Federer Too Strong For Zverev, Qualifies For SFs In London; Sock Eliminates Cilic

by Staff | November 14th, 2017, 10:53 pm
  • 195 Comments

In the marquee match of the round robin portion of the ATP Finals, Roger Federer topped German wunderkind Alexander Zverev 7-6(6), 5-7, 6-1 in a topsy-turvy affair.

Federer fought off an early serving deficit and then came back in the breaker to take the set.

The Swiss, though, couldn’t hang on to an early break in the second, but managed to cruise in the third, running his win streak to 12 and book yet another spot in the semifinals.


“I’m extremely happy..It’s been a tough group so to be there in two matches is great,” Federer said. “But today was difficult. Still early days in the tournament. It was nice to be able to show maybe that quality of mine, that I can dig out these matches, these points time and time again, stay mentally tough. In the third I started to play better. It was a tough match from the beginning till the end.”

Zverev fell to 1-1, but now faces a pivotal match Thursday against Jack Sock who ousted Marin Cilic.

“I think it was a very positive match,” Zverev said. “I still have great chances of qualifying, playing Jack Sock next. I think if I continue having this level, I don’t know, maybe you’ll see me in the weekend still.”

Sock won his third straight over Cilic coming from a break down in the third to collect his first career ATP Finals win 5-7, 6-2, 7-6(4).

“I think if I do the right things and I play the right tennis, I can give myself a chance to play on the weekend of any tournament. I think I’ve showed that more this year,” said Sock, who won three ATP World Tour titles this season, including the Rolex Paris Masters earlier this month.

Cilic, who also served 5-4 in the breaker, was eliminated from semifinal contention. He’s now just 1-7 in eight previous matches at the Finals.

“That tie-break, it was quite a few close points. Him getting that unbelievable [net] cord, one backhand down the line that he hit on 5/4. He didn’t hit many down-the-line winners during the match. That was a big shot to hit at that stage,” Cilic said.

“I think Jack is playing really good. He had a really nice season, especially the beginning, now the end… Overall I think he’s playing good tennis, quite aggressive. When he’s playing well, he’s definitely very dangerous.”

Federer will next play Cilic On Thursday with hopes of winning the Boris Becker Group.

On Wednesday in the Rafa-less Pete Sampras Group, Grigor Dimitrov takes on David Goffin and then later Nadal’s replacement, Pablo Carreno Busta, matches up with Dominic Thiem.

Dimitrov has won three of four against Belgian with a possible SF berth on the line.

Thiem leads Carreno Busta 4-0. The loser of the match is likely out of the tournament. Even as an alternate, Carreno Busta has a shot at the semifinals is he goes 2-0.


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Djokovic Edges Raonic To Reach SFs, Thiem Wins At ATP Finals; Murray Returns Wed.
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195 Comments for Federer Too Strong For Zverev, Qualifies For SFs In London; Sock Eliminates Cilic

skeezer Says:

Great stuff by Rog. Anyone know who he may be facing in the semis?


Tennis Magic Says:

Zverev has the power that can trouble federer. Gone are the days of retrievers and grinders like Nadal and Djoko troubling Feds. From this year on it’d be Delpo, Kyrgios, Zverev, and other with some serious fire-power giving him trouble on the court http://www.138mph.com/tennis-federer-struggles-to-handle-zverevs-powerful-groundies-and-serves-at-the-atp-finals-in-london/


Margot Says:

Skeeze: Preppy would be my guess, but Buster Gut might bust his chances.
Hoping Young Lochinvar will join Fed in the other group. Depends on the shoot out between him and Tubs.


madmax Says:

Margot, update on Andy please? Many different conflicting stories, so best to go to the source. :-)


madmax Says:

Tennis Magic,

Yes. Read it. Hear it. See it in images.

The thing is, do we ever, EVER, does anyone EVER really give credit to Federer for grinding it out? I really don’t think so. We always give that award to Rafa. Never gives up, digs deep, gets the win – eventually.

Federer, built differently, older, wiser, more matches in those legs than anyone and yet still, we berate him, betray him when he fails to live up to standards that only he has set himself, (some fans betray him), yet, little is said about his mental strength in tough moments, tough shoot outs.

Think about it. What game plan doesn’t Federer know? I watched his coaches in the players box. Look at the expressions on their faces when Federer digs deep, they are in unison. They believe. They really do. Camera was on them a lot last night.

I think the way that Federer fights back is so under rated, so, so under rated. Not only that, the immensity of concentration that he has to hold on to, it is almost impossible to think in those moments of a loss, so tennis magic, where does Federer get that extraordinary, outer body belief that gets him through?

Rafa is the only other player that comes to my mind about mental doggedness, mental ability. Mental superiority.


Margot Says:

Lol madmax! Thank you for asking. Andy is playing his cards close to his chest but is releasing pictures of him doing horrible strengthening/flexing stuff in the gym. He says its going well but?
My guess is he will play Brisbane and see how it goes and then make a decision about the AO.
Does seem to be determined to come back to competing at some point, however.


madmax Says:

And Margot, I hope he comes back, all guns firing. Same goes for Novak. It has been a strange, strange year that is for sure, without these too.

It is time for them to come back and rejoin the best.

And Stan, what is happening to Stan – I don’t think there is a STANdalone person who is a big Stanfan, but if any of you know anything or are a STANFAN, spill the beans please.

I read some of the extracts from the new biography by Jelena Dokic, heartbreaking.


madmax Says:

without these, too.
without these two.

either or either.


Willow Says:

Emily is a Stan and Delpo fan, sadly she rarely posts ….


j-kath Says:

Emily was Stan’s no. 1 fan. Stan has recovered and is now practising. There will be a rush of the wounded (S.A.D.) when they make their returns – altogether boys….only Stan has kept a top ranking. Nole is playing the expo in Dubai..(think it’s Dubai).


t4t Says:

All that money no doubt is what is responsible for Fed’s clout with the ATP/ITF. When money talks, these guys listen.
Unfortunately ethics is not a persuasive talker.
#SadButTrue


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Echo the sentiments hear. I’m really looking forward to having the full roster of stars back. Tennis is much less interesting without SAD.


Tony N Says:

madmax Says: “The thing is, do we ever, EVER, does anyone EVER really give credit to Federer for grinding it out? I really don’t think so… little is said about his mental strength in tough moments, tough shoot outs… I think the way that Federer fights back is so under rated, so, so under rated. Not only that, the immensity of concentration that he has to hold on to, it is almost impossible to think in those moments of a loss, so tennis magic, where does Federer get that extraordinary, outer body belief that gets him through? Rafa is the only other player that comes to my mind about mental doggedness, mental ability. Mental superiority.”

Since about 2003, Federer has had two core qualities — deep competitive desire to win as well as mental toughness at key points to dig deep, become the zen master who raises his game or fight and grind through – that have been the foundation of his enduring success. Observers who are blind to these qualities are unable to why Federer wins.

Several years ago, I posted a comparison of the losses of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer (I think it was based on ALL their losses between 2008 and 2012 I think). In particular, I analyzed the final/deciding set scores of their lost matches as an indicator of their desire to dig deep and grind it out: losing a lopsided final set (0-6, 1-6 or 2-6) probably indicated the player did not fight as hard as losing a tighter final set (3-6, 4-6, 5-7, 6-7, etc). I found that Federer’s losing final sets tended to be tighter (4-6 to 6-7 etc) and less lopsided (0-6 to 2-6) than Nadal or Djokovic. Interestingly, Nadal’s losses had the most lopsided final set losing scores (0-6 to 2-6) and the least tight final sets (3-6 to 6-7). Those are the hard facts and stats. In other words, when losing, Federer may be the most determined and competitive of the trio despite having the least animated behaviour. Perhaps less people are able to appreciate and remember Federer’s fighting ability because he does it in a quieter way.

