Roger Federer Releases Schedule Through Wimbledon, Miami Isn’t On It

Good schedule!

February 13th, 2015 at 12:49 pm

A little surprising. 3 clay court warm ups for RG but only one grass court warm up for Wimbledon. That’s a fair bit of clay court tennis going into RG. I guess Fed doesn’t find the clay to be all that taxing physically.

February 13th, 2015 at 12:54 pm

GOAT scheduler. Just look at his latest masterstroke: withdrawing from Miami: a very slow HC event, he has not won in years. Take a rest break, gear up for clay and play the fast clay Madrid event. Smart thinking. Fed has always been the shrewdest cat on tour in terms of how he operates.

February 13th, 2015 at 1:19 pm

did fed miss madrid last year? i can’t remember.

February 13th, 2015 at 1:26 pm

I guess this is quite related to last year’s results. If last year he was the finalist of Miami and lost in quarterfinals in Monte Carlo, we probably will see Miami in this year’s schedule instead of Monte Carlo.

February 13th, 2015 at 1:30 pm

@Jane – Yes, Fed skipped Madrid because Mirka was due to give birth.

February 13th, 2015 at 1:33 pm

jane, Fed did not play Madrid last year. He was home with his twin boys. It was actually a big surprise for me to see him in Roma, but he really wanted to go back to the boys because he lost to Chardy in the 1st round.

February 13th, 2015 at 1:35 pm

Yes Brando, and I think there’s more than that. With Rafa at 3 or 4 seed, and PERHAPS, more vulnerable than in previous years, Fed might realize he has some chances to win on clay and he wants to take a real run at it.
I am sure in Fed’s mind he believes he can beat Novak on clay.

February 13th, 2015 at 1:43 pm

@TV: could be. I don’t think Federer lacks for confidence v anyone on any surface except for maybe when he faces Rafael. As for his chances on clay, he’s always got a chance hasn’t he? He’s RF after all. But on clay I think you either need to be a really good grinder or be a big hitter, and for a 33 year old it’s historically the toughest gig on tour since its the most physically and mentally demanding. That said: If I were to list my top 5 clay courters in the world in 2015, pre clay season, I would still place Federer in there.

February 13th, 2015 at 1:49 pm

what’s interesting, though, is that recently at the french some of the oldest players have made the draw. but generally speaking, players are playing longer and continuing to be successful for longer. here’s a piece about the 2012 FO and how it made history with older players:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/30/sports/tennis/older-mens-players-winning-in-french-open.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

February 13th, 2015 at 1:54 pm

No Davis Cup this year, which is no surprise at all.
Stan’s going to miss the 1st tie (1st one he’s skipped in 11 years!), but he said that he’ll probably play at some point this year, especially if it’s to avoid relegation.

February 13th, 2015 at 2:31 pm

Why would anyone skip the Miami Clay Court championships? The courts are so slow and fun to play.

February 13th, 2015 at 3:15 pm

Why do people hate clay? The 2016 Olympics in Brazil is on a hard court. I almost died when I heard that.

February 13th, 2015 at 4:00 pm

No Davis Cup this year, which is no surprise at all.
—
No surprise. Selfish people do that all the time.

February 13th, 2015 at 4:01 pm

Brando, agree with all. I never said Fed had much shot at even as strong a clay season as he had in his prime, except maybe wining Madrid, but in his mind, as you say, he doesn’t lack for confidence.

February 13th, 2015 at 4:28 pm

Yes Jane, he missed Madrid, there was a special delivery around that time he could not miss ;)

February 13th, 2015 at 5:48 pm

^ yeah that’s what i thought dari. i remember people being surprised he played rome too.

February 13th, 2015 at 6:44 pm

I read that Roger was going to play the new ATP 250 in Turkey. Did he change his mind?

February 14th, 2015 at 12:48 am

I think to have Monte Carlo one week after the 5th Major Indian Wells-Miami swing ends is just too much on the players. I hate to see Fed blow off Miami, but can’t say I blame him. I think this does show that Indian Wells has become the premier event of the U.S. hard court 5th major swing.

February 14th, 2015 at 1:03 am

rodger legend… remains the legend!

February 14th, 2015 at 9:11 am

Yes, Jane Rome was a surprise too! What can you say, daddy’s gotta work

February 14th, 2015 at 9:53 am

oh yea, shrewd him. It is very possible for him to reach RG semis definitely.. And since Murray back in form, he might face a difficulty in reaching FO finals. But he’s RF.. can do. Thats y he is giving ample time to Fo.

February 14th, 2015 at 12:02 pm

With regards to Federer’s points, he has the Dubai title and finals appearances at IW and Monte Carlo to defend (probably too tough to equal the totality of last year’s results). And he’s losing his QF points at Miami.

BUT, he will certainly gain points in Madrid and Rome while also getting in more clay match play before the French… I like his thinking. Seems like a sound overall strategy.

February 14th, 2015 at 8:26 pm