Novak Djokovic Increases No. 1 Lead Over Roger Federer In 2012 ATP Points Race

Tennis-x–

Really great coverage of tennis this summer by you guys. Thanks!

September 11th, 2012 at 6:25 pm

@harry, absolutely. I especially liked that I din’t have to wonder which network was broadcasting and when. I could come here on a daily basis and get all that information at my disposal instead of going to ATP site, which at times, can be very cnfusing.

Great job Tennis-x staff and writers. The video clips put up by Jeremy Davis and Tom Gainey are excellent and very up-to-the-minute.

September 11th, 2012 at 6:38 pm

Oh, there Murray goes again! He wins one grand slam in a land of giants who have already one many, many, and he’s already believing he can be number one. He said the same thing a few years ago before he failed to reach that particular goal. What’s my problem with Murray again? He boasts about his specialness even without the results to prove. The others have been different. On the occasions they’ve thumped their chests at times arrogantly, at least they’ve had the record to back them up.

September 11th, 2012 at 8:26 pm

Federer remains #1, that’s what matters till further notice.

September 11th, 2012 at 10:22 pm

Overall, I don’t know what Tennis fan can complain this year. Murray, Novak, Maestro and Rafa all win Slams. A great Dlam year for Tennis

September 11th, 2012 at 10:31 pm

Just once I’d love to run across a Murray-hater who exhibited intelligence and/or wit. Never happens.

September 11th, 2012 at 11:04 pm

Yes I agree, Alok.

September 12th, 2012 at 12:24 am

Yep, an AWESOME year for tennis- 4 different slam winners, just what the doctor ordered!

2013 is going to be IMMENSE IMHO as far as the slams are concerned. We have 5 slam winners now, 4 of whome (rafa, novak, muzza and JMDP) in the 24-26 peak age range and one of whom, fed, is a physical marvel who is able to compete as well at age 31. MUCH to look forward to and anticipate!

BUT firstly, there is the samll matter of 2012 YE no.1: personally it is between fed and nole only IMHO. Nole has the edge in the sense that he can gain more points than fed (i think?), BUT fed is the superior indoor player.

50/50 as in who shall end up no.1- which makes it an exciting finish to the year!

September 12th, 2012 at 1:23 pm

@ the DA,
Lol and pigs might fly.

September 12th, 2012 at 1:46 pm

Do the yearly ranking really affect anything other than who gets into the World Tour Finals? Which one determines who ends year as #1?

September 12th, 2012 at 1:50 pm

Brando and Skeezer great posts from you both,its been refreshing to see everyone each have a slice of the cake,instead of one player dominating and winning everything,that said i wouldnt mind Rafa winning a WTF at least once before he hangs up his raquet to complete the set,but as Jamie would say get real lol so i wont hold my breath,however a WTF would cement the come back for JMDP too,so i think i will pull for him to win that one,however we will see,alot can happen between now and then.

September 12th, 2012 at 2:49 pm

well, federer is still No.1, i mean it’s like the number ‘1’ is best graced when next to federer! :D

i was rootin for muzz like mad so that he can win his 1st slam. now that he’s got it, i’d have no qualms for rootin for fed the next time he meets him!

and you know, if i can freely root for my fed over muzz, then i can definitely root for him over everybody else too!

GO FEDERER n just GRAB the year end #1!

September 12th, 2012 at 3:39 pm

Murray literally cannot be no. 1 at the end of the year unless you shoot Federer and Djokovic. Look at the math. He’s 3,000 points behind Nole in the race — how is he going to earn 3000 more points than Djokovic in like four events? It’s massively improbable. The race is between Fed and Novak only, as Brando said.

September 12th, 2012 at 4:07 pm

just mirka and feds mom believes in feds win in the race this 2012
even a twins a somewhat reluctant:
wheres dad goin’ to find 3000 points more than novak

your planetary reporter and servant
tuta bugarin

September 12th, 2012 at 4:45 pm

Eric, laste year Djoko won exacrly 560 pts from this point untill finish. There is potentially: 500 fir Tokyo or Beijing, 1000 for Shangai, 500 fir Basel, 1000 Paris and 1500 WTF = 4500 pts. Murray will have to win 4 of rhis tourneys and pray Fed and Djoko win neither, which is very unlikelly. Mathmaticly there is a shot, but realistic?

Remember that this year some said the same for Fed to be #1 after US Open. He got it after Wimbledon!

September 12th, 2012 at 9:40 pm

Daniel,

Last year Nole didn’t play Beijing and Shangai, Lost to Nishikori in SF Basel (methinks), pulled out of Paris after few rounds and won only one match (methinks) at YEC.
This year he is playing Beijing and Shangai and I really don’t think he can repeat last year results in Basel, Paris and London. He has option to play even 250 tournament if there is any and if he is desperate for points because he didn’t play any this year.
Don’t you think he wiil get “little” bit more points than last year 560 points, considering that he didn’t get to SF only in Madrid this year and made seven finals winning three of them.

September 13th, 2012 at 12:34 am

@Tuta

Federer does not need 3000 points more than Novak, he needs only to get as many points as Novak does from now till end of the year + 1000 additional points.

Federer has a good indoor record, but 1000 points more than Novak if he performs reasonably well is not that easy. Its going to be a tight race to the end.

Federer will have to participate in Shanghai this time to get a good shot at retaining the no 1 ranking at the end of the year. He is defending a ton of points, Basel, Paris and London(including 100% wins in the round robin stage).

Djokovic might overextend himself by taking part in Beijing, Shanghai, Basel, Paris and London as he will have only one week of rest in a 6 week window. Highly doubtful he will be able to participate in all the events without running out of steam. Dont expect him to participate in any 250 level tournaments as his schedule looks packed as it is

September 13th, 2012 at 1:56 am

Harry,

You are right that shedule is tough but Nole use to play all those tournaments untill last year when he missed Asian leg, no wander why.
I think it is going to be tougher on Federer because he is defending Basel, Paris and London and this year they are literary one after another without a single week break. When you compare 25 year old and 31 year old who do you think has more chances to recover quicker through those last grueling weeks of this year tennis.
As it looks now, Nole is playing Beijing that Federer doesn’t, the rest is the same until end of the year.

September 13th, 2012 at 2:28 am

Harry,

BTW, are you the same harry (Harry)?

September 13th, 2012 at 2:29 am

BTW, Federer did mention after his Berdych match that he might play DC match. I don’t think he will play.

September 13th, 2012 at 2:35 am

@WogBoy —
No, he is different…

September 13th, 2012 at 2:36 am

^ A couple of months back somebody else posted as “harry” too. There is surely a bug in the software.

September 13th, 2012 at 2:39 am

harry,

Thanks, handwriting didn’t look the same:)

September 13th, 2012 at 2:39 am

ATP has announced that there will be TIME PENALTY on 2013 season. Guess who have to worry…. ;)

September 13th, 2012 at 2:42 am

Wow Wog boy :) That is some impressive “pattern recognition”!

September 13th, 2012 at 2:43 am

@harry
folk may change their virtual names, but are rarely able to change the style or the sentiment.

