RF: "No Need to Panic"/ gets WC for Gstaad

[DarthFed]

Now I am starting to wonder what his thinking is. Assuming he plays both MS events that would be a lot of tennis ahead of the US Open which just isn't a great idea at his age. I still don't think it is about the points as he would basically have to win all 4 tournaments to have a hope to get #4 rank back before the USO.

A farewell tour? That is possible but that doesn't mean he is retiring at the end of this year. It would just indicate that it is the last time he is playing either of those events.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

^ i agree that it can't be about getting back to #4 before USO. but it could well be about remaining top 8 through next year (if he's really as into long term planning as they always claim), and/or a good position for the WTF.

either way, i think these moves are an interesting contrast to the quote in the title, no?

 

[DarthFed]

^ i agree that it can't be about getting back to #4 before USO. but it could well be about remaining top 8 through next year (if he's really as into long term planning as they always claim), and/or a good position for the WTF.

either way, i think these moves are an interesting contrast to the quote in the title, no?

Yes, apparently Roger didn't get the memo, and here I was thinking the players always read our expert analysis :snigger

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I think this is all about london. I don't think he worries to much about his seedings at slams or whatever. But I think he wants to make sure he ends up in London because right now, it is not a given.

 

[Denis]

I think Roger is not thinking at all. He just wants to play a couple of fun tournaments close to home. The only ranking position he cares about is No 1, and he knows that is a thing of the past. This is 'fun' Roger.

 

[El Dude]

Right. It could also be him wanting to play a couple of low(ish) impact tournaments to see what's wrong with his game, to adjust for the ATP 1000s and US Open coming up. I know the clay tournament is a completely different surface, but it will still provide at least a couple matches against lower ranked players so that he can work on technical aspects of his game.

 

[Front242]

Still think there's only one real reason for it. Points to ensure he makes the cut for the WTF. Regardless of ranking if he plays his best he's a big favourite there but he needs to qualify first and that's what he's aiming to do by playing these.

 

[DarthFed]

I think Roger is not thinking at all. He just wants to play a couple of fun tournaments close to home. The only ranking position he cares about is No 1, and he knows that is a thing of the past. This is 'fun' Roger.

Roger is no idiot. It is a world of difference draw wise to be #4 instead of #5 at majors. Sure he would like to be #1 but at this point he knows the importance of staying in the top 4. I don't think he's playing these tournaments for fun. Possibly he is worried about London but I think the main reason is he is ticked at his horrendous play this year and wants to get back on the court right away and kick some ass. At least I hope that is a big part of the reason.

 

[herios]

I think Roger is not thinking at all. He just wants to play a couple of fun tournaments close to home. The only ranking position he cares about is No 1, and he knows that is a thing of the past. This is 'fun' Roger.

Roger is no idiot. It is a world of difference draw wise to be #4 instead of #5 at majors. Sure he would like to be #1 but at this point he knows the importance of staying in the top 4. I don't think he's playing these tournaments for fun. Possibly he is worried about London but I think the main reason is he is ticked at his horrendous play this year and wants to get back on the court right away and kick some ass. At least I hope that is a big part of the reason.

The only way Roger is getting back to # 4 before USO is to win everything: Gstaadt, Hamburg, Montreal and Cincy and also hope Ferrer doesn't make the QF in Montreal and Cincy. That ship has sailed, this is more likely to garner points for the WTF, because he included in a cocky way into his schedule, forgetting that is not an automatic participation.
Now that event is not a "sure thing anymore". he changes his schedule to allow himself more options, to get into the top 8, without being squeezed towards the end of the season.

 

[Kieran]

Well, you're all taking it for granted that Nadal will play again before the US Open. I'm sure he will, but he might not. I think Gstaad maybe Roger saying hello and farewell to Swiss tournaments...

 

[Denis]

I think Roger is not thinking at all. He just wants to play a couple of fun tournaments close to home. The only ranking position he cares about is No 1, and he knows that is a thing of the past. This is 'fun' Roger.

Roger is no idiot. It is a world of difference draw wise to be #4 instead of #5 at majors. Sure he would like to be #1 but at this point he knows the importance of staying in the top 4. I don't think he's playing these tournaments for fun. Possibly he is worried about London but I think the main reason is he is ticked at his horrendous play this year and wants to get back on the court right away and kick some ass. At least I hope that is a big part of the reason.

The only way Roger is getting back to # 4 before USO is to win everything: Gstaadt, Hamburg, Montreal and Cincy and also hope Ferrer doesn't make the QF in Montreal and Cincy. That ship has sailed, this is more likely to garner points for the WTF, because he included in a cocky way into his schedule, forgetting that is not an automatic participation.
Now that event is not a "sure thing anymore". he changes his schedule to allow himself more options, to get into the top 8, without being squeezed towards the end of the season.

Darth, I know Roger is no idiot. My post might have come accross a bit wrong. I just don't think he cares too much about rankings. Frankly, I think he would prefer to play another GS final than being ranked within the top 4 (and I don't think the rank is that important to make a good run). I think you're absolutely right that he is trying to get some rythm or as you say kick some ass.

