Wimbledon 2014 final: Federer vs Djokovic

[britbox]

^ Yeah, Federer's not exactly chopped liver on grass. Last time I checked he'd won this tournament more times than the rest of the tour put together.

 

[Fiero425]

^ I think their matches have got better the past 4-5 years, they used to be sloppy. It is hard to believe this is only their 2nd GS final meeting and it comes 7 years after the first one. It's one of those matches where I think Nole will have to play at top level consistency to win and even then Roger should have a good chance. Even when Nole had become the better player and Roger declined it was still tough for Nole on fast courts vs. Roger. I think Roger will dig in and win this one, could look similar to the 2012 final in a way.

This is one time, I hope that your prediction is wrong. I think Novak is hungry but currently Fed is playing better grasscourt tennis. This has their first grasscourt appearance SW19 2012 written all over it. I am gonna say that Djoker will eventually wear Roger's backhand down and find a way to regain his championship mentality. Djoker in 4 because I really dont want to see Fed pass Pete's total of 7 Wimbledon titles..However.. I wouldnt be surprise if Fed wins in 4 sets.

Roger needs this more than Nole, as long as he doesn't make a mess of the final I think he wins. Not sure fitness will be a factor since it's grass and play is a lot quicker. If Roger is tired by the 4th or even 5th set on grass then his prospects going forward are really bad. Rog just needs to serve well and play clean (something he didn't come close to doing in the one final he mucked up) and he will be good to go.

Oh please; Roger needs nothing! This is all gravy for him at this stage in his career! Not that it will matter to me one way or the other, but if anyone needs it, it's Nole! He's been "Slamless" since AO last season! For him to be a legitimate representative of #1, he should be carrying this title! Roger's had his time and has more than overachieved by hanging on this long IMO! :clap :angel:

Agreed. Roger's legacy is already in the bank. Even 2012 Wimbledon was gravy in my opinion.

If winning 17 slams already and setting a record for weeks at number 1 isn't satisfactory for some fans, then they really need to re-evaluate their personal definition of what constitutes a successful career.

I think I read a post asking if Federer's '12 Wimbledon was equivalent to Sampras' '02 USO! That's a little extreme since Fed got back to #1, but this really could be his last chance at a major; on grass and Nole not at his best! Maybe this is equivalent to Connors' '83 USO if he wins! :nono uzzled :angel:

 

[TsarMatt]

This has probably already been brought up, but this is the first Grand Slam final since 2009 that does not feature either Murray or Nadal in it. Very interesting!

Man, I can't wait for the final. I woke up this morning wanting Federer to win a bit more than Nole. I'd just love to see him claim another major, especially how tough things were for him last year.

 

[Moxie]

This has probably already been brought up, but this is the first Grand Slam final since 2009 that does not feature either Murray or Nadal in it. Very interesting!

That stat does surprise, but they didn't play each other for 2-½ years, either, so those things must be related.

 

[Cosmo]

Go Roger!

Cosmo! I'm so happy to see you here. You've been missed. How have you been?

What's your prediction for the final? Roger wins, of course, but how many sets?

Hey everybody- nice to talk to y'all again!

I think Roger can win this in 4 sets. But I'll take a win by any number of sets, and any number of interminable tie breaks! I'm greedy for Roger, I know - want him to get #18.

I hope his nerves are very settled come morning. Mine are already jumping!

 

[tenisplayrla08]

I guess I'm just being my normal pessimistic self, but I'm almost scared to watch tomorrow. I'm worried Fed is going to lose in straights or get blown off the court of something.

But I don't think I actually believe that's possible. I mean, he's been solid this tournament. He's been serving like crazy. I mean, in either his qf match or the match against Raonic, a commentator said he's held to love 31 times this tournament. That's ridiculously great. But then of course you have to wonder if it's good enough to beat Djokovic's return ability. Like, has he been really great with is serve, or has he just not faced to many threats. Even if he really is serving great, we know Djokovic will challenge it more than anyone else he's faced. He'll get aces. I'm not worried about that. But will there be enough. Will there be enough unreturnables. And can he keep the errors down. Can he be aggressive enough. What I'm hoping is that Fed can neutralize Djokovic's serve, in a bit of a turn about. I say that because Djokovic has really turned his serve back into a weapon. I don't know what he tinkered with or whatever, but his service issues are gone. And of course that give him even more freedom to go for his returns and shots on his opponents serve. So if Fed can challenge Djokovic's serve, like we know Djokovic will be able to at least somewhat challenge Fed's serve, then he should be able to hang with him.

