Federer's Bucket List

[brokenshoelace]

^ And yet he's so old that he's currently world number 2 and was in with a shot at world number 1 not long ago at the age of 33.

I know right!? Within touching distance of number 1, finalist in a slam... but some folks make out like the odds of him getting either are negligible. I really struggle to understand the logic sometimes

That's because we're living in the Novak era.

 

[DarthFed]

Roger's shown he can still play on grass but for whatever reason he has been awful at USO starting with the 09 USO final. His play there the last 5 years is beyond my explanation because I know he still can play great on fast hardcourts. He just isn't bringing it in the Big Apple anymore.

You know it amuses me that you can't figure that one out.

I have my opinion, but using your logic about Nole and USO results, I would have to say that Roger is just garbage on fast hardcourts or he forgot how to play there.:lolz:

I see why you might pounce on this one given my harsh words about Novak on fast hards :clap

That said in the past 5 years Nole has won the USO and been to 3 finals whereas Roger has 3 semis, 1 QF and 1 4th round. So significantly worse results and this from the best fast hard court player of all time. I know he is old but I do think he is better than what he's shown there. In the same time period he has won Cincy 3 times, done well on the fast indoor surfaces, made 2 Toronto finals, etc. It's past time he shows up big at NY, I haven't given up on it yet

 

[August]

Career Golden Slam or Career Double Grand Slam would probably be the biggest achievements within a reach. And of course, double CGS plus a singles Olympic gold would be even more impressive. And winning the missing MC & Rome titles. But it's not like he should go primarily for those. Rather than trying to win one more RG, he should rather aim to win one more (or even more) slams anywhere, and RG is the least likely for that. Of course, he will do his best on clay like on any surface but not at the expense of the other surfaces. Going for the singles Olympic gold is a better goal as it's on HC. But how does that differ from what he already does? His HC tennis is as good as it can be at his age. His aim should be to bring his best tennis to slams, WTF, and the Olympics. And if he got within a striking distance from the #1 ranking, he should try to get it.

 

[nehmeth]

1. Win Singles Gold Medal in Olympics 2016.
2. Win RG once again so that he has double career grand slam.
3. Win Wimby once more so that he is in sole posession of the record for most Wimbleon titles.
4. Win any GS one or more times to distance him further from the chasers.
5. Finish as YE #1 one more time thus tying Pete's record of 6 (of course Rog's will be non-consecutive).
6. Win Rome ATP 1000, the last remaining unconquered mandatory Masters tourney.
7. Win Monte Carlo ATP 1000, the historic but non-mandatory Masters tourney.
8. Try to become the leader in number of Masters Tourneys won too.
9. Win WTF few more times extending his existing record.
10. Get back to #1 (even if not YE #1) again and tack on more weeks to his existing record.

Just wanted to look at the "Bucket List" in terms of which ones are potentially most likely.

1. Returning to #1 for a few weeks - could happen in 2015
2. Winning another WTF - he was on track to do that this year til his back gave out.
3. Winning Wimbledon - of all the other choices, next best chance is this one.
4. Winning Rome or MC - less likely but possible.

The others range from extremely improbable to never happening.

I like the "Bucket List" idea GSM.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I'll say this about "X tournament was Federer's last chance to win another major": We've been hearing it since 2010. Yet, each year save for 2013, he's put himself in a position to win at least one (and managed to do so in 2012). I'm done making that statement until Federer becomes completely washed up. As it stands, he's still among the best 3 players in the world. If any other player is having the results he's having, we'd laud them for putting themselves in a position to do so and acknowledge that they may very well do it. Granted, not every player is in their 30's, and Fed might have a physical letdown after last season, but until I see it, I'm not ready to state that yet.

 

[calitennis127]

I'll say this about "X tournament was Federer's last chance to win another major": We've been hearing it since 2010. Yet, each year save for 2013, he's put himself in a position to win at least one (and managed to do so in 2012). I'm done making that statement until Federer becomes completely washed up. As it stands, he's still among the best 3 players in the world. If any other player is having the results he's having, we'd laud them for putting themselves in a position to do so and acknowledge that they may very well do it. Granted, not every player is in their 30's, and Fed might have a physical letdown after last season, but until I see it, I'm not ready to state that yet.

You have come so far. I really am proud of you. Good job friend.clap

 

[calitennis127]

It is now almost end of 2014. Fed is 33 years old now. Although he may prolong further,
there is a good chance that he may hang his racquet by the end of 2016. That leaves just two
years. So, it is time to think of Fed's Bucket List. What do you think are the top 10 things that
he should focus on accomplishing in the remaining two years.

