Roger Federer In High Spirits Heading Into Indian Wells: “The Hard Work Is Paying Off”

He’ll definitely do better than last year for sure.

March 8th, 2014 at 2:48 pm

Today has such a blockbuster schedule with several big guns. Can’t we get a live thread (away from the squabbling ;P)?

March 8th, 2014 at 2:54 pm

Hey Fed fans,

Enough b1tching about Rafa. Come over to this thread. Nobody seems to care about Fed’s big mouthed statements anymore.

He has basically won a lowly 500 after 50,000 years and he is talking as if he won a calendar slam.
This guy is talking you guys for a ride.

March 8th, 2014 at 3:08 pm

Slice tennis – you seem to be very affected by what Fed said. Hope you get well soon

March 8th, 2014 at 3:25 pm

Ole Faderer is full of it. Talk is cheap!
@Slice Tennis. “and he is talking as if he won a calendar slam”. LMAO

March 8th, 2014 at 3:42 pm

Proud of the way Roger competes!

However, not always so proud of what he says after losing sometimes.

Even here he references his injury by saying he is playing nicely now and pain free again. I hope he eventually stops trying to explain last year’s struggles. Admittedly, it is a tad disrespectful to his opponents who beat him last year.

Hopp Roger!

March 8th, 2014 at 4:02 pm

madmax says “Vamos Fed Vamos Champ Stay healthy”
Dont steal my lines or I will be calling you a vamoshead.
Ever the Faderer drooler!

March 8th, 2014 at 4:09 pm

Borrrriiinnnnggg ATL.

Let’s hope that Roger continues to be fit and healthy. It’s what a tennis fan would want for their favourite player.

March 8th, 2014 at 4:09 pm

Vamos Fed!
#stayhealthyboringgilessaysso#

March 8th, 2014 at 4:10 pm

Glad you agree madmax although a bit harsh, wouldn’t you say?

Yes stay healthy Roger!

March 8th, 2014 at 4:43 pm

Roger, I like the way you won the Dubai in both semifinal and final,coming back back from 1 set deficit. I hope you will keep playing as a chalenger,not as champion or goat. You are invincible when you are a chalenger and have nothing to lose. Go Roger!

March 8th, 2014 at 5:25 pm

Phew, that was a bit dicey for a while. I thought Andy was going to get Rosoled when he was down a set and a break. Rosol was redlining every shot and they went in….for a set and a half. But like any good champion he figured out what he needed to do to win.

I LOL’ed when I saw that Jerzy was beaten by Falla. WTH? It’s funny that Dimitrov used to be dismissed in favor of JJ and look how it’s turning out.

March 8th, 2014 at 6:00 pm

What is this article? Recycle crapola from two weeks ago?

Roger will lose this round.

And even if he moves on, the prospect of facing Nadal terrifies him. Just like Aussie Open roger momentum can only take him so far. Beating off-surgery Murray and out if form Djok.

Funny how djok fans exulting fans against Rafa when now at the prime opportunity to even up with Roger, nole collapses only to the delight of roger fans. Djok fans are plain stupid making roger look good. So Rafa has to do all the work himself!!!

Proof? 23-10 and counting.

The problem with the up and comers is that they are concentrating on trying to beat Rafa but still losing as opposed to beating an old vulnerable Roger which is am easier proposition! DUh!

No matter, Rafa can do it all alone even im INDOOR hardcourts.

And yet US writers keeps saying that hardcourts now are slow. Or, is it the playr roger is the one thst is slow???

Lol!

March 8th, 2014 at 6:18 pm

^^^ Slice Tennis and other nadal fans and rogerlings too,

Or, his 250 halle last year together with his 20 other mickey mouse 250 tour titles to pad his title total. In stark contrast to Rafa’s more quality haul of record 26 atp 1000 and a record 15 atp 500 titles.

Subtract 21 from 78 and you get 57 adjusted total. Nadal right now has 62 total with more quality wins and gold medal — in where singles!