I guess what I'm thinkin is that neither of these guys is going to just roll over the other tomorrow. We're almost certainly going 4 sets. But if a roll over is going to happen, it's going to be Djokovic over Fed. I don't think Fed can roll over Djokovic. Not now. But boy do I hope I'm wrong. I'd love to not be stressed out and for Fed to just win the first two sets 6-3 6-3. Then the third set can be tight, as long as Fed comes out on top. I just feel very anxious that it's going to be precisely the opposite of that. I'd love to see some great tennis too though, even if that means 5 sets.

Go Fed is all I can say really. Can't control any more than that.

 

[tennisville]

really nervous right now , I really want Fed to get that 18th

 

[Kieran]

really nervous right now , I really want Fed to get that 18th

Why are you so nervous? You already thing that Federer is going to get crushed. Surely if he wins a set you'll the amazed?

:lolz: :lolz:

 

[tennisville]

really nervous right now , I really want Fed to get that 18th

Why are you so nervous? You already thing that Federer is going to get crushed. Surely if he wins a set you'll the amazed?

:lolz: :lolz:

I am the pessimistic sort when it comes to supporting my players :blush::blush:

But yeah I predict Novak to win in 3 comfortable sets. He has been tested and passed it with flying colours. Federer hasnt been tested properly this event, his real challenge was the quarter final where he met a tired Stan

 

[Kieran]

Nole has tested himself, which is a more accurate way of saying it. But he has come through the tests, whereas Federer hasn't been tested too sternly. Certainly, Nole is a jump in class in terms of opponent, but i don't see that being too difficult for Roger. He has gears he can go up and should be fine, in terms of his own quality.

Nole needs to prove a helluva lot more today. A defeat for Federer and everyone will still say, how amazing that he got there!, but a defeat for Nole would be a sign of crucial decline at the very top level. It would be declared (by me, most likely :snigger ) that he shouldn't be losing to blokes who are nearly 33. He should be winning these matches.

So both players have motivation, huge motivation - but the burden lands mostly on Nole's side of the court...

 

[tennisville]

Nole has tested himself, which is a more accurate way of saying it. But he has come through the tests, whereas Federer hasn't been tested too sternly. Certainly, Nole is a jump in class in terms of opponent, but i don't see that being too difficult for Roger. He has gears he can go up and should be fine, in terms of his own quality.

Nole needs to prove a helluva lot more today. A defeat for Federer and everyone will still say, how amazing that he got there!, but a defeat for Nole would be a sign of crucial decline at the very top level. It would be declared (by me, most likely :snigger ) that he shouldn't be losing to blokes who are nearly 33. He should be winning these matches.

So both players have motivation, huge motivation - but the burden lands mostly on Nole's side of the court...

Yeah Federer can go up a few gears but this will be his first real test in this tournament. He has normally shown over the past 2 years that he can play great and then against a quality opponent just go down. Thats how Novak has got to him recently

In thier match at Indian Wells, London and Paris Indoors Federer was playing better coming into the match and even started better but ended up losing the match. Thats why I dont want to see

And yeah you are right that there will be huge pressure on Novaks side, he has to prove it and not the other way around. A win will be crucial for him with a loss probably having devastating effects on his fragile mentality.

In a way shades of US Open 2005

 

[TsarMatt]

Nole's track record after his 2011 season in slam finals has been pretty 'so-so'. If he loses to Federer, I wonder how people will react?

 

[britbox]

Nole's track record after his 2011 season in slam finals has been pretty 'so-so'. If he loses to Federer, I wonder how people will react?

^"over-react" might be a better term.

Regardless, of who wins today - if you keep putting yourself in the position then eventually it's going to bear fruit. Novak Djokovic will win more majors - with or without a Wimbledon title today.

 

[TsarMatt]

^ True, just look at Lendl.

 

[tented]

I really did not want to create a thread for this so here it is: Popsicle and Sock beat Bryan brothers in a 5 setter to win the doubles titles, in their debut together. It is just amazing what those two achieved ,whom they have beat this past two weeks. Hats off.

Obviously few people care about the doubles! They had plenty of time available since Petra made short work of Bouchard, but it's just not a priority anymore! I think it was more significant to the viewers if the top players participated and did well! I still remember odd pairings like Ashe and Connors, Connors and Nastase, and more well known specialist like McEnroe/Fleming, Ramirez/Gottfried, Smith/Lutz, Stewart/McNair, and Hewitt/McMillan! They would make time to show their matches; not so much now! :nono :angel:

It's appalling they didn't broadcast the doubles finals. I watched the men's online, which was thrilling.

