What if Roger Federer summoned his inner beast... The Rogimal?

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Andrew Miller writes:

Alex Zverev so far up on Raonic? Milos wake up!!!

 

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Duke Carnoustie writes:

Andrew - And quietly Kuznetsova is hanging around. Why do I feel like Ostapenko is somehow going to win this?

 

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Andrew Miller writes:

Radwanska gone! Halep wins? Wta has life in it yet. Ostapenko?????? I guess she employs the Serena model: Only play slams. And win them.

 

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Duke Carnoustie writes:

So much for that.

 

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Andrew Miller writes:

Muller Nadal an epic match. Raonic and Alex Zverev on serve in set #5! Dimitrov was never Baby Federer. Nor was Gasquet. Time to drop these nicknames.

 

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We all know Roger Federer plays tennis like a gentleman wearing a top hat and tuxedo. Heck, maybe someday Nike will design such an outfit for the King.

Federer plays with grace, elegance, perfection. He is a work of art, or as Greg Norman told me, he is “like watching live art.”

But what if Roger Federer found another level? What if Roger Federer round his sixth gear turbo power?

You know, that extra intensity level of emotional adrenaline that Rafa Nadal, Lleyton Hewitt and Serena Williams summoned from deep within.

We rarely ever saw Federer utilize his “beast mode” of physical and emotional fury, vicious grunting and wild-eyed, crazed, obsessed, ferocity.

Federer always plays tennis as if he’s Baryshnikov or Oksana Baiul. Aesthetic beauty.

What if Federer got down and dirty, and found a new level, with the eye of the tiger and pit bull snarl? And used it on those rare occasion when he needed a boost?

Shoot, Fed might have won 30 majors by now.

If Federer added a Jimmy Connors, Hewitt, Serena, Rafa, McEnroe edge to his arsenal he might never lose a match.

No one could beat The Rogimal.

(Federer art by Karl Rosenstock)

OK...that made me laugh. Roger's Hallmark is his niceness, ie, his Swissness. He has 18 majors, so he is proof that nice guys DON"T finish last.

 

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Andrew Miller writes:

Yeah he wears a tuxedo while decimating the hopes of younger generation alongside peer rivals haha. I watched a few interviews with the Roger Federer on the Wimbledon/you tube site and it's confirmed, Federer said he and the other big five members have locked out younger generations from the winners circle. He didn't seem to gloat about it, he was talking about reality. He said well they are going for us, and we are keeping them at bay, and despite a few single slam wins (Del Potro, Cilic) he said only Wawrinka has broken through to shake things up.

Roger didn't say the "big five" - he said 4: himself, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray. Stan did get a mention but he wasn't included in the "big" anything. Roger also pointed out that the problem the younger generation has is that they'll have to beat 3 of them to win a Slam - and since they all play differently, that's probably NOT going to happen unless someone plays lights out for 2 weeks.

 

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Chazz writes:

Muller looked so jittery on those match points. Hate seeing that after being so steady. This is an instant classic.

 

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Scoop Malinowski writes:

Fed does not have to be a brat about it, just good clean fire. Like Anginimal which suddenly came out in her last match down a set and 3-4 30-all to Rogers. Now Angie Kerber is a beast and she just won first set vs Muguruza who she had lost four matches in a row to. Kerber is now at a new level since she became Anginimal. She is not a brat about it just super intense. Fed could be more super intense and I believe it would take him to a new level. He has a calm and cool exterior but deep down Federer is crazy. Michael Llodra told me this for Facing Federer. He told me five times in a row “Federer is crazy, I know him since junior, he is crazy. But he has you all fooled.” If Federer taps into his crazy Rogimal (for lack of a better nickname) he would go to a new level. Kerber is proving it right now.

ROTFLMAO. Michael Llodra said Roger is crazy and he has everybody fooled? There was an article I read way back in the height of Roger's dominance - maybe 2006 or so - where some tennis writer was saying the same thing - that it was all an act and manufactured and nobody could possibly be as nice as Federer was pretending to me - all the time. So that's 2 guys out of THOUSANDS who've interacted with Fed on a personal level who claim he's not the all-around great guy the world - and his fellow players - say he is. Jealousy is an ugly beast.

 

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Duke Carnoustie writes:

If Berdych gets through Thiem, Novak, Fed and then Andy or Rafa, it will rank as possibly the greatest run ever.

Which is why Berdych won't win. Beat Djokovic...then possibly Fed...then possibly Murray or Nadal? When was the last time he beat any of those guys in a regular tournament - let alone a Slam? And all 3 of them in a Slam? Sorry, but Tomas hasn't got the game or the gonads.

 

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Chazz writes:

Muller does it! Biggest win of his life at age 34. Unbelievable.

 

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Andrew Miller writes:

Muller!!! Scoop called it. Raonic!!! Beats Zverev. Sheesh, Nadal must feel bad. But no shame losing 15-13 in fifth. It would be worse of it were 70-68 in the fifth. Mahut, we're looking at you.

 

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Hartt writes:

The thing about Federer and his "niceness" are the stories people tell about instances of things he does in private. Like the volunteer driver at a tourney who, when Fed asked him if he was attending the match, said he did not have tickets. Fed arranged tickets for him. And he is a genuinely sociable sort, curious about other people.

 

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Andrew Miller writes:

Federer isn't nice on the court. As I used to see, passing shots aren't "nice". Not any I've seen!!!

 

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Hartt writes:

True, Federer is very mean on the court. After the Halle match Sascha asked if he couldn't have let him win more than 4 games. But of course that meanie Fed did not.

 

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Andrew Miller writes:

Duke, Ostapenko has great courage. When the chips are down she plays as if she's going to win.that's tough...for her opponents, who may think they seek the clear!

 

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Scoop Malinowski writes:

Roger Federer is an axe murderer on the court .He has no mercy about destroying careers of people like Dimitrov Spadea Blake Berdych etc etc. Federer has axe murdered a lot of tennis careers. To put it bluntly.

 

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Scoop Malinowski writes:

Chazz; imagine if Querrey yelled and roared after every big point? I saw a Spanish badminton OLY medalist yell come on before and after every single point of the match. Yes she won silver in Rio. Querrey needs to do it more.

 

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Scoop Malinowski writes:

Duke; Because Ostapenko looked incredible today in fending off the fierce challenge of Svitolina who is the best fighter in WTA. I saw Svitolina fight back from 16 15 down to Larcher De Brito at US Open qualies. That was the match De Brito was crying all over the court. Heartbreaking loss because she just could not finish the amazing Svitolina. Svitolina did it again today but Ostapenko managed to finish her barely. Incredible tennis by Ostapenko.

 

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Scoop Malinowski writes:

I thought Muller vs Nadal was going to go to 128-126 Incredible win by Gillou who is a giant killer in GS stadium courts. That's when he plays his best tennis - on the biggest stages. Another heartbreaker for Rafa. Moya should have been there - I would guess Toni kept him out. Ego BS. Biggest tourney of the year and Moya has to stay home? BS