March 8th, 2014 at 6:26 pm

Why the hell some people are trying to disrupt this blog by making sock puppets accounts ?
You can’t even comment on roger’s page without reading those out of the place comments.
Anyway.

I am glad roger is so confident these days. This guy is unbelievable and for me a great role model. He never gives up . His love for tennis is what made him a champion he is today.
Best of luck roger.

March 8th, 2014 at 9:31 pm

Rafa v Steps next…should be fun with contrasting styles.

March 8th, 2014 at 10:02 pm

Steps off to a great start
Lets see whats in store tonight

And thanks to the mods for cleaning up the mess.

March 8th, 2014 at 10:34 pm

Steps storms through the first set.
He proves that this era is good for the 30+ yr olds.

March 8th, 2014 at 11:01 pm

nadal is such an unserious tennis player, stephanek please beat him and let him get out of my screen.

March 8th, 2014 at 11:08 pm

Nadal is playing good tennis. He should be back from now on.

March 8th, 2014 at 11:16 pm

Rafa should right the ship here, and wax off the Step . Glad he changed shorts. Not good he looked like he add an el accidente, no?

March 8th, 2014 at 11:23 pm

what’s up with nadal and break point conversion, for years now he used to be one of the best break point converters in tennis. since this year converting break points is a struggle for him

March 8th, 2014 at 11:24 pm

Rafa break back. Such a huge release for me!

@Nirmal Kumar. I hope so .

March 8th, 2014 at 11:25 pm

Where are all the vamosheads? A wittle scared to post now? ROFl!
—
Metan,
Nice to see a true Rafa fan hanging in there and posting. Fully expect your man to pull this off against this old man. He can, he should, and he will. Kinda surprised at the excellant play of the Worm though pushing the words #1 in his prime in the 1rst rd to 3 sets. Must be the “old era” syndrome that is apparently weak according to some affecting Rafa, no?

March 9th, 2014 at 12:03 am

Stepanek seems to be playing his best tennis at this age just some of his peers.
But unfortunately he is ranked 50 in this strong era. He was ranked 8th during “that” era when he was not as good as he is now.

March 9th, 2014 at 12:38 am

Stepanek chose his moments well to attack the net and troubled Rafa. Hope Federer learns from this and improves his net game. He looks like a deer caught infront of headlights against Rafa almost always while attacking the net.

March 9th, 2014 at 12:45 am

^excuses excuses. LMAO!
Congrats to Rafa, great win against an old man from a weak era in a close 3 setter.

March 9th, 2014 at 12:46 am

Sean,
Stepanek won grandslams in 2012 and 2013 and not in 2006-2007.

March 9th, 2014 at 12:49 am

Calm down @skeezer. Sorry Rafa spoiled your party by winning, now put the champagne bottle back.

Stepanek has only ever beaten one #1 in his life, yes you guessed it……Roger Federer in 2008.

March 9th, 2014 at 12:53 am

“Stepanek won grandslams.”? Uh? What? Vamoshead logic strikes again. ROFL!

March 9th, 2014 at 12:55 am

Even Federer himself says that he is now better than he was in 2004.
He is not bringing the age excuse even though he has other excuses up his sleeve (back, leg, head, etc).
Its only his fans couldn’t accept the fact that the current improved Federer is getting walloped by Rafa.

March 9th, 2014 at 12:55 am

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20130908/leander-paes-radek-stepanek-us-open-doubles.ap/

The old lady should come out of her dark room to get in touch with reality.
LMAO

March 9th, 2014 at 1:01 am

Great post Nadalista.
She was hoping that Stepanek would beat Rafa.
LOL

March 9th, 2014 at 1:03 am

Really?

March 9th, 2014 at 1:09 am

Doubles? LMAO !

March 9th, 2014 at 1:10 am

Sean,
The point is simple. Stepanek has been playing doubles in grandslams since his early 20s. But he managed to win grandslams only after he turned 32.

March 9th, 2014 at 1:12 am

He is winning them now only because he is a better player now.

March 9th, 2014 at 1:14 am

Andy played gr8………in the third set lol!

