Whom would you rather see win 2016 Roland Garros?

[EdbergsGhost]

I am interested to hear a scenario where Federer would win a second RG; I just don't have the faith that he could do it at this stage in his career. And if a Frenchman was destined to win this year, I would be pleased to see Simon take it. All that aside, I believe it would be good for tennis to see Djokovic finally complete his career grand slam.

 

[Rides]

I am interested to hear a scenario where Federer would win a second RG; I just don't have the faith that he could do it at this stage in his career. And if a Frenchman was destined to win this year, I would be pleased to see Simon take it. All that aside, I believe it would be good for tennis to see Djokovic finally complete his career grand slam.

For Federer to win RG, he would ideally need to avoid Nadal (although a win over Nadal at the French would be sweet) and Djokovic. Frankly, I'd rather see Federer meet Djokovic in the semis than the final. Better chance at a win there, IMO. I do believe that Federer (certainly pre-knee injury) is in better form these last 2 years than Nadal and could beat him at the French, but history and head games would play a big part.

I'm okay with any Frenchman winning at RG. I've already stated how entertaining I think a Monfils win would be. But I am certainly not opposed to Simon taking the title. He's been well overshadowed by his countrymen (Tsonga, Gasquet, Monfils....) his entire career.

 

[EdbergsGhost]

For Federer to win RG, he would ideally need to avoid Nadal (although a win over Nadal at the French would be sweet) and Djokovic. Frankly, I'd rather see Federer meet Djokovic in the semis than the final. Better chance at a win there, IMO. I do believe that Federer (certainly pre-knee injury) is in better form these last 2 years than Nadal and could beat him at the French, but history and head games would play a big part.

The only way I see Fed winning this is a very fortunate draw, with Nadal and Djoker in the other half. I think he could handle Murray and come to the final relatively fresh. If it's Nadal there waiting, he loses. If it's Djokovic his chances get a little better.

 

[shawnbm]

If Roger is back to optimal health, he just needs to play well and he will go deep.

 

[Billie]

I think Federer has better chances at Wimbledon than RG against Nole.

I think it would be fitting that after so many semi final and final appearances Nole gets to lift that trophy this year. That would be a nice story, Nole slam.

 

[EdbergsGhost]

I think it would be fitting that after so many semi final and final appearances Nole gets to lift that trophy this year. That would be a nice story, Nole slam.

Exactly. It's time. And once he gets the monkey off his back, he can win it again for good measure.

 

[Moxie]

The only way I see Fed winning this is a very fortunate draw, with Nadal and Djoker in the other half. I think he could handle Murray and come to the final relatively fresh. If it's Nadal there waiting, he loses. If it's Djokovic his chances get a little better.

I doubt Roger's chances would get better against Novak, beyond the historical. A little surprising (but good) to see so much optimism amongst the Feddies for Roger's chances at RG. A year or two ago, plenty of fans were clamoring for him to skip clay altogether. Still, I think it's a long-shot.

Of course, I want Rafa to win it. He's my player. It would be historic, redemptive, and possibly restorative. That would be good for tennis, for Nadal to have a couple more decent years, while the youngsters get seasoning. Second choice would be a Frenchman...Tsonga or Monfils, however unlikely.

 

[britbox]

I doubt Roger's chances would get better against Novak, beyond the historical. A little surprising (but good) to see so much optimism amongst the Feddies for Roger's chances at RG. A year or two ago, plenty of fans were clamoring for him to skip clay altogether. Still, I think it's a long-shot.

Of course, I want Rafa to win it. He's my player. It would be historic, redemptive, and possibly restorative. That would be good for tennis, for Nadal to have a couple more decent years, while the youngsters get seasoning. Second choice would be a Frenchman...Tsonga or Monfils, however unlikely.

As a Fed fan, I wouldn't want to see Nadal or Djokovic at Roland Garros. He won't beat either of them, regardless of how far Nadal has fallen off his perch.

 

[isabelle]

Nole or Delpo but maybe I'm too optimist about Delpo ??

 

[britbox]

Nole or Delpo but maybe I'm too optimist about Delpo ??

Probably with his wrist issues... but hey. it's a "would like to see" thread rather than a "prediction" thread. I always thought Delpo had a shot at Roland Garros before his injuries kicked in.

 

[Denis]

Probably with his wrist issues... but hey. it's a "would like to see" thread rather than a "prediction" thread. I always thought Delpo had a shot at Roland Garros before his injuries kicked in.