As for the Zverev match yesterday, another possibility exists. Federer possibly prefers Zverev to be in the semifinals rather than Sock. So Federer winning in three sets was preferable to winning in straight sets as it gives Zverev more confidence for his match against Sock (and, maybe, less confidence to Sock). For much of the match, Federer wasn’t going full tilt at Zverev, content to grind out against Zverev’s backhand strength, and Roger dropped serve sloppily in the second set when he was in position to cruise home.


Giles Says:

https://twitter.com/hotdog6969/status/929068416496996352
Did this guy win the Sportsmanship award?lololol


Tony N Says:

Giles: Watch your idol react when he loses a point to a player from the Federer generation. The ATP professional players know more about each player’s ‘sportsmanship’ than you do — that’s why they vote for the Sportsmanship Award… and you do not :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXEBLj3bFLo&t=4330s


skeezer Says:

Too bad Tennis X allows Twit copies. Much prefer reading someone’s actual post.


Giles Says:

Tony N. LMAO. Is that the best you can do? That was 10 yes 10 year’s ago. Rafa was 21. The one I posted is much more recent. Fed was in his thirties?


Giles Says:

Skeezer. You should live a little and follow twitter. Amazing stuff there! Lol


RZ Says:

@Skeezer – too early to tell. It all depends on who wins the groups. Assuming Fed is his group’s winner, he’d play whoever is 2nd place in the other group. I think as of right now, Dmitrov will be the winner of that group, so Fed’s opponent would be Thiem, Goffin, or PCB who all have a chance to end up 2nd (this is before the Thiem/PCB match, which could determine who is out)


Margot Says:

Come off it Tony N that’s years and years ago, as Giles said. It is always possible to dig up bad behaviour I don’t care who it is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAm24bceKrw


j-kath Says:

Favoured name for Andy’s second daughter is EDITH….(good lord – goodness gracious me)….

Andy is booked to play Brisbane and AO a week later ….let’s hope he doesn’t have a relapse).


j-kath Says:

I nominate TONY N for TX’s SportsFan favourite Poster. I am confident the vote will be 100% in his favour. Hip, hip, hooray, ditto, ditto, ditto.


Margot Says:

kath: Bouncy asked Tim Henman what the baby’s name would be. Obviously Tim knows but he completely froze the idiot out! Go Tim!


skeezer Says:

“It is always possible to dig up bad behaviour I don’t care who it is.”
That goes for you to GILES.


Giles Says:

Hey skeezer. What did you think of those “ infuriated fed” clips? He behaved just like a spoilt kid, didn’t he? I liked the second clip, I think it was, where he was trying to cheat Nadal of a point. Ball mark clearly shown “ out” on the clay which he was trying to refute. Geeeeez!


Giles Says:

Correction. Ball mark on the line which he said was out.


Tony N Says:

Margot Says: “It is always possible to dig up bad behaviour I don’t care who it is.”
Yup, you’re so very right.
Now apply your double standards to Giles’s 11:46 am post that my post was in response to.
Next, change your clip’s “Roger Federer angry” to “Nadal angry”. Then search YouTube for “Nadal angry”. There are lots of clips to soothe your double standards, such as…
“Rafael Nadal – Top 10 Angry Outbursts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldj7tNFKefA

Like I said, the ATP professional players have seen how the players behave on and off the court. They are best placed to assess the relative sportsmanship of the various players.

j-kath: I am so, so very humbled by your generous nomination — and probably your vote given you expect the votes to be 100% in my favour — since you a TX poster who is always here posting. Unfortunately, I have to humbly decline your nomination as I am completely unworthy: unlike you, I am not here enough to deserve a nomination. It’s like nominating and voting for a player who shows up mainly to play and win mostly clay court events. It’s not enough.


Giles Says:

Hahaha. Fed missed a whole season of tennis and yet he wins Comeback Player?? This is not justice this is a swindle. Nadal has played the whole year pretty much without a break. So pleased he got the YE #1.


Giles Says:

Poor fed. Still missing a Singles Gold Medal. It’s too late now.


j-kath Says:

Tony N:

Had a chuckle at your last paragraph @ 2.51. They say sarcasm is the lowest form of humour – great to be bottom of “something” when we both obviously stand out for different reasons.

Yep – think about taking a lighter approach – overall – then the award is yours.


Tony N Says:

Giles, I did not realize you fantasize during your waking hours. Or maybe you make stuff up so often that you actually believe yourself.

Federer played 13 events this year, including the Laver Cup.
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/players/roger-federer/f324/player-activity

The ATP professional players — the majority voted for Federer — realize that Federer could have won Year End No. 1 if he simply played Beijing and Paris (and won the 145 or more points he needs to be No. 1 by year end). Instead Federer sacrificed the year-end No. 1 and the US Open as the price to persuade Nadal to play in the Federer-organized Laver Cup during the regular season. This is not justice this is a swindle.

In 2013, Nadal won Comeback Player of the Year after skipping 7 straight months of the hard court season after 2012 Wimbledon and including the 2013 Australian Open. Spanish newspapers reported Nadal playing golf tournaments during both the 2012 US Open and 2013 Australian Open. In February 2013, Nadal finally returned but skipped all February hardcourt events (where his rivals played) in order to play minor clay court events in South and Central America against mostly low-ranked players.
http://www.atpworldtour.com/players/rafael-nadal/n409/player-activity?year=2013


Tony N Says:

Giles: “Poor fed. Still missing a Singles Gold Medal. It’s too late now.”

Why would Fed care? Since 1896, the men’s singles gold medal has never been won by a player ranked No. 1 during the Olympics in the entire history of the Games. Historically, most of the top players skipped the Olympics: e.g., when Agassi won the singles gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Pete Sampras and most of the top ten players did not participate even though it was held in the USA. Agassi did not face any top ten players to win his medal. At the 2012 Olympics, Novak Djokovic was so eager to win ATP ranking points in Canada that he lost in straight sets to both Murray and then to an exhausted Del Potro!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Olympic_medalists_in_tennis#Singles_.28men.29


fred stone Says:

The butt-hurt Rafaholics may be even more upset come early next year if Fed takes the number one ranking from the dirt-baller.
He’s closing in…


j-kath Says:

Tony N:

Reverted to word slinging again! So sad, – thought you’d turned over a new leaf.


the_mind_reels Says:

Actually, it simply seems like some of Nadal’s fans on this site — the ones who are incapable of saying anything that isn’t diminishing or hateful towards Nadal’s biggest rival — have nothing else to talk about since their man is done for the season. I really don’t think it requires so many additional brain cells to have a favorite player *and* perhaps appreciate (or, at a minimum, not exercise the reflexive urge to spew hatred on) the accomplishments of another player. These things aren’t binary…

The rest of us will go back to enjoying the last few matches of the season. Let’s go, Fed!


RZ Says:

Anyone watching the Theim-PCB match? Every time I check the scores, it looks like Thiem has gone from leading to being tied up.


Margot Says:

I am RZ. Buster Gut playing some inspired, nothing to lose tennis. Dom gets lead, Dom loses lead. Back and forth it goes.


Margot Says:

And Preppy will serve for the match, c’mon!