March 9th, 2014 at 1:14 am

It’s great to see Fed is confident again. However I strongly feel that he will loose in the finals. Anyway , at this age a runners up trophy is not bad at all.

March 9th, 2014 at 1:19 am

I didn’t say that Sean, that’s your statement.
My point is he improving as a player gradually and played his best tennis after 32.
Federer too mentioned the same…that he is a much better player than he was 10 years back.

March 9th, 2014 at 1:21 am

Slice tennis is really funny . He seems really witty and some of his comments are hilarious e.g. He thinks Rafa is greater than fed just based on h2h…ROTFL

March 9th, 2014 at 1:23 am

DC,
How did you find out what I am thinking.
I guess you are a super intelligent human being.
LMAO.

March 9th, 2014 at 1:26 am

^yes getting a big chuckle out his posts also, lol.
#fuzzylogic

March 9th, 2014 at 1:27 am

Oh slice tennis opinion is way better than the tour, lol!

March 9th, 2014 at 1:29 am

Sean,
Federer’s comment is not about Stepanek. It is about himself.

March 9th, 2014 at 1:29 am

Sean,
If you decide not to understand my point deliberately, I cant help it.

I am saying it again…

Stepanek has been playing doubles in grandslams since his early 20s. But he managed to win grandslams only after he turned 32. This to me is an improvement and nothing else. He is a better player overall now than he was young.

You are free to think otherwise.

March 9th, 2014 at 1:37 am

Fully enjoyed the reading the conversations going on here. Completely proved to everyone that has posted here awhile as to what is what, who is who, and the knowledge thereof. The Trolls were exposed. Maybe talking about the Tennis game will get back to some sanity and not about an infactuation of a person.

March 9th, 2014 at 1:42 am

Sean,
Don’t you think that the overall PRIME age and declining age in terms of tennis is higher than ever before ?

March 9th, 2014 at 1:43 am

And if you have been following Radek’s matches for the last 10 years you would agree that physically he is at his BEST now than ever before.
Even after going toe to toe with Rafa for 3 long sets he was still not tired.

March 9th, 2014 at 1:46 am

So whats your point Sean ?
Stepanek is not a better player overall now ?

March 9th, 2014 at 1:49 am

“Stepanek, though, is 35! Well past his peak.”

Then what was his peak then ?

March 9th, 2014 at 1:50 am

Skeezer March 9th 12.03am,i didnt actually see Rafas match,as it was on 3.00am here in GB,and as i had to get up early unfortunatly thats the reason that i had to go to bed early,just this minute i have seen the scores,i recorded the match so i will watch it later,not scared or anything but unfortunatly sometimes real life gets in the way of ones love of our beautiful game,how was he good,bad,in different,thats what i prefer to talk about,rather than get involved in silly bickering?

March 9th, 2014 at 1:54 am

Then how come he won a couple of grandslams now and not back then even though he was a REGULAR doubles player for about 13 years.
But then you can choose to believe otherwise. Good luck.

March 9th, 2014 at 1:57 am

2006 ?
In “that” era ?

March 9th, 2014 at 1:59 am

Alison,
You’ll enjoy the match ;)

March 9th, 2014 at 2:03 am

So Sean if someone doesn’t agree with you you will call him a troll ?
Great job.
You have the powers and you can decide what you want.

March 9th, 2014 at 2:05 am

“you were just trying to make the case that Rafa’s playing in such a tougher era than Roger ever did”

Its not just my point…many past greats and writers (including you) have touched upon this point.

March 9th, 2014 at 2:08 am

@2:05 post
What, sean can’t call you a troll when you call out other posters that you know nothing about names like “old ladies” and such? Dude , get a life, and study up more about the Game before you claim like you know something.
#vamosheadlogicfailed

March 9th, 2014 at 2:10 am

“every so often I’ll call one of you out and put you on the spot”

looking forward to that :)

March 9th, 2014 at 2:13 am

@Chic

Watched the entire match. Rafa started out slow. He had 8 double faults. Step played very well, his serving was good, had maybe 10 or 12 aces. Rafa finally buckled down and broke him and then served it out. I was nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs!! He better step it up if he wants to win this thing. I thought he played a little nervous. He did make some amazing shots and so did Radek. Not pretty, but he did win.

