have been the 2nd best player. Thiem just isn't that impressive, even on clay. And that's why I said IF 2018 is the same competition on clay he might just give RG a go as long as he thinks it won't screw up his knee. Personally o hope he doesn't do it, no need to risk Wimbledon, an event he still should win next year.

 

[Fiero425]

Completely agree which is why I'm glad he skipped clay this year and hope he does again next year. Not sure he will ever do a "victory lap" as that would be if he's something like #20 and has no shot at winning another major. If Roger only plays another few years he will still be very much in the mix at Wimbledon if healthy and possibly a legit contender elsewhere.

But if he had played a couple clay events this year there is no reason to think he wouldn't have been the 2nd best player. Thiem just isn't that impressive, even on clay. And that's why I said IF 2018 is the same competition on clay he might just give RG a go as long as he thinks it won't screw up his knee. Personally o hope he doesn't do it, no need to risk Wimbledon, an event he still should win next year.

I think you need to forget the "Double Career GS" with Fed! Nole and Rafa still have a chance IMO, but ya never know! Did we ever think Rafa and Roger would be back on top again? I know I didn't! :whistle:

 

[mrzz]

Federer (or Nadal's) retirement is to big a thing to the ATP and the whole tennis business to people just let them do what they want. They probably talked about that a lot already. The worst thing that could happen for the ATP is having these guys retiring on top... it will give a sense of what remains is simply not good enough. So they surely tried to convince them to stop AFTER the younger players were able to beat them at a few big matches.

 

[Federberg]

Federer (or Nadal's) retirement is to big a thing to the ATP and the whole tennis business to people just let them do what they want. They probably talked about that a lot already. The worst thing that could happen for the ATP is having these guys retiring on top... it will give a sense of what remains is simply not good enough. So they surely tried to convince them to stop AFTER the younger players were able to beat them at a few big matches.

Lol! I very much doubt the ATP have thought that far. They want them to stay as long as possible mate and that's the end of it. This NextGen thing is an attempt a building up the kids, but to survive the eventual loss of the Fedal for sure, but if these guys could see Fedal still around in 10 years they would take it

 

[shawnbm]

What is the order of play today? What time are the matches going to be televised? Thank you very much

 

[DarthFed]

Obviously I want Fed to win but regardless I'm just happy if it's a 2 set match and Roger actually plays aggressive. Even if he misses a bunch it's good to get it out of his system now and be able to play the right way on Saturday.

 

[Federberg]

What is the order of play today? What time are the matches going to be televised? Thank you very much

Federer vs Cilic right now. 1st set going with serve, 2 - 3, Fed serving

 

[kskate2]

Cough drop takes the opening TB. Let's see if Fed decides to pack it in taking a straight set loss to get ready for Sat

 

[Moxie]

Federer vs Cilic right now. 1st set going with serve, 2 - 3, Fed serving

Also, Sock v. Zverev not before 8pm GMT/ 3pm EST.

 

[DarthFed]

Cough drop takes the opening TB. Let's see if Fed decides to pack it in taking a straight set loss to get ready for Sat

I kind of wish he would. Not watching the match but I'm glad he's serving well. Problem in this tourney so far is poor % 2nd serve return points won and horrid BP conversion. 0/5 on BP's so far in 3 different games.

 

[Federberg]

I kind of wish he would. Not watching the match but I'm glad he's serving well. Problem in this tourney so far is poor % 2nd serve return points won and horrid BP conversion. 0/5 on BP's so far in 3 different games.

backhand's a bit rubbish today though. I think he needs to win a set to guarantee first place doesn't he?

 

[DarthFed]

No he and Grigor have already clinched the 1st seeds

 

[DarthFed]

And I'm again glad Cilic didn't qualify. By far the biggest threat to Roger here. The B- or C+ game is good enough to win this title against the other guys. Hoping we get at least that but sadly it's not a given.

 

[Moxie]

It's mostly kind of a boring match. Is that because it doesn't much matter? Not much drama at all.

 

[DarthFed]

I'm sure it's important to Cilic for pride sake. For Roger it's only important if he's thinking about the opportunity at #1 before AO. That top ranking means more to him than he lets on. If it didn't there is no way he'd have ever considered Montreal.