Stefan Edberg: Roger Federer Can Still Win Wimbledon [Video]

If he happens to face Djokovich, he won’t!! :)

July 15th, 2015 at 9:58 am

A great link for Novak’s fans about this half-season:

http://secondserb.blogspot.com/2015/07/djokovics-2015-continues-to-be-best.html

July 15th, 2015 at 10:12 am

It would be exciting for him to beat Novak and win! I’m interested to see how everything turns out. Thanks for sharing!

July 15th, 2015 at 10:13 am

The fact that he’s still going deep into majors indicates that he still has the capacity to win. In fact, I would say the horizon on Djokovic’s dominance is in sight because while I can’t imagine him playing much better than he is now, I can certainly see him playing much worse…and the end comes quickly when it comes. Federer has won 1 major in 5 years. Nadal hasn’t been past the quarterfinals in his last three, and hasn’t won any in a year.

By the way, good news: I’ve just received press credentials for the Citi Open in Washington DC! Can’t wait!

July 15th, 2015 at 10:22 am

Okie i agree,but i think its his best chance of another GS….

July 15th, 2015 at 10:44 am

Indeed, play this level Novak he won’t, but what if Roger keeps his level and rankings until next year and Djoko somehow drops his level (which I think won’t happen)?! than he definetely can. We don’t know the future for sure and 1 year a lot can happen.

Edberg is right, as long as he is healtht and keep reaching finals he always has a chance.

July 15th, 2015 at 10:51 am

Of course he has a shot. As of today, he is the second best grass courter in the world. If he’d had a semi-final like performance, who knows what would have happened in the finals. I think Roger played very well, but not as well as the semis. As well, Novak had an unbelievable serving day. As the football saying goes, On any given Sunday… If we’d just gone by the year’s form, recent H2H and ranking, we wouldn’t have had to play the French open title, we could have given the trophy to Novak. But the match played out differently. In fact, we needn’t play anymore tournaments this year, since Novak “should” win them all.

The big IF is IF Roger will still be as fit and prepared next year.

July 15th, 2015 at 11:12 am

Novak will indeed be favorite for them all,i just hope he doesnt win them all,as id like some other players to have their share too,no offence Novak fans,and its not a double standard as i do appreciate people felt the same when both Rafa and Roger were winning everything too,but there can be such a thing as overkill,sorry i know it sounds whiney….

July 15th, 2015 at 11:28 am

I’ve been a fan of Fed for so long so I hate to say this, but I just don’t see it happening. This Wimbledon was the tournament where I finally admitted to myself that one of my all-time favorites is done winning grand slams. Fed seems to be able to bring the magic for one match here or there (like his semi against Murray) but the magic isn’t there for all 7 matches. And if he’s going to play Djokovic in a final, he’s going to need to be at the top of his game.

There’s also the time factor. At this point in his career, he only has maybe 2 or 3 chances left. Sure, he’s playing well now (and I would guess that 10 years ago or even 5 years ago no one would have assumed he’d still be going strong at age 33) but no one can outrun father time.

Sigh. :-(

July 15th, 2015 at 11:52 am

@MMT – congrats! I used to live out that way about 10 years ago and went to the early rounds of the tournament a few times. They get some big names so there’s always someone good to see on a smaller court. I saw Tim Henman and Thomas Enqvist play on side courts. I benefited from the crowd heading to the stadium to watch Andy Roddick, but I wasn’t giving up my 2nd row seats for a nosebleed seat in the stadium.

July 15th, 2015 at 11:55 am

Roger has been playing so well, not just now, today, 2015 but the last, (especially),7 years.

I say with great confidence (call me stupid, whatever you will), that since sitting at home watching him lift the 2008 USOpen trophy against Murray, and hearing over and over that he was done, finished, would never win a slam again (that was pre-winning USOpen, he has continued to amaze me.

Not only has Roger been prepared to put the hard yards in, he has remained at the highest level, I think he only fly in the soup was when he went down to Number 8, and had to fight his way to the WTF that year, but other than that, he has remained in the top 4.

Honestly, The guy is a genius, he is hard working, committed,motivated and just continues to surprise.

I think, still think, still believe that he has another slam in him. Given a great draw, given some fabulous training, given the support of his team, and never to read the papers again about him and his game, Roger can go out and play freely.

I really believe the match he had played against Murray, in the SFs, plus the 2nd set against Novak in the final, were some of the finest tennis I have seen Roger play, in quite some time.

The guy keeps his swagger and his game at the highest level. I can’t see a better man than him right now, except Novak.

Regarding Novak, am so pleased for him, because he has sustained an incredible feat, again at the highest level. He continues to sustain an excellent state of health, of mind and really is the world number 1, well earned and well respected by Federer.

