Is Roger Retiring?

[GameSetAndMath]

I was curious as to whether Roger will play Rome or not and so went to his official home page to check out. This is the schedule listed for him there.

It mentions Rome, RG, Halle and Wimbledon and Basel.

Previously he announced his schedule up to Wimbledon and said he will announce the second half of his schedule after Wimbledon only. But, now I see Basel on the list without any mention about
Canada/Cincy Masters or USO. Most probably it does not mean anything and we see Basel only because it is his home tourney and he is sure of playing there.

On the other hand, assuming he can Wimbledon, may be he just wants to play in Basel and call it a career. uzzled

 

[Fiero425]

I was curious as to whether Roger will play Rome or not and so went to his official home page to check out. This is the schedule listed for him there.

It mentions Rome, RG, Halle and Wimbledon and Basel.

Previously he announced his schedule up to Wimbledon and said he will announce the second half of his schedule after Wimbledon only. But, now I see Basel on the list without any mention about
Canada/Cincy Masters or USO. Most probably it does not mean anything and we see Basel only because it is his home tourney and he is sure of playing there.

On the other hand, assuming he can Wimbledon, may be he just wants to play in Basel and call it a career. uzzled

Doubtful! He should have pulled a Sampras after winning Wimbleson in 2012, but he thought this was his best chance to take Olympic Gold as well on grass! It didn't happen and I think he's destined to limp out of here instead of leave on a high note! Regardless, no way would Federer leave this sport without a lot of fanfare! He'll want to "make a retirement tour," going to event after event so they can laud his record and express what he's meant to the sport! :angel: :dodgy: :ras:

 

[Moxie]

I was curious as to whether Roger will play Rome or not and so went to his official home page to check out. This is the schedule listed for him there.

It mentions Rome, RG, Halle and Wimbledon and Basel.

Previously he announced his schedule up to Wimbledon and said he will announce the second half of his schedule after Wimbledon only. But, now I see Basel on the list without any mention about
Canada/Cincy Masters or USO. Most probably it does not mean anything and we see Basel only because it is his home tourney and he is sure of playing there.

On the other hand, assuming he can Wimbledon, may be he just wants to play in Basel and call it a career. uzzled

Doubtful! He should have pulled a Sampras after winning Wimbleson in 2012, but he thought this was his best chance to take Olympic Gold as well on grass! It didn't happen and I think he's destined to limp out of here instead of leave on a high note! Regardless, no way would Federer leave this sport without a lot of fanfare! He'll want to "make a retirement tour," going to event after event so they can laud his record and express what he's meant to the sport! :angel: :dodgy: :ras:

I have to agree with Fiero to some extent, though I don't agree he'll "limp out." Nor that he should have pulled a Sampras and gone out after the 2012 win at Wimbledon. He's still #2, FFS. He'll play the Olympics next year. And when he's done, I think he'll do some version of a victory lap. Why not? The people would rather demand it. But I seriously doubt that it's imminent. However, Basel may be where he calls it a day. I've always thought that.

 

[Fiero425]

I was curious as to whether Roger will play Rome or not and so went to his official home page to check out. This is the schedule listed for him there.

It mentions Rome, RG, Halle and Wimbledon and Basel.

Previously he announced his schedule up to Wimbledon and said he will announce the second half of his schedule after Wimbledon only. But, now I see Basel on the list without any mention about
Canada/Cincy Masters or USO. Most probably it does not mean anything and we see Basel only because it is his home tourney and he is sure of playing there.

On the other hand, assuming he can Wimbledon, may be he just wants to play in Basel and call it a career. uzzled

Doubtful! He should have pulled a Sampras after winning Wimbleson in 2012, but he thought this was his best chance to take Olympic Gold as well on grass! It didn't happen and I think he's destined to limp out of here instead of leave on a high note! Regardless, no way would Federer leave this sport without a lot of fanfare! He'll want to "make a retirement tour," going to event after event so they can laud his record and express what he's meant to the sport! :angel: :dodgy: :ras:

I have to agree with Fiero to some extent, though I don't agree he'll "limp out." Nor that he should have pulled a Sampras and gone out after the 2012 win at Wimbledon. He's still #2, FFS. He'll play the Olympics next year. And when he's done, I think he'll do some version of a victory lap. Why not? The people would rather demand it. But I seriously doubt that it's imminent. However, Basel may be where he calls it a day. I've always thought that.

Not the best #2 right now! It would be nice to hold at least 1 major while being that high in the rankings! Roger has only played one final since winning his last Wimbledon, but somehow he's a firm and consensus #2! The rest of the tour is falling down on the job! :ras: :angel: :dodgy: It'll be rather strange for Nole to be the only player holding a major in the top 5 or 6 with Stan, Cilic, and Nadal going down in the rankings, not up! Runner-ups are doing better; too strange with Tomas, Andy, Raonic, Kei, and David!