Agreed. It was at RG where he had his breakthrough making the semis in 2009.

 

[DarthFed]

I doubt Roger's chances would get better against Novak, beyond the historical. A little surprising (but good) to see so much optimism amongst the Feddies for Roger's chances at RG. A year or two ago, plenty of fans were clamoring for him to skip clay altogether. Still, I think it's a long-shot.

Of course, I want Rafa to win it. He's my player. It would be historic, redemptive, and possibly restorative. That would be good for tennis, for Nadal to have a couple more decent years, while the youngsters get seasoning. Second choice would be a Frenchman...Tsonga or Monfils, however unlikely.

This isn't a thread about what we think will happen but what we would want to see happen. I obviously would like to see Fed win it but realistically Roger has zero chance at RG. He hasn't gotten anything done at a slam in nearly 4 years, it ain't happening at RG or AO for that matter. If Nole and Rafa both got upset I still wouldn't give him much chance of winning 7 straight best of 5's on clay. Too many people can beat him there.

The way it's turned out Roger can't skip clay. He will need it to gain valuable match play and possibly ranking points but I did like his schedule pre-knee injury, playing at most 1 of the MS events before RG. Now, I'd like to see him play 2 of the MS events and hopefully make a deep run at 1 or more. If he gets upset early at MC he probably should play all 3 events.

 

[Moxie]

Fair point about the thread, Twisted. And I also appreciate your thoughts on Roger's clay season strategy.

 

[Rides]

This isn't a thread about what we think will happen but what we would want to see happen. I obviously would like to see Fed win it but realistically Roger has zero chance at RG. He hasn't gotten anything done at a slam in nearly 4 years, it ain't happening at RG or AO for that matter. If Nole and Rafa both got upset I still wouldn't give him much chance of winning 7 straight best of 5's on clay. Too many people can beat him there.

The way it's turned out Roger can't skip clay. He will need it to gain valuable match play and possibly ranking points but I did like his schedule pre-knee injury, playing at most 1 of the MS events before RG. Now, I'd like to see him play 2 of the MS events and hopefully make a deep run at 1 or more. If he gets upset early at MC he probably should play all 3 events.

Considering every single player in the draw walks away a loser at every event, suggesting that Roger hasn't gotten anything done at a Slam in 4 years is pretty harsh.

He got to 2 finals last year (only 3 other guys did that) and gave himself some chances.

He'd need a Cinderella run for the history books but nevertheless his odds of winning at RG is better than 95% of the tour.

 

[DarthFed]

^ He doesn't play for 2nd place. Roger is still skilled enough where going 6-1 at Wimbledon and USO is not some incredible run for him or even a surprising one. I figured he'd win the past couple Wimbledons and would make at least the USO final in 2015 or 2016. AO and especially RG are a different animal.

I agree that Roger is one of the top favorites there but his chances are still extremely small. Nothing is impossible, especially with Roger so yes saying "zero chance" is my typical hyperbole but I don't see it happening even if Nole and Rafa got upset.

 

[britbox]

You'd probably still stick him in the Top 5 or 6 favourites even if the Top 2 of those likely have about a 80-90% chance of winning it. Nobody thought Wawrinka would win it last year.

 

[DarthFed]

^ Agreed. It's overwhelmingly likely that Nole or Rafa wins the event but that was the case last year too. 2 of the last 3 years Roger has had a really nice draw to the finals,with Nole and Rafa on the opposite half, but went out in the QF's to Tsonga and Wawrinka.

 

[Mastoor]

Djoker is obsessed with it since 2011 when he realised he can actually beat everyone on clay, but he already lost 3 finals there.

 

[Moxie]

Djoker is obsessed with it since 2011 when he realised he can actually beat everyone on clay, but he already lost 3 finals there.

I'm sure it's his #1 goal, with the gold medal as probably #2. Now, in fairness, he wasn't able to beat "everyone" on clay since 2011. He beat Rafa in some best of 3, but not at RG until last year, when he got a far inferior version. Until last year, Nadal was generally better on clay. And Stan, of course, who can trouble him when he's on a hot streak. It's hard to picture Novak not closing the deal this year, but I will still be hoping for Rafa to return to form and recapture his crown there.

 

[Carol]

After all playing previously so badly and all the bad predictions I'm expecting the Phoenix rising from the ashes winning his 10 RG and 15 GS, yes!