March 9th, 2014 at 2:14 am

Skeezer thanks and ill watch it later ;).

March 9th, 2014 at 2:15 am

It is good to see the confidence in Roger zooming right after his Dubai win. I think it should be the most treasured win in his career considering the circumstances. Now the point is how is he going to take this forward ? What better way to prove that he is back with a bang with a good showing in Indian Wells. Although the going is tough with a possible semis with Rafa, I hope Roger can do it and prove his doubters wrong.

March 9th, 2014 at 2:32 am

Congrats to Stepanek for stretching Rafa to the maximum. Although Rafa was not clearly at his best, still you cannot deny Stepanek the credit of playing one of his best matches. He almost took the match to the brink of a major upset. But, Rafa dugged it out till the last and lives to see another day. That is the quality of Rafa who is able to win matches even when he is not playing at his best.

March 9th, 2014 at 2:35 am

Hey old lady in the dark room,
Amidst all this some of you nonsensical posts have been deleted by the mods.
Did you realize your worth here now.
LMAO.

I should thank Sean for that.

March 9th, 2014 at 3:09 am

Michael,
Re : Stepanek. It is true, he played his best matches , first set was briliant. His netting game is well displayed
I can not believe he is 35.. it was unlucky , he just couldn’t capitilize at set 3, otherwise it’s gonna be him in next round. Good job Stepanek!

March 9th, 2014 at 3:47 am

@Slice Tennis. That old lady ain’t no lady. Hag more like.

March 9th, 2014 at 4:25 am

Slice Tennis Says:
Steps off to a great start
Lets see whats in store tonight

And thanks to the mods for cleaning up the mess.

March 8th, 2014 at 10:34 pm

You are the mess here Slice Tennis.

Sean, clean up the mess please. Way too much tacky conversation with this troll, along with Giles.

Terible match by Rafa. Wow. He lost a set to a 35 year old! I can’t believe it. He is losing his touch.

March 9th, 2014 at 5:35 am

^^^ Short memory eh? Who took Faderer to 3 sets in Dubai? Stepy AND Berdy!
BTW your comments are no less tacky. Time for your meds!!

March 9th, 2014 at 5:45 am

Slice Tennis, what posts? You’re makin up sh!t as usual. Btw I ain’t no old lady. But you surely are a the clown Troll. Nice fo see the supposed ‘weak era” players almost taking ou Rafa ij the first round …again. This guy, who won 2 Slams…….in doubles! Lol!

March 9th, 2014 at 9:55 am

Nadal almost took himself out. Steps had nothing to do with a record eight double faults. His previous high was seven against Dimitrov and even that was best of five.

Very inconsistent play from Nadal last night particularly on break point opportunities. Many short balls left for Steps to turn into winners. Nadal was lucky it was only Radek on the other side of the net.

Dolgopolov will surely make him pay if he cannot find a higher level.

I tend to agree with some here. This is a golden era in tennis not that the era before that was weak exactly. The last six years have probably been the best in history and I’ve been watching tennis since Laver and Emerson.

Roger simply outclassed and dominated all comers prior to the likes of Nadal, Murray, Djokovic, Del Potro and Berdych. He still by far holds his own against these far younger lads which for me makes for far better entertainment.

A bit surprised the moderator is publically singling out a poster as a troll when some of his own language in his posts could easily be interpreted as the same – particularly when there are far worse offenders here. No offense. Just my take.

Really looking forward to the Swiss Duo up against Milos and Gulbis. Perhaps I can locate a stream on the internet as I doubt that it will be available on the tele.

Well this post is quite longer than I’d anticipated so thank you for putting up with me.

Hopp Roger!

March 9th, 2014 at 11:16 am

Okiegal @2.14am thanks for the info,im watching the match that i recorded as we speak,but im taking a break from tennis-x for a while,as all the silly bickering is doing my head in,too much tacky talk,and hardly any tennis talk ATM sigh,glad he and Andy go through what were tough matches,and delighted for our Brit gal Heather Watson,and glad Rafas speeded up on his service games too.

