Question to Fed fans - Is there anything Fed can do to get back his legacy?

[Bonaca]

Everyone and their mums were beating Fed last year, doesn't mean much.

Faker is worse of the three at the net. Overall Fed is the best.

The most important is the balance between offence and defence, Novak is superior at this spot.
Net Skills aren’t that important looking overall, Feds ability at the net brings him nothing against novak, even at Wimbledon.
Roger reached the final in Cincy last year, not many mums beat them there.
Come on! I know you could never admit to my point. You don’t have too.
But Novak is not that bad, maybe you could correct this in your posts.

 

[monfed]

The most important is the balance between offence and defence, Novak is superior at this spot.
Net Skills aren’t that important looking overall, Feds ability at the net brings him nothing against novak, even at Wimbledon.
Roger reached the final in Cincy last year, not many mums beat them there.
Come on! I know you could never admit to my point. You don’t have too.
But Novak is not that bad, maybe you could correct this in your posts.

Federer had the perfect balance of offence and defence in his prime that is why he dominated for so long. Djokovic hasn't been able to replicate that. He basically needed the tour to fall off the map for him to win. Basically vultured slams since 2015 because both Nadal and Fed weren't the same players they were before. Before that he was getting owned at RG and by Murray and Fed at Wimby, USO too.

 

[Bonaca]

Federer had the perfect balance of offence and defence in his prime that is why he dominated for so long. Djokovic hasn't been able to replicate that. He basically needed the tour to fall off the map for him to win. Basically vultured slams since 2015 because both Nadal and Fed weren't the same players they were before. Before that he was getting owned at RG and by Murray and Fed at Wimby, USO too.

Feds defence isn’t comparable to Novak’s and Bulls. And I don’t talk about prime times, talking about presence.
You mix different things , brings out what you think is helpful to convince others.

 

[DarthFed]

Feds defence isn’t comparable to Novak’s and Bulls. And I don’t talk about prime times, talking about presence.
You mix different things , brings out what you think is helpful to convince others.

Federer is 38, what kind of defensive skills are we expecting him to have? It's clear as day at this point that as soon as someone grabs control of a point against him it's almost always over.

 

[monfed]

Feds defence isn’t comparable to Novak’s and Bulls. And I don’t talk about prime times, talking about presence.
You mix different things , brings out what you think is helpful to convince others.

Yes Fed's defence isn't comparable to faker or dull. But you also mention faker and dull's offence is nowhere comparable to Fed's.

Play hard but play fair OK?

 

[Bonaca]

Yes Fed's defence isn't comparable to faker or dull. But you also mention faker and dull's offence is nowhere comparable to Fed's.

Play hard but play fair OK?

Yes agree, fairness is all I’m asking for. I Never said Novak or bull are the better server, netplayer or have the better offence skills. It’s not comparable like the defense was. Maybe it could be said both aspects were in balance. what makes the differences? Mindset, return game, physics ?
I'm not sure, but this all matters for winning matches and titles. How can we not pay attention to these aspects when looking at the big picture?

 

[atttomole]

I think not but I'd like to know if Fed fans think there is something Fed can do to get his GOAT status back or what must he do to get his legacy back? Is there an optimist Fed fan hiding somewhere?

Is there any silver lining at all?

Yes. By winning more slams. He showed on Sunday that he still has what it takes to win. He has to continue putting himself in a position where he can fight for titles.

 

[monfed]

Yes. By winning more slams. He showed on Sunday that he still has what it takes to win. He has to continue putting himself in a position where he can fight for titles.

Attomole after yesterday's mess, I feel Fed needs to beat Djokovic at a slam to win it. Beating someone else will make it feel like an empty victory. I didn't feel this way about faker even after USO 15, but after yesterday I feel this has to happen. It just has to.

I didn't think Fed could choke harder than the USO 15, but this wasn't even a choke. It was a complete lack of self belief. That hurts me more than anything. How Fed can give this pusher so much headspace.

