The Questions about Roger...

[Murat Baslamisli]

I am in the camp of people that will enjoy watching him even when he is 55 because the possibility of magic happening will still exist. The issue is, is he going to be happy just existing in the tour, or call it quits when he realizes he cannot be top 3 anymore. He loves playing the game and he has this huge belief in himself that he can beat anyone on any given day. I actually believe him that he can beat anyone on any given day, but the issue is he can lose to anyone on any given day too...that was not the case with TMF 2004-2008. He beat everyone he was supposed to beat. That has changed...He can step it up for a slam, have a great 14 days and win it all, but then what?

Roger played against everyone from Cedric Piolin to Bernard Tomic. That is 4 generations of players. He has nothing to prove to anyone and anything he wins from now on is just extra cherries on top of a delicious cake.

 

[britbox]

I feel Roger was in a similar predicament about 18 months or so ago, in so much that he was losing a bit of traction with the uber-elite. At the beginning of 2012, he seemed re-dedicated and re-tooled. Fitter then he'd been for a couple of years and with a strategy of scheduling more early season events to stay sharp. It paid dividends and he won Wimbledon and reclaimed the #1 slot. He was hungry and focused.

The big question is - how often can you keep going back to the well? It gets harder and harder. Other than the love of playing (not enough in itself)... I wonder what keeps Federer motivated.

I've got a feeling he has another peak on his downward career trajectory... but we are clearly in the twilight period of a great career.

 

[Ricardo]

I feel Roger was in a similar predicament about 18 months or so ago, in so much that he was losing a bit of traction with the uber-elite. At the beginning of 2012, he seemed re-dedicated and re-tooled. Fitter then he'd been for a couple of years and with a strategy of scheduling more early season events to stay sharp. It paid dividends and he won Wimbledon and reclaimed the #1 slot. He was hungry and focused.

The big question is - how often can you keep going back to the well? It gets harder and harder. Other than the love of playing (not enough in itself)... I wonder what keeps Federer motivated.

I've got a feeling he has another peak on his downward career trajectory... but we are clearly in the twilight period of a great career.

agreed, he had that streak for about 8-9 months winning 4 MS1000, YEC and Wimbledon to get the top spot back. I think it will take a while longer for him to adjust and find another streak this time, since time is not on his side and he may slow down even more.... funny some insisted that he is still at his peak

 

[britbox]

I feel Roger was in a similar predicament about 18 months or so ago, in so much that he was losing a bit of traction with the uber-elite. At the beginning of 2012, he seemed re-dedicated and re-tooled. Fitter then he'd been for a couple of years and with a strategy of scheduling more early season events to stay sharp. It paid dividends and he won Wimbledon and reclaimed the #1 slot. He was hungry and focused.

The big question is - how often can you keep going back to the well? It gets harder and harder. Other than the love of playing (not enough in itself)... I wonder what keeps Federer motivated.

I've got a feeling he has another peak on his downward career trajectory... but we are clearly in the twilight period of a great career.

agreed, he had that streak for about 8-9 months winning 4 MS1000, YEC and Wimbledon to get the top spot back. I think it will take a while longer for him to adjust and find another streak this time, since time is not on his side and he may slow down even more.... funny some insisted that he is still at his peak

Yeah, his next peak won't match his last - his number 1 days are over IMO, but could still envisage one more major before the show is over.

 

[Ricardo]

I feel Roger was in a similar predicament about 18 months or so ago, in so much that he was losing a bit of traction with the uber-elite. At the beginning of 2012, he seemed re-dedicated and re-tooled. Fitter then he'd been for a couple of years and with a strategy of scheduling more early season events to stay sharp. It paid dividends and he won Wimbledon and reclaimed the #1 slot. He was hungry and focused.

The big question is - how often can you keep going back to the well? It gets harder and harder. Other than the love of playing (not enough in itself)... I wonder what keeps Federer motivated.

I've got a feeling he has another peak on his downward career trajectory... but we are clearly in the twilight period of a great career.

agreed, he had that streak for about 8-9 months winning 4 MS1000, YEC and Wimbledon to get the top spot back. I think it will take a while longer for him to adjust and find another streak this time, since time is not on his side and he may slow down even more.... funny some insisted that he is still at his peak

Yeah, his next peak won't match his last - his number 1 days are over IMO, but could still envisage one more major before the show is over.

last time he found motivation from Navratilova for saying he'd never be number 1 again. Now he needs her to claim that he'd never get another major.

IMO, he will re-adjust and find his game some time but i don't know if it will be enough this time since his game may be on but his physical ability cannot match it and may drag him down, in the later stages. Older players always need more recovery time, he was super fit in his prime now he is just average... in a year or so he may be a bit below that.

 

[Mog]

Hi

I feel Roger was in a similar predicament about 18 months or so ago, iso much that he was losing a bit of traction with the uber-elite. At the beginning of 2012, he seemed re-dedicated and re-tooled. Fitter then he'd been for a couple of years and with a strategy of scheduling more early season events to stay sharp. It paid dividends and he won Wimbledon and reclaimed the #1 slot. He was hungry and focused.

The big question is - how often can you keep going back to the well? It gets harder and harder. Other than the love of playing (not enough in itself)... I wonder what keeps Federer motivated.

I've got a feeling he has another peak on his downward career trajectory... but we are clearly in the twilight period of a great career.

Well put britbox..
Yes Roger wanted to get that #1 position to surpass Sampras record and he did it. But now his main goel will be to add a slam to his already great resume and maintain a fair ranking and play YEC.
We will see how he does for the remaining year during HC season. I don't think he will continue to play long. He has an amazing career.