RZ Says:

Thanks Margot. I’m worried about Dom’s state of mind after that heartbreaking loss to DelPo at the US Open. He needs to win some close matches to get over that, I think. Hopefully he can close out here.


RZ Says:

Glad Dom got that win. Team Thiem breathing a sigh of relief!


Margot Says:

And our Preppy wins RZ! Served it out quite calmly in the end. Y’know probably what I like best about him is his never-say-die attitude. I think he’s a brilliant match player.
Good night :)


Daniel Says:

With this Thiem win Dimitrov qualifies first in his flgroups and Thiem and Goffin will play for second last match. PCB alteady oit.

So, Fed already qualified first and will play in semis Thiem or Goffin (he would prefer Goffin) and Dimtrov in semis to play Zverev or Sock.

Of Dimi reaches finals undefeated and Zverev not qualify he can finish year as #3. Possibly #4 whih would be great for his AO seeding.

Next AO, either one of Fedal can draw one of Delpo, Djoko or Murrya in R16 depending on draw.


RZ Says:

Good night Margot!


RZ Says:

Thanks Daniel. I was assuming that regardless of this match, Dmitrov would win his group.


skeezer Says:

Great info Daniel thanks.


skeezer Says:

Great info Daniel thanks.


skeezer Says:

Sorry for the double post.

@TMR,
Nailed it!


t4t Says:

Tony N @3:44pm. What a pathetic and misleading post! Although tennis was initially part of Olympics it was dropped after 1924 and added again from 1988. I have no idea what he means by saying no player ranked #1 has won it. What is he trying to say? Nadal won it in 2008 and he was year end #1. Andy Murray won it in 2016 and he was year end #1. In fact Murray has won it twice. What on earth is Tony N trying to say just because his idol did not win it? Maybe the doping tests are tougher at the Olympics?
ha ha, that explains a lot!!!


skeezer Says:

^”What a pathetic and misleading post!”
Your Specialty.


t4t Says:

skeezer agrees with me that Tony N made a pathetic and misleading post and that pointing out such posts is my Specialty. Thank you skeezer, compliment accepted.
After all, in some corner of his mind skeezer thinks he is me so I guess he feels compelled to accept the truth despite the Cult brainwashing.
#skeezer is my favorite Cult Member


skeezer Says:

t4t,
I do not agree with you…ike…..ever. You need to work on your comprehensive skills.


j-kath Says:

t4t/skeezer: I seem to recall that from 2016 onwards no tennis ranking points at the Olympics were/are rewarded. Doesn’t seem to stop players wanting that gold medal for their country. Roger has stated that he hopes to add an Olympic gold to his collection in 2020….so even if there are no ranking points to gain, a gold medal is valued by all contestants.


gonzalowski Says:

I always thought that any Olympic gold had the same value, be it 100m or softball, and so the 2008 doubles gold, got together with Wawrinka , as an Olympic discipline, means Federer having yet one Olympic gold.
You can say that as a tennistic discipline, it’s not the same singles than doubles, but on the other hand, as for having the gold, he’s got it already.

Good morning


Willow Says:

Trying telling Sir Steve Redgrave that his 5 olympic gold medals dont matter, definitely for me one of the greatest and nicest sportsmen ever ;-)


Willow Says:

Or Usain Bolt, or Mo Farrah ….


gonzalowski Says:

didn’t know this Sir Steve Redgrave,
I read after all his career as a rower, he was part of the British national bobsleigh team, uau

Anyway british bobsleigh doesn’t seem a stunning marvel ;)


Willow Says:

Gonzo ;-)


j-kath Says:

Gonzo: I know Fed & Stan won a doubles gold. – but it seriously cannot be measured against a single. With respect, it’s not me, Willow or you whose opinion matters – it was Fed himself who stated he hoped to be fit enuf for him to have a serious chance of getting his gold medal.


Willow Says:

J-Kath exactly we are on the same page, olympic medals are a great honour to win for your country ….


t4t Says:

So the general consensus is that Tony N made a pathetic and misleading post!


t4t Says:

I am sure Fed, now that he has discovered the secret of everlasting youth, will win the Olympic gold sooner or later, reverse the h2h with Nadal, win another 50 slams and will still be playing in the 22nd century.


jatin Says:

Cilic played a great tie breaker. But Fed had so many Break point chances.
He has to dig deep once again.


jatin Says:

The good thing is he hasn’t been broken once.
And 3 ACES in a row to start the 2nd. Go Fed


jatin Says:

ANOTHER BP


jatin Says:

Comon man. Cilic saved another


FedExpress Says:

Come on Fed!

You can do it. I believe.


jatin Says:

Fed express
Keep on posting mate. You have been a really nice and faithful Fed fan.
He will do it for sure. :)


jatin Says:

Cilic is guessing Fed’s shot amazingly well.


jatin Says:

Break point Cilic


FedExpress Says:

Yeah, Cilic plays when is under no pressure. One time he didnt flatter under pressure was the USO win


jatin Says:

Amazing Drop Shot to save the Break point. Lets go Roger, lets go


FedExpress Says:

COME ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN


j-kath Says:

Fed. doesn’t have to win this match – he’s already through.


FedExpress Says:

But for confidence matters, j-kath, it will work.

And keeping the momentum going and the winning streak obviously. ;)


FedExpress Says:

Cilic playing above his level it has to be said.

But I am confident Federer will find a way.


FedExpress Says:

3-2

Come on.


FedExpress Says:

Better to have now the bad match out of the way.


FedExpress Says:

4-3

Lets go Roger!


FedExpress Says:

Missing the aggressive BH.

Netting too many balls lately.

30-30


FedExpress Says:

great serve

40-30

Come on

5-4


FedExpress Says:

one moment of inspiration needed.


FedExpress Says:

15-30

Come on Roger


Daniel Says:

Double set point, checking scores at work!Ideal is to break and serve first third.


FedExpress Says:

2 SPs

come on take one


FedExpress Says:

Set Federerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Yesssssssssssssssssssss

Come onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn


skeezer Says:

@Daniel,
^Your wish was granted. Now to the third …


skeezer Says:

Cilic is looking for a wee bit revenge for Wimby? C’mon Fed!


Daniel Says:

I am a lucky omen for Fed, the minute I chekced the socre is was 15-40;-)

If Cilic indeed loses feel bad for him, losing all 3 matches in 3 sets and 2 he was in position to win a break up in third.


FedExpress Says:

Cilic needs mental help I feel.

Losing too many matches he should win..

15-30

Come on Roger.


FedExpress Says:

UE. Should have made the slice.

30-30


FedExpress Says:

BP Federer


Daniel Says:

BP early third set and he breaks. 2-0 up, now go on and hold easy, open 3-0 lead and play more freely.


FedExpress Says:

Lets go Roger, lets go.

You beauty. What a return winner.

Break Federer.


FedExpress Says:

Does Federer really look bothered and not enjoying it or only I see it that way?


FedExpress Says:

40-0 quick service game.

Another edge-of-a-line ace.

Swiss precision I say

3-0


Daniel Says:

3 matches and 3 tiebreaks in each one is a bit concerning. But maybe he is not pushing too hard and saving the best for semis and finals.

If he wins WTF undefeated he will be on a 15 match winning streak, last 3 titles entering AO. 8 titles out of 12 tourneys played, 4 losees with 2 meaning ones (Dubai and Stutgart) and the other 2 compromised by to injury, Canada final and USO where he couldn’t preprae properly. He will be the unidsputed favorite for AO. One thing we leanr is that 30 or 40 days is not enough fo him to lsoe form the way he played all year.

Draw in AO will play a huge part if he can avoid DelPo, Djoko or Murray R16.