September 13th, 2012 at 2:55 am

@Margot —
Thanks, i now feel reassured about the relative safety of my moniker :)

I just finished watching the replay of the Nole-Muzz match (this time with commentary from Sky Sports). The match is a classic :)

BTW, do you have tennis withdrawal symptoms :)?

September 13th, 2012 at 3:04 am

There us one mire possibility that Nole has if he does well in Asia. He can chuck in one 250 tournament and pull out of Basel or even pull out without chucking in extra 250 tournament. He doesn’t defend much in Basel. On the other hand Federer is limited with his options since he is defending his home tournament plus Paris plus YEC, though I think Nole is going to play regardless of Asian leg.

September 13th, 2012 at 3:36 am

@harry
No, not at the mo. Still on cloud 9 :)
Plus quite a lot still about Andy in the media. He’s back in the UK and there’s an Olympic parade in Glasgow on Friday and everyone’s hoping he’ll be there and then go to Dunblane. Those lovely folk are longing to CELEBRATE :)

September 13th, 2012 at 4:10 am

ThreeTrickPony – must we have someone else talking nonsense about Murray? He is the least boastful player on the Tour. He has merely said he WANTS to be No 1, adding that he can’t do it this year. The previous occasion you refer to was NOT anything he actually said. It was a piece of over-enthusiastic reporting by a Scottish journalist.
Three Trick? More of a One Trick!

September 13th, 2012 at 5:07 am

I’m a bit puzzled. During the USO it was said that if Murray reached the final he would be No 3, as he is listed on the BBC News site. There are, I think, two different ATP rankings tables, the Singles Rankings, and the RACE rankings. I assume the latter applies only to the present season.

September 13th, 2012 at 5:39 am

Yes, Colin, race is to WTF and is just points for this year.

September 13th, 2012 at 7:37 am

Harry is right. Federer needs to play as well as Djokovic + 1000 additional points to end as #1 which is no easy feat. In addition, Djokovic is playing one additional ATP 500 tournament which Federer isn’t so he has more opportunities to pick up points than Roger from now on.

Federer is playing Davis Cup.

I’m a true Roger fan because of his incredible shot making and joy to watch, as a fellow tennis player, but it looks that Djokovic will end year as #1 from where I’m standing. Roger looked pretty pissed & grumpy in his interview after his QF loss, so I’m hoping that plays a good role, like it did after his loss in 2011 US Open. I feel he has more motivation now.

September 13th, 2012 at 9:36 am

$1.4 million has been collected by Novak’s foundation for kids in Serbia during a dinner organised by Novak’s foundation in New York. Lots of well known faces from USA and around the world attended charity dinner.
Good on you Nole, keep up the good work.

September 13th, 2012 at 10:00 am

@Margot – are you going to Dublane to catch a glimpse of him :) ? Not a bad thing you know :)

@Wog boy – yes, good work by Nole :)

September 13th, 2012 at 12:42 pm

Lol harry. Am of course obsessed, but not to that extent. Do u want me locked up as a stalker?…;)
Besides, live other end of the country…..

September 13th, 2012 at 1:22 pm

@Margot —

lol, very funny: “Do u want me locked up as a stalker?” of course not. we dont want a good poster locked up ;)

On the other hand if you pass this up, even if you manage to see him some time in the future, he will not be the same, neither will you :) As MLK eloquently says, “Now is the time…” On reading it again, it sounds like i am brainwashing you :)

September 13th, 2012 at 1:46 pm

wogboy

nice gesture by nole of charity, wish him lots of victories over nadal! ;)

September 13th, 2012 at 4:00 pm

well said colin on September 13th, 2012 at 5:07 am, dunno what the threetrickpony was barblin about!

September 13th, 2012 at 4:01 pm

It will be an amazing effort if Federer can finish no.1 this year.

More realistically, Djokovic will end the year no.1, but a lot of people [including even fed fans, no not people like nirmal kumar, the real fed fans] did not believe that Federer will get no.1 after wimbledon.

If anything, Federer is even better indoors than he is on grass. This could be a real close finish. It will be fitting if the no.1 is decided in the WTF final. That will be something!

September 13th, 2012 at 4:07 pm

Sean used to call djokovic garbage man. On those lines, I can think of a name for murray – sewage man!

September 13th, 2012 at 4:09 pm

So lame.

September 13th, 2012 at 5:40 pm

Wog boy,

Yes I think Djoko would do better, it was just to illustrate that compared to Murray, the later still has a shot.

But one line of your post says it all to me regarding Djoko this year: “this year and made seven finals winning three of them.”

He is nit winning the finals as lats year, which means if he faces Murray or Fed in fast indoors, he can lose again. The fun about this season now, is that Murray can play as the ace for either of them, because he can help Fed or Djoko cause.

I thought of several scenarios in my mind and one of them is a WTF finals between Muray and Djoko and if Murray wins, Fed stays #1:). The # 1 ranking most likely will be decided in WTF where Fed defends 1500 pts and Djoko and Murray 200 pts, which means that there is a potential 2800 difference points (if Fed loses all his matches and Djoko wins all his). It will make the semis and finals very exciting.

September 14th, 2012 at 12:03 am

The Djoker will end number 1, second Federer and third close to him, Murray. Nadal can prepare his attack to number 1 after Roland Garros next year.

September 14th, 2012 at 1:25 am

@harry
Am going to 02, very, very likely I’ll see Andy…*shrieks* …;)

September 14th, 2012 at 1:35 am

^there you go :) I can rest in peace…

September 14th, 2012 at 5:24 am

How come there is no comment on the ATP rule changes for next year?

September 14th, 2012 at 5:50 am

@scineram

apparently they’re getting rid of the “let” on the challenger tour for 3 months – and then they will ponder. Oh, to be in on this weighty pondering!

What, exactly, will there be to discuss? Of course, it is sensible to get rid of the let, should have been done years ago. An unbelievably irritating and useless rule!

The other change relates to time violation (25s) – any violation subsequent to a first warning will ensue in a fault. I think that’s a very good idea. The previous penalty – a point – was too harsh in this sense: umpires were afraid to incur the wrath of the players. It is therefore a good pragmatic move.

September 14th, 2012 at 7:38 am

On sky sports tv (uk) grinning Greg rusedski (one of the non winning Brits in the last 76yrs ) confidently stated that the year end no.1 is down to djokovic and Murray . Other famous quotes from him in the past : 2002 (after losing to Sampras in us open r3: “he’s a step slower, suprised of he gets even past next round ) , 2012 (pre wimbledon) ” I don’t see federer winning another slam . Therefore it’s looking good for fed to end year as no.1

September 14th, 2012 at 7:43 am

Agree with Grendel it would speed things up,does that mean that the second service will go too?

September 14th, 2012 at 8:00 am

alison, I didn’t think it through properly. Because a time violation on 2nd serve will again result in the loss of a point – and again the umpires will be fearful of the players and do nothing. Still, the situation will be somewhat improved.

Either McEnroe or Navratilova or both – can’t remember – have suggested getting rid of the 2nd serve. I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens one day, but I don’t think the game is ready for it yet. It would be a major move, and in terms of inducing excitement, a good one I think.

