Singles Race to London: where will Federer end this year?

[britbox]

If Federer remains healthy I don't think he will fall outside top 8 before the end of the year. However, not playing that much and a couple of poor results could lead to him losing his top 4 ranking. I am thinking whether the 'Big 4' reign is coming to an end, with Federer dropping out. It's all speculation of course, but his results this year have been rather poor so far. A good showing at Wimbledon or the US Open will be important in that respect.

"He knows that him winning the FO is a bit unlikely with both Nadal and Djokovic in the draw "

Fed knows that his chances of winning any GS very unlikely with both Nadal and Djoker in the draw especially if those two make it to the late rounds. Fed hasnt won a slam in that scenerio since US 08 if my memory serves me correct.

He knocked Djokovic out of Wimbledon last year.

 

[tented]

If Federer remains healthy I don't think he will fall outside top 8 before the end of the year. However, not playing that much and a couple of poor results could lead to him losing his top 4 ranking. I am thinking whether the 'Big 4' reign is coming to an end, with Federer dropping out. It's all speculation of course, but his results this year have been rather poor so far. A good showing at Wimbledon or the US Open will be important in that respect.

"He knows that him winning the FO is a bit unlikely with both Nadal and Djokovic in the draw "

Fed knows that his chances of winning any GS very unlikely with both Nadal and Djoker in the draw especially if those two make it to the late rounds. Fed hasnt won a slam in that scenerio since US 08 if my memory serves me correct.

He knocked Djokovic out of Wimbledon last year.

And Roland Garros the year before.

 

[brokenshoelace]

An in form Federer is at least, Djokovic's equal on fast hards (he whipped him in Cinci last year, and let's be honest, he should have won both their US Open encounters in 2010 and 2011), and a superior player on grass. On clay and slow hards however, I think Novak is a significantly better player right now (despite Roger's win at RG a couple of years ago).

 

[the AntiPusher]

If Federer remains healthy I don't think he will fall outside top 8 before the end of the year. However, not playing that much and a couple of poor results could lead to him losing his top 4 ranking. I am thinking whether the 'Big 4' reign is coming to an end, with Federer dropping out. It's all speculation of course, but his results this year have been rather poor so far. A good showing at Wimbledon or the US Open will be important in that respect.

"He knows that him winning the FO is a bit unlikely with both Nadal and Djokovic in the draw "

Fed knows that his chances of winning any GS very unlikely with both Nadal and Djoker in the draw especially if those two make it to the late rounds. Fed hasnt won a slam in that scenerio since US 08 if my memory serves me correct.

He knocked Djokovic out of Wimbledon last year.

And Roland Garros the year before.

Tented And Britbox.. I wasnt saying that Fed isnt capable of beating those two players in the late rounds but he hasnt won a GS since 08 when Rafa and Djoker both made the semifinals..

 

[herios]

Trust me, this year Roger ain't beating Nole at RG

 

[MartyB]

Well as to the question posed here yes RF will make the final 8. Where that will be is not really that important at this stage of his career. Until they change the surface of the year end championships an inform Fed is equal to any. To dismiss him outright as a "real threat & contender" at any of the remaining GS's as some have suggested here is wishful thinking. As long as Fed is healthy, eager & fresh I like his chances.

 

[Denis]

I think this year will be the last year Federer will have a chance to win RG, and that is due to Nadal's seeding. If Nadal ends up in Djokovic's draw before meeting Federer and loses in a very long battle, Federer might have a slight chance against Djokovic after that. If Nadal wins or ends up in Federer's part of the draw, we all know what is going to happen.

As to the other slams, yes he is a contender. Like Murray, and lesser so Tsonga, Del Potro and Berdych. But not at the same level as the Big 2.

 

[Billie]

I think that Federer is still a threat at slams. He is smart and knows that there might be a chance for him if either Nadal or Nole fail at one of these and he doesn't have to face both of them at a slam. Since Murray finally beat him in a slam earlier this year, Federer might not have a phychological advantage over him anymore. But their next meeting should clear that. This all in regards to him winning a slam. I have no doubt that he will qualify for London.

 

[Alex]

I totally agree with Billie. I think he will still be a huge threat at Wimbledon this year. Every year people start writing off Federer. He even reached the SF of AO with a difficult-ish draw on a surface that does not favor his game. He managed to take Murray to 5 sets when Murray was clearly the better player that day. He's had a relatively bad start to 2013, especially relative to his 2012 results, but I think he will still finish #3 or 4 (depending on how many tournaments Nadal plays after clay season) this year.

 

[Billie]

I totally agree with Billie. I think he will still be a huge threat at Wimbledon this year. Every year people start writing off Federer. He even reached the SF of AO with a difficult-ish draw on a surface that does not favor his game. He managed to take Murray to 5 sets when Murray was clearly the better player that day. He's had a relatively bad start to 2013, especially relative to his 2012 results, but I think he will still finish #3 or 4 (depending on how many tournaments Nadal plays after clay season) this year.

Nadal will play Basel for sure.

I think Federer will play the longest of all players in history. He just seems like a type that could do that. I fully expect him to stick around till the next Olympics at least.