FedExpress Says:

deuce again

Come on Federer.


FedExpress Says:

3-1


FedExpress Says:

Come on Federer

Held.

0-15


FedExpress Says:

BH and FH IO not working. I think the surface has to do with it.


FedExpress Says:

4-1

Roger, smile and enjoy it now. He looks more serious and disstressed than normal though he is leading

He said something similar that he was angry with himself although he led 5-1 in the 3rd set vs Zverev.

And then he reminded himself that he should enjoy it more.


FedExpress Says:

BP Federer

Come on, take it


FedExpress Says:

uhhhhhhhhhhhh

millimeteres


FedExpress Says:

Another BP

Lets go Roger


FedExpress Says:

Breakkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

5-1

Proper professional performance


FedExpress Says:

FH winner down the line 15-0


FedExpress Says:

Game set and match Federer

Congratz Fed and Fed fans

special congratz to madmax


gonzalowski Says:

congrats Fed and fans.

Justice condemns the french former minister who accused Nadal of doping.

Bachelot will have to pay him 10,000 euros for damages and prejudices, even though the claim of the Spanish tennis player was 100,000

“the ex-minister Bachelot thing is not a matter of money but of honor” says Rafa


Willow Says:

Congrats Fed and fans, especially Squirrel, Jatin, Rishi, and the rest ….


Daniel Says:

Just did the math and if Fed wins here and plays Brisbane, he can be #1 after Brisbane if he reaches finals there and Nadal keeps his QF in Brisaben/Doha or lose early; or If Fed wins the title and Nadal finals . In both cases he gets back to #1 at 36 and a half and will be top seed for AO.

But don’t know his schedule for next year and if he will just play Hopman cup or actually add Brisbane as an official tourney pre AO.


FedExpress Says:

Daniel, why change the pre AO preparation when it won him the AO afterwards ;)

Dont care about the ranking. The AO this year will stay forever with me. The best tournament I watched cause of the history around it. Coming off injury, 3 five setters, 4 top 10 opponents, rafa in the final and the comeback in the 5th.


FedExpress Says:

Daniel, why change the pre AO preparation when it won him the AO afterwards ;)

Dont care about the ranking. The AO this year will stay forever with me. The best tournament I watched cause of the history around it. Coming off injury, 3 five setters, 4 top 10 opponents, rafa in the final and the comeback in the 5th.

So special. I loved every match.


jatin Says:

Its very hard for THIS fed to lose. He just regroup and comes up with goods in no time. Amazing performance. :)


skeezer Says:

@FE,
Yeah that was the tournament of the year for me also. The drama, shotmaking and story of that tournament was a memory that will be imprinted on his career of sure.


Giles Says:

J-K. There’s a small matter of £145,679 per RR match win. So, yes he WANTS to win every match. Every penny counts! Lol


Daniel Says:

Yeah FedEx, that tourney was the best. Every now and than when I am at youtube it suggets to me the final set highlights, just awesome. And he backed that up with 3 more wins over Nadal and Wimby title without lsoing a set.

But him reaching #1 at 36+ would be awesome and another record, even he is just fr 3 weeks (as he will defend 2000 pts in AO, Nadal defending 1200). He would be just 4 matches away in Brisbane as it is 32 draw with top 4 receiving a bye. He will play 2 or 3 matches in Hopman Cup and last year he was just etstign himself. Now he knwos for sure.

I think with what happened in Paris he should give it a go. Of course, I’ll rather him win another AO (Grand Slam 20) and tying Djopko at 6, another Grand slam record where he will be leader or co-leader in 3 of the 4 Slams in Open era (1st Wimby with 8, co-leader in USO with 5 and second in AO with 5 to Djoko’s 6) than #1. But even so, he would be so close. If Nadal skips Doha/Brisbane he would just need 3 matches.


Daniel Says:

Those 9 BH winners in fifth set alone when down 3-1 was insane.


FedExpress Says:

@Skeezer and Daniel

The mental strength in the final and the 5th alone impressed me a lot. Even the last game when he served for the championship and had to save two BPs.

He didnt give up though he wasted many chances. Or the 3 aces in the same direction when he had to save BPs in the beginning of the 3rd.

goosepumps


Daniel Says:

Just read Fed is set to play Hopman Cup 2018, no #1 seed in AO. Who knows maybe it’ll propel him for great things again.
If he wins AO and Nadal doesn’t reach finals he will be #1. That is his best shot, because after he has IW/Miami to defend and as it seems, he won’t be playing clay swing. Maybe if he lsoes ealry in Miami he can add Madrid or RG, but as it stands, his focus will be grass.
Nadal will have a lot of points to defend next year as well and if all players are back and healthy, the race should be more competitve than it was this year and the rankings points will get down. Hard to see Fedal keepint the 10k plus points all year.

Nadal will finish 2017 with 10.645 pts and Fed is already with 9.605 pts and 900 more points if he wins WTF to finish at 10.505 pts.


Daniel Says:

And Masters titles will be harder to get for Big 4. This year Zverev won 2, Dimi 1, Sock 1, next year will full field and the belowe 30 making their moves hard to see a single player dominating. Nadal can only win Masters on clay, Djoko and Murray back the HC will be harder to get for everybody. DelPo also at top 11 closing on top 10 and possbily improving his ranking.
Just hope all players are fit, even if they need some samll breaks in between, but no more 6 months lay over.


Margot Says:

Very similar to the Zverev match. Very, very close and then Fed running away with it in the 3rd.
These “kids” just can’t keep up. Both very tall and skinny. I wonder if that’s a disadvantage. Very, very hot and humid in the O2.


jatin Says:

Thanks willow for the wishes.
I totally agree with Fed Express, skeezer and daniel
That Aus open was something ELSE for me as a fan.
Just look what fed has to say about all this

“I was okay with the idea of it all ending,” he says.

“But really, ever since Paris in 2009 [when he won the only Grand Slam to have eluded him, the French Open], I was totally at peace with it ending the next day.”

“I gave up a long time ago caring about rankings and how I go out, what people think and what’s right and what’s wrong,” he says. “Now, it’s just going out to play. I don’t want to think about the end, I just want to take it a year at a time and then if it’s over that’s it.”

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/tennis/roger-federer-ive-been-totally-at-peace-since-french-open-win-in-2009-im-okay-with-it-all-ending-a3689431.html


Daniel Says:

Margot,

Fed used a lot of DTL slices to Zvrev FH’s, if these tall players don’t drive to the BH corner to make Fed hit a defensive BH slice he makes the tall players pay with variation of heights and spin.

As long as their serves is clicking they are competitive, but once zvreve got a bit tired more balls were returning.


Giles Says:

Daniel. Getting all presumptious again, counting his chickens. Lol. The big boys will be back next year. Fed won’t even win one Masters 1000. And defo no slams. He’s creaming this year and that’s it.


skeezer Says:

It is going to take (presumedly) Joker and Andy some match time before they start making runs at Slams. They both have missed a lot of tennis. They aren’t Fed, but I am sure they saw what Fed did last year so if he can do it, they gotta figure they can do it. But I would be shocked if they get past the Qtrs @ AO.
You’re right Daniel because of the absences of the cream of top 10 players the young guys have gotten some invaluable experience, and what it feels like to go deep in tourneys and win some titles. It should be a lot more competitive environment next year, and with Fed and Nadal having to defend a bunch of points, don’t see them staying up there for long. What is a given is that Nadal will be the Fav @ FO and Fed @ Wimby(Health permitting for both). Otherwise, we could be in for a wild ride next year.