Here, my criteria is that the goal should be significant enough in terms of adding to his legacy. So, I would leave aside producing another set of twins, this time a boy and girl and winning Olympic gold medal in mixed doubles, although he has good chances of doing that playing with Belinda Bencic. Also, the goal should have some chance of materializing, i.e., it should be possible even if not probable. So for example, I would leave aside eclipsing Jimmy Connor's record of total title count or total matches won.

This is my initial list. Feel free to criticize it, modify it or create your own lists. I have given them in priority order. Priority is determined by a combination (but in a subjective, non-formulaic way) of significance and chances of it materializing.

1. Win Singles Gold Medal in Olympics 2016.
2. Win RG once again so that he has double career grand slam.
3. Win Wimby once more so that he is in sole posession of the record for most Wimbleon titles.
4. Win any GS one or more times to distance him further from the chasers.
5. Finish as YE #1 one more time thus tying Pete's record of 6 (of course Rog's will be non-consecutive).
6. Win Rome ATP 1000, the last remaining unconquered mandatory Masters tourney.
7. Win Monte Carlo ATP 1000, the historic but non-mandatory Masters tourney.
8. Try to become the leader in number of Masters Tourneys won too.
9. Win WTF few more times extending his existing record.
10. Get back to #1 (even if not YE #1) again and tack on more weeks to his existing record.

I think Federer should sit back and watch the match against Cilic 40 times in the offseason. I don't know how he could have recovered by now. I know that I haven't. Him and Djokovic losing as they did temporarily evaporated my interest in professional tennis.

2014's Super Saturday was probably the lowest point I have experienced as a tennis observer. It still hurts just to think about it. To know that the gnat lost no ground even without playing is extremely frustrating.

 

[mrzz]

I'll say this about "X tournament was Federer's last chance to win another major": We've been hearing it since 2010. Yet, each year save for 2013, he's put himself in a position to win at least one (and managed to do so in 2012). I'm done making that statement until Federer becomes completely washed up. As it stands, he's still among the best 3 players in the world. If any other player is having the results he's having, we'd laud them for putting themselves in a position to do so and acknowledge that they may very well do it. Granted, not every player is in their 30's, and Fed might have a physical letdown after last season, but until I see it, I'm not ready to state that yet.

Very good post. And yet, what I think people never take into consideration is that Federer, as any other player, might evolve from one year to the next, as he did from 2013 to 2014. Yes, time is passing, but still is possible. A lot of players beyond the 30's have improved from one year to the next.

The pattern one given year follows is decided by the relative forms of the top dogs. One step forward here, one step backwards there, you have a new pecking order, at least for the moment.

As things stands now, if Djokovic is the one who steps forward, and the rest doesn't follow suit, he might dominate with authority, leaving not much for the rest. One step from Federer though, with the rest standing still, and he might get some items of this list...

 

[GameSetAndMath]

It is now almost end of 2014. Fed is 33 years old now. Although he may prolong further,
there is a good chance that he may hang his racquet by the end of 2016. That leaves just two
years. So, it is time to think of Fed's Bucket List. What do you think are the top 10 things that
he should focus on accomplishing in the remaining two years.

Here, my criteria is that the goal should be significant enough in terms of adding to his legacy. So, I would leave aside producing another set of twins, this time a boy and girl and winning Olympic gold medal in mixed doubles, although he has good chances of doing that playing with Belinda Bencic. Also, the goal should have some chance of materializing, i.e., it should be possible even if not probable. So for example, I would leave aside eclipsing Jimmy Connor's record of total title count or total matches won.

This is my initial list. Feel free to criticize it, modify it or create your own lists. I have given them in priority order. Priority is determined by a combination (but in a subjective, non-formulaic way) of significance and chances of it materializing.

1. Win Singles Gold Medal in Olympics 2016.
2. Win RG once again so that he has double career grand slam.
3. Win Wimby once more so that he is in sole posession of the record for most Wimbleon titles.
4. Win any GS one or more times to distance him further from the chasers.
5. Finish as YE #1 one more time thus tying Pete's record of 6 (of course Rog's will be non-consecutive).
6. Win Rome ATP 1000, the last remaining unconquered mandatory Masters tourney.
7. Win Monte Carlo ATP 1000, the historic but non-mandatory Masters tourney.
8. Try to become the leader in number of Masters Tourneys won too.
9. Win WTF few more times extending his existing record.
10. Get back to #1 (even if not YE #1) again and tack on more weeks to his existing record.

I think Federer should sit back and watch the match against Cilic 40 times in the offseason. I don't know how he could have recovered by now. I know that I haven't. Him and Djokovic losing as they did temporarily evaporated my interest in professional tennis.

2014's Super Saturday was probably the lowest point I have experienced as a tennis observer. It still hurts just to think about it. To know that the gnat lost no ground even without playing is extremely frustrating.