I have read many things that Roger has said about Novak, and the thing with Roger is that he isnt jealous, he is more accepting that his best years are behind him, but he, for me, has entered a phase 2, where his best years have almost been reincarnated by him, with the help of coach, racquet and mindset.

Roger can still achieve at the highest level, he is right there, behind Novak and that is not a bad place to be.

Good luck to Roger. Wish him all the best and many more years of playing tennis.

July 15th, 2015 at 11:57 am

Wow,

Watching and listening to Edberg talking about both Roger and Novak, pure class. Both great grass court players (of course), Novak served excellently well, Roger dipped in his first serves more, a shame, but was always going to happen at some stage.

Fantastic Edberg. Really hope that he continues his relationship with Federer as feel he is a really great influence on him, not only as a coach, but confidante.

July 15th, 2015 at 12:02 pm

^ yes they seem like a great team madmax.

things will have to fall just the right way for fed, but if he keeps playing like he did at wimbledon the last 2 years, sure, he can win another title – there especially. i also wonder about the us open – were it not for cilic’s surprise level last year, i think fed would’ve won the title.

—–

thanks for the link mat4.

July 15th, 2015 at 12:21 pm

congrats MMT – enjoy. are you writing for a particular paper/website, or will your match reports be at your blog?

speaking of which, i would alter one little thing about the title of latest piece: “i had my cigar, and i smoked it too.” ;)

July 15th, 2015 at 12:23 pm

Remaining injury free is another big factor in the career of a tennis player. You can have an accident in a New York minute. I don’t want anyone accusing me of hoping something like this would happen, because I don’t! It’s just that everyone is predicting the future for Novak and Fed……it’s ludicrous. Too much can go on in a career from one season to the next. Just being realistic is all.

July 15th, 2015 at 12:32 pm

Okie the past is history,the futures a mystery,Roger for the most part seems to remain injury free,missed hardly any tennis the odd tourney here or there,and these days i think as Mats Wilander once said he doesnt hate losing as much as he loves winning anymore,he just plays for the love of the game,and whatever he does now is bonus,funny Bjorn Borg is saying he will consider retirement next year although i dont know where he got that idea from?….

July 15th, 2015 at 1:17 pm

No disrespect to Novak and fans in my 11.28am post BTW….

July 15th, 2015 at 1:20 pm

Roger, you are a true champion on and off the court with your great game and exemplary behaviour. But winning another Wimbledon(or any GS) at your age, I hate to say this, a big NO.

July 15th, 2015 at 1:30 pm

Injury kills careers. Del Potro is a prime example. He could have been there battling the Top 3 or Big 4 but his career is over and he barely even started. The manner by which an athlete plays is a big factor by which he gets injured. Those who rely heavily on power are bound to get injured more.

July 15th, 2015 at 1:39 pm

@Hippy Chick – I think Borg might have said that because Federer had said in the past that he wanted to play until the Rio Olympics in 2016.

July 15th, 2015 at 1:56 pm

^ He might not have meant the Olympics as an end point but it’s possible that others have interpreted it that way.

July 15th, 2015 at 1:57 pm

I think After US Oopen next year (Wimbledom, than Rio Olympics, USO) maybe Fed will start assessing his career and questioning himself: where to go from here? what still drives me? Did I won a last Slam? Can I win again? IS My body holding up? etc..
He will be 35 next year in September so it’s natural for a tennis player to start considering. His ranking and how he is playing can affect as well, but I think he will go a little longer, it depends on a lot of factors. But definitely next summer he will start thinking about it, for sure.

July 15th, 2015 at 2:18 pm

Too much focus on the Holy Slams and ONLY being one of the 4 or less who wins a Holy Slam. To hear some fans and writers, ONLY that matters in tennis. Who are the 4 or less in a sea of nobodies? The supporting cast who may win Masters 1000s, Davis Cup, Olympics, ATP 500s, the year end championships, a Slam quarter or semi, but all that is meaningless stuff – only Slam victories define the only true players. The rest is side stuff for the bit players who are the other 99.9% on the Tour.

Some of the biggest boosters of this mindset have been Pete and Roger fans and writers in love with Fed and only Fed arguing Slam Count is the only metric in tennis.
And ironically, their man Federer is being victimized by that. It is all about his “failure to win a Sacred 18th”. About how how may never. Even though he beat Djokovic in Dubai, destroyed Andy at Wimbledon, and may have significant chances to win Cincinnati, Shanghai, and the YEC. About still being dangerous to all and a true #3 player at his age.

July 15th, 2015 at 2:25 pm

US Open is where federer will set the dot on his season.
Djokovic will have his usual let down at US HC swing. US courts there are to many big hitters to blow him of thecourt.