 

[MikeOne]

he has no legacy?

Buahahahahah


Fed fans are crazy!

 

[Front242]

Let's say you're right. But don't you think it will feel hollow if he beats a Cilic to do it? Where's the fun in winning slams if you don't beat your main rivals to do it?

As you put it many times though, his main rivals are beating a guy who is almost 38. Kinda the same for them...

His main rivals both won slams recently against Anderson.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

The problem is I don't even think Federer feels like he's the GOAT anymore. With the way Nadal & Djokovic are approaching him, it's now a 3-way race. Like Djokovic said after beating him for a 3rd time in a Wimbledon final, "Federer is one of the greatest players of all-time". What's even more amazing is that unlike Sampras who retired as the Goat but saw his records passed a few years after, Federer might actually get surpassed while he's still playing.

After years of people, players and the media repeating over and over that he's the Goat, it must be hard for him now to start realizing that he is not the Goat afterall, at least not in an unquestionable way. I can see that uncertainty and sadness on his face more than ever during Djokovic's speech in the Wimbledon ceremony. Even in his best slam, he doesn't feel like the Goat...

 

[Bonaca]

The problem is I don't even think Federer feels like he's the GOAT anymore. With the way Nadal & Djokovic are approaching him, it's now a 3-way race. Like Djokovic said after beating him for a 3rd time in a Wimbledon final, "Federer is one of the greatest players of all-time". What's even more amazing is that unlike Sampras who retired as the Goat but saw his records passed a few years after, Federer might actually get surpassed while he's still playing.

After years of people, players and the media repeating over and over that he's the Goat, it must be hard for him now to start realizing that he is not the Goat afterall, at least not in an unquestionable way. I can see that uncertainty and sadness on his face more than ever during Djokovic's speech in the Wimbledon ceremony. Even in his best slam, he doesn't feel like the Goat...

Know what you mean.
But man that’s really hard to read for a Federer Fan. Especially your last two sentences. What is your intention, fingering a fresh wound?

 

[DarthFed]

He is GOAT for now but it's getting tighter and things may end up being decided by this pathetic choke. As for Wimbledon, he still has 8 and that's even on what is clearly a grass court that doesn't suit his game at all like the other real grass courts. Let's see how it all plays out. Things can change fast. I don't think Fed will remain worthless the rest of his career but it's been a bad 1.5 years. At least he showed he still has spurts of good play, just has to be more consistent and tougher when it matters.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Know what you mean.
But man that’s really hard to read for a Federer Fan. Especially your last two sentences. What is your intention, fingering a fresh wound?

Oh no, poor Federer fans

Hasn't Nick Kyrgios taught you anything?

Federer has 20 slams and millions of dollars, a couple of sentences should not hurt him or his fans.

 

[Bonaca]

Oh no, poor Federer fans

Hasn't Nick Kyrgios taught you anything?

Federer has 20 slams and millions of dollars, a couple of sentences should not hurt him or his fans.

Haha ok , it’s your show. Just asking.
I'm extremely fine with this result.
Nick who? Teaching? This fucking clown ? Best joke ever!

 

[Moxie]

As you put it many times though, his main rivals are beating a guy who is almost 38. Kinda the same for them...

His main rivals both won slams recently against Anderson.

This is a shamelessly misleading post, Front. Fed hasn't always been "almost 38." His main rivals also beat him in prime years, especially Rafa. And sure, Novak beat Anderson to win Wimbledon last year. And why was Anderson even there? Because he beat Roger, so that's on your man. Rafa beat Anderson to win USO 2017. That's mostly down to the light-weights in the bottom half who had a cupcake draw and couldn't make the date...firstly Cilic should have been there, and also Zverev could have taken advantage of the possibility. But given a fairly soft field in 2017, due to so many top withdrawals, Roger could have had that gimme final if he'd beaten Del Potro and at least given himself a shot v. Nadal. But he didn't. And don't let's forget who Roger beat to win some of his early Slams: Phillipoussis, Roddick, Hewitt, aging Agassi, and Baghdatis. I don't think you should get away with that weak post.