 

[DarthFed]

I think Roger is not thinking at all. He just wants to play a couple of fun tournaments close to home. The only ranking position he cares about is No 1, and he knows that is a thing of the past. This is 'fun' Roger.

Roger is no idiot. It is a world of difference draw wise to be #4 instead of #5 at majors. Sure he would like to be #1 but at this point he knows the importance of staying in the top 4. I don't think he's playing these tournaments for fun. Possibly he is worried about London but I think the main reason is he is ticked at his horrendous play this year and wants to get back on the court right away and kick some ass. At least I hope that is a big part of the reason.

The only way Roger is getting back to # 4 before USO is to win everything: Gstaadt, Hamburg, Montreal and Cincy and also hope Ferrer doesn't make the QF in Montreal and Cincy. That ship has sailed, this is more likely to garner points for the WTF, because he included in a cocky way into his schedule, forgetting that is not an automatic participation.
Now that event is not a "sure thing anymore". he changes his schedule to allow himself more options, to get into the top 8, without being squeezed towards the end of the season.

Darth, I know Roger is no idiot. My post might have come accross a bit wrong. I just don't think he cares too much about rankings. Frankly, I think he would prefer to play another GS final than being ranked within the top 4 (and I don't think the rank is that important to make a good run). I think you're absolutely right that he is trying to get some rythm or as you say kick some ass.

Being in the top 4 makes his chances a lot greater to win another slam there is no doubt about that whatsoever. At #5 he has a 75% chance of facing Nole, Rafa, or Murray in the QF and then there is the additional chance he would have to face all 3 to win the tournament. I think Roger would prefer to play another GS final over being #1 at this point but he knows being top 4 makes it easier to reach a major final.

---

I think Roger is not thinking at all. He just wants to play a couple of fun tournaments close to home. The only ranking position he cares about is No 1, and he knows that is a thing of the past. This is 'fun' Roger.

Roger is no idiot. It is a world of difference draw wise to be #4 instead of #5 at majors. Sure he would like to be #1 but at this point he knows the importance of staying in the top 4. I don't think he's playing these tournaments for fun. Possibly he is worried about London but I think the main reason is he is ticked at his horrendous play this year and wants to get back on the court right away and kick some ass. At least I hope that is a big part of the reason.

The only way Roger is getting back to # 4 before USO is to win everything: Gstaadt, Hamburg, Montreal and Cincy and also hope Ferrer doesn't make the QF in Montreal and Cincy. That ship has sailed, this is more likely to garner points for the WTF, because he included in a cocky way into his schedule, forgetting that is not an automatic participation.
Now that event is not a "sure thing anymore". he changes his schedule to allow himself more options, to get into the top 8, without being squeezed towards the end of the season.

Roger barring injury is at no risk of missing London. I don't think that has much to do with it. Fed can't play any worse than he has this season and he is still #6 in the year to date points.

Yes, Fed won't be #4 at the USO but if he starts playing decent tennis he can get back to #4 at the end of the year and go into AO at #4.

 

[Denis]

Well, even if he's ranked top 4 he will get the big hitters in his quarter (Tsonga, Berdych, Del Potro) so thats not great either, better get Ferrer. So really I think the most important thing now is just to get into a rythm in which he can have a good run.

 

[DarthFed]

Well, even if he's ranked top 4 he will get the big hitters in his quarter (Tsonga, Berdych, Del Potro) so thats not great either, better get Ferrer. So really I think the most important thing now is just to get into a rythm in which he can have a good run.

True but Roger would take his chances with them and there also is the part where all those players listed have a much greater chance of being upset than Nole, Rafa and Murray. But you are right about what's important right now and I think that is the main reason he is playing these 2 small events on clay.

---

Well, you're all taking it for granted that Nadal will play again before the US Open. I'm sure he will, but he might not. I think Gstaad maybe Roger saying hello and farewell to Swiss tournaments...

Well Roger is scheduled to play Halle again...

 

[Front242]

Halle's in Germany

 

[crystalfire]

whatever his plans hes gonna need a lot of luck to go deep in slam forget about masters. unless he steps up his game somehow.

 

[DarthFed]

Halle's in Germany

Basel...long day :laydownlaughing

 

[Front242]

Halle's in Germany

Basel...long day :laydownlaughing

No prob. Know the feeling He'll have his work cut out there (in Basel) in any case with Del Potro presumably looking to defend there. DP played well there last year. Roger losing there really started to compound the poor play from the latter part of last year. I'm especially interested to see his level at Cincy this year. He was outstanding last year against Djokovic but a lot has changed since then.

 

[DarthFed]

Halle's in Germany

Basel...long day :laydownlaughing

No prob. Know the feeling He'll have his work cut out there (in Basel) in any case with Del Potro presumably looking to defend there. DP played well there last year. Roger losing there really started to compound the poor play from the latter part of last year. I'm especially interested to see his level at Cincy this year. He was outstanding last year against Djokovic but a lot has changed since then.

Yep, Cincy is gearing up to be a big one for him. He has a bad loss there and it could carry over to the USO. A win there can help him close in on the #4 spot again. Aside from the Olympic points and having to defend Cincy, Roger has a lot to gain the rest of the year.

 

[Front242]

Yup and he'll need all the points he can get, not only for qualifying for the WTF but to start better next year.