March 9th, 2014 at 11:19 am

Im with ATL in that the moderation on this forum has turned to crap,are we just simply letting anything through these days,whatever happened to the guidelines?sigh.

March 9th, 2014 at 11:50 am

What? Seeing the match from Stepanek’s perspective, he was bossing and rushing the net. He came out on the court taking it to Nadal like a
wrecking ball, did the Sexy Stepper.

By the second set, Radek almost came to a full stop, staring at Rafa in wonderment, trying to work out what was wrong with the world number one. Meanwhile, Rafa got the time he needed and got his game back. Radek could not regroup or execute his plan. We have seen Rafa win matches
similarly before. Not saying he does it intentionally or it’s part of a pre-meditated strategy. Usually I keep an eye on Rafa’s opponents more than watch Rafa when he starts playing strangely. Most guys are flummoxed at least for a while. Stan was unfazed during the AO final. Stan the man has seen it all before. Stanley/Rafa AO final was a great accomplishment for the Swiss #1. Stepanek had his chance and failed.

March 9th, 2014 at 11:59 am

Hippy Chic, in case you hadn’t noticed, the mess on the forum are two of your rafa lite side kicks, one who recently disagreed with you and hung you out to dry where you were sighing like you had had way too much to eat (Giles) and Slice Tennis. And I notice rarely do you pick up or say anything about their trolling. And then fans like the fed fans who have been here for ions have to put up with crap from those two loners who have no where else to go in cyber space other than spoil what used to be a fabulously intelligent site with the likes of I am it, Grendel, Jane, Dave, Michael, though no doubt they could be here under a different name.

It is these two clowns who spoil every Federer thread, and call people names. They are not content with their “Vamos’ stay healthy”, and staying on the right thread, they just clutter up others.

But no one seems to care or do anything about it. As you like to play the fair minded, objective, “I love every one here”, try to break the mould and stick up for the polite and fair minded rafa fans…I know it’s not your job, but every now and again, tell them to STFU and not blame the federer fans.

March 9th, 2014 at 12:01 pm

Respectfully, madmax, in your post above, you criticize others behaviour by saying they call others names and then you call them loners.

When is it acceptable to call posters names and when isn’t it?

March 9th, 2014 at 12:20 pm

Madmax TBH it was an overall generalisation,of the way the forum has been going lately,and i also miss the posters you mention too,people attacking me personally or making sly digs at me,i dont take any notice of as it says more about them than me,but i have as you will note defended your favorite on many occasion,and also been called out by my own fans because i havent defended my own favorite often enough,as i dont think he is perfect,you might believe your favorite is perfect?but newsflash he aint either as nobody is,am i expected to call out everybody each and everytime they take a pot shot at your favorite when its unfair?do your fellow fans jump in the fray each and everytime one of your favorites rivals take an unfair pot shot?but i will say this to make you happy before i probably exit for good,as i seem to be out of my depth here,Rafa fans STFU and stop blaming Federer and the Federer fans for everything,enjoy the tennis OUT.

March 9th, 2014 at 12:27 pm

What a lovely, happy site.

March 9th, 2014 at 12:29 pm

Regardless of what Chic says, she gets jumped on by Fed fans, Rafa fans and just tennis fans in general. I’m of the opinion that certain Rafa fans want ALL Rafa fans to hate Federer…..Well that ain’t gonna happen when it gets down to Chic and myself. I’ve never met Chic but I can tell she is a nice person. I find it very difficult to hate and be unkind. I’ll admit, I’ve lost my cool on here and got rude. Then after posting something tacky I wish I could take it back. As I’ve said before,we should all act our age and not our IQ! I also have gotten in trouble with Giles, Mem and Madmax…….but I just consider the source and move on!! Immaturity abounds on this forum, IMO! Apparently a bunch of immature Senior Citizens!! LOL

Vamos Rafa and bite another trophy!!