Federer Will be looking to win USserie with dominating Cincin and US Open.

Also Nadal will cause problem for Djoker and he might blow him out of quarters.
The semi slumb of Djokovic will end at Paris Masters where the court is again for his liking.

O2 will 50/50 between Fed Djokovic.

I dont see Murray making an impression in US HC or the indoor season/ Maybe he can take Shanghai but dubt it. Nadal will be making quarters/finals but he wont be beating Federer on these courts.

Im expecting a few Fedals, lesser federer Djokovic and Murray feeling under the weather after another humiliation by Roger. Followed by another bow out year at O2.

My second best man Cilic will have o crank the volume to become a real contender at US open.

July 15th, 2015 at 3:07 pm

Im testing out my new monikor….

July 15th, 2015 at 3:12 pm

@Chick….We’ve talked about Roger’s athletic genes before, to remain on the uninjured list is nothing short of amazing! I realize he had the mono thing which is very hard to come back from and the back issue. Those two things didn’t keep him down too long!! Yes, he’s an astounding athlete and is managing to keep playing which is great at his age. I can see him playing for a long time and good for him!!

July 15th, 2015 at 3:27 pm

I just can’t see the reasoning behind the statement that the man who is 33/4 years old can keep it up and play same or better quality of tennis when he is 34/5 but the man who is 28 years of age can’t keep it up and ” can only play much much worse” in the future, what is the basis for that statement.

This is what Nole’s physiotherapist and his best friend thinks about where is Nole today and where he will be tomorrow regardless of the fact that knowledgeable poster on TX are writing Nole off:

https://novakindiafans.wordpress.com/2015/07/11/miljan-amanovic-im-sure-he-can-play-like-this-for-another-3-4-years/

July 15th, 2015 at 4:13 pm

jane:

Two blogs for Nole fans —

https://mcshowblog.wordpress.com/

and

http://theultimatetennisblog.com/

They are both very good.

July 15th, 2015 at 4:15 pm

Thanks mat4. 😊

Agree Wog Boy, seems like faulty logic or at least needs further substantiating. Perhaps wishful thinking? 😉

July 15th, 2015 at 4:31 pm

my post at 4:13pm should say “knowledgeable posterS”

July 15th, 2015 at 4:32 pm

I dont think if i were a fan of either player i would worry too much,doesnt seem like either are going anywhere anytime soon,although logic would suggest that Novak been a few years younger has more years at the top and also more mileage left in him….

July 15th, 2015 at 5:00 pm

@Gypsy gal:

Hippy Chic, is it you?

@jane, WB:

I had a very long debate about ageing, generational shifts, longevity, technological cleavage on the French blog I mentioned.

After all the arguments, IMHO, what has shortened Fed winning days was the fact that he played in an era with two others outstanding champions — something quite clear by now.

Take Rafa or Novak out of the equation, two of the top 5 of the Open Era, and Fed is at 20+ slams. Take both, and he is at 25+ and with multiple calendar grand slams. The same thing could be said both for Rafa and Novak.

We had three of the top five in the last 40 years playing at the same time.

The keys for Novak are the following: 1. to stay healthy; 2. not to see the emergence of a new outstanding player.

Although I am not an optimist (I am happy with 9 slams), it is very reasonable that he could play at a similar level the next three years. With some luck, he could finish at 12+ slams, and a career slam. For me, it would be enough to rank him no 3 in the Open Era, behind Federer and Borg, and in front of Sampras and Rafa.

July 15th, 2015 at 5:35 pm

Only the slams matters. That’s the real prize in tennis. The other tournaments are merely accessories. I don’t even know or bother to know how many Masters or etc events Federer, Nadal or Djokovic have won and most certainly cannot name which of those Masters is which. But I very well know the number and types of slams all these big name tennis players have. Heck, I can even name who they beat in those slam finals. I wonder how many of those Masters Djokovic is willing to sacrifice for one French? Maybe all his Masters clay titles!

July 15th, 2015 at 5:48 pm

I agree with Matt on Borg. Never bothered with the then junior league Aussie Open when Borg was dominant on grass like at Melbourne. Still with that and retiring at 26, got 11 Slams. More importantly, Borg was the 1st international superstar of the pro tennis era.
I also add Rod Laver to my list because I think there is no such thing as GOAT. Only best of an era.

July 15th, 2015 at 5:55 pm

Mat4 ha ha well spotted,not hiding behind sock puppets or anything just fancied a new nic,i maight switch them about a bit though,as both fit my real life persona….

July 15th, 2015 at 6:08 pm

^Sorry might,not maight^….