Giles Says:

Daniel. Rafa will be #1 seed at AO, no?


Daniel Says:

Giles,

If Fed decides to play Brisbane, Fed can still be #1 seed for AO. If he doesn’t play Brisbane than Nadal will be #1 seed, even if he skips brisbane and loses 45 pts he defends there.

All off course assuming he wins nis next 2 matches in WTF, which he is heavy favorite to do so.


SG1 Says:

All this “Changing of the Guard” stuff is predicated on the health of the Big 4. I haven’t seen anyone this year who could hold a candle to Nadal or Federer when they were healthy. I agree that next year will likely have some interesting results but only because it’s unlikely that the Big 4, at their respective ages, will avoid injury.


Daniel Says:

Skeeze,

I think right now Fed is more favourite to AO 2018 than Wimby 2018. And more so than everybpdy. AO is just 2 months away and with him rding this big momentum ending the year with titles in Shangai (another win over Nadal), Basel and title and WTF (assuming he wins next 2 roudns) on a 15 streak matches, he will favorite for AO.

Nadal is a question injury mark and we don’t know how Djoko/Murray/Wawa will return in AO. So, even with all big boys back they will be under cooked there.

Wimby is just too far away (8 months) and a lot can happen in between. But if, in this current level Fed will be favorite. even is he is top 5 he is alwys going to be top 3 favorite there.

I believe by RG time Djoko and Murray will be back to full form, Murray more so for Wimby. Djoko likes clay and if he has a decent IW/Miami on clay he can fine tune his background game there. Same for Wawa.


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Daniel, I think you’re forgetting that Zverev, Dmitrov and Sock all won their masters in extremely depleted, 250-level fields. One could as easily argue that the younger generations will be wiped out next year when we (hopefully) have Big Five plus Del Potro at full strength.


Daniel Says:

Agree SG1, as long as they are not injured athey will be favorite. What I think is going to hapopen is they getting hot and cold for patches, and during those hot phases they’ll shine.

Expecting Djoko, Murrya and Wawa to be fully bakc beofre clay is too much. It can happen follwiugn what happened to Fedal, but also they were all flopi9ing and Fedal took advanatge of it. Fed didn´t even hat ot play Murray ro Djoko this year as they were losing early all the time. Assuming Fedal will be in semis or better, eventually they will have to get past them. Off course, Fedal can flop and the path clear for one of them to find form and confidance. And as they will lack matches one of the young ones can have an occasional upset.

Zverev, Thiem, Dimitrov, Shapovalov, Kyrgios can all have at least one big win agaisnt any of them. They may not win the title, but eliminate the,as Kyrgios did wiht Djoko twice last year.


Daniel Says:

Agree TV, my point is that with a full field all R16 or beyond matches will be exciting again.

In AO for example, the current top 8 will have to deal with Delpo, Djoko, Murray, Isner in R16 than QF. the players can all know one out.

In Masters, IW and Miami will have: Raonic, Kei, Djoko, Murrya, DelPo, Isner, Sock, all in R16 playing Zverev, Thiem, Nadal, Dimi, Fed, Cilic, Goffin, Kyrgios, Shapovalov.
All these match ups can knock one out. All inconsitant and tto unpredictable and some returnign to form. A lot of dangreous matches.

The rankings will be a mess becausee the use to be top 10 to 25 are in top 10 and former top 10 are 10 to 20. We’ll get more competitve matches in R32 and R16 than ever before basically untill clay and order is restored.


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Daniel, I hope you’re right, but we’ve all written these posts about next year so many times in the last decade, and every time we exclaim the Big Four (or 3 or 5) is over.. those greedy pigs show us wrong with a year like 2013 or 2017…

Wouldn’t surprise me a bit if 2018 looks more 2010 than 2020.

I’ll be cheering for Shapovalov and Del Potro foremost to break that prediction.


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Daniel, I agree on the Slam favourite point: Fed will be big favourite in Oz, but at his age, and with the quality coming back and coming up, Wimbledon is a lifetime away to be sure Fed will still be favourite.


j-kath Says:

Daniel: Fed has said he plans to play Hoffman Cup. Of course, events may change his mind. To-day he seemed a bit lethargic..although he easily won 3rd set.


Daniel Says:

Fed needs the day rest these days. Of all the big tiurney he won in 2017: AO, IW, Miami, Wimbledon and now potentially WTF, all have days rest. Canada didn’t and he got injured. The other were smaller events with not so strong fields: Halle and Basel. Shangai also everybodu was out with only Nadal left but Fed doen’t have a oroblem qith Nadal on HC anymore.
Hence I think he should ve fine for AO, speciallt with him as #2 seed getting easy opponents in first 2 rounds. Hoping he doesn’t get a Shapovalov type ealru on.

At his age he needs rest. Hard to see him playig Canada and Cincy back to back next year, only ig he lsoes ealry in Canada. Basel and paris idem, most likeely will skip Paris again and not play clay. He may bot win IW/Miami again but he sure will be competitve there with days test first rounds. This way he is maximizing hos winnig, can finish season with 93% match wins at 54-4 and 8 titles out of 12.


Daniel Says:

TV,

I still don’t believe any young one or lost generation will overthrone big 4, just think they will still kepp having ocasional upset or benefting from other players elimianteing one of them.

But hard too see another year like this one with Fedal dominating basically from start to finish: Fed dominated first quarter / Nadal dominated Clay / Fed dominated Grass / Small caos in NA HC swing untill Nadal winnig USO and than Fed dominates last Quarter. And in both those quarters Fed dominated Nadal reached multiple finals on HC (AO/Mimai) and than (Beijing/Shangai).

Next year there will be more players and even if Fed keeps this low tourney approach, to expect him to win 8 out of 12 titles with 2 Slams, 3 Massters amd WTF is unreal.

Nadal won 4 out of 5 on clay, as in his best years, but if Djoko, Murray and Wawa are back, Zverev and Thiem more mature they can pose some threat. He was stopped in a lot of finals to Fed on HC and next year will be other as well. also he played 78 matches and his body shoed he can’t play a full season. Last 3 tourneys he was schedule, he withdraw in both and skip the other. Maybe if he loses more during the year he can sustain whole season. But out of 13 straight times he qualified for WTF he skipped 5 (2208, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017 withdraw).


madmax Says:

omg, cannot believe how pathetic, utterly ridiculously pathetic childs is when it comes to er – being a child.

Poor baby cries when Fed wins. Poor baby cannot stand it.

t4t Says:
All that money no doubt is what is responsible for Fed’s clout with the ATP/ITF. When money talks, these guys listen.
Unfortunately ethics is not a persuasive talker.
#SadButTrue

November 15th, 2017 at 9:59 am

t4t, try to lie down in a dark room and get over it. When someone works their ass off to get to the top, it must be hard on those who can never reach their dreams. May be you should change your career, find happiness because Federer really pushes some serious twisted buttons in your body.


madmax Says:

J-kath,

I deliberately didn’t post through this match because I thought I would see FedExpress, and that is a fate worse than death these days :-(

…but watching the match, I agree with you, though hardly surprising. These tie breaks are heart stoppers for certain, and with Fed having had one against Zverev, another one tonight with Cilic, he must be over pumping with the adrenalin right now.

He needs to rest. Have a day’s rest, and he will now, I think, until the SF, Saturday. Plenty of rest, massage and plenty of zen moments to recharge.

