Barclays ATP World Tour Finals - Day 2

[nehmeth]

I don't want to sound demeaning, but I wonder if Fed has started thinking about an exit strategy. I mean its a dream for every player to end your career like Sampras did, it's time to start thinking about those things now that he is getting regularly beaten by the top guys. I'd definitely call it quits if he gets no 18, but I'd be surprised if he did.

He could hang in there for a couple of years of course. Top 10 probably. But what's the point if you know you're not going to be competitive against Novak and Rafa? Or Murray and DP?

Love of the game, endorsements, a chance for Novak to tie their h2h.

 

[tented]

I don't want to sound demeaning, but I wonder if Fed has started thinking about an exit strategy. I mean its a dream for every player to end your career like Sampras did, it's time to start thinking about those things now that he is getting regularly beaten by the top guys. I'd definitely call it quits if he gets no 18, but I'd be surprised if he did.

He could hang in there for a couple of years of course. Top 10 probably. But what's the point if you know you're not going to be competitive against Novak and Rafa? Or Murray and DP?

Why would he quit when the matches are on his racquet?

[Insert every emoticon ... you get the idea.]

 

[Denis]

I don't want to sound demeaning, but I wonder if Fed has started thinking about an exit strategy. I mean its a dream for every player to end your career like Sampras did, it's time to start thinking about those things now that he is getting regularly beaten by the top guys. I'd definitely call it quits if he gets no 18, but I'd be surprised if he did.

He could hang in there for a couple of years of course. Top 10 probably. But what's the point if you know you're not going to be competitive against Novak and Rafa? Or Murray and DP?

Love of the game, endorsements, a chance for Novak to tie their h2h.

Don't know about that last part :snigger but love of the game only goes so far and he doesn't need endorsements. I think he'll keep going and hangs the racket not this Basel tournament but the next. Unless he wins a slam. But then he might think he can do it again.

 

[tented]

The problem with Novak and Roger matches is that they're almost always a letdown.

Most of the time (and I'm speaking historically, not just referring to today, or even this year) one of them is playing well, and the other isn't. It used to be that way for entire matches, but these days there are so many swings within matches. Even within games.

They're both such great players, but almost never together, at the same time, so I always walk away feeling disappointed.

 

[Denis]

The problem with Novak and Roger matches is that they're almost always a letdown.

Most of the time (and I'm speaking historically, not just referring to today, or even this year) one of them is playing well, and the other isn't. It used to be that way for entire matches, but these days there are so many swings within matches. Even within games.

They're both such great players, but almost never together, at the same time, so I always walk away feeling disappointed.

I really disagree. I love their matches. I actually think the 2011 US Open semi is the best match I have ever seen. I love the pace these two can create. Might not have been the case here though.

 

[tented]

I think he'll keep going and hangs the racket not this Basel tournament but the next.

A friend and I were discussing the same thing recently. So you're sensing it, too, huh? Interesting ...

 

[tented]

The problem with Novak and Roger matches is that they're almost always a letdown.

Most of the time (and I'm speaking historically, not just referring to today, or even this year) one of them is playing well, and the other isn't. It used to be that way for entire matches, but these days there are so many swings within matches. Even within games.

They're both such great players, but almost never together, at the same time, so I always walk away feeling disappointed.

I really disagree. I love their matches. I actually think the 2011 US Open semi is the best match I have ever seen. I love the pace these two can create. Might not have been the case here though.

I did phrase it "almost never" and "almost always" because they can (and have) produced some terrific matches, such as the one you mention. But most often the quality isn't nearly that high. I think Novak and Rafa are more capable of producing great tennis at a reliable rate.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

I don't want to sound demeaning, but I wonder if Fed has started thinking about an exit strategy. I mean its a dream for every player to end your career like Sampras did, it's time to start thinking about those things now that he is getting regularly beaten by the top guys. I'd definitely call it quits if he gets no 18, but I'd be surprised if he did.

He could hang in there for a couple of years of course. Top 10 probably. But what's the point if you know you're not going to be competitive against Novak and Rafa? Or Murray and DP?

you don't get it, winning isn't the point..

Federer just wants to play, .irrespective of win or lose.