September 14th, 2012 at 8:55 am

no no, are they mad?! why get rid of second serve? its so important, shows so much about the skill of a great player like fed. if that bullsh#t is goin to happen at all, let it be so, but only after fed retires!

September 14th, 2012 at 9:26 am

steve27

sorry, but i don’t think you can say nadal’ll anymore find iteasy to becom no.1 next year. and with the rise of muzz, the chances of nadal gettin back to year end no.1 in his career is just too difficult. I won’t mind rafa pickin up some points to becom no.1 next year, but so far as becomin year end no.1 is concerned, I hope it’s either fed or muzz or even nole, but not nadal.

and it goes without sayin that fed should get the 2012 year end no.1, at least I hope so.

September 14th, 2012 at 9:31 am

and lookin at the senseless fed bashin in TT, I’d not even mind slghtly if nadal fails to reach year end no.1 ever again.

September 14th, 2012 at 9:32 am

well, they won’t get rid of the 2nd serve, Huh. But if they did, there’d be no diminution in skill, just a different application of it. Players would have to learn a sort of 3/4 serve, plus keeping the bigun in reserve. When would they use that? Ah, now that’s the fun. A bit like with the drop shot – you’re a genius if it comes off, a pityfully self-deluding retard if it fails. Would the guns of someone like Isner be spiked? No, after all his 2nd serve is pretty lethal. But they might be muffled somewhat.

off topic – here is a nice piece on Mario Ancic, still only 26. Once a Monte Carlo tax exile, he’s now sharing a small 2 bedroom apartment in New York with a friend. Life, eh? (http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/09/07/former-tennis-star-makes-a-mark-at-columbia-law-school/?smid=tw-share)

September 14th, 2012 at 10:17 am

Oh, very enjoyable story on Ancic. What a talented player he was, but it’s nice to hear he’s gone on to other exciting things. This bit struck home for me:

“This might sound clichéd, but the way Mario approached his training as a professional tennis player is how he’s approaching his legal career,” Carfagna said. “He’s like a sponge, indefatigable, and intensely committed to be the best lawyer he can be.”

I’ve had students who are similar – for example, one student who did a tour of duty in Afghanistan definitely exhibited the same kind of rigorousness in study habits and is now looking to go to Harvard as well. I am not surprised to hear that Ancic is doing well there. Good for him!

Thanks for posting that grendel.

September 14th, 2012 at 11:18 am

On July 10, I made several predictions/scenarios on US Open and year end No. 1 in two posts on Sean’s blog in the link. Here’s an update on how these scenarios have turned out.
http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2012-07-10/10268.php

DAVE’S PREDICTION:
“It’s a good probability that Federer will end the Year No. 1. Federer knows he has only 990 points to defend while Djokovic has 3,600 from Canada, Cincinnati to US Open. Plus the Olympic gives 750 additional points to the winner. He has a good chance to leave the US Open with a 1,000 to 1,500 point lead over Djokovic (possibly more if he wins the US Open). But that’s on the 52 week rolling rankings.”

TODAY’S REALITY:
Right now, Federer has a 1,335 point lead over Djokovic after the US Open (11,805 – 10,470)

DAVE’S PREDICTIONS:
“More important for the Year End Rankings is the Year-To-Date Rankings: right now, Federer is 245 points ahead of Novak and 290 points ahead of Nadal. Federer has a chance to finish the US Open with an 500 to 1,000 YEAR-TO-DATE ranking point lead over the best of Djokovic/Nadal. I think Fed will go all out at the Olympics, Cincinnati and US Open (unfortunately Canada is the week after Olympics so the top Olympic players will be prone to upsets from lack of hardcourt practice).

TODAY’S REALITY:
Right now, Federer is 1,005 points behind Djokovic because he underperformed at US Open, underperformed at Olympics and skipped Toronto.
[I said in another post around mid July or so that Federer should not waste his efforts on the Olympics as this may harm him in the US Open stretch (the significance of the Olympics still remains controversial in tennis history compared to winning a grand slam and keeping the No. 1 ranking). An imbecile claimed my stance was due to fear of Federer losing the Olympics, which was never the case. My view was simply economic: if Federer had lost early in the Olympics or skipped the Olympics, he could have played Toronto effort and possibly Washington 500, which should have given him a lot of points and an advantage for the hardcourt season. And I was possibly right that Federer playing the Olympics was a factor in Federer underperforming at the US Open, despite many indicators/measures favoring him to succeed. But several other factors were probably at play as well, such as Mardy Fish’s withdrawal and Federer playing ‘union leader’ in leading protracted negotiations with the Australian Open executives for significant increases in 2013 prize money].

DAVE’S PREDICTIONS:
“I think this summer will see players like Murray, Delpo, Berdych, Raonic and a few others playing the role of giant killers against the big three — and the US Open might be won by someone other than the big three (as I suggested before: four slams, four different players).”

TODAY’S REALITY:
US Open was won by someone other than the Big Three (Dave first suggested this might happen after the Australian Open — that this year probably won’t be a two-horse race). Murray and Berdych were giant killers against Djokovic and Federer, just like Rosol was against Nadal at Wimbledon. And Delpo showed excellent signs even if it wasn’t enough.

DAVE’S PREDICTIONS:
“After the US Open, Federer also has the flexibility to add Tokyo/Beijing and Shanghai to his schedule if he needs the points against Djokovic or Nadal (e.g., if one of them is is within 500 points of him). And his final thrust will be Basel-Paris-World Tour Finals. As long as he does not waste his time and body in Davis Cup, he should be able to handle this schedule. I think Federer will do whatever is necessary to achieve the Year End No. 1 — unless his body is injured…. Now that Federer can see the Year-End Number One, you can bet that he will do everything possible to achieve it, including adding extra tournaments after US Open (in 1998, Sampras added 7 tournaments after US Open to keep his No. 1 ranking from Marcelo Rios, see link). Of course injuries and unexpected defeats can affect such scenarios, but Fed’s track record in both are very good. At this point, it remains to be seen whether Djokovic, after suffering two massive hits at French Open and Wimbledon, will be motivated to fight for his No. 1 ranking going forward – my view is that Djokovic will need to build at least a 2,000 point gap over Federer between now and US Open and then play at a high level post US Open in order to end the year as No. 1. ”

TODAY’S REALITY:
The face off for year-end No.1 is between Djokovic and Federer. Murray has a mathematical chance of ending No.1 but it’s unlikely, though it’s more possible he might end the year No.2 if Djokovic or Federer fumble over the next two months.

In the year-to-date rankings, Djokovic has only a 1,005 point gap over Federer. I estimated Novak needs at least a 2,000 point gap at this time so 1,005 point gap is possibly not a safe lead for Djokovic to end the year No. 1. For Federer to end the year No. 1, Roger must win at least 1,010 points (from four events) more than Djokovic does (from five events) over the next two months. Federer (unless injured) has consistently dominated the Fall in past seasons and, as well, over the past 52 weeks Roger has the best hardcourt and indoor winning percentages.

Djokovic is playing five events in Fall: Beijing, Shanghai, Basel/Valencia, Paris, World Tour Finals. If Djokovic is smart he’ll play Valencia 500 for the easy points (instead of Basel) as Fed and Murray are playing Basel.