July 15th, 2015 at 6:11 pm

CF1:

I didn’t watch Laver (recently, on yt…), while I remember well Borg from RG and Wimbledon in the 70s. It was the only tennis you could watch, then, on TF1 or Antenne 2.

Borg dominated his whole generation (and, despite the myths, he beat JMac on last time in an invitational tournament before he stopped playing), and he was years in front of his time. He humiliated Connors on grass, Vilas on clay, all time greats on those surfaces.

Here is an article about him worth reading:

http://besteversportstalk.blogspot.com/2009/07/debunking-myths-about-bjorn-borg-john.html

July 15th, 2015 at 6:31 pm

Gipsy Gal,

Enjoy the late King of Gypsy music then, I fell in love with the girl in black top and red skirt:

http://youtu.be/e24qMLbRn2M

July 15th, 2015 at 6:32 pm

mat4,
I felt sorry for Rod Laver when Nole entered the building after the ceremony and first stop was with those famous, forwhatever reason, dignitaries that Nole was shaking the hands, RL was behind them trying to work his way through to shake Nole’s hand and didn’t make it since he is just small and they should’ve put him first in the line so the legend can shake the hand of the legend, shame on organizers. Nole couldn’t see him, otherwise he would work his way towards RL, for me The Goat due to the circumstances he was denied right to play16-18 GS when he was undeniably best player in the world, which he proved later.

July 15th, 2015 at 6:46 pm

mat4, i finally had a chance to read that post you linked at 10:15 this morning, and the stuff about numbers of top ten wins and average ranking of opponents is extremely interesting. thanks again for sharing!

July 15th, 2015 at 6:47 pm

@WB:

A song for you, with subtitles in English:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVhL7azhQQI

@jane:

“and the stuff about numbers of top ten wins and average ranking of opponents is extremely interesting”

You’re quite right, it’s very interesting…

A song for you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BBFbYFFl9w

July 15th, 2015 at 7:15 pm

aww, nice & poignant mat4; thank you for sharing.
so true as well.

that’s why this!!! :D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxT8m46K1w8

July 15th, 2015 at 7:51 pm

mat4,

Why did you do that to me:(, lyrics are top notch…same as Nole’s game, just pure poetry.

July 15th, 2015 at 9:51 pm

I don’t know if this has been already posted, if it was just disregard it:

http://youtu.be/4PWoRL4Y9Ik

July 15th, 2015 at 10:17 pm

Hey Wog Boy –

Liked your movie!

July 15th, 2015 at 10:44 pm

@tennismonger,

Are you talking about “The Wog Boy”, if so I am really glad you liked it, there is “The Wog Boy 2” with the same actors called “The Kings of Mykonos”, not bad, though usually #2 are not as good as originals, here is the trailer:

http://youtu.be/-8tAba41f8o

July 15th, 2015 at 11:25 pm

Wog Boy @ 4.13
Agree. Thought that reasoning was on the wishful thinking spectrum.

July 16th, 2015 at 1:20 am

@Gypsy Gal

I didn’t pick up on the new moniker! Perceptive peeps on here……

July 16th, 2015 at 1:57 am

Okie lol yeah true….

Wogboy thanks for the video link,beutiful girl in the red dress yes….

Mat4 and Jane you both have great taste in music….

July 16th, 2015 at 5:05 am

^Duh sorry beautiful girl^….

July 16th, 2015 at 6:26 am

Markus thinks only GS matter,and Chris Ford 1 thinks that GS are only part of the picture….

This to me is the whole reason i dont really believe or care that much about the whole GOAT discussion,too many different caveats to the topic….

Some say its Roger with the GS and weeks at number 1,some say its Laver with the two CCGS,some say its Conners with the titles and career wins,some say its Rafa with the career winning percentage and H2Hs gold medal,Masters 1000 etc,some say Novak will enter that discussion if he wins the FO and Cincy as he will have won everything once….

Personally i find it fantastic for the sport that we talk about many all time greats past and present rather than one out and out GOAT,but thats just my opinion….

July 16th, 2015 at 6:38 am

its never Rafa. Thats a lie.

July 16th, 2015 at 6:48 am

and not some say Roger. That is also a lie. Many say it is Roger.
in fact when 99.9% claim Roger Federer is GOAT then most likely he is.

July 16th, 2015 at 6:51 am

Gypsy Gal, your name reminds me of Hippy Chick’s.

Anyway, I believe that in sports, there are certain titles that an athlete would rather have than any because that particular title is considered the ultimate in his/her sport. Like in track and field, one can win as many world titles as one can but the absence of an Olympic gold is bitter shortcoming. Same thing with football in America. You can win all your division titles but that’s still considered a failure without the Super Bowl. Tennis is the same. Nothing counts more than the slams. When Djokovic won all those Masters titles on clay this year yet failed to win the French, he was devastated and many even predicted that it will have an effect on his Wimbledon. Would he and his fans feel the same if he lost all those Masters but won the French? Masters, it would be nice to have but that’s not what these players are really gunning for.