 

[MikeOne]

he can retire, how's that? or risk being owned for next couple of years, by the mighty Novak.

 

[Michael;Kiwi]

It hurts like hell, but it is far from over. He really played a brilliant tournament up until 8-7 40-15. Then he got back to break point at 11-11 with the horror of blowing it in the air. I believe that he is far from done. The Nadal win should be a clear confidence booster as well. He is now the favorite against anyone besides Djokovic (except Nadal on clay of course). I feel that he is not losing the US Open to anyone besides Djokovic. I know that this loss makes Djokovic feel invincible, but I believe that Federer is really strong at not letting it get to him. What he needs to do next time is not let it get to the fifth set. He was the far better player in every moment except the crucial ones. If he could have won the third I don't think he would have had the same problem closing. I believe Federer can still win 1-2 more majors. Also it is no less a major if he doesn't go through the others. 1 major equals 1 major no matter what. Also, even if Federer get no more majors it is far from guaranteed he will lose the record. Djokovic is 32 and if we are being honest he did not play that well in Wimbledon. He got out broken 7-3 against a 37 year old. Federer played well, but if he wants to win four more slams he has to step it up big time. I don't believe Nadal can beat Federer or Djokovic off clay anymore. I really don't see him getting to fifteen. Maybe he can break it with two more Frenchs and one big win or good draw, but he could also easily lose one match to Thiem and finish on only 19. He could also have another period like 15-16 and have no way to recover at 36. Also maybe the 90's will actually get one slam before Auger-Aliassime takes over. All in all I think the odds are as follows.
Federer 40%
Nadal 25%
Djokovic 15%
Federer-Nadal tie 10%
Federer-Djokovic tie 4%
Djokovic-Nadal tie 3%
3 way tie 3%

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

Okay. I get the optimism of Federer fans. But, I for one, think his record is about to be broken. He's just stuck in there well beyond the par retirement age for tennis players just to protect his record. I admire his resolve and it hurts at times to see his losses. And, it's not going to get easier for him. It was all going great till Djokovic made a comeback. He's been denying Federer slams since 2014 and it's a huge boost to Nadal. But that guy is useless outside clay (right now and it's disappointing although not surprising with his reducing ability to chase down balls on quicker courts). My best bet would be Djokovic breaking Federer' record. Rationally that has to be the most obvious answer. He won 4 out of last 5 slams (FO semi was so close too) and is not stopping. He is going to get there in 2021/2022 I think. El Dude was right about wanting to see Roger 2.0 deal with Novak. You were so right Dude.

Also, I am fine if Roger retires. How long can we keep playing? This is cruel on his body and mind. Enough is enough.

P.S.: I wouldn't mind if Nadal surpassed him either. He has been entertaining us for so long and kind of deserved a culminative glory.

 

[imjimmy]

Fed's legacy is secure as one of the greatest to play the game. He is not the GOAT and maybe no one really is, except Laver.

The problem for Federer is that his record against Novak keeps getting worse. Overall Fed is:

6-10 vs Novak in all slam meetings
1-4 vs Novak in slam finals.

Overall Federer is 20-11 in slam finals (so he's lost a lot of slam finals to his rivals)

If we include the time after 2011 or Novak 2.0 - the stats look a LOT worse for Federer.

Anyway if Novak gets more slams than Fed (and it looks really likely at this point), case closed, and Djokovic would definitely be the best of this era over Fed and Nadal.

But even if Djokovic ends up with 1-2 slams less than Fed, the picture is murkier. I think Djokovic has done more damage to Fed's legacy than Nadal has. In fact, Djokovic has dominated Fed and Nadal very comprehensively after he entered his prime. He definitely has a SOLID claim to the best of this era, if he keeps his winning ways.