 

[DarthFed]

I totally agree with Billie. I think he will still be a huge threat at Wimbledon this year. Every year people start writing off Federer. He even reached the SF of AO with a difficult-ish draw on a surface that does not favor his game. He managed to take Murray to 5 sets when Murray was clearly the better player that day. He's had a relatively bad start to 2013, especially relative to his 2012 results, but I think he will still finish #3 or 4 (depending on how many tournaments Nadal plays after clay season) this year.

Nadal will play Basel for sure.

I think Federer will play the longest of all players in history. He just seems like a type that could do that. I fully expect him to stick around till the next Olympics at least.

I hope he plays till he is 40 but I doubt that. This is not someone who is satisfied being #6 or #7 with no prayer at winning a slam. That is one of the things I admire about him the most...enormous pride! And unless he is seriously that amazing to be a threat in his late 30's it will be his pride that pulls him away.

 

[Billie]

I totally agree with Billie. I think he will still be a huge threat at Wimbledon this year. Every year people start writing off Federer. He even reached the SF of AO with a difficult-ish draw on a surface that does not favor his game. He managed to take Murray to 5 sets when Murray was clearly the better player that day. He's had a relatively bad start to 2013, especially relative to his 2012 results, but I think he will still finish #3 or 4 (depending on how many tournaments Nadal plays after clay season) this year.

Nadal will play Basel for sure.

I think Federer will play the longest of all players in history. He just seems like a type that could do that. I fully expect him to stick around till the next Olympics at least.

I hope he plays till he is 40 but I doubt that. This is not someone who is satisfied being #6 or #7 with no prayer at winning a slam. That is one of the things I admire about him the most...enormous pride! And unless he is seriously that amazing to be a threat in his late 30's it will be his pride that pulls him away.

I don't know what it is, but he seems to me like a person who is obssessed with records and numbers so I can see him playing for a long time. Not his pride Darth, but his tennis abilities and his physical condition that will determine how long he will play, IMO.

 

[herios]

I totally agree with Billie. I think he will still be a huge threat at Wimbledon this year. Every year people start writing off Federer. He even reached the SF of AO with a difficult-ish draw on a surface that does not favor his game. He managed to take Murray to 5 sets when Murray was clearly the better player that day. He's had a relatively bad start to 2013, especially relative to his 2012 results, but I think he will still finish #3 or 4 (depending on how many tournaments Nadal plays after clay season) this year.

Nadal will play Basel for sure.

I think Federer will play the longest of all players in history. He just seems like a type that could do that. I fully expect him to stick around till the next Olympics at least.

Well, Nadal made the commitment, but usually by November he is struggling with injuries and many times he pulls out of events he was entered before, so I will have to see that first to really believe it.
As far as RF to stay in the longest, these days players stay into mid 30's, so that would mean more than 5 + years for him. I am not so sure about that.
Not that he needs a second career, but again, I am not seeing staying in, if he has no chances to win more slams. Sometimes he may start losing before QF. That would be interesting to see what consequences could have.

 

[Riotbeard]

I definitely see fed making it to the next olympic barring injury. I wish it were not the case, but his game is not contingent on extreme physicality like nadal or to a lesser extent my boy Novak, so his peak level (in spurts) should be more attainable for a longer period of time. I would be surprised if he does not bag at least one more slam.

 

[Denis]

I totally agree with Billie. I think he will still be a huge threat at Wimbledon this year. Every year people start writing off Federer. He even reached the SF of AO with a difficult-ish draw on a surface that does not favor his game. He managed to take Murray to 5 sets when Murray was clearly the better player that day. He's had a relatively bad start to 2013, especially relative to his 2012 results, but I think he will still finish #3 or 4 (depending on how many tournaments Nadal plays after clay season) this year.

Nadal will play Basel for sure.

I think Federer will play the longest of all players in history. He just seems like a type that could do that. I fully expect him to stick around till the next Olympics at least.

I hope he plays till he is 40 but I doubt that. This is not someone who is satisfied being #6 or #7 with no prayer at winning a slam. That is one of the things I admire about him the most...enormous pride! And unless he is seriously that amazing to be a threat in his late 30's it will be his pride that pulls him away.

I don't know what it is, but he seems to me like a person who is obssessed with records and numbers so I can see him playing for a long time. Not his pride Darth, but his tennis abilities and his physical condition that will determine how long he will play, IMO.

I agree. Federer will keep playing as long as his body lets him. If he is fit he should be able to make it to the quarters of GS regularly, and that puts him in the mix for a title.

I do think though that the days of the Big 4 are nearing an end. An upset at a slam will seal that thought.

 

[herios]

Roger after today's loss: "I'm going to go back to the practice court, train hard, and make sure I don't have these kinds of days anymore,” said Roger Federer after his defeat to Kei Nishikori Thursday. "

 

[Front242]

"He was the better player today for sure," said Federer, who besides winning here last year had also won in 2006 and 2009. "I was lacking control from the baseline and that carried through from start to finish. Overall I'm disappointed with my play."

Federer said he will not change his plans, as he will now train for Rome and then the French Open.

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/05/federer-falls-nishikori-third-round-madrid-masters/47388/#.UYv9-0rmzNo

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At least he's disappointed and so he should be. Go back and practice more 'cos it's better to play on the court than the playstation.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

#5 if he wins a big one, worse if he doesn't.
He'll make the top 8 for sure, me thinks.