July 16th, 2015 at 6:56 am

Gypsy Gal, your name reminds me of Hippy Chick’s.

Anyway, I believe that in sports, there are certain titles that an athlete would rather have than any because that particular title is considered the ultimate in his/her sport. Like in track and field, one can win as many world titles as one can but the absence of an Olympic gold is bitter shortcoming. Same thing with football in America. You can win all your division titles but that’s still considered a failure without the Super Bowl. Tennis is the same. Nothing counts more than the slams. When Djokovic won all those Masters titles on clay this year yet failed to win the French, he was devastated and many even predicted that it will have an effect on his Wimbledon. Would he and his fans feel the same if he lost all those Masters but won the French? Masters, it would be nice to have but that’s not what these players are really gunning for.

July 16th, 2015 at 6:56 am

My computer did it again! Just like my wife says, I keep repeating myself!

July 16th, 2015 at 6:58 am

…and about the GOAT, that’s a useless topic to fret about. Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Laver, Borg, Sampras, and whoever did the best for an extended period during his time, they are all great. GOATS!
In is doing these athletes a disfavor by picking one as the best of all time when they come from different eras. The same thing goes with this weak era/strong era crap. One can only do his best during his time and it is difficult to say whether ones dominance is due to his greatness rather than the weakness of the field. I would rather say it’s the former because claiming the latter is an insult to the all the players in that era. As my motto goes, if you do not know, choose to praise rather than to insult somebody because that is how you’d like others to treat you…to at least have the decency to give you the benefit of the doubt.

July 16th, 2015 at 7:06 am

Markus lol im one and the same poster,just fancied a new nickname,i might change them about though,as both fit my real life persona….

Anyway i have to agree although i dont believe in GOAT as its all too perceptive,i would say when push comes to shove,its the GS players really want,and i suppose what really matters historically,in 2013 i was happy Rafa won Cincy as it was a title he hadnt ever won before,but what i really wanted as a fan was another USO title,like Jane and Jalep who both wanted a FO for Novak….

And BTW my hubby says the exact same thing about me in that i keep reapeating myself lol….

July 16th, 2015 at 7:07 am

Markus your posts are very astute and very wise,and very fair minded,a rare commodity these days on this forum….

July 16th, 2015 at 7:14 am

Seema like we were both typing together,and said what really amounts to the same thing….

July 16th, 2015 at 7:16 am

Thanks, Gypsy Gal. You, by any other name is just as sweet.

July 16th, 2015 at 8:18 am

Thanks, Gypsy Gal. You, by any other name is just as sweet.

July 16th, 2015 at 8:18 am

I give up. My computer has acquired by personality. Well, Gypsy Gal, take them both!

July 16th, 2015 at 8:19 am

Markus thankyou,and you too ;-)….

July 16th, 2015 at 8:27 am

Everything matters. Both Stan and Andy have 2 slams. Andy has 10 masters and Stan only one. As a direct result Andy’s ATP rankings have been much better. Do we rank their careers the same?

July 16th, 2015 at 9:03 am

One more slam and Wawrinka’s career will sound rosier than Murray with his 10 masters. That’s how big the slams are. How many Masters tournaments are there in a year? I don’t even know, I wonder how many sports fans in general know? That tells you the value of the Masters as compared with the Majors. It’s like apples and oranges, no, make that apples and prunes.

July 16th, 2015 at 10:02 am

Vami, quick, name and give the number of each of the 10 masters Murray has won! I can name Federer’s 17 slams.

July 16th, 2015 at 10:05 am

@Markus and Vami – you both are correct. Slams matter first, but Masters 1000 add context and also go a long way to helping with rankings.

2013 is a prime example of this. Between August 2012 and July 2013, Murray won the Olympics, U.S. Open, and Wimbledon, and was a runner up at the Australian Open. In most other tennis “eras” that would have been enough for the number 1 ranking. But he was never ranked number 1 because Djokovic and Nadal had been cleaning up on the Masters 1000 titles (aside from Miami which Murray had won). So there is clearly some importance to the Masters titles, because they have stood in the way of a major milestone (the number 1 ranking) for Murray, and he has said in the past that he needs to be more consistent throughout the year at the non-majors.

July 16th, 2015 at 10:44 am

there are 500 series more important then masters. Dubai/Basel are more difficult then non mandatory master.

