McEnroe on Federer's chances at #18

[El Dude]

Not so good.

A relevant quote:

With Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray all displaying better form and consistency, McEnroe expects tough decisions ahead for Federer, especially if he remains well behind those three in the rankings.

"These guys are hungry," said McEnroe. "There's other guys that want get on the board. He's 32. He's going to have to at some stage decide how bad he wants it if he does dip lower in the world.

"I doubt he'll enjoy being in that spot. All these factors are going to start to come into it. Now, he can shut everyone up if he was able to go all the way at the Open and he could still keep himself in the running."

Of course Johnny Mac is one to talk. He won his last Slam at age 25 and played long after he was a Slam threat, retiring at age 33 in 1992. Of course McEnroe did miss much of 1986-88 (age 27-29) and then resurged in 1989 (age 30), finishing the year at #4. After 30 he made it to three more Slam SF, including Wimbledon at age 33.

I think that hope will remain for Federer as long as he's consistently making it into the second week (QF) at Slams. As soon as that starts not happening more often than not, I think we'll see him bow out.

 

[Asmodeus]

Aren't most of McEnore's predictions wrong?

Now he may very well be correct here. Of course, one day Federer will no longer play and this prediction will look like the pronouncement of a genius.

 

[shawnbm]

Federer won 5 majors from 2008-2012, which is second best to only Rafa (with 8 in same period) and tied with Novak--all three competed against Murray (1) and each other over that time span. Although he clearly dropped off after 2010 except for 1 slam last year in 2012, he has been sliding down for a bit, even though he has won as many slams as Nole (until this year's AO) since the AO in 2008. I think the old dog still has one more in him and that would be more than enough. Mac speaks out of his mac sometimes. The only thing I will say is that I think it is tougher for Federer now against guys OTHER THAN Nadal, Djokovic and Murray. I still believe he has confidence against the others, with the least amount of confidence against Nadal. I don't think he would shirk one bit from confronting Nole or Andy on the big stage, or Rafa for that matter (although deep down he would be a bit more pressed upon because of that lefty FH to his BH than Andy or Nole).

 

[Kieran]

I think it isn't rocket science to say that Roger is gone down a notch, but nor is it rocket salad to say he can rise the stick for one last battle. I think he'll need a 2009 to click the W in NY, but that's been seen before and he'd be the one guy you'd say could put himself in position to benefit...

 

[ftan]

Hopefully.. this will burn same fire under his belly.. as Navratilova's words did.. I would love to see him win US Open ..
Fans can dream

 

[DarthFed]

Hopefully.. this will burn same fire under his belly.. as Navratilova's words did.. I would love to see him win US Open ..
Fans can dream

I hope so too. Roger needs to hear these negative comments and use it as motivation. That is the only way he rises back up the ranks and competes for majors. He needs a point to prove and articles like this after poor results this year should do the trick.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I think it isn't rocket science to say that Roger is gone down a notch, but nor is it rocket salad to say he can rise the stick for one last battle. I think he'll need a 2009 to click the W in NY, but that's been seen before and he'd be the one guy you'd say could put himself in position to benefit...

I agree with you, considering Marion Bartoli has retired.

 

[Tennis Miller]

I think Roger's last shot at a significant title was last year's WTF final vs Nole. It was on Roger's favorite surface, indoors, he was fit and playing well, 2/3 set format, against a guy he knows he can beat. When he went down in straights, I recall thinking, that was it.

If he couldn't do it there he has zero chance of winning a major. This isn't 2002. There isn't a never-won-a-major young Andy Roddick in the quarters, and no Scheng Schalken in the semis. There's no chance of 32-year old Roger pulling a USO title out of a hat.

 

[ClayDeath]

roger`s best chances for a slam are at Wimbledon.


he has to show up ready, prepared, and fit there next year.


it is the least demanding slam.


there are too many sharks at flushing meadows.


still he could surprise the world if the top guns falter.

 

[DarthFed]

Disagree on that. Roger can lose to anyone at Wimbledon even if he is in decent form coming in. He had the 2010 fiasco and made Tsonga look like God the last few sets of 2011, even Bradley Cooper almost beat him last year. Roger is vulnerable at Wimbledon but he is of course very dangerous as well as we saw what he did to Djokovic and Murray last year.

If Roger starts playing half decent there are only a handful that can beat him at the USO and he can beat all of them too except for the one he lays down for. This year playing like this Roger won't be beating any great player and he might not even reach the QF to play one. He will be in better shape at the 2014 Open even being a year older.

 

[Kieran]

This isn't 2002. There isn't a never-won-a-major young Andy Roddick in the quarters, and no Scheng Schalken in the semis. There's no chance of 32-year old Roger pulling a USO title out of a hat.

Luckily for him, given the form of Agassi that year, because he battled hard to beat a 35 year old crocked Agassi in 2005, after the veteran had just finished 3 five setters.

