Yup, That One DEFINITELY Happened - Federer's 2nd Round Loss

[Didi]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

What exactly does Fed mean when he says "I still have plans to play for many more years to come,....", as he did after the match? He surely cannot mean what he says. Does he say that for business/contractual reasons? Sure he can stay in the top 10 if he wants to for a couple of years but will it add anything more to his career apart from money? Doesn't look like he is that hungry for another major either. Just wondering what's going through his mind...

I don't see why he should seriously plan to retire. I buy what he said after todays loss. And keep in mind it took Stakhovsky a monumental effort to beat him. Roger's current situation is nothing like Sampras in 2001-2002 who suffered from injuries, bad health and as a result dropped out of the top 15. As opposed to that, Roger is still incredibly fit and still easily the 4th best player in the game right now and still a major contender for slams. A huge difference if you ask me. The 30+ years old version of Pete would have killed to be in Roger's position right now. Plus there are no young guns to overtake him anytime soon. He still has a couple of slams left in him. So, why should he consider retiring?

 

[Kieran]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

I think this isn't the greatest disaster in the world for Roger. he's got his health and regardless, he'd be playing more tennis after W ends. But it might make him wonder if he needs to commit to a larger schedule. Let's face it, he struggled through Halle too. He's not playing as well as we know he can, and who'd blame him if he wants to bounce the kids on his knees and still expect to roll over a few jackpot dummies in the early rounds of slams, until he faces someone better?

But this was a rare occasion when the makeweight made the weight count and Stak didn't flinch, as so many often do. Personally, I praised Rosol last year and said I wish more players showed the guts that actually sustain through to the end of matches, instead of the usual vanishing act at the first sign of trouble. And I say it again - I hope this gtrend continues. The last ten years have been abject ones as far as the low-rankers ambitions go.

We'll call it the Nobodies Spring and hope it continues!

 

[lindseywagners]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

The picture with Roger wearing long sleeves was taken before his match on Monday. The other picture is from after today's match. Interesting his facial expression is just about the same. Symbolic.

[attachment=4][attachment=5]

 

[shawnbm]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

Federer has had a great run, the guy's a legend and these things happen, no shame there.

But did anyone else relish Stak's nerve and willingness to play S&V tennis? Sometimes it was like watching Pete, he was that great. Who says you can't play serve volley today on grass? Who? This guy was immense when the pressure was on. Kudos to him, he earned it, just like Darcis great performance against Rafa.

By the way, some people will think the loss of Fedal against such low-rankers is a sign that this will be a bad tournament: it isn't. It's a sign of good health returning to the lower ranked players. For too long we've waited for fellas to push the way these guys did - all the way to the finish line...

agree with every single word.
As do I!

 

[lindseywagners]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

And just like that no more Fedal in this year's Wimby!

First time since 2002 that one of the two won't play the final at Wimbledon.

Interesting fact. And Djokovic is the only one to have won it other than them since then.

Here's one more (I pulled it from Greg Garber's article):

"When was the last time Federer and Nadal showed up at the same Grand Slam and [both] failed to make the second week?

"Never."

 

[shawnbm]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

It really can't be overstated--this loss is a milestone for Roger. It has been an entire decade since something like this happened in a slam for TMF. It is a watershed moment in the sport and I now believe Federer wins only one more major and then retires. It is conjeture, but that is my thought at the moment.

 

[SF Nadalite]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

Federer always said he just like playing tennis and competing,

he is like jimmy Connors..he just wants to play tennis no matter what.

Fed likes winning - he doesn't know how to lose and always looks so miserable, borderline angry after a loss...I wouldn't be to sure :nono :nono

 

[Moxie]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

I don't really know even how or where to jump in about this day, it was so crazy. We put this up on the news feed, which is linked to this thread:

http://www.tennisfrontier.com/news/atp-tennis/federer-out-of-wimbledon-2nd-round-shocker/

There is an "end of an era" feeling to the day. (I know Dude's got the fat lady singing...in jest.) But as lindseywagners pointed out: when have Rafa and Roger gone out so early in the same tournament? Never. I know it won't be all over tomorrow, but this has to mark the really beginning of some new upheaval. It yet may end up looking like something we expect, if we get the Murray/Djokovic final, but the road to it already has some uncharted territory, and is guaranteed to be surprising, just even based on today.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

What sux is that as opposed to asking who is on Roger's quarter in the draws, I will have to look whose quarter Roger lands on...big difference

 

[Moxie]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

What sux is that as opposed to asking who is on Roger's quarter in the draws, I will have to look whose quarter Roger lands on...big difference

I said it on Day 1 when Roger and Rafa both played. It's the "new normal." We're just going to have to get used to it.

 

[Riotbeard]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

What sux is that as opposed to asking who is on Roger's quarter in the draws, I will have to look whose quarter Roger lands on...big difference

I said it on Day 1 when Roger and Rafa both played. It's the "new normal." We're just going to have to get used to it.

Viva la Revolution!

Not trying to rub it in, honestly, but I have really enjoyed it so far, not just because Fed and rafa lost, but because lost to people playing very interesting aggressive tennis. Both matches were highly entertaining (assuming you are not emotionally involved).