July 16th, 2015 at 10:58 am

Im not saying the rest of the tournies arent important,its just historically its the GS that carry the most weight,if we are talking about the whole picture,i would say Novak is a more rounded player as he has dominated the tour especially the Masters 1000,the number 1 ranking way more than Rafa has,but if you look at only the GS Rafa has won more GS including multiple ones on all surfaces,yet he hasnt dominated in all other areas like Novak and Roger have,so hes not dominated the tour in the same way,and isnt considered as well rounded on all surfaces the way they are either,not turning this into a Novak v Rafa duke out,i just wonder if both looked at the others career who would be the most happy though?….

July 16th, 2015 at 11:00 am

Before we start entering the vale of despondency here, Andy is two years younger than Stan.

July 16th, 2015 at 11:51 am

Jane, I’ll be posting to my blog – lot of good players this year, Murray, Nishikori, Cilic, Dimitrov, Gasquet, Mannarino.

Should be good.

July 16th, 2015 at 12:05 pm

Sienna@July 16th 6.48am, its not a lie some actually have said its Rafa, and many/most say its Roger ,but anyway you completely missed my point,what i was saying is and some agree,some disagree that not all of us are fixated with all things GOAT anyway,some like myself like the idea of many all time greats,rather than one out and out GOAT,you dont,well thats your perogative,but dont call me a liar as i dont appreciate it thanks….

July 16th, 2015 at 1:44 pm

thanks MMT – will watch for your reports there then. it does souns like a nice field this year, lucky you!

July 16th, 2015 at 1:49 pm

With You Mysterious Gypsy Gal.

July 16th, 2015 at 3:14 pm

LOL Many Thanks Jock KatH ;-)….

July 16th, 2015 at 3:17 pm

Markus
1)Monte Carlo….

2)Madrid….

3)Rome….

4)Miami….

5)Indian Wells….

6)Shanghai….

7)Cincy….

8)Toronto….

9)Paris….

Thats 9 that i can think of….

July 16th, 2015 at 3:59 pm

Markus, that is a subjective topic. For Fed fans like yourself it’s the slams that count, likely because he’s not leading the masters tally anymore. Rafa, Nole and Andy fans wouldn’t agree. The big 4 are called that because of slams AND masters; we have almost exclusively 4 guys winning them all in the last 5-6 years.

July 16th, 2015 at 5:22 pm

I AM sure he can do.I totally agree with you.He needs little bit aggressive.

July 16th, 2015 at 6:18 pm

no difference between MC and every 500 serie where #1 and #2 and several other players top 10 are present.
If Masters are given there respect then MC from the stage it was non mandatory should not count.
Also DUBAI should be upgraded because it is the strongest 500 serie in da house.

Furthermore Majors should count as slams+WTF followed closely by Masters (mandatory)+Dubai.

July 17th, 2015 at 3:47 am

Vami,Markus isnt a Federer fan his favorite is Gasquet,he just appeciates all the all time greats,and great tennis from wherever it comes from and is very clever and knowledgeable about the game too,all the tournies and all other ares are important,but when push comes to shove its the GS that carry the most weight,as he said ask Novak which he would prefer Rome Masters or the FO GS?anyway he can speak for himself but he does have a point,all tournies are important,but the GS are what the players really want….

July 17th, 2015 at 9:07 am

And BTW im not a Federer fan either….

July 17th, 2015 at 9:15 am

I think you’ve mentioned this repeatedly Gypsy Gal. There’s no disgrace in being a Federer fan you know.

July 20th, 2015 at 6:46 pm

gypsy gal’s post of july 16th is missing the canadian masters (held alternately at toronto and montreal, switching with WTA each year); it counts as one of the 9.

however, in recent years, while still being allotted the same number of possible winning points as the other masters (1000), monte carlo is no longer counted as one of the mandatory 9.

July 20th, 2015 at 9:35 pm

Purcell and i never said there was either,if you bother to read the context of my post,i was actually defending the guy,by saying that i agree with Markus in that the GS are what the players really want,and seen as the most important catalyst historically,while also pointing out you dont have to be a paricular fan of said player just because you do happen to defend them,i have defended all the players from time to time,you havent noticed as youve not been here even fellow Rafa fans have called me out saying im a secret Federer or Djokovic fan so i guess you cant win either way?,i do also critique them all too,as i dont believe they are perfect either,i rather get the impression though that sometimes your trying to fsh for a quarell that doesnt even actually exist,i dont dislike Roger or any other player and i actually have a good rapport with most fans of both players,but if you choose to believe otherwise then thats you with a problem not me peace….

July 21st, 2015 at 2:12 am

Jane yeah thanks sorry,i couldnt actually remember the other one….