I'm thinking the negativity of Fedfans is a ploy to cushion the blow if he loses, or raise the roof if he wins. He's Federer! Of course he has a chance, even against Nadal. And most especially if he's gone that far in the first place...

 

[Star1054]

This isn't 2002. There isn't a never-won-a-major young Andy Roddick in the quarters, and no Scheng Schalken in the semis. There's no chance of 32-year old Roger pulling a USO title out of a hat.

Luckily for him, given the form of Agassi that year, because he battled hard to beat a 35 year old crocked Agassi in 2005, after the veteran had just finished 3 five setters.

I'm thinking the negativity of Fedfans is a ploy to cushion the blow if he loses, or raise the roof if he wins. He's Federer! Of course he has a chance, even against Nadal. And most especially if he's gone that far in the first place...

I'd still feel better if Nadal was on the other side of the draw.

I really think the Nadal losses are in his head.....he is basically down a set before he even takes the court it seems.

 

[Kieran]

Hey Star,

His problem with Rafa is what you say: Nadal is in his head. And Roger can't seem able to shake him. Plus, over 5, Rafa is relentless. He's just too tough for Roger. But maybe Roger will be sick of all this and play a blinder. He's done it before when written off, and both Murray and Nole have suffered. I still maintain that if Federer reaches the qf, he'll be playing well enough to make a match of this.

Rafa would be favourite, but its never a six inch putt...

 

[August]

Roger still has a chance for a Wimby title in the next couple of years. It's the slam best suited to his game and the opposition isn't too tough there. Rafa is vulnerable on grass and Nole isn't unbeatable on grass. Only Murray seems comfortable on grass of the big names.

Other slams are then harder for Roger to win. There are so many good HC players. Roger could still do well on fast HCs but even the USO is too slow. Or should Rafa somehow manage not to win RG, Roger could have a chance there, I'd say Roger is the 3rd best clay-courter after Rafa and Nole, and Nole isn't so unbeatable on clay.

 

[isabelle]

Ivanisevic said in l'Equipe that Olderer could surprise us in USO
Let's see if he's right or wrong

 

[19USC66]

The problem I have with Mac is always the same. He loves the sound of his own voice. One of the great advertisements for DirecTV US OPEN coverage. Is you get a choice of 6 screens and one of the Fed match channels is always someone else besides John McEnroe commentating. The Brit announcers do a great job with tennis commentary. They understand this is one sport where the less talk the better. Federer has done his heavy lifting and if he never wins another major big deal. Fed is respected and will be remembered for his great play. McEnroe is remembered for the size of his mouth.

 

[Tennis Miller]

The problem I have with Mac is always the same. He loves the sound of his own voice. One of the great advertisements for DirecTV US OPEN coverage. Is you get a choice of 6 screens and one of the Fed match channels is always someone else besides John McEnroe commentating. The Brit announcers do a great job with tennis commentary. They understand this is one sport where the less talk the better. Federer has done his heavy lifting and if he never wins another major big deal. Fed is respected and will be remembered for his great play. McEnroe is remembered for the size of his mouth.

I would bet my life that Bjorn Borg remembers Mac for something more than his mouth...

Cheers

TM

 

[shawnbm]

The problem I have with Mac is always the same. He loves the sound of his own voice. One of the great advertisements for DirecTV US OPEN coverage. Is you get a choice of 6 screens and one of the Fed match channels is always someone else besides John McEnroe commentating. The Brit announcers do a great job with tennis commentary. They understand this is one sport where the less talk the better. Federer has done his heavy lifting and if he never wins another major big deal. Fed is respected and will be remembered for his great play. McEnroe is remembered for the size of his mouth.

I would bet my life that Bjorn Borg remembers Mac for something more than his mouth...

Cheers

TM

Connors recalls him well too.

 

[Fiero425]

The problem I have with Mac is always the same. He loves the sound of his own voice. One of the great advertisements for DirecTV US OPEN coverage. Is you get a choice of 6 screens and one of the Fed match channels is always someone else besides John McEnroe commentating. The Brit announcers do a great job with tennis commentary. They understand this is one sport where the less talk the better. Federer has done his heavy lifting and if he never wins another major big deal. Fed is respected and will be remembered for his great play. McEnroe is remembered for the size of his mouth.

I would bet my life that Bjorn Borg remembers Mac for something more than his mouth...

Cheers

TM

Borg tuned him out; totally! lol! :snigger

 

[sid]

roger`s best chances for a slam are at Wimbledon.


he has to show up ready, prepared, and fit there next year.


it is the least demanding slam.


there are too many sharks at flushing meadows.


still he could surprise the world if the top guns falter.

I dont think he will win Wimbledon again if Murray is fit for the fight,Murray now has his number @ Wimbledon on grass.If Nadal plays,i think he beats Roger as well,long as his knee's are ok.Potty & Nole could also take Roger out.For me Hurc i think the USO is his best chance of a Slam,why,if Rogers serve is on then he can be a danger.Rogers not done much in the last 2 Masters,so he should be fresh & he likes quick courts.