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I too agree with Fiero on the swan song part. So, it won't be a sudden thing or a surprise to anyone.

Until last year Fed used to give his complete schedule in a clear cut manner before the year started
(even though there could be some minor changes to it here and there). But, this year is quite weird.
First, he did not give anything when the year started saying he wants to wait and see until AO is done
(this is partly understandable as he had some chance of reaching #1 if AO went well).

Then he gave out changing schedules for the clay season overriding himself right the next day
(this is also understandable as it involved some negotiations with Turkish people to sell out millions).

Now, I don't understand why he should just place Basel alone on his schedule at this time
and leave out the others.

However, he has previously said that he wants to play (at least) till Olympics 2016. Hope,
there is no change of mind.

 

[Moxie]

Doubtful! He should have pulled a Sampras after winning Wimbleson in 2012, but he thought this was his best chance to take Olympic Gold as well on grass! It didn't happen and I think he's destined to limp out of here instead of leave on a high note! Regardless, no way would Federer leave this sport without a lot of fanfare! He'll want to "make a retirement tour," going to event after event so they can laud his record and express what he's meant to the sport! :angel: :dodgy: :ras:

I have to agree with Fiero to some extent, though I don't agree he'll "limp out." Nor that he should have pulled a Sampras and gone out after the 2012 win at Wimbledon. He's still #2, FFS. He'll play the Olympics next year. And when he's done, I think he'll do some version of a victory lap. Why not? The people would rather demand it. But I seriously doubt that it's imminent. However, Basel may be where he calls it a day. I've always thought that.

Not the best #2 right now! It would be nice to hold at least 1 major while being that high in the rankings! Roger has only played one final since winning his last Wimbledon, but somehow he's a firm and consensus #2! The rest of the tour is falling down on the job! :ras: :angel: :dodgy: It'll be rather strange for Nole to be the only player holding a major in the top 5 or 6 with Stan, Cilic, and Nadal going down in the rankings, not up! Runner-ups are doing better; too strange with Tomas, Andy, Raonic, Kei, and David!

It is often hard to keep up with your random logic. Aren't you the one that remembers the older times? When folks got to #1 by winning a single slam, for example? Roger is not the best #2? Really?? He made an awfully good #1 for 4 years. And you always insist that the rest of the tour is falling down on the job. It isn't so odd, historically, for Novak to the the only one in the top 5 to have a Major. But you're also looking at the live-rankings. I'd wait until the end of the clay season to fret about those rankings. And back to the OP, and your point, I wouldn't count Roger out. It's not for nothing that he's #2.

 

[lacatch]

Moxie is spreading the love and getting so even-handed it's killin' me

 

[Fiero425]

I have to agree with Fiero to some extent, though I don't agree he'll "limp out." Nor that he should have pulled a Sampras and gone out after the 2012 win at Wimbledon. He's still #2, FFS. He'll play the Olympics next year. And when he's done, I think he'll do some version of a victory lap. Why not? The people would rather demand it. But I seriously doubt that it's imminent. However, Basel may be where he calls it a day. I've always thought that.

Not the best #2 right now! It would be nice to hold at least 1 major while being that high in the rankings! Roger has only played one final since winning his last Wimbledon, but somehow he's a firm and consensus #2! The rest of the tour is falling down on the job! :ras: :angel: :dodgy: It'll be rather strange for Nole to be the only player holding a major in the top 5 or 6 with Stan, Cilic, and Nadal going down in the rankings, not up! Runner-ups are doing better; too strange with Tomas, Andy, Raonic, Kei, and David!

It is often hard to keep up with your random logic. Aren't you the one that remembers the older times? When folks got to #1 by winning a single slam, for example? Roger is not the best #2? Really?? He made an awfully good #1 for 4 years. And you always insist that the rest of the tour is falling down on the job. It isn't so odd, historically, for Novak to the the only one in the top 5 to have a Major. But you're also looking at the live-rankings. I'd wait until the end of the clay season to fret about those rankings. And back to the OP, and your point, I wouldn't count Roger out. It's not for nothing that he's #2.

It's called creating a dialog? Is that too much for you? :cover :nono :angel: :dodgy: :ras: Just made an observation; it all just came to me! Not too complicated!

 

[Moxie]

Creating a dialogue is fine and interesting. If you back it up. Throwing ideas randomly to the ether is less interesting. You complain that Roger is #2. Why, really? And the OP is questioning if Roger might retire soon. What is your actual position on that?

 

[Moxie]

Moxie is spreading the love and getting so even-handed it's killin' me

Why...I haven't been in the past? :angel: Anyway, it may not last forever, so enjoy! :hug

 

[Fiero425]

Creating a dialogue is fine and interesting. If you back it up. Throwing ideas randomly to the ether is less interesting. You complain that Roger is #2. Why, really? And the OP is questioning if Roger might retire soon. What is your actual position on that?