This has been an amazing event so far for our beloved Federer. What a magical, though stressy, set of matches.


madmax Says:

Giles Says:
Daniel. Getting all presumptious again, counting his chickens. Lol. The big boys will be back next year. Fed won’t even win one Masters 1000. And defo no slams. He’s creaming this year and that’s it.

November 16th, 2017 at 1:11 pm

Giles, I think you have been eating too many muffins, thinking of the word delicious and scrumptious.

It’s PRESUMPTUOUS Giles, PRESUMPTUOUS.

Yes Giles, I guess Rafa has been creaming it too, no?

Let’s be clear here, what Federer has achieved this year has been nothing short of phenomenal. Take away the clay, what has Rafa won? And he even wants WTF to be on clay, I wonder why? dot.dot.dot.


madmax Says:

I fully expect either Andy or Novak to win the AO. I have always said this. Federer has done well to play lights out this year.

Phenomenal man. Magician. Incredible sportsman.

#loveroger


Margot Says:

Sock is playing sizzling tennis. Completely outclassing Sascha.


Margot Says:

Now Sascha sizzling and Sock slumping and onto the 3rd set we go.


skeezer Says:

Sock is backing up his title well. Looks like he is going to the semis unless Sasha turns it around.


skeezer Says:

Spoke to soon, Sasha breaks, back on serve!


Margot Says:

Terrific match skeeze, so twisty turny, first one gets ahead, then the other.


Margot Says:

Sock sizzled, Sascha slumped. Well played Tubs. Sascha has some growing up to do, threw the match away IMHO .


RZ Says:

Raise your hand if you’re surprised that Sock made the semis.


RZ Says:

@Margot – agreed. Zverev is getting there but is not quite ready for prime time yet. He has had success at some of the masters but still hasn’t made the 2nd week of a slam, and had a great opportunity to make the semis here. (No disrespect to Sock, who earned his place in the semis)


j-kath Says:

Madmax: I don’t really expect either Andy or Nole to win Aussie – certainly too soon for Andy – and if you read bits and pieces re. Nole …too soon for him too. Measuring the degree of injury for both is difficult – if they both worked in an office – easy back to normal — at the desk, smiling –

However, what I do expect is both to be “spoilers” – obviously not deliberately – but like Roger and Rafa – they can achieve more than most even if not at their best…and can realistically have a whizz of a match against anyone – then fade next match…possibly because they are still not able to play at their best consistently.

I don’t believe Delpo or Cilic are real challengers. I don’t believe in Milos, Kei, Goffin, Thiem or Kyrios (although I do believe Kyrios could be a threat with a better mental approach-). Grigor is one to watch & Sasha – not yet though – Stan????? No-one would want to play him when he’s ON-FIRE – fortunately for others this doesn’t happen too frequently. And, as RZ says, raise your hand if you are surprised that Sock reached the semis!

So what’s left? The surprises!!! – God bless those above and to those who will pleasantly surprise us.


Daniel Says:

Wow, right now Sock is #8 in ATP rankings passing Wawa. He can be 8th seed in AO and then there will be Wawa, DelPo, Djoko and Murray that top 8 can draw in R16.


Tony N Says:

t4t, you have combined (a) your inability to comprehend our posts with (b) your pathetic and misleading posts. Let’s try to help you overcome these shortcomings.

In this link are the champions of the past 47 year-ending ATP Finals (including under its previous names). This has been the most significant indoor championship in open tennis history (44 of 47 have been on indoor courts). t4t, your assignments are: (1) to identify how many of these 47 champions were ranked No. 1 DURING THE CHAMPIONSHIP that they won – in other words the champion was ranked No. 1 while he played all his matches from the first day to the last day of the tournament; and (2) to identify how many of these champions are great players during the history of this championship since 1970 (i.e., players who have won at least 4 grand slam singles titles since 1970).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATP_Finals#Singles

Try to appreciate the quality of the great players who have won this ATP Finals championship. Great players are players who won at least 4 grand slam titles. Great players (Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, Novak Djokovic, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, Guillermo Vilas) make up 33 of the 47 champions of the ATP Finals. Thus great players make up over 70% of ATP Finals champions — this is better than most of the grand slams since 1970! Of the modern era’s great players, only two players have failed to win this major indoor championship: Rafael Nadal and Mats Wilander.

Next, in this link are the champions of all 15 Olympic singles tennis events since 1896. Your assignment is (1) to identify how many of these 15 champions were ranked No. 1 DURING THE OLYMPIC TOURNAMENT that they won – in other words they were ranked No. 1 while they played all their matches from the first day to the last day of the tournament and (2) to identify how many of these gold medalists are great players in tennis history (won at least 4 grand slam titles).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Olympic_medalists_in_tennis#Singles_.28men.29

I’ll make it easy for you: NONE of them were ranked No. 1 DURING the tournament or even during that Olympics. Both Nadal and Murray were No. 2 DURING their Olympic wins (not No. 1). As well, 8 of these 15 gold medalists — over half the 15 winners — have never won even a grand slam singles title even once in their career (Charles Lyndhurst Winslow, John Pius Boland, Louis Raymond, Josiah George Ritchie, Vinnie Richards, Miloslav Mecir, Marc Rosset, Nicholas Massu). Of the modern era’s great players – those who have won at least 4 grand slam titles – only two have bothered to win this gold medal: No. 2 Rafael Nadal and No. 6 Andre Agassi (Murray’s 3 slam titles and Kafelnikov’s 2 slams do not qualify them for great player status).

The value of the Olympics differs among different sports. The Olympics is obviously the most significant competition in certain sports such as athletics. But in football/soccer, the World Cup and certain regional competitions and domestic leagues supersede the Olympics.

The Olympics has questionable value in the history of tennis given that the Olympics has such a short and spotty history (only 15 events have been played) and that the top players often skipped the most of the past Olympics. For example, No. 1 Sampras and most of the top 20 players did not bother to play the 1996 Olympics held in Atlanta, USA. The highest ranked player to participate was No. 6 Agassi, who beat low ranked players to win the gold.

Having clarified the issues, let’s revisit t4t’s rant again:

Giles: “Poor fed. Still missing a Singles Gold Medal. It’s too late now.”
Tony N: “Why would Fed care? Since 1896, the men’s singles gold medal has never been won by a player ranked No. 1 DURING THE OLYMPICS in the entire history of the Games. Historically, most of the top players skipped the Olympics: e.g., when Agassi won the singles gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Pete Sampras and most of the top ten players did not participate even though it was held in the USA. Agassi did not face any top ten players to win his medal. At the 2012 Olympics, Novak Djokovic was so eager to win ATP ranking points in Canada that he lost in straight sets to both Murray and then to an exhausted Del Potro!”
t4t Says: “Tony N @3:44pm. What a pathetic and misleading post! Although tennis was initially part of Olympics it was dropped after 1924 and added again from 1988. I have no idea what he means by saying no player ranked #1 has won it. What is he trying to say? Nadal won it in 2008 and he was year end #1. Andy Murray won it in 2016 and he was year end #1. In fact Murray has won it twice. What on earth is Tony N trying to say just because his idol did not win it? Maybe the doping tests are tougher at the Olympics? ha ha, that explains a lot!!!”
skeezer Says: “^”What a pathetic and misleading post!” (t4t) Your Specialty.”
t4t Says: “skeezer agrees with me that Tony N made a pathetic and misleading post and that pointing out such posts is my Specialty. Thank you skeezer, compliment accepted. After all, in some corner of his mind skeezer thinks he is me so I guess he feels compelled to accept the truth despite the Cult brainwashing. #skeezer is my favorite Cult Member”
skeezer Says: “t4t, I do not agree with you…ike…..ever. You need to work on your comprehensive skills.”
t4t Says again: “So the general consensus is that Tony N made a pathetic and misleading post!”

