In terms of winning majors. Roger's too old and Rafa's knee is back (exacerbated by his playing style). Now that Novak is back in form, and the young gen is stepping up, I think the guard is finally changing. Maybe another French for Rafa and a freak win for Roger---but that's it.
Roger and Rafa are done
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Federberg
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I wouldn't bring the young gen into it mate. Last I recall Roger and Rafa have won the bulk of the last few majors. I'm certainly coming round to the view that Roger just isn't interested anymore, but it's not clear to me that Rafa doesn't have the hunger anymore. When he's fit he'll still be one of the favourites. Basically it's up to them whether they're done or not
Roger and Rafa have won the bulk of the recent majors because Novak (and to a lesser extent)Andy were out of the picture. I don't think Roger gets to choose whether or not he ages nor Rafa about his knee. Rafa will ALWAYS have the drive to win, but that doesn't necessarily translate into winning if the body isn't up to the task.
Federberg
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To no extent has Andy Murray's absence been a factor. I'm sorry there is simply no evidence that he has the ability to stop Roger or Rafa. One might make the argument for Novak perhaps. But it would be absurd. You might as well say that these guys are winning because Rod Laver isn't playing anymore or Pete Sampras isn't around now. It's nonsense quite frankly
Fiero425
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I just heard Nadal is shutting it down for a month with that knee injury! He'll probably have cover for not defending Beijing and Shanghai! Coming back to win Paris may be his only hope of retaining #1 unless Nole falters! Roger probably won't defend his points either so he may drop to #4 or 5 for the year even with an AO crown! It's been a lackluster season for him IMO! Nole's come out of nowhere and I'm still SMH in disbelief; esp. after dropping Queens to Cilic with a MP! :whistle: 
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Federberg
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Lol! Any season where you win a slam at 36 is not a lack lustre season mate. Sorry...I just heard Nadal is shutting it down for a month with that knee injury! He'll probably have cover for not defending Beijing and Shanghai! Coming back to win Paris may be his only hope of retaining #1 unless Nole falters! Roger probably won't defend his points either so he may drop to #4 or 5 for the year even with an AO crown! It's been a lackluster season for him IMO! Nole's come out of nowhere and I'm still SMH in disbelief; esp. after dropping Queens to Cilic with a MP! :whistle:
Fiero425
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For him it was dropping all those Masters' defenses! This is the type of season one of the Next Gen should be having; Sasha maybe! :whistle:
Federberg
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he's 36 years old mate. Or was when he won the AO. You're really comparing his season to a NextGener?
Fiero425
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he's 36 years old mate. Or was when he won the AO. You're really comparing his season to a NextGener?
He's been better than the Next Gen'rs up to now! If you want to use the age or injury excuse; fine, but I think he should drop out if that's how he's going roll until he finally hobbles away! I personally think he's run himself down overplaying, but he doesn't have anything else to do I guess! Players hate leaving the stage; look at Connors with a USO run at 39 in '91! I was saying the same about him; he'll have a good streak, but consistency won't be there like in 2017 ever again; JMHO! :whistle:
Federberg
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what are you talking about? Over playing? And why on earth would you think I'm making excuses? He won a slam this year. It's a good year! You're not making any senseHe's been better than the Next Gen'rs up to now! If you want to use the age or injury excuse; fine, but I think he should drop out if that's how he's going roll until he finally hobbles away! I personally think he's run himself down overplaying, but he doesn't have anything else to do I guess! Players hate leaving the stage; look at Connors with a USO run at 39 in '91! I was saying the same about him; he'll have a good streak, but consistency won't be there like in 2017 ever again; JMHO! :whistle:
Fiero425
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So I'm not allowed an opinion? Yeah I said it; Roger was overplaying until this season! He had a great year in 2017 and was "feeling it!" I found it fortunate that he defended "down under," but I wasn't surprised in the least that he's had mediocre results since; just too much for the old guy in 2018! :whistle:
Federberg
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Lol! So you can talk about his age, but when I do it's an excuse? Ok...So I'm not allowed an opinion? Yeah I said it; Roger was overplaying until this season! He had a great year in 2017 and was "feeling it!" I found it fortunate that he defended "down under," but I wasn't surprised in the least that he's had mediocre results since; just too much for the old guy in 2018! :whistle:
Fiero425
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They're all aging! I wish the whole kit-caboodle would just leave! I've been railing about the Next Gen taking over for years! OCO!