July 21st, 2015 at 2:14 am

Jeez i dont think there was anything in any of my posts,that couldnt actually be seen as anything but objective,its not as if i insulted any of the players personally,ce la vie….

July 21st, 2015 at 2:20 am

Actually Gypsy Girl I am around on a daily basis but I rarely post because I have neither the time nor the inclination. My response to you was a gentle chiding not an opportunity to pick a quarrel.
How about this: I’m a fan of Andy, Roger, Stan, Ivo, Dolgopolov, Serena, Aga, Venus, Goffin……Laver, Roche, P Gonzales, Laconte on and on…..and there are many reasons for these ‘preferences’, not necessarily connected with the actual game. I’m sure you’ll agree that this list has positive rather than negative connotations.

July 21st, 2015 at 3:57 am

The town Purcell, Oklahoma is considered the “Heart of Oklahoma”……C’mon Purcell, have a heart……..Don’t try to pick a fuss!! Lol

July 21st, 2015 at 12:25 pm

Purcell its still as i say then,try to actually open your mind a little bit,and see the good that i see in not only Roger but all the other players too,Roger,Rafa,Novak,Andy,Stan etc etc,are all amazing players which ever one you happen to be a fan of,are they perfect NO as none of them are,Federer was my favorite till Rafa came along,although i still like him and recognize what an amazing player he is he just isnt my favorite anymore Rafa is,and its got nothing to do with what he looks like either its just i loved that warrior type mentality and never say die attitude even though from time to time he does say and do thing that get up even my nose,and im not an over weight housewife or an Essex girl either,i also like Andy,Stan,Kie,Rafter,Agassi,Dolgo to name but a few….

July 21st, 2015 at 12:45 pm

Roger is the goat because of Slams and #1 records. They matter more than winning a masters.

Ask Murray if he would prefer to have x masters or be #1 for a brief time. I don’t even know if Rafter won any masters or not, but I sure know he was #1.

Roger has the complete body of work and the records he doesn’t hold he is in top 3.

For the others the reverse is not true.
Djoko is in a path similar to Roger, more so than Nadal, but Nadal has more majors.

The other 2 Top factors for Nadal considered by his fans in the GOAT discussion was his HxH versus Roger (the Goat by mjjority) and number of Masters titles but if Djokovic keeps in the pace he is at, next year he almost for sure surpass Nadal in both this categories, he is 2 wis away from tying HxH (currently as 21-23) and 3 Masters shy. Depending on how he perform he could tie him this year alone. Everybody here agree that Djoko will win at least 1 of the next 4 Masters if not more and the truth for Nadal is not true (he has 1 masters title, on clay in last 2 years).

I wonder what would happen when this 2 things happens, Djoko being leader of Masters title, which he pretty sure is going to end his career as the record holder and revert the HxH with Nadal. He already tied Federer and almost sure will end on top of him as well.

So the next goal for him will be Slam count, and #1 records.

But having a positive HxH versus both Nadal and Roger and record of Maters titles won’t prove nothing unless he increase Slam tally, which are what matters most. As the young gun, he is expected to beat them, but the credit will be all his because he will be the only one with a positive HxH versus the 2 greats and that is a “if” right now. Looking at everything that is happening, seems just a matter of when, but still an if. The Masters count, I think only injury prevents him from being the record holder, everybody thought Nadal would get to 30 (which he can still do), but with his decrease of winning lately, not so sure anymore.

July 21st, 2015 at 1:36 pm

Personally i prefer the idea of a number of all time greats rather than 1 out and out GOAT,as they all have their own areas in greatness,but thats just me,but each to their own….

July 21st, 2015 at 1:46 pm

Lodhi…meet Ronn…Ronn….meet Lodhi.

July 21st, 2015 at 2:49 pm

I will not tolerate any name calling of my true friend, the cat lover, Skeeze. Sure, he posts a lot of non-sense, but to his cats, he is a hero.

July 21st, 2015 at 7:37 pm

How about adding eight professional majors (equivalent to amater GS) that Laver won 1963-1968 to his tally of 11 GS titles, that comes to 19 Majors. Why would we value amater GS titles 1963-1968 more than proffesional ones when they didn’t have to play against best player(s) in the world ( Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Lew Hoad, Andrés Gimeno, Pancho Gonzales..) the very players Rod Laver had to beat in order to win Pro Majors, US Pro, Wembley Pro, French Pro (Aussie Pro didn’t exist). If we recognize amater ones 1963-1968 than we should equally recognize Pro ones too, no? That is one of the reason why GOAT debate might be…well, wrong. Even Roger acknowledged few years ago that he might not be GOAT due to the circumstances surrounding Rod Laver’s career, for me the real GOAT.