Federer is scheduled to play four events: Shanghai (confirmed), Basel, Paris and World Tour Finals. In 2006 Federer won four consecutive events (Tokyo, Madrid indoors, Basel, World Tour Finals), in 2011 he won three consecutive events (Basel, Paris, World Tour Finals) and in 2010 he won three of five events (Stockholm, Basel, World Tour Finals). Theoretically, Fed could still enter Beijing/Tokyo (preferably play Beijing since that’s where Djokovic is playing) as late as permitted by wild card — but his stupid decision to play Davis Cup makes it unlikely he will add this fifth event. Federer has very little margin for error in the four events, but he has done it before.

Playing Davis Cup is a dumb decision as it could end up costing Federer the year end No. 1. In the most disappointing scenario Fed loses the year end No. 1 ranking by a few hundred points (which he could have had by playing Beijing). Since 2003, whenever Federer played Davis Cup in September, he has never played more than four ATP events in Fall. In 2010 (only year Federer skipped Davis Cup), he was able to play five events in Fall (Shanghai, Stockholm, Basel, Paris, World Tour Finals). In 2004 Switzerland did not have to play in September, but Federer suffered a muscle-tear injury while training in Switzerland after winning Bangkok (so he had to skip Madrid, Basel, Paris indoors before going on to win World Tour Finals).

Federer played 11 consecutive Davis Cup seasons (1999 to 2009) before finally skipping the 2010 season — yet by this year young Nadal has already skipped three Davis Cup seasons (2007, 2010, 2012), young Murray skipped two DC seasons (2010, 2012), and young Djokovic one season (2012). This year Federer is the only Big Four player who played Davis Cup (he played two ties, including against USA in February) — Djokovic, Nadal and Murray did not play a single Davis Cup match this entire year (as well, last year 2011 Djokovic played only one doubles match and half a singles match in Davis Cup, while Federer played the maximum two DC ties involving five matches… including on grass after the US Open in the away tie in Australia which required, by far, the longest travel and jetlag that the other current top ten players have done in their careers for a Davis Cup tie). By playing Davis Cup this week Federer burns 1.5 weeks in his schedule while Djokovic and Murray are resting and recovering right now for their final push this Fall. Netherlands is the fourth consecutive DC tie that Federer has played — he already played six four-setters of the seven matches in the first three ties against Portugal, Australia and USA — and all these DC ties add up on Fed’s 31-year old body especially since Federer has played more matches (84) than Djokovic, Murray and Nadal over the past 52 weeks.

Thus it’s a mistake for Federer to be playing Davis Cup. In 1998, Pete Sampras (coached by Paul Annacone) used common sense to sacrifice Davis Cup in September in order to scratch and claw his way to his record sixth year-end No. 1.

– Indeed, four of the top five ranked Americans skipped the World Group semifinal of Davis Cup in September 1998: No. 1 Sampras, No. 8 Agassi, No. 34 Michael Chang and No. 41 Vince Spadea all skipped Davis Cup — even though it was a home tie and this was the World Group semifinals so they were two ties away from winning the Davis Cup! That left No. 27 Todd Martin to lead the USA team (with just young Justin Gimelstob and young Jan-Michael Gambill) to a humiliating 1-4 loss to unheralded Italy in Milwaukee, USA. Had the top Americans played, USA surely would have beaten weak Italy in the semifinal and then beaten weak Sweden in the final.

– Freed of the Davis Cup white elephant after the 1998 US Open, Sampras was able to fend off Marcelo Rios and Pat Rafter for year-end No. 1. Sampras played SEVEN tournaments that Fall: Basel (lost first round to Ferreirra), Vienna (won against Kucera), Lyon (lost QF to Haas), Stuttgart (lost SF to Krajicek), Paris (lost F to Rusedski), Stockholm (lost first round to Stoltenberg), ATP World Tour Year End Championship (lost SF to Corretja). Sampras ended the year No. 1 by just 245 points over Marcelo Rios.

– Had Sampras made the dumb mistake of playing Davis Cup, he probably would have lost the 1998 year end No. 1 to Marcelo Rios. 27-year old Sampras had the common sense to focus on the most important priorities — for a pro tennis player the primary goal is to win titles and the No. 1 ranking on the pro tennis tour, not to play Davis Cup. Sampras had the good sense to skip Davis Cup four seasons in his career (1993, 1996, 1998, 2001) as well as Olympics twice in his career (he only played in 1992, before his prime) in order to focus on his ATP Tour goals.

September 14th, 2012 at 11:58 am

huh

Whoever has the most points at the end of the season will deservedly ends at No. 1 regardless of whether you have more titles than anyone else. But remember in 2009 it was Murray who had more titles but it was Federer who ended the season as the best.

About Nadal not understand what you’re saying but it’s too early to rule out the Spanish, see how they’re performing after his injury and we can not draw conclusions without having seen before abruptly.

I believe that the Spaniard has clear chances of returning to the number 1 after the tour of clay.

September 14th, 2012 at 12:17 pm

Rafa doesn’t care about rankings or your obsession with the year end #1, Fedfans, so relax………..

September 14th, 2012 at 12:26 pm

dave,

you’re scarin me man! lookin at your posts, i’m frced to think n am afraid that fed may just have given up his no.1 year end position keepin chances to nole. he indeed should’ve rested instead or added other good tournaments instead of DC.

and i also agree that GS>>Olympics

but olympics is strange thing, it inspires by its sanctity and grace of god olympus to the participants to perform well, look at how an olympic gold inspired fed to win US 08 n murray to win US 12!

September 14th, 2012 at 12:32 pm

dave

that said, i’d love to see fed lead switzerland to davis cup win, but not at the cost of his singles ranking, n definitely not at the cost of year #1!

September 14th, 2012 at 12:34 pm

steve27

m sayin that it’s plausibl n very very likely that next year rafa can get back to no.1, he’s goin to add lot of points next year as he has played very littl tennis in 2012. but i don’t think he can be 2013 year end #1 player! and i won’t mind nadal addin few weeks as no.1 in next year, but i hope someone else gets the year end #1 spot in 2013.

and as a fedfan, i want none other than fed to end as year end #1 this year.

September 14th, 2012 at 12:40 pm

It all depends if murray has a mental let down which is likely to happen roger will be the big fav for the remaining masters basel and wtc.

Djoker will have the same problems as last year he already looks gazzed out. Feds only problem is his back and other fysical problems.

September 14th, 2012 at 1:15 pm

Murray’s success is linked to Novak’s demise. Much the same way Novak 2.0 coincided with Nadals’s demise in 2011, same will be true for Murray vis-a-vis Djokovic. Next year Murray will win two slams. Anyone thinking he will have a mental let down in 2013 is wrong. Lendl has done wonders with Murray, including mentally. Since Djokovic is still in his prime but not in his peak anymore, I think he will win one slam in 2013. Will be interesting who of Fedal will win the remaining slam in 2013. Should be Nadal but if he does not come back from his injury 100% it should be Federer. Roger is literally the Dorian Gray of tennis!