I have a love/hate relationship with faves and players I consider "The GOAT!" On the ladies' side, I obviously defend Martina Nav.'s record over all others! I was having trouble those last years; a step slower and no major titles since '90! She truly was limping out of the game save her last run at Wimbledon in '94! (Bless Lori McNeil for knocking Graf out in the 1st rd) - Now we have Federer with so many parallels, including a great run at Wimbledon! I'm sure we all want him to stay as long as possible, but there are times I wish my faves would bow out! IMO, this is Nole's time! All Fed has done is to be a foil like in 2011 taking him out at the FO! He almost did it again at Wimbledon last season! I just see this ending poorly even though Fed's still winning! I said Fed would have to play lights out to even make that potential match-up with Rafa this week! Who were we kidding? It can only get worse IMO with the usual spurts of genius, but it won't win him another major! Just bantering! :blush: :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Moxie]

Just bantering!

Or blathering. You obviously feel no obligation to the OP.

 

[Fiero425]

Just bantering!

Or blathering. You obviously feel no obligation to the OP.

Whatever that means! uzzled :s :nono If nothing's happening on the board, I thought you and others would appreciate a conversation starter! Some might call me a $##t-stirrer! :angel: :ras:

 

[Moxie]

Just bantering!

Or blathering. You obviously feel no obligation to the OP.

Whatever that means! uzzled :s :nono If nothing's happening on the board, I thought you and others would appreciate a conversation starter! Some might call me a $##t-stirrer! :angel: :ras:

Stir s##t if you like, but don't call it conversation. You do keep arguing that the various and sundry don't step up to doing in the Big 4, but what does that have to do with Roger retiring? Throwing out a million irrelevant points isn't actually creating conversation. You've got Martina, Graf, some woman I never heard of...and now it's Nole's time? What are you trying to say? I'll bow out if others consider this to be conversation-enhancing.

 

[Kieran]

I think this shows that Roger hasn't yet decided which prong of attack suits him best for the rest of the year, after Wimbledon. Does he need to play a lot, or should he play less. I'm sure he's just mulling over what suits him best for the rest of the season. He played a lot last year, and was able to secure #2, while briefly threatening Nole at the top. But can he commit to that again?

I think this is what's going on there...

 

[tented]

... and we see Basel only because it is his home tourney and he is sure of playing there.

Not so fast. Remember the strife between Federer and the Basel tournament a couple of years ago, because they weren't coming up with the big bucks? The organizers publicly expressed how pissed off they were because they couldn't even get through to talk to Roger; everything had to go through his agent. They were not amused, and didn't hesitate to say so.

My guess is they've now worked out a multi-year arrangement which has made it -- and Halle, which I think has a similar deal -- the two non-Masters/GSs he knows he will play, because he's now contractually obligated to do so.

 

[Puppet Master]

GSM, I think you jumped to conclusions rather quickly, our "boy" is here to stay . I am not sure when, but I heard some commentator say that he signed a contract with the Basel tournament in 2012 that should last (at least) 4 years.

 

[herios]

Neither is he retiring, nor obliged to post a calendar. Also he can pick the events he likes and wants to play at. He has no mandatory events, unless he has contractual obligations.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

... and we see Basel only because it is his home tourney and he is sure of playing there.

Not so fast. Remember the strife between Federer and the Basel tournament a couple of years ago, because they weren't coming up with the big bucks? The organizers publicly expressed how pissed off they were because they couldn't even get through to talk to Roger; everything had to go through his agent. They were not amused, and didn't hesitate to say so.

My guess is they've now worked out a multi-year arrangement which has made it -- and Halle, which I think has a similar deal -- the two non-Masters/GSs he knows he will play, because he's now contractually obligated to do so.

With Halle he has a "lifetime contract" (whatever that means). Well, as per the contract
as long as he is active he is required to play there. In fact, one year he did not feel good
and skipped Halle (he just did not play that year, it is not that he choose some other event)
and even then the organizers got irritated.

I do remember the tussle he had with Basel organizers. But, I thought finally Roger
caved in and played there without getting any appearance fee. I did not know that he
has long term contract with Basel. The interesting thing is the Basel organizers invited
Rafa and paid him huge appearance fee to add insult to injury.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Neither is he retiring, nor obliged to post a calendar. Also he can pick the events he likes and wants to play at. He has no mandatory events, unless he has contractual obligations.

He is not obliged to. In fact, several other top player usually don't do. However, till last
year Roger used to post a complete schedule before the year started. Although there were
some modifications during the year, it was a schedule posted in good faith. This is the
first time (after he won first GS) that I see that he is unsure of what he wants to do.