atttomole
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Roger has looked bad for months now. It is logical to think that he could be on his way out. However, we have written him off before, and he has proved us wrong. Rafa knows how to deal with his knee problems, which means he will be back. I foresee Rafa and Novak fighting for slams the next couple of years, with Roger as the wild card.
mrzz
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Well some months ago -- I guess just after RG -- I posted that I believe Fedal would never win a major again. I am more and more convinced of that. Actually, maybe Djokovic might win tomorrow, but after that I don't think he wins much too, one maybe.
El Dude
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Fiero, I think the point is that Roger has been the most successful 35+ year old since Ken Rosewall. No one in the last 50 years--the entire Open Era--has been close to as good at that age, and really at any age over about 32. That is impressive.
As for Roger and Rafa, who knows. I counted both out and they both won three more Slams. A lot of people were counting Novak out, and I said "If Roger and Rafa can do it, why not Novak?" And here we are.
That said, I do see us now in Novak's Indian Summer, just as 2017 and the first half of 2018 was Fedal. Maybe Novak's last through 2019 and he wins 3-4 Slams, finishing with 16-17. But at some point someone will break through. Maybe Sascha, maybe Thiem at RG, maybe Tsitsipas or Shapo (although probably not Shapo until 2020 or 2021).
But yeah, I think Novak will win a few more and finish with at least 16. Rafa...who knows. If he's healthy he's still the favorite at RG next year, but only by a hair over Novak and Thiem needs to be taken seriously. Roger probably won't win AO again with Novak back. He probably only as one more chance at a Slam, Wimbledon next year, and will have to peak just right. But I do think he's done winning Slams. He'll get his 100+ titles but may not catch Connors.
Actually, Novak's resurgence probably protects Roger's Slam record. I can't see Rafa winning another Slam or two with Novak around, and maybe not even that.
And yeah, by this time next year I think Next Gen will break through, either at Wimbledon or the USO.
As for Roger and Rafa, who knows. I counted both out and they both won three more Slams. A lot of people were counting Novak out, and I said "If Roger and Rafa can do it, why not Novak?" And here we are.
That said, I do see us now in Novak's Indian Summer, just as 2017 and the first half of 2018 was Fedal. Maybe Novak's last through 2019 and he wins 3-4 Slams, finishing with 16-17. But at some point someone will break through. Maybe Sascha, maybe Thiem at RG, maybe Tsitsipas or Shapo (although probably not Shapo until 2020 or 2021).
But yeah, I think Novak will win a few more and finish with at least 16. Rafa...who knows. If he's healthy he's still the favorite at RG next year, but only by a hair over Novak and Thiem needs to be taken seriously. Roger probably won't win AO again with Novak back. He probably only as one more chance at a Slam, Wimbledon next year, and will have to peak just right. But I do think he's done winning Slams. He'll get his 100+ titles but may not catch Connors.
Actually, Novak's resurgence probably protects Roger's Slam record. I can't see Rafa winning another Slam or two with Novak around, and maybe not even that.
And yeah, by this time next year I think Next Gen will break through, either at Wimbledon or the USO.
JesuslookslikeBorg
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mrzz
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Just to clarify, while I think that Fedal are "done" and Djokovic is pretty close to "done" too (as far as winning major goes), the last reason for this IMO would be next gen. I see del Potro, Cilic, Wawrinka and Thiem head and shoulders above any nextgener now. Even Raonic and Nishikori are quite above all of them with the exception of Zverev -- who by his turn must have one of the worst major stats of a long time top 10 (as he is a top 10 for quite a while right now).