September 14th, 2012 at 1:51 pm

Each of the top 4 had a year that was Golden.

2006 for Federer, 2010 for Nadal, 2011 for Nole and 2013 will be for Murray. Will Del Potro ever have a Golden year? Doubtful. Winning another slam will be very hard. I wonder what happened to Federer at the 2009 USO final. Weird final.

September 14th, 2012 at 2:04 pm

Novak should end this year as #1. No way Federer defends Paris AND WTF. They are played back to back in 2012. In 1998 Sampras had already WON the Davis Cup. That is why he skipped it. Federer has not. Federer is playing Davis Cup since he still dreams of winning it for Switzerland.

September 14th, 2012 at 2:17 pm

A player with 3 slams finals deserves to finish the year as #1.

September 14th, 2012 at 2:19 pm

gullible statement about rafa not carin about year end #1, ha!

September 14th, 2012 at 2:30 pm

jamie

jog up your memory, fed has not just one but three golden years, 2004, 2006 and 2007! nobody else comes even close!

September 14th, 2012 at 2:35 pm

i’ve a lot of faith in delpo, he’ll definitely win his second slam, he’s too good not to!

September 14th, 2012 at 2:36 pm

My understanding of ATP points system is that Federer cannot get any points for playing DC match since he played two 2500 tournaments but I am not sure. It says somemething that if player didn’t play enough numbers of 250/500 tournaments or any 250 in that case DC match is considered like 500 tournament. Maybe he can get some pounts for playing DC, anybody knows more?

September 14th, 2012 at 4:02 pm

should say “250” and not “2500”

September 14th, 2012 at 4:03 pm

jane

yes, it’s good to see Ancic is happy with himself:”There are a bunch of guys like Roger who are older than me and still playing at a championship level,” Ancic said. “But everyone has their own story, and I’m really happy with mine.”

One of the curiosities of the story is Ancic (perhaps) going to play university tennis. A former top tenner – has that ever happened? It speaks for a certain humility, and perhaps imagination too, that he should be willing to contemplate it.

Yes, I guess it’s not altogether surprising that someone who had the capacity to push himself so hard in sport should be able to do the same in another arena. I wonder what’s driving him? Not money, I suspect. Curiosity, perhaps, and a feeling that having had the rug pulled cruelly from under his feet in tennis, he is unfulfilled. Judge Ancic, eh?

Courtroom, empty except for Judge Ancic and the chief clerk.
Judge Ancic: So, who do we have first today, Ivan?
Chief Clerk: Andrew Castle, Your Honour
Judge Ancic Hmmm, And what is he up for?
Chief Clerk: Oleaginousness, Your Honour, and-
Judge Ancic:ooh, that’s a serious one to start the day with – er – so sorry, I interrupted you….
Chief Clerk (with a frown):As I was saying, your honour, secondary offences include: having an elevated and preposterous view of his place in the scheme of things, and….
Judge Ancic:Good Lord, and that’s a secondary offence only, this chap does seem to be in trouble – oh, very well Ivan, but do get on with it!
Chief Clerk (shooting a dark look at Judge Ancic):And the final offence is: having a very annoying voice.
Judge Ancic: You know, I’m not sure if I am equipped to deal with such dark and deadly charges. I wonder if….
Chief Clerk: Come along, your honour, no nonsense now. Look, the prisoner is about to enter.
……………The Trial………………….
The Verdict
Judge Ancic: Prisoner at the bar, you have been accused of very grave offences indeed –
Andrew Castle (squeaking): ye-s my lord – I mean Your Honorificness – but it wasn’t my fault, you know, it wasn’t me at all, I couldn’t help it and I didn’t do it anyway and –
Judge Ancic [whispers to Chief Clerk: my God! That voice, how does anyone stand it?] The prisoner will remain silent as sentence is pronounced. Prisoner at the bar, you have been found guilty of a series of heinous offences. [Judge pauses to put the black cap on] I have no option but to exercise the maximum penalty that the law provides. I hereby sentence you to working alongside Greg Rusedski for ten years. And may the Lord have mercy on your soul.
Andrew Castle: No, No! That’s not fair, you can’t do that, no, please, please – [A weeping Andrew Castle is dragged from court]
Judge Ancic (wiping his brow): Phew! It was never like that at Wimbledon….

September 14th, 2012 at 4:08 pm

Federer plays davis Cup because he loves tennis and his teammates.
He grew up with his teammates and the coach.

His body is ready and his mind is eager. He can do it so he will do it.If he just let it be with tennis, family and not extra ordinairy stuff like projects or commercial. Exho’s in december etc

He could focus on the yearend and he will bring it home.

September 14th, 2012 at 4:43 pm

grendel,

Good to have you back, did you pick up any Yankee accent while holidaying in America?:)

September 14th, 2012 at 4:45 pm

@jamie

I agree that Novak is the firm favorite to finish the year as number one. His current lead in the race is quite significant. It will be almost impossible for Roger to replicate last year’s fall success. Basel, Paris and WTF are to be played in three straight weeks this year and Roger will probably skip Paris. This crazy scheduling just does not suit Roger given his age.

September 14th, 2012 at 4:46 pm

@grendel —

Outrageously funny. It is a classic along with conty’s “tennis gods” post ;)

September 14th, 2012 at 4:50 pm

Nadalista: “Rafa doesn’t care about rankings or your obsession with the year end #1, Fedfans, so relax”

Here we have a fan who claims to read the mind of her idol. Maybe that’s possible if she inhaled enough smoke from the incense she lit as offerings to her idol.

Me, I prefer listening to Uncle Toni… rather than inhaling and blowing smoke…

“And yet, minutes later (after Rafa won his seventh French Open title), down in the bowels of the Roland Garros arena where Nadal had just made history, his uncle and coach was talking not about the brilliance of the best clay-court player men’s tennis has ever seen, but about his rotten luck. The point Toni Nadal was making was that his nephew’s career could have been even more stellar if he had been playing in another era – one without Federer and now, increasingly, Novak Djokovic — his defeated opponent in this French Open final.

“Unlucky, unlucky, oh yes,” uncle Toni said. “If there wasn’t Federer, perhaps Rafael would have been No. 1 for four years. But with Federer, that was impossible.”
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20120611/golden-era-of-tennis/

September 14th, 2012 at 5:09 pm

Wog Boy
Unfortunately, Vogue’s Anna Wintour was at Novak’s charity dinner. Despite that, it looked like a nice event.

September 14th, 2012 at 5:23 pm

courtside,

I am not in those kind of magazines so I don’t know much about Anna, I will ask my wife. She has got tones of those magazines.
I had a chance to see photos :) from charity dinner and it looked really packed and nice, even JMac looked in jovial mood, but you cannot not to admire Nick Vujicic and you know why. When I see him (he is Australian) I am just speechless, what a person, all your problems looks miserable after you see and listen to him.

September 14th, 2012 at 5:38 pm

@Dave — good to have you back…

quickly read your long post: i dont know if Fed or Nole are worried about getting the year end #1. I would think that it is the GS that matter to the top guys. So they may not play as many tournaments as you listed. But i did not check their tournament commitments on their websites.