 

[DarthFed]

I'd be surprised if he plays past 2014. His pride has limits and he is at, what must be to him, an embarrassing level at this point. I don't ever buy the love of the game argument. Roger probably still believes he can still play and will eventually get back to elite level but eventually all hope will be abandoned.

 

[Mastoor]

I don't want to sound demeaning, but I wonder if Fed has started thinking about an exit strategy. I mean its a dream for every player to end your career like Sampras did, it's time to start thinking about those things now that he is getting regularly beaten by the top guys. I'd definitely call it quits if he gets no 18, but I'd be surprised if he did.

He could hang in there for a couple of years of course. Top 10 probably. But what's the point if you know you're not going to be competitive against Novak and Rafa? Or Murray and DP?

Love of the game, endorsements, a chance for Novak to tie their h2h.

He's got major contracts to 2017.

Besides we need him so No1e improves his h2h.

 

[Mastoor]

I'd be surprised if he plays past 2014. His pride has limits and he is at, what must be to him, an embarrassing level at this point. I don't ever buy the love of the game argument. Roger probably still believes he can still play and will eventually get back to elite level but eventually all hope will be abandoned.

Yes, he keeps losing to that clown with only 6 slams, that's not only embarrassing but terribly humiliating too.

 

[Moxie]

I don't want to sound demeaning, but I wonder if Fed has started thinking about an exit strategy. I mean its a dream for every player to end your career like Sampras did, it's time to start thinking about those things now that he is getting regularly beaten by the top guys. I'd definitely call it quits if he gets no 18, but I'd be surprised if he did.

He could hang in there for a couple of years of course. Top 10 probably. But what's the point if you know you're not going to be competitive against Novak and Rafa? Or Murray and DP?

Love of the game, endorsements, a chance for Novak to tie their h2h.

He's got major contracts to 2017.

Besides we need him so No1e improves his h2h.

I believe that has been mentioned. It might mean rather less at the tail-end of a career.

I'd be surprised if he plays past 2014. His pride has limits and he is at, what must be to him, an embarrassing level at this point. I don't ever buy the love of the game argument. Roger probably still believes he can still play and will eventually get back to elite level but eventually all hope will be abandoned.

Yes, he keeps losing to that clown with only 6 slams, that's not only embarrassing but terribly humiliating too.

"Embarrassing" and "humiliating" mean basically the same thing, Mastoor, but your efforts at kicking a great champion are noted. However, I'm not sure either applies when losing to another former world #1. I suspect the issue for Federer is the calibre of his own play, and the opportunities squandered.

 

[Mastoor]

I don't want to sound demeaning, but I wonder if Fed has started thinking about an exit strategy. I mean its a dream for every player to end your career like Sampras did, it's time to start thinking about those things now that he is getting regularly beaten by the top guys. I'd definitely call it quits if he gets no 18, but I'd be surprised if he did.

He could hang in there for a couple of years of course. Top 10 probably. But what's the point if you know you're not going to be competitive against Novak and Rafa? Or Murray and DP?

Love of the game, endorsements, a chance for Novak to tie their h2h.

He's got major contracts to 2017.

Besides we need him so No1e improves his h2h.

I believe that has been mentioned. It might mean rather less at the tail-end of a career.

I'd be surprised if he plays past 2014. His pride has limits and he is at, what must be to him, an embarrassing level at this point. I don't ever buy the love of the game argument. Roger probably still believes he can still play and will eventually get back to elite level but eventually all hope will be abandoned.

Yes, he keeps losing to that clown with only 6 slams, that's not only embarrassing but terribly humiliating too.

"Embarrassing" and "humiliating" mean basically the same thing, Mastoor, but your efforts at kicking a great champion are noted. However, I'm not sure either applies when losing to another former world #1. I suspect the issue for Federer is the calibre of his own play, and the opportunities squandered.

Level of his play in Paris was not that far from what he played when he was winning tournaments. I am not sure what you wanted to say before that. You don't think that i am happy when Rafa beats Fed?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I'd be surprised if he plays past 2014. His pride has limits and he is at, what must be to him, an embarrassing level at this point. I don't ever buy the love of the game argument. Roger probably still believes he can still play and will eventually get back to elite level but eventually all hope will be abandoned.

