Roger Federer: I Don’t Think I’m Far Off From Novak Djokovic

I really think Federer wins this one.

November 16th, 2015 at 10:37 am

Federer doesn’t think he’s far off Nole in terms of ranking points. If Roger had said Andy Murray then he’s right but Nole is simply so far ahead that it doesn’t make sense – surely he was making a joke?

November 16th, 2015 at 11:55 am

Well, he’s wrong, but I always enjoy his optimism!

November 16th, 2015 at 12:03 pm

he is the only player to beat nole twice this year and he could have well won both GS finals if he hadnt menatally self imploded

he was the only threat for nole this year and will be

November 16th, 2015 at 12:15 pm

Mental issues apart (I don’t think that was the main reason Fed lost to Djoke in the two slam finals) – Fed lost the slam finals to Djoke because Djoke just wore down an opponent 6 years older at 34. The first two sets in both matches were neck and neck, but they took two hours, after which Fed just couldn’t keep up with his much younger opponent. Sort of reminded me of Fed playing Agassi in 2005 USO final – Agassi just couldn’t keep up after 2 sets. Had Fed somehow been 2 sets up, it COULD have been a different outcome, and perhaps that’s where the mental part come in. But Djokovic is mentally tougher than even Nadal. So with his game, fitness, movement, etc., its really tough to beat Djoke right now in a best of 5 especially. No wonder Djoke has such a strong 5th set record (25-8 or something??). Stan at the French final just played one of those fluke out of this world matches to beat him.

Here, best of 3, indoors (even if its slower – the lack of wind helps Fed more than it helps Djoke) – I think Fed does have some chance, also because mentally he knows he never has to play beyond 3 sets. He knows if it gets to a 5th, he can’t beat Djoke.

November 16th, 2015 at 12:44 pm

That’s what happens when you are older – to win against the topmost players, you need everything to come together – need to be fresh, need to be used to the surface, need the weather to cooperate (so indoors is better), need matches to be shorter (best of 3 really helps), and then hope that your opponent is not 100%. If all of that comes together, good chance of winning.

Against Djoke tomorrow, Fed has all of these – EXCEPT – opponent seems to be at 100%. I would say 40% chance for Fed to win. First set is crucial.

November 16th, 2015 at 12:47 pm

J-Kath, I feel like a lot of stuff is being taken out of context here. Surely he’s referring to the gap in level of play. I don’t think Federer has any idea how many ranking points anyone has, he just knows he’s not number 1.

November 16th, 2015 at 12:51 pm

to call wawa display at the french a fluke is a bit disrespectful. he has done that more than one time

November 16th, 2015 at 1:20 pm

Australian Open 2014 – The Wawrinka Games
French Open 2015 – Catching Fire
Wimbledon 2016 – Mocking Andy
US Open 2017 – Mocking Andy (and Novak) Part 2

November 16th, 2015 at 1:37 pm

Sorri Ben – Roger wouldn’t be Roger if he didn’t know where he was in the pecking order.

November 16th, 2015 at 2:15 pm

I agree with Ben, which doesn’t happen too often, I think Roger is talking about the level of his game atm. He can’t mean ranking points, surely…..there is a big gap there!

November 16th, 2015 at 2:16 pm

So, he doesn’t think he is ‘far off` Novak eh?
Well, as the year has conclusively proven..
He’s far enough!

November 16th, 2015 at 2:30 pm

So, he doesn’t think he is ‘far off` Novak eh?
Well, as the year has conclusively proven..
He’s far enough!

November 16th, 2015 at 2:30 pm

ooopps double post
sorry ;)

November 16th, 2015 at 2:30 pm

Also he just said he isn’t far off on ranking points, which seems ridiculous,
But having said that, if he (or Muzz) were to win here (making Novak lose a lot of points) and the AO…
It would start to be much less of a chasm
That’s the thing with winning everything one year.
A lot to defend the next year.

November 16th, 2015 at 2:35 pm

I’ll never understand why people think it matters than there are a lot of points to defend. As long as he still has the most points, it won’t matter what he’s defended.

November 16th, 2015 at 2:37 pm

Master of mind games at his best, every single quote in this thread is his message to Nole.

“Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores”

November 16th, 2015 at 2:40 pm

Everybody starts year from zero points, what they won this year doesn’t decide who’ll finish next year as #1. What matters is consistency and Nole has pleanty of that .. since 2007.

November 16th, 2015 at 3:15 pm

According to what Roger purportedly said, he means ranking points. If Nole does not shine as brightly in 2016, will Roger be the benefactor each and every time?

That said, I love a positive frame of mind – but there has to be some realism in it …Yes? No?

November 16th, 2015 at 3:43 pm

Agree with Ben, never ever got the thing some writers and fans have about “defending” points or titles. Like someone is in serious trouble if they have gobs of points and titles from a previous year – because the “advantage” is somehow with the person with fewer points or titles….
Bosh!
All it means is Novak starts 2016 with a gigundo pile of trophies and 8,000 rolling 365 day period points over anyone else. Which only means that he will be #1 for a long time into 2016 even if he performs badly, which since Nole is Mr Consistent these days, is pretty doubtful.

November 16th, 2015 at 4:32 pm

As for Roger, he has to believe in himself, or he is toast. It comes across as delusional to say he is not too far off Nole in points, or playing advantages. He is over 8,000 friggin points behind Nole, and while he may get lucky in other venues, the only advantage on a surface I see Roger having these days is fast hardcourt.
Indoors, both have precision games that are advantaged by those windless conditions. But the O2 Arena court being slow is to Djokovic’s tastes and his strengths.
Roger says this stuff because he has to convince himself to think each time he goes out against Nole, he has a real shot. And though Djokovic has a better H2H since 2011, the rivalry is still close. The danger of Fed losing that self belief is evident with what happened when Rafa got in his head post 2008 WImbledon, probably at the 2009 Australian Open when Roger played at times like he knew he was doomed against Rafa.

November 16th, 2015 at 4:46 pm

ChrisFord 1

Long time since 2008.

If Nole drops some of his supremacy there are others that will also benefit….i.e. Roger will have to share the spoils…and there won’t be many to share.

November 16th, 2015 at 5:08 pm

I believe in Roger! But, I have been supporting older great players, not only in tennis but, other sports also! I am fiercely loyal and am pulling for Roger in every match! He is the GOAT, in my opinion! Go get ’em Roger!

November 16th, 2015 at 9:21 pm

If there is any player who has a chance against Novak in such an imposing form, it is only Roger, the magician and the Mozart who has the capability to produce his magical tennis to upset the rhythm of Novak. If Roger really plays his classy blended with clinical Tennis, then he can surely give Novak a run for his money.
So, all the matches between these two players will always be interesting as they are the best competitors and will always do everything possible to extract the best from their opponents.

November 16th, 2015 at 11:33 pm

what a player.

November 17th, 2015 at 4:59 pm