Roger's Quest for #1 (and Rafa's QF exit implications)

[Denis]

Roger isn't playing there and he shouldn't since AO was just two weeks ago. I'm all for him playing Dubai and if he does well there and IW maybe he skips Miami.

Fed is playing Rotterdam.

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

Fed is playing Rotterdam.

http://www.rogerfederer.com/index.php/news/134-roger-to-play-rotterdam-next-week

 

[Federberg]

http://www.rogerfederer.com/index.php/news/134-roger-to-play-rotterdam-next-week

what a complete tool. there must be rankings linked endorsement money involved

 

[Andy22]

Wow Roger federer playing next week title 97th here we come.

 

[DarthFed]

Stupidity. And what are the chances he's practiced much if at all the last ten days since OZ? Just prepare for and play Dubai, better tournament for him anyways. Now he better not play Dubai too but if he crashes out early at Rotterdam I'm sure he will.

 

[DarthFed]

LOL, Darth...it is amazing how much 'too much' is never enough for you. And you can't stand it that Rafa is oldest YE#1. (He's got more than a year to go to pass Andre, who was 33+ as oldest #1.) I'm with Federberg that the #1 will take care of itself, if he keeps winning, or plays a little clay, say. And I do think you care more than he does...this notion of him being "tempted" at the wrong time. What he did last year was unlike him, and I'll bet he learned from it.

Now you guys may see what I mean. He clearly gunned for it hard last year and I figured it was still well on his mind now since he is close. He is making a dumb call too. He played Montreal last second without much/any prep. This seems similar, I doubt he's done much but celebrate #20 the past ten days... stupidity

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Stupidity. And what are the chances he's practiced much if at all the last ten days since OZ? Just prepare for and play Dubai, better tournament for him anyways. Now he better not play Dubai too but if he crashes out early at Rotterdam I'm sure he will.

I beg to differ. This is a good decision unlike last year.

I have a strong feeling that this is not just motivated by #1 ranking, although it played a factor. I think Roger will play Dubai and IW.
Skip Miami. Do some mild clay (Rome and RG). Then Halle & Wimby. Then Cincy & USo. Then reassess the situation.

Roger has said in Jan interview itself that the key decision that he needs to take is whether to play in clay or not as other decisions
are dependent on that. I believe he has decided (or at least strongly in favor of it) to play some on clay. Once he decides that it is
a no brainer to skip Miami (only then he can get a 8 weeks long rest before Rome). Once he has decided to skip Miami, need to
add something to substitute for that. Rotterdam will play that role.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

The field at Rotterdam is quite strong. If Fed just gets up from bed and plays, he will be prone to an early upset there.
On the other hand, if he pays due respect to the field and prepares, he should be able to reach SF (and thus become #1),
even if he does not manage to win it.

 

[DarthFed]

His motivation to play there is 100% the #1 rank. Let's not kid ourselves. And if he plays clay then there is the possibility he ends up playing a lot of tennis before Wimbledon if he goes deep consistently.

 

[Denis]

His motivation to play there is 100% the #1 rank. Let's not kid ourselves. And if he plays clay then there is the possibility he ends up playing a lot of tennis before Wimbledon if he goes deep consistently.

I thought it was because of the nice weather, the crowds that will show up because nobody wants to watch the Olympics, and of course tournament director Richard Krajicek.

I do think the tourney is as prestigious asBercy because of its history, but yeah not the most exciting event on tour. I still like it because I sometimes get to go there.

 

[lob]

His motivation to play there is 100% the #1 rank. Let's not kid ourselves. And if he plays clay then there is the possibility he ends up playing a lot of tennis before Wimbledon if he goes deep consistently.

Why is he even considering clay? Just for the #1? Not worth it. Takes focus away from Wimbledon which is what he wants to win anyway. Chasing #1 is pointless. He can't stay there long anyway. It's a crown of thorns. But Roger likes the feeling of being hailed as a king.

Roger's gets caught up in this whole media hoopla and vanity gets the better of him often. I 100% agree Darth. Chasing #1 is really stupid. He himself won't enjoy it. But then who am I to say anything? He is RF.

 

[MartyB]

Why is he even considering clay? Just for the #1? Not worth it. Takes focus away from Wimbledon which is what he wants to win anyway. Chasing #1 is pointless. He can't stay there long anyway. It's a crown of thorns. But Roger likes the feeling of being hailed as a king.

Roger's gets caught up in this whole media hoopla and vanity gets the better of him often. I 100% agree Darth. Chasing #1 is really stupid. He himself won't enjoy it. But then who am I to say anything? He is RF.