September 14th, 2012 at 7:44 pm

@jane
“Oh, very enjoyable story on Ancic. What a talented player he was”

He must have a lot of intellectual courage — it is never easy to change careers, let alone doing it that drastically, especially after having had as much success as he did in one field. It would have been far easier for him to become a coach or a commentator or open an academy etc.

September 14th, 2012 at 7:56 pm

harry,

I didn’t read that storry butt Mario already graduated Low University in Croatia in 2008 so it is not really change of careers.
He was and is very likeable player and person.

September 14th, 2012 at 9:47 pm

should say “but” and not “butt” :(

September 14th, 2012 at 9:49 pm

“Unlucky, unlucky, oh yes,” uncle Toni said. “If there wasn’t Federer, perhaps Rafael would have been No. 1 for four years. But with Federer, that was impossible.”

Love that quote, so true.

@Dave,

Remember, when you see stuff like “My Rafa….or I know MY Rafa” …well….does anyoneyneed to say more?

September 14th, 2012 at 9:55 pm

I think all players would like to be at No. 1, and remain there. Fed played a lot more to get there and so did djokovic. Unfortunately, nadal got injured, which would have made it a tighter race, because he would have become the spoiler.

After reading other sites, I have to agree with the ‘my’ and ‘our’, but it’s mainly on one site, and it’s the women who say such things. They tend to be more proprietorial.

September 14th, 2012 at 10:13 pm

@Wog boy —

Thanks, i did not know that about Ancic. While he was on the ATP circuit, was he also studying in the university? Must have been hard…

I checked with a Serbian friend of mine: apparently “come on” is not “ajde”, it appears to be “hajde”; so you have been playing tricks on us ;)

September 15th, 2012 at 1:12 am

harry,

Yes, he was studying while he was on tour.

I didn’t play tricks, you can say either way, depend which part of Serbia (better to say former Yugoslavia) you are from, that letter “H” is often silent and is not pronounced in all words that is written. You will be suprise to hear different way of speaking from town to town in small country like Serbia.
So, tell your friend that he is troublemaker for putting me in trouble. Spelling is “hajde” but rearly you are going to hear pronounced as “Hajde”, more often is “Ajde” there is reason for that but that is long storry. I said once that to many empires went across Balkan and each and every one left something behind. The longest lasting was Turkish empire (400 years), so there you go:)

September 15th, 2012 at 1:48 am

^– oh, i see. I thought you were having fun at our expense ;) Do you know/speak czech? It seems to have the toughest tongue twisters…

September 15th, 2012 at 2:15 am

Dear dear, my 2 best fans are at it……….welcome back @dave and @skeezer. Love you too, guys…………..

September 15th, 2012 at 2:22 am

……..we know how you love Rafa too, and Uncle Toni. Look forward to your regular Rafa updates, dave. ……..laced with the usual dollops of sarcasm veering towards anger.

And of course, the TT regular, skeezer, don’t worry, Rafa will not disappoint, he will be back for you to vent your bile at darling, can’t be healthy keeping it all bottled up, heh?

Bon chance!

September 15th, 2012 at 2:29 am

And of course, the kindergarten regulars do not disappoint:

Uncle Toni is a paragon of virtue when he praises Fed…..

He is the devil incarnate when he says or does anything remotely supportive of his charge………..

Whoever came up with the moniker: dysfunctional tennis blog is a genius…

September 15th, 2012 at 2:37 am

harry,

I cannot speak Czech but if they speak slowly I can understand most of it, it is Slavic language but eaisiest for me to understand out of all slavic languages is Bulgarian, Slovakian, Ukrainian, Russian, Polish and Czech in that order.
All former Yugoslavian languages are the same language (don’t tell them that they are going to bash you up:)) apart of Macedonian (similar to Bulgarian) and Slovenian, I would say closer to Czech which is normal because they were part of Austro-Hungarian empire.
Enough history for today :) time for saturday afternoon drink:)

September 15th, 2012 at 2:49 am

lol, Wog boy:

You should listen to this before you go for your drink:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4aqM_wu6Ns

September 15th, 2012 at 2:53 am

harry,

I love it, but I have to listen it again on my PC, my mobile phone screen and sound is not good enough and I am already in pub getting ready for footy game:) to much noise from the fans.
Cheers

September 15th, 2012 at 3:42 am

The youngster are a little bit confused.
FED had 3 stellar years they were his TMF years.
2007 was not one of them
I can see where young people who take wiki for their tennisknowledge make the mistake of looking at slam wins
and therefor give 2007 more value then 2005 but that is short sited and narrow minded. As great as 2007 was it will not count as a TMF year.

September 17th, 2012 at 8:16 am

Nadalista,

“Uncle Toni is a paragon of virtue when he praises Fed…..”

“In Uncle T we trust!”

September 17th, 2012 at 10:06 am

The role T takes in at the family diner of is immense. He controles the lot. Rafa’s mom has already expressed her thoughts about T handling her son is a torn in her eye. (or something like that)
You could read between the lines and find out they hate the men so much. He has taken away her son and she has never felt a parent again after T began training his nephew.

Rafa needs to become a man badly. Xisca is his best hope for taking down the uncle. We would think Rafa’s libido will be stronger then the roll over lay down against T.

So maybe this is the reason Rafa is taking time off from tennis. Not running into so many defeats on the fast courts might ease his schedule and he will come with announcement from the loveboat if T will let them.

September 17th, 2012 at 11:11 am

old sienna aunty’s comment here about fed’s best year is like a post right out from the mind of a paranoia trigerred nervous breakdown patient! but hey, sienna aunty is medically sound! :D

to not call 2007 as one of fed’s three best years, where not only he won three slams but also reached all the slam finals n won the year end championship, is retarded even by paranoid’s low standards! and i’m sure callin her comment retarded isn’t the same as callin her that! that’s what i’ve learnt from aunty sienna. ;)

September 17th, 2012 at 11:51 am

oops, i mean mature old sienna aunty in my previos post!

and this now:

wise old n mature sienna aunty,

hav som rest. :)
you bein good in everything, at the same time too much of intellectual exercise n chores’re takin a toll on your mind, n what’s comin out here as a result is pure comical genius, contrary to your real imaginary genius. and yeah, pleas read newspaper, n leave wiki thou i know you’re too modern to do the newspaper readin thing, n instead gather al your knowledge from wiki n other sites from net. Only u know that net’s storehouse of all knowledge! but too much wiki weakens the eye n you’re not gettin any younger. regards…
n btw how did u know which year of fed was better than 2007? You may be went personally to see all fed matches, no? if so, how sweet n lucky of you n how cash-rich too! ;)

September 17th, 2012 at 12:36 pm

Poor Sienna is so obsessed with Rafa that you can tell she has been dreaming of Rafa’s “libido” and Xisca (but you know in her dreams it is Sienna).

Girl, quit friggin worrying so dang much about Rafa’s life and start living your own!

September 17th, 2012 at 12:46 pm

I have to ask why would any Rafa fan need to go onto Rafas website to find out whats going on? as Sienna seems to have exactly all the answers we need,of all the skills shes learned about Rafa lately,shes also added telepathy to the list.