Roger has said in an interview few months ago that he looks up to Hewitt in
admiration that he (Hewitt) still plays despite his ranking being so low and said that
he too wants to play even if his rankings drop like that of Hewitt.

However, whether he means what he says is another story.

His original target for retirement was 2016 Olympics. My guess is he will
stick to that provided his rankings does not drop below 32 (which gives him
a seeded spot in GSs). If he cannot even be a seeded player in GSs, he
will quit much before not withstanding what he said in that interview.

I hope he changes racquets during off season and hire me as his
coach in 2014; that will be the panacea for all problems.

 

[Mastoor]

^ Only if you are a Slovak like his current coach, Mirka.

 

[DarthFed]

I'd be surprised if he plays past 2014. His pride has limits and he is at, what must be to him, an embarrassing level at this point. I don't ever buy the love of the game argument. Roger probably still believes he can still play and will eventually get back to elite level but eventually all hope will be abandoned.

Yes, he keeps losing to that clown with only 6 slams, that's not only embarrassing but terribly humiliating too.

Don't get sensitive bud, it isn't referring to just his level these past couple weeks which have been mildly encouraging (but far from great if we are being real). But he is fresh off of a season where he got straight setted at the USO by an ancient clay courter and lost to someone ranked out of the top 100 at Wimbledon. Roger is a proud athlete used to playing excellent tennis, and when he hasn't been able to do that in a looonngg time it is obviously going to wear on him and create doubts.

 

[DarthFed]

I'd be surprised if he plays past 2014. His pride has limits and he is at, what must be to him, an embarrassing level at this point. I don't ever buy the love of the game argument. Roger probably still believes he can still play and will eventually get back to elite level but eventually all hope will be abandoned.

Roger has said in an interview few months ago that he looks up to Hewitt in
admiration that he (Hewitt) still plays despite his ranking being so low and said that
he too wants to play even if his rankings drop like that of Hewitt.

However, whether he means what he says is another story.

His original target for retirement was 2016 Olympics. My guess is he will
stick to that provided his rankings does not drop below 32 (which gives him
a seeded spot in GSs). If he cannot even be a seeded player in GSs, he
will quit much before not withstanding what he said in that interview.

I hope he changes racquets during off season and hire me as his
coach in 2014; that will be the panacea for all problems.

He should have changed racquets already and now I doubt that he will do that in the offseason. He talked about his plans to play until 2016 when he was top 2-3 in the world and routinely going deep at majors. There is no way he thought 2013 would be so bad...

 

[Moxie]

Level of his play in Paris was not that far from what he played when he was winning tournaments.

Can you really say that with a straight face?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I'd be surprised if he plays past 2014. His pride has limits and he is at, what must be to him, an embarrassing level at this point. I don't ever buy the love of the game argument. Roger probably still believes he can still play and will eventually get back to elite level but eventually all hope will be abandoned.

Roger has said in an interview few months ago that he looks up to Hewitt in
admiration that he (Hewitt) still plays despite his ranking being so low and said that
he too wants to play even if his rankings drop like that of Hewitt.

However, whether he means what he says is another story.

His original target for retirement was 2016 Olympics. My guess is he will
stick to that provided his rankings does not drop below 32 (which gives him
a seeded spot in GSs). If he cannot even be a seeded player in GSs, he
will quit much before not withstanding what he said in that interview.

I hope he changes racquets during off season and hire me as his
coach in 2014; that will be the panacea for all problems.

He should have changed racquets already and now I doubt that he will do that in the offseason. He talked about his plans to play until 2016 when he was top 2-3 in the world and routinely going deep at majors. There is no way he thought 2013 would be so bad...

In another interview recently, Roger told that he knew his 2013 will be Annus Horribilis
(after his sternuous effort to get back to #1 in 2012). Of course, there is no way
of knowing whether he really knew as he is telling in retrospect.

 

[Moxie]

^ Only if you are a Slovak like his current coach, Mirka.

This comment is wrong on so many levels. Mastoor, if you keep dipping your toe into the troll pool, some gator is gonna bite it off.