Oh and Rafa doesn't get into the vanity of being #1? Come on they & their teams are very much aware of whats at stake here. Whether this is a right move not sure and I'm not aware of Fed's preparation for this tournament but if he's playing it he must be feeling his body is up for it. Don't think he's playing Dubai now that's for sure. lol

 

[MartyB]

I beg to differ. This is a good decision unlike last year.

I have a strong feeling that this is not just motivated by #1 ranking, although it played a factor. I think Roger will play Dubai and IW.
Skip Miami. Do some mild clay (Rome and RG). Then Halle & Wimby. Then Cincy & USo. Then reassess the situation.

Roger has said in Jan interview itself that the key decision that he needs to take is whether to play in clay or not as other decisions
are dependent on that. I believe he has decided (or at least strongly in favor of it) to play some on clay. Once he decides that it is
a no brainer to skip Miami (only then he can get a 8 weeks long rest before Rome). Once he has decided to skip Miami, need to
add something to substitute for that. Rotterdam will play that role.

I think it is clearly motivated to getting the #1 ranking..What's wrong with that? Whether he does it here or Dubai what's the difference. He clearly wants it and if he's physically prepared why not? Certainly Rafa & his team are mapping out their strategy to maintain it or retake it.

 

[Busted]

I think Cilic could be year-end #1

I think so, too. In an alternate universe where the world #1 never wins any tournaments above the 500 level...

 

[Busted]

In fact, Cilic has openly declared that he is going after #1 after the AO in an interview. Considering he was a finalist in two of the last three slams and considering many are injured, that is definitely within the realm of possibilities.

He did? Is he smoking crack or just eating more forbidden cough drops? Anybody explain to him that you have to actually WIN tournaments to get maximum points? Guess he could always hope that Roger gets injured and Nadal doesn't recuperate from his current injury...

 

[Moxie]

Now you guys may see what I mean. He clearly gunned for it hard last year and I figured it was still well on his mind now since he is close. He is making a dumb call too. He played Montreal last second without much/any prep. This seems similar, I doubt he's done much but celebrate #20 the past ten days... stupidity

I agree with you, Darth, though I doubt that Roger is just waking up from some champagne haze. He's likely been practicing. But Rotterdam was the beginning of the end of Rafa's knees after winning the AO, and that when he was 22.

 

[Moxie]

Oh and Rafa doesn't get into the vanity of being #1? Come on they & their teams are very much aware of whats at stake here. Whether this is a right move not sure and I'm not aware of Fed's preparation for this tournament but if he's playing it he must be feeling his body is up for it. Don't think he's playing Dubai now that's for sure. lol

I don't think any of us would pretend that players don't enjoy being #1. Roger rather most of all, though. He does fancy himself the GOAT, and he doesn't make many bones about that. But chasing it is a different thing, especially when you don't need to. Rafa has often said that you go for the results and the ranking will take care of itself. There is something to be said for that. Maybe Roger is growing impatient, at 36, and wants the #1 again. But he also needs to keep his eyes on the big prizes. I understand @DarthFed's anxiety that he might derail his bigger goals chasing an unnecessary one. However, it's a long way to RG and Wimbledon.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I think it is clearly motivated to getting the #1 ranking..What's wrong with that? Whether he does it here or Dubai what's the difference. He clearly wants it and if he's physically prepared why not? Certainly Rafa & his team are mapping out their strategy to maintain it or retake it.

Let Rafa retake it. Who cares. The point is getting to #1, even if it lasts for just one week. This will get him the "oldest #1" record.
His no of weeks at #1 is in no danger of being eclipsed by anyone.

 

[Moxie]

Let Rafa retake it. Who cares. The point is getting to #1, even if it lasts for just one week. This will get him the "oldest #1" record.
His no of weeks at #1 is in no danger of being eclipsed by anyone.

It's fairly clear that Rafa having YE#1 oldest bothers you guys, since Roger is the Old Man of tennis. You'll just gigolo all the records, no matter the cost? Both his weeks at #1 and consecutive weeks at #1 have to be safe for some long time. But I get it: even one week at #1 now, and he's the oldest #1, at least over Andre. I find it strange that you're gaming for it so hard right now. With the point spread between Rafa and Roger at the top, it seems just a matter of time. Do you really think it's wise for him to push it so hard immediately?

 

[El Dude]

Roger's earned the benefit of the doubt on his track record, in terms of taking care of his body and knowing what is best. There was Canada last year, but how often does that happen?