September 17th, 2012 at 1:12 pm

Ahh! Poor Sienna is besotted with Rafa. Huh do you think you can take the pain away??

September 17th, 2012 at 1:33 pm

I have to say i have noticed a pattern with Siennas posts lately,whenever Dave does not post for a while Sienna too dissapears,a few days ago when Dave returned so did she,i dont know it might be just me but it seems like shes looking for a sympathetic alley or a confidant,she seems to cling to his shirt tails,nodding her head and agreeing with everything he says,the only posts she sends are full of hot air about how much she hates Rafa,she does not seem to have a mind of her own.

September 17th, 2012 at 2:01 pm

Don’t be absurd, Sienna.

Like a champion racehorse, Nadal will only be allowed to stud upon retiring from tennis. He might sire some valuable foals, if Tio Toni picks the right mare. The more Nadal wins, the more valuable the foals will be, which is why they’re so obsessed with winning at all costs and with maintaining a spotless W/L record. It’s an investment in the future.

Each loss to say, a Rosol, diminishes the value of Nadal’s potential offspring by a discernible amount. So they have to avoid such defeats as much as possible. You have no idea how much Toni gnashed his teeth over all those defeats to Djokovic last year. Think of all the money they lost!

Xisca could be a subterfuge to hide the fact that Nadal is involuntarily kept celibate. The sexual drive has to be diverted from its customary object and subordinated to the overarching purpose of winning.

With the exception of a Secretariat, who was born to run, you can’t allow a racehorse to just do his own thing in his spare time. Every aspect of his life must be rigidly controlled to ensure that he does not deviate from the purpose set for him. Energy that goes towards having fun or a love life is energy that could go towards running a race.

September 17th, 2012 at 4:01 pm

^ Me thinks you read too many novels!

September 17th, 2012 at 4:15 pm

http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/307747_472392482782425_1302859607_n.jpg. Rafa in Madrid picking up his award from Vanity Fair for person of the year!

September 17th, 2012 at 4:33 pm

Giles thanks for the picture,Rafas very handsome,said it about Nole a couple of days ago,but theres something about a man in a suit,vanity fair person of the year wow well done Rafa.

September 17th, 2012 at 4:44 pm

Something’s not right here. On a forum each and every one of us has the right to express an opinon without being torn down, right? If so, why is it(just went through this)that some feel they have the right to butt in, and gang up on another blogger if that person happens to mention something contrary to other people’s beliefs, their fave, or just for the sake of being quarrelsome?

I’ve noticed that some here target a few posters and rail-road them for everything they write. Why? And, then their friends jump in to give them reinforcement. Then there are others who just like to be devil’s advocate to reap some attention and never let go, just spinning the wheel over and over again. That’s fine as long as it’s respectful, but more times than not, it isn’t and someone ends up looking like the enemy. I’m very puzzled, because I felt that way a few days ago, and today, I saw reference made to my unfortunate situation. Why are some people behaving so juvenile?

If someone

September 17th, 2012 at 7:12 pm

oops, pressed submit too soon.

I wanted to say, if someone has a disagreement with another, then just confront the person and get it over with and leave it alone, but this drip, drip venom is ridiculous.

After blogging here for a little over two months I think I’m becoming increasingly wary of mentioning my observations of other players, except for my own fave, because there seems to be a lot of land-mines through which to navigate.

I’ve been contemplating mentioning some news I read on Lendl but am now not sure I want to say anything, which is too ba, because it’s what started my problem in the first instance.

September 17th, 2012 at 7:20 pm

Today I read in Bleacher Report that Fed says he needs rest and a vacation. He’ll be thinking about what he needs to do for the balance of the season.

During the Olympics Fed talked about possibly retiring then returning to play at Rio. I wonder if he was hinting at retiring soon. His comments after clinching the DC victory for Switzerland were very low-keyed, as though the win was all in a day’s work. Not like the usual Fed presser after a win. Perhaps he’s mentally and physically very tired. The mental fatigue showed in his match with Berdych. I suppose we’ll be reading of his future plans soon.

If Fed retires say next year, and with Nadal’s knees not being 100%, then it will be djokovic winning most of the slams, with possibly some of the slams going to the other players.

September 17th, 2012 at 7:42 pm

@Alison, September 17th, 2012 at 2:01 pm, did you ever stop to think that she feels extremely uncomfortable, alone, and that everyone is against her? How would you feel if you had someone gnarling at you for every word you write and others joining in and ganging up? I can tell you that it’s not a very nice feeling, having gone through the same recently myself, and finding out that I’m one of the biggest liars around.I suppose with Dave she finds common ground, as I’m sure you do, with your fellow Rafa fans?

She’s made it known that she doesn’t like Rafa, so accept it, as she’s not the only one. At least you know she’s honest about it, which is a lot better than someone pretending to like him and then taking digs at every opportunity they can find. Why not confront her, and then move on?

September 17th, 2012 at 8:40 pm

@Alok: “…why is it(just went through this)that some feel they have the right to butt in, and gang up on another blogger if that person happens to mention something contrary to other people’s beliefs, their fave, or just for the sake of being quarrelsome?”

It’s because this is a blog site, everybody is free to butt in at anytime. If you want to carry a private conversation with someone, get his personal line and do it there. You can always disregard comments that you don’t like. Don’t take anything as a personal affront. After all, most of what are written here are personal opinions. Everybody is free to agree or disagree.

September 17th, 2012 at 9:27 pm

@Polo, thanks for your input. I don’t have a problem with the butting in, only how it’s done, that’s what I don’t get. No, I don’t want to have a private conversation with anyone. I intend on disregarding comments, however, even though it’s done, people just keep on coming.

September 17th, 2012 at 9:32 pm

If Fed retires say next year, and with Nadal’s knees not being 100%, then it will be djokovic winning most of the slams,

Alok:
I agree with this. Djokovic has been the most consistent over the last 18 months. Rog and Rafa will be battling for Wimbledon and Rafa is probably a lock for RG.

September 17th, 2012 at 9:35 pm

@lazlo: I hope that it’s not the case though, because tennis will become very boring and predictable. If djokovic doesn’t have any serious competition he’ll probably pass Nadal’s GS count. I don’t know that Rafa will still be a lock for RG in 2013 considering how he nearly lost this year. And now, with his knees becoming so much worse, how is he going to do that? We’ll see come next year what Rafa will be doing.

September 17th, 2012 at 10:48 pm

2005 was always a better year then 2007

Actually 2005 was the year he played his best tennis.

Manny claim 2006 but 2005 is really his best year/ He did not win the most slams but it was the he played the best tennis. So that is some paradox.

2007 althought he won 3 slams was not one of his greatest years.

TMF year was 2004, 2005 and 2006. 2007 is NOT a TMF year.

So 2005 is the link year where he puts the 3 year together and so give him a 3 year domination where his winning % was above 90% and his tourney wins where >10 with atleast 2 slam making it a TMF year.

2007 was great but not > 10 wins and winloss ratio <90%making it not count for TMF year.

Actually 2008 was his defining year. There he was at his mental strongest. Getting over the mono and reaching slamfinals. Of course topping the year with US Open victory.