 

[Iona16]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

I'm not even sure what to say about today. Shock after shock after shock.

I'm taking one match at a time for my boy. The tennis gods punish me if I get ahead of myself. I'm not giving them a chance this time.

 

[Ricardo]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

one thing we Do know is that it's got nothing to do with Fed's age

feel free to discuss.

Bastl, that's all i'll say.

Not his age at all. Stakhovsky, played an incredible match.
Who would have thought that Federer and Nadal go out to players ranked 116 and 135 respectively, at the same event in the first week of a slam.

really? he never lost round 2 matches in his prime, and its not like today was the first hot player he met.

 

[Srini]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

Feels strange to realize Fed is out so early. It's such an irony for him now, he is more likely to get into later rounds on slower courts but he has no chance of winning the title. On the other hand, he has a decent chance to win it all on grass but with his terrible ROS, even reaching the quarters looks like an achievement.

 

[herios]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

Federer has had a great run, the guy's a legend and these things happen, no shame there.

But did anyone else relish Stak's nerve and willingness to play S&V tennis? Sometimes it was like watching Pete, he was that great. Who says you can't play serve volley today on grass? Who? This guy was immense when the pressure was on. Kudos to him, he earned it, just like Darcis great performance against Rafa.

By the way, some people will think the loss of Fedal against such low-rankers is a sign that this will be a bad tournament: it isn't. It's a sign of good health returning to the lower ranked players. For too long we've waited for fellas to push the way these guys did - all the way to the finish line...

agree with every single word.
As do I!

I always had this concept, it should be anyone's game until the referee calls it a "match". FINALLY, it is happening, and players ranked 116, 135 take out legends, showing what a depth is in the mens game.

And to be honest, although I am rooting for one of them, I had enough of the BIG 4 as well. Time to blow it up.
Ferrer already did, biting them from behind for a few months now, and with thiese losses, he'll find himself at #3. Way to go David!

---

I'm not even sure what to say about today. Shock after shock after shock.

I'm taking one match at a time for my boy. The tennis gods punish me if I get ahead of myself. I'm not giving them a chance this time.

That is what i am doing as well, iona. It really is scary to think about all of these underdogs laying it all out.
This morning when i started to watch Dustin Brown, ho's name i saw before but never playing, I couldn't believe my eyes. He made Monfils look pedestrian

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

andy murray must be laughing all the way to the ice-bath, Federer, Tsonga, cilic all out..

when does he get to play anyone a bit scary..presuming no more all time shocks like with fed n rafa/wafa.

 

[herios]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

one thing we Do know is that it's got nothing to do with Fed's age

feel free to discuss.

Bastl, that's all i'll say.

Not his age at all. Stakhovsky, played an incredible match.
Who would have thought that Federer and Nadal go out to players ranked 116 and 135 respectively, at the same event in the first week of a slam.

really? he never lost round 2 matches in his prime, and its not like today was the first hot player he met.

Really. Darthfed says he played horrible, but I stronlgy disagree. He played OK. Usually that is enough to put away a journeyman, today it wasn't.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

one thing we Do know is that it's got nothing to do with Fed's age

feel free to discuss.

Bastl, that's all i'll say.

Not his age at all. Stakhovsky, played an incredible match.
Who would have thought that Federer and Nadal go out to players ranked 116 and 135 respectively, at the same event in the first week of a slam.

really? he never lost round 2 matches in his prime, and its not like today was the first hot player he met.

Really. Darthfed says he played horrible, but I stronlgy disagree. He played OK. Usually that is enough to put away a journeyman, today it wasn't.

lol wut..Federer shanked for a laugh and missed all but one of his break points, two of them with easy forehand overhits..fed was poor.

 

[herios]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

one thing we Do know is that it's got nothing to do with Fed's age

feel free to discuss.

Bastl, that's all i'll say.

Not his age at all. Stakhovsky, played an incredible match.
Who would have thought that Federer and Nadal go out to players ranked 116 and 135 respectively, at the same event in the first week of a slam.

really? he never lost round 2 matches in his prime, and its not like today was the first hot player he met.

Really. Darthfed says he played horrible, but I stronlgy disagree. He played OK. Usually that is enough to put away a journeyman, today it wasn't.

lol wut..Federer shanked for a laugh and missed all but one of his break points, two of them with easy forehand overhits..fed was poor.

Many posters agree with here, actually. Keep reading Buddy!

 

[DarthFed]

RE: yup. that one DEFINITELY happened.

Feels strange to realize Fed is out so early. It's such an irony for him now, he is more likely to get into later rounds on slower courts but he has no chance of winning the title. On the other hand, he has a decent chance to win it all on grass but with his terrible ROS, even reaching the quarters looks like an achievement.

You hit the nail on the head here. Fed can still beat anyone on grass due to his weapons (as we saw last year) but on the flip side he can lose to a ton more players here than anywhere else, except maybe RG, due to his ROS. Guys like Stahovsky and even Tsonga would have no prayer at the USO. If Fed's winning another one it's going to be there.