The Rankings Thread (ATP)

[herios]

Meh, the loom and gloom about Roger is a bit of a knee-jerk reaction. One day ago, everyone was upbeat with some of his fans predicting a top 3 return. What changed that? Losing to the guy he always lost to?

It was still an encouraging tournament for him, because he played his best tennis in 12 months. Yeah, he wasn't good against Nadal, but last year, Nadal was the least of his worries. He was losing to far worse players. At least there's improvement there. And beating Murray and Tsonga in the manner in which he did is no joke.

I said it right before the AO and I'll say it now, we'll know Roger's chances in majors come Wimbledon and the US Open, but not before. Wimbledon, in particular, is where he has his best chance, and if the signs he showed at the AO were positive. If he plays like this (more or less) for the duration of the year, he'll be back in the top 4, no doubt.

Roger will bounce between 5-8 all season. Top 4 is doubtful. That is my opinion and I will stick with it.

And he did not lose only to Nadal. The loss top Rusty counts too for this year by the way.

 

[Front242]

He played crap today but I guarantee he'd have played far far better against anyone else. It's been clear for ages that Rafa is completely in his head and it's nothing to do with being old or shanking, bad FH, poor serving at this stage. He would've likely hit the FH, serve and just about everything else better against anyone else out there. Talk of retirement is also nonsense. First slam of the year and he makes the semis. I for one didn't expect that and as much as trying to fight for his legacy today was an embarrassment, he's started the year well with convincing wins over Tsonga and Murray. Compare that to last year...

 

[brokenshoelace]

And he did not lose only to Nadal. The loss top Rusty counts too for this year by the way.

Yeah, but that's not when the positive attitude (among his fans) started. It started after he beat Tsonga. Then he beat Murray and everyone was ecstatic. Now he loses to Nadal and he's done. It's fickle.

 

[Front242]

In fact, given how poor Djokovic was this tournament I'd be interested to see how that match would've gone had Roger played Novak today instead. Either way, he was in with a huge shot of winning another slam at 32 if Nadal had been beaten prior to this match. Not really that much to get too down on as there's a possibility of draws working out better for him at the other slams and the year has just begun.

 

[DarthFed]

Playing Novak would have been a massacre too, this was his last hope at AO for sure. Roger played well in the 2011 semi and that wasn't close, Nole at AO is a sure fire loss. Stan is just some kind of weird issue for Nole.

 

[brokenshoelace]

It's always better for Roger to play Novak than Nadal. Anywhere, everywhere.

 

[Front242]

Playing Novak would have been a massacre too, this was his last hope at AO for sure.

Maybe, maybe not. Novak was completely unconvincing to me compared to previous years. But agree about last chance at the AO. Ironic that this slam is the one he's had best results at the last 2 years though.

 

[DarthFed]

Disappointing that he seems to be playing his best here where he normally has next to no chance.

Nole looked fine until suddenly looking awful vs. Stan. If he had made the final and it was Roger, he would have been an overwhelming favorite no matter what.

 

[Front242]

Disappointing that he seems to be playing his best here where he normally has next to no chance.

Nole looked fine until suddenly looking awful vs. Stan. If he had made the final and it was Roger, he would have been an overwhelming favorite no matter what.

That's for sure given Novak's track record here. Ok, so Roger's record here is great too but Novak's proven himself to be the most natural player on this surface imo in recent years. Plus he'd have made Roger run a lot out there and there's the age gap coming into play then against a younger, fitter opponent. Novak's loss this year was not expected, especially after his 6-2 opening set against Stan. Dunno why he went downhill so fast. Can't be that bad a start to the year though for Roger when you put things in perspective with Novak losing in the 4th round and old Roger making the semis even if today was a beatdown.

The favourite lost in the 4th round and the old guy who had a terrible 2013 makes the semis again. Not bad all things considered.

 

[Moxie]

Playing Novak would have been a massacre too, this was his last hope at AO for sure.