July 21st, 2015 at 11:01 pm

This is from Wiki, just to back up my case about RL adding the weight of DC competition in those days:

“He also won eight Pro Slam titles, including winning the Pro “Grand Slam” in 1967, and contributed to five Davis Cup titles for Australia during an age when Davis Cup was deemed as significant as the Grand Slams.”

July 21st, 2015 at 11:13 pm

Wog boy,
Agree about Laver. And its a valid argument probably for decades to come. My only comeback would be that Laver himself annointed Fed as the GOAT. That said, Laver is someone U wish everone could have seen, and his era of opponets were unreal. Have no problem with some that still believe Laver is the best all time ever.

July 21st, 2015 at 11:34 pm

skeezer,

Rod Laver appears to be one extremely modest, humble and down to earth person, I believe he meant what he said about Roger and that has to be respected.
I am still pissed off with organizers not putting him in the front row of the people who met Nole after the final, how can one “Sherlock Holmes” be more important than Rod Laver at Wimbledon is beyond my understanding, pay attention @0:31 and where from RL has to work his way towards Nole and didn’t make it:(

http://youtu.be/UI1dLCT2fEA

July 22nd, 2015 at 12:08 am

^^ actually it starts @0:25

July 22nd, 2015 at 12:11 am

if we are combining pro slams then make sure to give praise to everyone.
Ken Rosewell will have aan say in goathood when we care about the proslams.

I dont care about those or all of pre open era slams.
pro slams were easy with only 8 players in draw.
Also laver won his first Grandslam without the best players in the world at that time.

July 22nd, 2015 at 5:58 am

@sienna

“Also laver won his first Grandslam without the best players in the world at that time.”

That’s why he came back and won another one after 8 years of winning the first. What else is he supposed to do to make a case for GOAThood ?

“Ken Rosewell will have aan say in goathood when we care about the proslams.”

No. Ken Rosewell had a horrible head-to-head against Rod Laver throughout his career. Rod was superior to Ken on all accounts. So no, Ken Rosewell will not and should not feature in the discussion at all.

I agree with WogBoy.

July 22nd, 2015 at 9:50 pm

OK horrible is an exaggeration but still, Laver’s got a pretty reasonable edge in the H2H.

July 22nd, 2015 at 9:53 pm

And I’m not sure why I kept saying “Rosewell”. It’s Rosewall.

My bad.

July 22nd, 2015 at 9:54 pm

Nice to see the moderators are finally upping their game by removing Lodhis post,and about time too,but can we apply that same standard to all people then too,because believe me that seems quite tame in comparison to some of the stuff you let through?….

July 23rd, 2015 at 5:28 am

“…but can we apply that same standard to all people then too…”

Well GG, that depends who those “people” cheer for, Patson addressed that problem few threads ago, it appears that some fans are allowed to post racist and chauvinistic comments without any consequences…but that is how iit s in real life too, some can do it some can’t, I believe you understand where I am heading…?
One thing for you since you are pagan, this is closet that you can come to pagan music, and quite a bit of pagan life has been incorporated in christian life after Balkan people converted some years ago, listen to this enjoying your favorite drink, cider:

http://youtu.be/kOxXniriV3c

July 23rd, 2015 at 5:52 am

^^^ the name of the song is “Valley of tears”

July 23rd, 2015 at 5:56 am

h2h doesnot win slams or proslams.
Rosewall lost a lot because he was very much older at the time Laver entered pros.

The point is not h2h but bringing PROslams into the mix. So how can you not consider all time leader slams/Pro slams combined for Goat? Combined Rosewall has 23 or 25 I believe.

So you do want to count proslams for Laver but not so much for Ken Rosewall?

That would be flawed I think and I feel pretty strong about that.

July 23rd, 2015 at 6:39 am

Wogboy exactly,Patson,KatH and i all said that at the time,couldnt believe the post was still there,and it still fell on deaf ears,anyway yeah cheers for that luverly song ive never heard it before,but its the sort of music i listen to all the time especially at our Autumn equinox pagan camp at the begining of September,i dont know how to do links on a computer but if you go on you tube if you go to The Mercian Gathering 2011 Coventry theres my husband and i dressed as skeletons,also theres one with some dancers called the witchmen and hubby and i are sat on the grass wearing black t.shirts clapping,we set fire to the wickerman its all symbolic of the harvesting,nothing weird or anything just a fun weekend of people paying respect to the elements,many thanks again you indeed made my day ;)….

July 23rd, 2015 at 6:50 am

besides maybe you should take a better look at their rivalry. especially pre open period. It is well documented and hardly one dimensional. If all definitely not worth skipping a difference of 4 combined slam/pro slams as you claim.

July 23rd, 2015 at 7:02 am