March 9th, 2014 at 1:12 pm

@Hippy Chic says: “Rafa fans STFU and stop blaming Federer and the Federer fans for everything,enjoy the tennis OUT”

Thanks for the compliment, @Hippy Chic which I, as a Rafa fan, am only too happy to return:

“@Hippy Chic STFU and stop blaming Rafa and Rafa fans for everything, enjoy the tennis OUT”

March 9th, 2014 at 1:58 pm

Nadalista just to make you happy too,Federer fans STFU and stop blaming Rafa and the Rafa fans for everything,and read Okiegals post for crying out loud OUT.

March 9th, 2014 at 2:18 pm

@nadalista. Thank you for your last post. Good response.

March 9th, 2014 at 2:52 pm

Okiegal Says:
“Well that ain’t gonna happen when it gets down to Chic and myself”

But the worst part was you were/are under moderation for a very long time.

Such a great poster is treated like this just because you support Rafa.

March 9th, 2014 at 2:57 pm

@Giles 2:52pm. Ahem, THAT was not my last post, got 2 more in moderation you cannot see (unless you are one of the chosen ones who can see posts in the moderation queue, which I posted after.

Ah, that is the cross I have to bear for being a “bad” Rafa fan!

Like I am gonna change…….NOT.

Vamos!

March 9th, 2014 at 3:01 pm

@Slice Tennis

I have wondered why my comments have been under moderation for nearly a year now. I just figured being a new poster was why, but it seems as though my posts are getting on faster than they used to. I wasn’t aware that it was because I was a Rafa fan. I realize that the writers are Fed fans. That’s a OK by me, we all have our favs. However, it didn’t cross my mind about the Rafa fan scenario……maybe so. It’s their site and they can run it however they see fit. I’ll live with it……but I don’t hate other players…..

March 9th, 2014 at 3:35 pm

“Ah, that is the cross I have to bear for being a “bad” Rafa fan!”

There is no different category as a “bad” Rafa fan here.
All Rafa fans are considered bad here.

March 9th, 2014 at 3:40 pm

What did Tango do wrong? He is Fed fan and also a fair minded poster. I missed something, I suppose….a junior moment…….not a senior moment……want to make that perfectly clear! Lol

March 9th, 2014 at 3:41 pm

@nadalista. To be clear I was referring to your post on March 9th at 1.58 pm. Again, good response.

March 9th, 2014 at 3:54 pm

@Madmax

Why are you so angry all time? Do you feel the need to live up to your moniker? You seem to be happiest when you’re up in someone’s face encouraging them to be mean spirited! You need to change your moniker to Bully!………..your post at 12:01 prompted this response.

March 9th, 2014 at 3:58 pm

Oki?

I think that you are being very unfair here. If you count the posts from your illustrious colleagues, you will see who are the bullies here and it’s not me.

What do you want me to do? remain quiet? Because I disagree with your opinion or some opinion made with the objective of causing upset to others, that is what you want? A free-willed, happy site with zombies all agreeing? This is a site for intelligent conversation which has gone badly wrong at times, when the usual suspects (and you know who I am talking about) continually try to get a rise. There is only so much patience a person has. I don’t apologise for loving Roger’s style of play, his persona and character, his game is beautiful to me, but the people who you cast stones at, well, you need to look at yourself too. If you are here to make friends, that is your choice. It is not mine. Just to have a good conversation, every now and again would be of some benefit. Counting posts and seeing who is here to make trouble is a start, and you won’t find that with me. I can respond to those posts, that is my right.

I am very happy with the way that Roger is playing right now, I hope that continues and that he reaches the finals. He should, the way he is playing but I remember when he played Dolgo before, he has such an unorthodox way of playing that I would think Federer, with all his experience would overcome his crazy opponent’s way of playing. I mentioned about Dolgo a while back. He is so different to others. I don’t think that I have seen anyone play like him before. He is very elastic in his serve, seems to play haphazardly, but it works and it is kind of pleasing on the eye too.

March 15th, 2014 at 4:11 am