Congrats to PopSock! Incredible effort to beat the most successful doubles team of all time in a GS final. Oh yeah, and it was their first time playing together.

 

[Donald]

Nole has tested himself, which is a more accurate way of saying it. But he has come through the tests, whereas Federer hasn't been tested too sternly. Certainly, Nole is a jump in class in terms of opponent, but i don't see that being too difficult for Roger. He has gears he can go up and should be fine, in terms of his own quality.

Nole needs to prove a helluva lot more today. A defeat for Federer and everyone will still say, how amazing that he got there!, but a defeat for Nole would be a sign of crucial decline at the very top level. It would be declared (by me, most likely :snigger ) that he shouldn't be losing to blokes who are nearly 33. He should be winning these matches.

So both players have motivation, huge motivation - but the burden lands mostly on Nole's side of the court...

Can't disagree, big pressure on both. I would only add that at this point, in Fed's life, it is do or die. Unlike Nole, it may well be his last best chance for another title. A loss today may cost him his confidence. Belief in ones self is key in all sports. Like many here, I'll be happy with one last win for the man.

 

[DarthFed]

One thing about Roger's serve. He has been serving great this tournament, but Nole is by far the best returner he has faced, and in the past, Roger has struggled with his serve against Nole because he felt like he had to redline, get out of his comfort zone, miss a lot of first serves and suffer the consequences of having to serve a lot of second serves.

Roger has to serve within himself and utilize the body serve whenever possible.

First paragraph absolutely hits it on the head, 100%.

I'm surprised so many people seem to be overlooking this. There is far greater pressure on Fed to have the serving match of his life. If he starts out like he did against Stan and drops the first set, it's going to be a painful afternoon for him as he presses harder and harder to serve perfectly and the match goes on and on and the errors start flowing.

Nole is NOT going away on fitness/medical issues like Stan did. This needs to be a perfect storm for Fed: lights out serving for 3 sets, and an off day for Nole.

Cheers
TM

You described the matchup perfectly if it was taking place in Melbourne or Paris. On grass Roger doesn't need to serve lights out. If he serves poorly then he is in trouble but even just the average day for him will give him a good chance. From the baseline it is much more even than on slower surfaces which means Roger will have to press less than usual against Nole.

 

[DarthFed]

^ I think their matches have got better the past 4-5 years, they used to be sloppy. It is hard to believe this is only their 2nd GS final meeting and it comes 7 years after the first one. It's one of those matches where I think Nole will have to play at top level consistency to win and even then Roger should have a good chance. Even when Nole had become the better player and Roger declined it was still tough for Nole on fast courts vs. Roger. I think Roger will dig in and win this one, could look similar to the 2012 final in a way.

This is one time, I hope that your prediction is wrong. I think Novak is hungry but currently Fed is playing better grasscourt tennis. This has their first grasscourt appearance SW19 2012 written all over it. I am gonna say that Djoker will eventually wear Roger's backhand down and find a way to regain his championship mentality. Djoker in 4 because I really dont want to see Fed pass Pete's total of 7 Wimbledon titles..However.. I wouldnt be surprise if Fed wins in 4 sets.

Roger needs this more than Nole, as long as he doesn't make a mess of the final I think he wins. Not sure fitness will be a factor since it's grass and play is a lot quicker. If Roger is tired by the 4th or even 5th set on grass then his prospects going forward are really bad. Rog just needs to serve well and play clean (something he didn't come close to doing in the one final he mucked up) and he will be good to go.

Oh please; Roger needs nothing! This is all gravy for him at this stage in his career! Not that it will matter to me one way or the other, but if anyone needs it, it's Nole! He's been "Slamless" since AO last season! For him to be a legitimate representative of #1, he should be carrying this title! Roger's had his time and has more than overachieved by hanging on this long IMO! :clap :angel:

Agreed. Roger's legacy is already in the bank. Even 2012 Wimbledon was gravy in my opinion.

If winning 17 slams already and setting a record for weeks at number 1 isn't satisfactory for some fans, then they really need to re-evaluate their personal definition of what constitutes a successful career.

Roddick had a successful career bro. It isn't about success, it is about place in history and with Rafa right behind in the rear view mirror it'd be naive to believe Roger isn't thinking about putting more distance between him and Nadal. 17 is the benchmark now but Rafa could easily finish with 18+ and if Roger is at 17 his career success takes a hit, that's just common sense, IMO.

 

[Kieran]

How many parasites does the Royal Box hold? Maybe 10% of total seats?

 

[Kieran]

Roger's talking about how hard last year was for him. Luckily, he didn't make any excuses about his back. Ooops, he just did. Ah well... :snigger