That is probably a fitting end to Super Saturday concept. Starting from next year there will
no more Super Saturdays (only Black Fridays).

 

[Billie]

Well....it might be that the new blood is now taking over and it all started at this year's USO. Or maybe Cilic and Nishikori are better players than Federer and Nole, we should give them credit regardless.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

It looks like Fed will not announce his schedule for 2015 until after AO is over. He is
committed to play Brisbane and AO and he wants to think about the full schedule for 2015
only after that. The following are excerpts from his interview in Delhi after his first IPTL match.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Federer said he was unsure how much extra tennis he would play next year, and would make a decision on his schedule after the Australian Open in January.

"I gotta be careful not to overplay, clearly. I gotta still decide on Davis Cup, what I'm going to do there," the 33-year-old said courtside.

"But I'll have a look after the Australian Open. That's when I will decide how much I'm going to play next season," said Federer, who holds a record 17 Gram Slam titles.

"I'm going to play a full schedule like normal but the question is how much more will I add or not."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't know the context. This may be just a way to ward off questions on whether he will come to India next year for the circus again.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

It looks like Fed will not announce his schedule for 2015 until after AO is over. He is
committed to play Brisbane and AO and he wants to think about the full schedule for 2015
only after that. The following are excerpts from his interview in Delhi after his first IPTL match.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Federer said he was unsure how much extra tennis he would play next year, and would make a decision on his schedule after the Australian Open in January.

"I gotta be careful not to overplay, clearly. I gotta still decide on Davis Cup, what I'm going to do there," the 33-year-old said courtside.

"But I'll have a look after the Australian Open. That's when I will decide how much I'm going to play next season," said Federer, who holds a record 17 Gram Slam titles.

"I'm going to play a full schedule like normal but the question is how much more will I add or not."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't know the context. This may be just a way to ward off questions on whether he will come to India next year for the circus again.

That says it all for me. He will play a normal schedule. It is actually amazing to me that he is even considering to add to the normal schedule. No need.:nono

 

[Front242]

Well while he'll be playing exhibition matches well after retirement I guess he likes the idea of playing them while still on tour currently and offering people a chance to see him play in places he's never played before. And massive paychecks too obviously!

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Well while he'll be playing exhibition matches well after retirement I guess he likes the idea of playing them while still on tour currently and offering people a chance to see him play in places he's never played before. And massive paychecks too obviously!

I think you are right. I don't think Fed will play in India next year. However, I would not be
surprised if he plays for IPTL in some other country where he has not played before (and
collects few more million bucks).

 

[GameSetAndMath]

But, I hope he plays MC (if needed skipping Miami to allow him to do so).

 

[Front242]

But, I hope he plays MC (if needed skipping Miami to allow him to do so).

Yeah, would like him to play MC again too. He made a real dog's dinner of that final this year and no offense meant to Stan but Roger gift wrapped that 3rd set. I wouldn't mind so much if Stan had won 7-6 (8) in the 3rd but Roger's final set performance was beyond crap having done the hard work to reach the final.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Oh, I forgot to mention that Roger is also playing in another exhibition match in Sydney against
Hewitt. It is not a regular tennis match, but an abbreviated form with some crazy rules like the IPTL.
But, it is just one match. I think it is in the week after Brisbane and before AO.

He also plays an exhibition with Stan to raise money for this foundation. This is couple of
days before Christmas. This is in Geneva and the tickets got sold out within hours after it was
released to public (and this happened before people saw the match between them in WTF
and the Fedmirkastan gate).

 

[DarthFed]

It looks like Fed will not announce his schedule for 2015 until after AO is over. He is
committed to play Brisbane and AO and he wants to think about the full schedule for 2015
only after that. The following are excerpts from his interview in Delhi after his first IPTL match.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Federer said he was unsure how much extra tennis he would play next year, and would make a decision on his schedule after the Australian Open in January.

"I gotta be careful not to overplay, clearly. I gotta still decide on Davis Cup, what I'm going to do there," the 33-year-old said courtside.

"But I'll have a look after the Australian Open. That's when I will decide how much I'm going to play next season," said Federer, who holds a record 17 Gram Slam titles.

"I'm going to play a full schedule like normal but the question is how much more will I add or not."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't know the context. This may be just a way to ward off questions on whether he will come to India next year for the circus again.

That says it all for me. He will play a normal schedule. It is actually amazing to me that he is even considering to add to the normal schedule. No need.:nono

We will see. If there are chances to stay in the top 2 he should take them for as long as it's possible. Staying in the top 2 could prove huge towards his chances at what counts...the majors.

 

[Kieran]

Is Federer going to put his racket down at all, between now and the start of the new season?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

OK. Can now cross off winning the IPTL from the bucket list. snigger