Given the facts, the general consensus is that t4t made a pathetic and misleading post based on his inability to comprehend!


t4t Says:

madmax @3:33 pm. madmax says
“Take away the clay, what has Rafa won? And he even wants WTF to be on clay, I wonder why? dot.dot.dot.”

We know Culties have no use for facts but why is there a sudden urgency among them to prove that the Cult has no use for facts? According to madmax, Wimbledon, USO, AO etc are all on clay!!!! Ha ha ha!!! Hilarious!!!!1
#ROFL!!!!!


Tennis Vagabond Says:

RZ, if I knew how to do that… I believe I posted here that Sock would be the puppet of the tourney. What if he actually becomes a dangerous player, for good, next year?

Daniel, some crazy looking R16s coming, very good point.


t4t Says:

Tony N,
I never read a post which is too long. So if you want me to read, please write a precis of your lengthy post. Did your school never teach you how to express your thoughts succinctly?


skeezer Says:

Hahaha the t4t cult has been shmacked!


Tony N Says:

t4t: Unfortunately, my G20 school did not teach me how to fix your inability to comprehend simple facts and to argue with honesty. But let me try.

Federer does not care about winning an Olympic gold for singles. That is because Federer understands the Olympic Creed: participation in the Olympics is more important than winning a medal, duh. That is why Federer (participated in 4 Olympics) is a greater Olympian than Nadal (2 Olympics) or Djokovic (3 Olympics)! For Federer, ‘winning’ Mirka at the Olympics is more important than winning a medal.

The Olympic Creed: “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”
http://www.topendsports.com/events/summer/traditions/creed.htm

If you don’t understand what the Olympic Games is about — and you are unable to demonstrate the qualities of the Olympics — perhaps you should learn to listen quietly.


t4t Says:

Dear Tony N, now it is proved that your post is irrelevant. No one asked why Fed took part in Olympics. Yet you devoted reams to that topic? I think that is the reason you write lengthy posts. You have no idea what you are talking about and you hope by your verbal diarrhea that people will be fooled into thinking you are an encyclopedia. I think the Culties are fooled as they cannot distinguish sense from nonsense. But the rest of us, nah ….we know you are spouting gibberish


Willow Says:

Never understood the term without clay whats he got ?, well he still has 6 GS, which is good enough for any of the other all time greats, but seems it isnt for Nadal for whatever reason ?, also why take out clay when its a perfectly legitimate surface ?, and we dont do that when it comes to any other player, so again why Nadal ?


Giles Says:

t4t. Your post at 12.25 am hits the nail on the head.


Giles Says:

“Federer doesn’t care about winning an Olympic Gold for singles”.
OH YES HE DOES!
He is already planning his schedule around the 2020 Olympics.


Willow Says:

As i said yesterday trying saying Sir Steve Redgrave, Mo Farrah, Usain Bolt, dont care about the olympics ….


Margot Says:

RZ: ✋
Am really missing Andy’s stunning WTF last year when he beat slam winners and finalists and the current number 1 to end a wonderful year 👏❤🙌
Come back soon Andy 😍👊


the_mind_reels Says:

“He is already planning his schedule around the 2020 Olympics.”

Really? There’s a big difference between hoping to play an event that’s 2.5 years away and actively planning one’s schedule around an event. Federer isn’t even sure of his schedule next spring. Every time he is asked, Federer tells people that if he’s healthy, still enjoying the game, and winning titles, he’ll keep playing if it makes sense for him and his family. He plans for longevity, as we have seen this year. And it has paid off big time.

The guy has played the summer games every time for the last 16 years, so I’m sure if he’s healthy and still playing then, he’ll play it again. Why don’t we save the Olympics chatter for 2020?


j-kath Says:

the-mind-reels: “Why don’t we save the Olympics chatter for 2020?” Yes, it is hardly relevant at the moment. However:

1) Because Roger commented on it.
2) Because there has been a lot of comparisons of players on recent threads and that included comments on the Gold Medal/and how proud all athletes are to win for their country.

C’est la vie….


Willow Says:

Leave the olympic chatter for 2020 absolutely, and indeed Federers shedule is for him and his fans to pontificate about, and to be honest if have no idea whether or not he wants a singles gold, as i dont know him personally, what i did find unfair was posters saying or insinuating that the olympics are not important, especially when theres many sporting greats not only in tennis but in many other sports that have won many olympic medals for their country,but yeah save it for 2020 !


j-kath Says:

Margot: I have memory-niggle that Andy went into WTF leading Nole by the big score of 5 points. He wasn’t listed as no.1 because the schedule and promotion material was already in the public domain. ????????????????


t4t Says:

Margot @ 7:36am
…”and the current number 1..”

Nadal did not even take part in the finale last year.
Did you mean the then number 1?


Margot Says:

Yeah t4t, meant current at the time of course.


t4t Says:

Also Willow is right. Andy was already # 1 before WTF began by the margin of 405 points. So Andy beating current #1: No
Andy beating the then #1: No. Although he does sometimes beat himself, he managed to focus on beating others!


Margot Says:

OK you pedants. Andy had to beat Nole to cement No 1. Better?
Winning WTF was the summit of a wonderful year anyway, so yah boo.


RZ Says:

@Margot – I miss that too. Last year’s WTF was such an amazing tournament for Andy and his fans, with his close wins over Nishikori and Raonic (both of which set records as the longest 3-set matches of 2016) and then his stunningly easy win in the final.

J-Kath, t4t, et al: As Margot said, Andy was #1 going into the WTF, but the winner of the final between Andy and Nole decided who would be the year-end #1. Had Andy lost the final, he would have ended the year at #2.


RZ Says:

@Tennis Vagabond – copy and paste. :-)


Margot Says:

Thank you RZ! x
Good to see the cavalry coming to the rescue!
Remember that match against Milos, crikey so nerve shatteringly close. Did Andy a match point, or was that somewhere else? Probably in 2016 he saved several lol….Best year ever for Andy.


RZ Says:

@Margot – I hope he comes back strong. If anyone deserves an AO title, it’s him. Though I doubt it will happen in 2018 and the clock is ticking…


Margot Says:

RZ: Agree on both counts.


j-kath Says:

t4t and RZ: It was big mouth Me (11.36am) who said Andy went into WTF as no.1…(maybe Willow and/or Margot said it before….somewhere else)….agree Andy needed to consolidate it during the contest.


Daniel Says:

Imagine an AO final between Djoko and Andy?! I knwo some had enough of their rivalry in the past, but considering ciurcunstances this time (emulating Fedal 2017), that would be epic and start the year with a bang shaking the status quo.


Willow Says:

I Dont think i could stomach another Andole final, unless Andy actually wins this one, thats why ive had enough of this rivalry ….


Tony N Says:

j-kath Says: “t4t/skeezer: I seem to recall that from 2016 onwards no tennis ranking points at the Olympics were/are rewarded. Doesn’t seem to stop players wanting that gold medal for their country. Roger has stated that he hopes to add an Olympic gold to his collection in 2020….so even if there are no ranking points to gain, a gold medal is valued by all contestants… it was Fed himself who stated he hoped to be fit enuf for him to have a serious chance of getting his gold medal… 1) Because Roger commented on it.”