2012 will also be rembered as great Roger year. Halas it wont be a TMF year but TMF was present in a few tourneys.

2007will be important for slamcounts and getting the semistreak going.

September 18th, 2012 at 3:36 pm

O sorry did I touched a nerve when speaking about T and his relations with the nadal tribe?

Did not you know how delicate the interaction with T and Rafa mom is? Either she hates him which is already spoken about in Rafa ‘s book or she had different ideas with T at the time.
Maybe some liaisons were made when they were younger and the hate was spung out of those early exchanges.

If I was to make a parabel for Rafa I would not choose racehorse, but I would stay closer to the offspring. The lonely but wairy bull will be sufficient to make a nice (bloody) story about Rafa.

September 18th, 2012 at 3:48 pm

Alok i was merely making an observation thats all,i dont gang up on any poster,i have a mind of my own,i dont have a problem with who likes this player or that player frankly i dont really care,i have my opinion and everyone else has theirs,and if i have a problem with a person rest assured i will say so, but i dont want to turn every thread into a war zone,its just sometimes i feel im spitting in the wind so i dont feel its worth the bother,believe me Rafa and his fans have to stomach alot of negativity on this forum,and dont get me wrong sometimes he does deserve it and bring it on himself because hes far from perfect,but sometimes we have to grin and bear it,its the only way we excist here peacefully,sorry no hard feelings.

September 18th, 2012 at 4:49 pm

alison

why’re you bein apologetic when the fact is you didn’t gang up anybody here at all?

you shouldn’t be blamed if somebody doesn’t understand that when comments’re here, they’re bound to evoke response! why comment here otherwise! and to be honest, anybody with a fair sense of judgment can see that you, juljo, giles etc didn’t exactly ring up each other before respondin to sienna’s post!

and last but not the least alison, keep in mind that, for some here:
when they actualy gang up to pick up soft targets for humiliating with most lame excuses.

if they gang up actualy; it’s democratic alliance n freedom of expression!
when a few others merely differ, they’re accused of gangin up n roughin up!

alison, you see, some people’re just smarter at playin victim card n coercin others to silence!

September 18th, 2012 at 5:28 pm

alison

why’re you bein apologetic when the fact is you didn’t gang up anybody here at all?

you shouldn’t be blamed if somebody doesn’t understand that when comments’re here, they’re bound to evoke response! why comment here otherwise! and to be honest, anybody with a fair sense of judgment can see that you, juljo, giles etc didn’t exactly ring up each other before respondin to sienna’s post!

and last but not the least alison, keep in mind that, for some here:
when they actualy gang up to pick up soft targets for humiliating with most lame excuses, it’s democratic alliance n freedom of expression!
when a few others merely differ, they’re accused of gangin up n roughin up!

alison, you see, some people’re just smarter at playin victim card n coercin others to silence!

September 18th, 2012 at 5:29 pm

nobody’s sayin 2005 wasn’t one of fed’s best years, nor have i claimed that fed played better in 2007 compared to 2005. I’ve in older posts repeated umpteen times that fed was playin a little less in 2007 than he did in 2004-06. Fed in 2007 was just comin off his absolute ridiculous best, but that doesn’t make 2007 an ordinary year. but paradoxically, 2007 was a greater year than 05 despit fed not playin better than 2004-06. coz after all is said n done, it’s not just important that you’re winnin, but what you’re winnin is more important! and fed won more importan titles n reached all 4 slam finals n won year end championship in 07. Actually in 2007, fed silenced many critics by stavin off challenges from his main rivals n swept the most important tournaments! it can’t get any better than that! thus 2004, 06 n 07 are the best years of fed, includin perhaps the very best years in tennis history. 2005 comes next .
And interestingly enough I’ve again repeated in my older posts many times that 2008 ws the year of federer showin his steel. He was playin crap that year, but due to his mental strength he still produced a great year. Of course I never doubted expressly or impliedly my belief in fed’s superior mental strength than the rest of his rivals, whoever it may be. But for critics, 2008 was th year of recognition of fed’s mental strength. So that’s good!

So there I go, agreements in a few respects, but disagreement in respect of some others…

September 18th, 2012 at 5:30 pm

I miss big time tennis. It’s hard to argue with anybody when nothing is happening. We’ll just end up insulting one another for nothing, really.

September 18th, 2012 at 5:49 pm

2007 was clearly not on par with 04 06.
To claim something like that show short sided and a little ignorance about the actual tennis that was played.

05 is always a TMF year. So when you want to express greatnes amongst the federer years just state them like they are.

If you want to point to his slamwinningest years then it is ok to use 07.

September 18th, 2012 at 5:55 pm

people tend to take some stuff that is posted as an insult to there being esp. Alison. And she goes out to lash at everything no holds barred. And very personal I may add, Well that just shows the charater and exactly where persons are comming from.

I find it very hard to try to reason with people from all over the world. freedom of speech is a great right I feel I have. Some are a little affraid of that and go out to attack those who express their freedom. Its always difficult.
Look at the overreacting on a unimportant movie b 3/4 of the muslim world.But there we go.

Try to react atleast in a civil way.

And please Alison keep it rel will you.

September 18th, 2012 at 6:04 pm

@alison, thanks for your reply. I was also making an observation, which I thought would work for you. I was very wrong to even suggest anything, because it appears that I know nothing.

I think it’s best to listen to the advice you’re being given from someone who appears to know everything and how to do things the right way here. I’m just a newbie, who read this site for about 18 months, and then one day made the brave decision to comment, due to the encouragement of a friend. So now I need to retrace my steps and go backwards, because I’ve realized that reading and actually commenting is whole other world.
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@Polo, I agree. I would rather watch some tennis matches than argue because it’s very draining. For me, doing a mathematical equation and layouts is a lot simpler than arguing.

September 18th, 2012 at 6:07 pm

Huh thanks i see what your saying and i wasnt apologizing ,as i say it was just an observation about Sienna,dont worry the only time i do apologize is when i feel i have something to apologize for,your quite right when you say its an open forum,and people are free to agree or disagree with others whenever they choose,im open to objective critisism,and i will give back objective critisism,i also agree with you that some people need to grow a thicker skin,sometimes people can be a bit touchy.

September 18th, 2012 at 6:11 pm

glad people realize that if they can’t take the heat, they must not dish it out in the first place by vengefully buttin in.

in the war of sweet poison v. sour medicine, it’s always better to be the sour medicine!

@alison
well said.

September 18th, 2012 at 6:41 pm

@Huh, you got something to say to me? Then say it. If not, stop with the snide remarks. Remember the post you wrote to me when you said you had nothing against me, and you’ll stay out of my way? Well, then stick to that and just stop with this nit-picking. It’s very juvenile.

@Alison: Yes, only ‘some people’ are touchy, I’m glad you’re not.

September 18th, 2012 at 7:20 pm

please Alison and HUh try to not take everything so personal. You two are very conscious about remarks made about your favorite player (rafa) and so you are so intertwind with him that any criticism is being felt like he was your son or other close relative. maybe lover in the case of huh.

You must try to enjoy Rafa career while it last because the flame is burning up.

September 19th, 2012 at 4:47 am