Maybe, maybe not. Novak was completely unconvincing to me compared to previous years. But agree about last chance at the AO. Ironic that this slam is the one he's had best results at the last 2 years though.

Well, except for Wimbledon in 2012.

This was a very good showing for Roger, given that last year was tough. I'm with Broken that his fans are being fickle. His results are mostly good. Losing to Nadal is - I'm sorry - a fact of life for him. Most of the rest is an up-side.

 

[Front242]

Playing Novak would have been a massacre too, this was his last hope at AO for sure.

Maybe, maybe not. Novak was completely unconvincing to me compared to previous years. But agree about last chance at the AO. Ironic that this slam is the one he's had best results at the last 2 years though.

Well, except for Wimbledon in 2012.

This was a very good showing for Roger, given that last year was tough. I'm with Broken that his fans are being fickle. His results are mostly good. Losing to Nadal is - I'm sorry - a fact of life for him. Most of the rest is an up-side.

LOL, true. I forgot that slam :clap

 

[DarthFed]

Well it's wait and see with Roger. All things considered he had 2 great wins and 1 hideous loss, we will see what's the norm. Obviously he is always made to look bad vs. Rafa but not THIS bad. Everything about his play today looked like 2013, poor movement, poor return, weak forehand, etc. Hopefully this was the exception and not the Tsonga and Murray matches.

Roger should still be playing to win slams, not just make a GS semifinal.

 

[sid]

Congrats to Nadal on his win v Roger.Ranking wise if Stan was to beat Nadal in the Final I bet the bigger seeds Nole & Nadal won't fancy facing Murray earlier in tennis competitions.Murray should get better & could put a dark cloud on higher seeds.

 

[Front242]

I always laugh my ass off when Rafa says "Always a pleasure to play Roger." Of course it is 'cos he usually goes on to win another slam. Priceless!

 

[Front242]

"Thank you again, Roger for lie down and play dead for me. Always iz easy to play you. I see your match against Tsonga and then Murray and go, this iz good from Roger since last year but iz ok, 'cos I know Roger always collapse like little girl against me and spray balls like challenger circuit in semi, no? Iz the true, no?"

 

[DarthFed]

Yeah Rafa is well trained, "izz always special to play Roger, no? Izz amazing champion and I'm honored to share same court."

I'd love to know what he really thinks when he realizes he gets to play Roger in a semi or final. Probably as excited as a 12 year old boy seeing his first naked girl.

 

[Front242]

Yeah Rafa is well trained, "izz always special to play Roger, no? Izz amazing champion and I'm honored to share same court."

I'd love to know what he really thinks when he realizes he gets to play Roger in a semi or final. Probably as excited as a 12 year old boy seeing his first naked girl.

Toni and himself were probably laughing their bollocks off slamming tequilas last night remarking how lucky they are with Novak out and Rafa facing Roger.

 

[DarthFed]

Yeah Rafa is well trained, "izz always special to play Roger, no? Izz amazing champion and I'm honored to share same court."

I'd love to know what he really thinks when he realizes he gets to play Roger in a semi or final. Probably as excited as a 12 year old boy seeing his first naked girl.

Toni and himself were probably laughing their bollocks off slamming tequilas last night remarking how lucky they are with Novak out and Rafa facing Roger.

Yeah, maybe the biggest celebration since 2011 when Roger took Nole out at RG and became the sacrificial lamb in the final. Unfortunately that doesn't count as a half slam for Roger.

 

[brokenshoelace]

^^ Hey now, I'm sure Roger himself is celebrating aplenty that Novak turned into baby Jesus for 12 months in 2011. Otherwise we'd be watching a new GOAT crowned on Sunday.

 

[Moxie]

^ Oh, Darth and Front: what do you expect him to say? I'm really not even going to pretend to be politic here, anymore. Rafa has had Roger's number from the beginning. It is what it is. Roger will still yet dominate other players, for a while, and Rafa will have his problems with others. But against each other, except on indoor hards, I think the door is closed. Like everyone, I was nervous about the match tonight. Not anymore. Nadal simply has the answer to Federer.