You are cherry picking one of Federer‘s numerous comments about the Olympics. His comments on playing the Olympics have been inconsistent – unlike his comments about playing Wimbledon. You should read ALL of Federer’s comments in order to understand the big picture… after all, I don’t want to accuse you of misleading us :)

For example, take what Federer said yesterday: “And speaking after his win over Cilic, Federer was asked about the possibility of competing in Japan. Federer said: “I HAVEN’T SET TOKYO OLYMPICS AS A GOAL. It hurt not being in Rio, but I WAS OKAY WITHOUT IT, TOO. I was flag-bearer twice. I won gold (in doubles at Beijing 2008). I won silver (in singles at London 2012). I feel like I achieved a lot of great things at the Olympics. I’M NOT THINKING THAT FAR AHEAD.” “ In other words, Federer is reminding people like you that he has already achieved a lot of great things at the four previous Olympics he took part in such as carrying his country’s flag twice so playing the 2020 Olympics is neither his priority nor his goal. In addition, Federer reminded the journalists yesterday that “it’s always highly unlikely that I’ll play (Davis Cup) this stage of my career” (players need to play at least two Davis Cup matches to qualify for the Olympics).
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/880541/Roger-Federer-Tokyo-Olympics-retirement

This confirms that Giles’ claim “(Federer) is already planning his schedule around the 2020 Olympics” is just another ludicrous falsehood. Furthermore, it is hypocritical to ignore that its was Giles (3:01 pm “Poor fed. Still missing a Singles Gold Medal. It’s too late now”) who first brought up this issue.

Any title is valued by its contestants. Question is – how much, compared to other titles. After Federer won the 2011 ATP Finals, the reigning doubles gold medalist was asked at the presser: “Q. After a spectacular end of the season, regarding 2012, is a gold medal in singles your biggest dream for next year?” Roger Federer: “… Be unfair to the other tournaments to pick London Olympic Games as my number one priority because I have priorities first before that…” This indicates the relative value of another gold medal to Federer.
http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=76253

As I said before, the value of the Olympics differs among different sports. Athletes (Mo Farrah, Usain Bolt) and rowers (Steve Redgrave) highly value the Olympics because it is the ultimate sporting achievement in their particular sports. There are many other sports where the Olympics is not an important event or has questionable value – such as football/soccer, golf and tennis (it gets no ranking points on the ATP tour). The only three tennis greats who won the Olympics are Nadal, Agassi and Laurie Doherty in 1900 (who were not the No.1 player when they won their medal) – the other 12 singles gold medals were won by players who are not tennis greats or lower-ranked players (as well as not No. 1 when they won their gold medal). If the Olympics was so highly valued, more tennis greats would have made the effort to win it. You would not see a Novak Djokovic losing his first round match in straight sets in 2016 Olympics as well as losing twice in straight sets in 2012 Olympics.


Tony N Says:

T4t and Giles: Keep meditating on this until what’s really important about the Olympic Games finally sinks in (into your heads)…
The Olympic Creed: “THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES IS NOT TO WIN BUT TO TAKE PART, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”
http://www.topendsports.com/events/summer/traditions/creed.htm


Giles Says:

^^^^ Lol. Right. Now repeat that to fed.


Markus Says:

Huh?! If I compete in the Olympics, I certainly would like to win more than anything, especially the gold medal. Now if I don’t win, then I would say the most important thing is so be able to compete. The Olympic creed is just so so that the losers do not feel too bad.


skeezer Says:

The Olympics are special. They come around once every 4 years. You play for your Country.
Like Davis Cup. But it is what it is, it is not a tennis specific system for professional tennis players. It’s not the TOUR, where tournaments and surfaces throughout the year set the bar on the determination of how good a player is. They are no ATP/Ranking points given.
I mean c’mon, you have Nicolás Massú (Gold), Mardy Fish (Silver), Leander Paes ( Bronze ) winning medals in the past. Where do they rank as all time greats?
Just sayin, Olympics is great, awesome, a fine feat, to play for your country. But that is what it is, you are playing mainly for your country. And if I did, I would surely covet that medal.


Tony N Says:

Giles and Markus:
Baron Pierre de Coubertin is the founder of the International Olympic Committee, and is considered the father of the modern Olympic Games.

Inspired by what a bishop said during the 1908 London Olympics, Baron Coubertin stated: “The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part; the important thing in Life is not triumph, but the struggle; the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well. To spread these principles is to build up a strong and more valiant and, above all, more scrupulous and more generous humanity.”
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Pierre_de_Coubertin

This Olympic Creed pertains only to the Olympic Games — not to Federer’s winning attitude in the rest of the ATP Tour.

Clearly you guys are so over-obsessed with winning shiny medals that you miss the Olympic spirit that is ultimately most important about the Olympic Games. It’s not about winners and losers. Regardless, your opinions are irrelevant since you both are unable to qualify for and compete in the Olympic Games. Unfortunately, if you are unable to take part there is no Olympic creed so that you don’t feel too bad :)


j-kath Says:

Grigor is showing his style, skill and success…..can’t be any doubt about who will be in Sunday’s final….might even be some doubt about who wins…..


Giles Says:

Grapes are sour comes to mind reading these defensive posts.
I’ll repeat, Fed doesn’t have a Singles Gold. Fed will never win a Singles Gold. So put that in your pipe and smoke it.


Giles Says:

Re tomorrow’s scheduling. Of course fed gets the afternoon slot so he’ll be well rested for Sunday. Pffffft


t4t Says:

jk, yes it was you, not Willow who pointed out that Andy was #1 before WTF. Sorry, my apologies!


Tony N Says:

Giles Says: “Re tomorrow’s scheduling. Of course fed gets the afternoon slot so he’ll be well rested for Sunday. Pffffft”

Here is another example of Giles’s misleading statements, sour grapes and double standards – which his supporters choose to ignore and accept as true… while hypocritically criticizing innocent posters.

In 2013 ATP Finals, No. 1 seed Rafael was in Group A , which was the weaker first group with No. 3 seed David Ferrer, No. 5 seed Berdych and No. 7 seed Wawrinka. Nadal played his third round robin match on Thursday, November 8, 2013 and was well rested for the first semifinal on Saturday against struggling No. 6 Roger Federer.

On Friday, while Nadal was resting well, Group B (Djokovic, Del Potro, Federer, Gasquet) played their final matches. No. 6 Federer played a tough 2.5 hour 4-6, 7-6, 7-5 match against No. 4 Juan Martin Del Potro, the winner to face Nadal.

So the older and back-injured Federer had less than 24 hours to recover before facing the well rested 27-year young Nadal in the first Saturday semifinal. Instead of claiming injury and withdrawing from the match (like Nadal does), Federer chose to suffer his only indoor loss to the well-rested Nadal.

Of course Nadal got the favorable scheduling in 2013 so he was well rested for the weekend. Pffffft.

Just like Nadal got the favourable scheduling in this 2017 ATP Finals, allowing the No. 1 seed Nadal to start on the second day instead of the first day – in order to give him extra time to recover, prepare and practice. Pffffft again.

Finally, put this in your pipe and smoke it: 10 years from now, Tennis History WILL NOT CARE that (a) Federer has a silver medal and not a gold medal in an Olympic singles event that — historically — is relatively insignificant in 150 years of tennis history and (b) Nadal has a gold medal in an Olympic singles event that — historically — is relatively insignificant in 150 years of tennis history. It’s not a coincidence that Nadal is trying to embellish the Olympics to plug holes in his career record.


Willow Says:

Fan worship really gets taken too far at times ….


the_mind_reels Says:

Re: scheduling, Dimitrov played last night, so it makes sense that he’d get the evening slot again today to have 24 hours to recover.

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