Do We Appreciate Roger Federer Enough?
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After Roger lost in the final of the US Open there has been a lot of disappointed fans, including myself. I’ve also read in forums about Roger being in decline blah blah blah. I can’t help asking myself whether we appreciate this genius enough. What does it say about a player when he won two grand slams in a year and was by far the best player, yet people say he is in decline? Think about that for a while. There is not even a clear second best player in the grand slams. I’m not even sure if it was Rafa or Del Potro. Rafa won one grand slam title, made a semi, a fourth round and didn’t play in the other. Del Potro won one grand slam title, made a semi, a quarter final and a second round. OK so Del Potro was the second best player in grand slams by a small margin.
What did Roger do? Two grand slam titles and two finals, losing both in close five set matches. Hmmm. And Roger is in decline? Lol! What does people think this guy is? God? I guess so. I’m not suggesting Roger is in his prime, but I think it is a little harsh to apply the ‘decline’ label to him just because he couldn’t do something that is never been done since the start of the open era, which is to win 6 straight grand slam titles of any specific grand slam. So just because he couldn’t do something that has never been done since tennis has become competitive, he is now in decline? Maybe if he played a shocking match against Delpo and lost by the scoreline Rafa did, there was a case for it. But he lost by the smallest of margins while playing an amazing match!
To sum up Roger’s grand slam year:
Roger
x
x
x
x
x
x
Rafa and Delpo
x
x
Roddick, Murray, Verdasco, Soderling, Gonzalez, Haas, Djokovic
x
x
The Rest
I don’t post in any forums anymore because I think it’s pathetic what people come up with. It really makes me sick. You have ‘Fedfans’ there that think Roger played a bad match, and due to the fact that he failed to win 4/5 grand slams they are now applying the decline label to him. Frankly I am disgusted by that kind of attitude and I don’t regard those kind of people true Federer fans. How can someone call themself a fan of Roger if the loss at the US Open carry more weight for them than what he has achieved this year? The loss in five sets at the US Open is nothing compared to what he has achieved. People have such short memories. When Roger lost in devastating fashion at the Australian Open and kept struggling afterwards, it looked like he was all but a broken spirit.
At that point it wasn’t even certain whether he would win one more grand slam, let alone complete the career slam and winning the most grand slam titles in history! And on top of that he became number one in the world again! To people who can’t appreciate this I say, get a grip. People who even mention the term ‘decline’ after such a monumental year should be ashamed of themselves. For me being a Federer fan is not this fleeting thing where I support him while he is on top anyway. That is called glory hunting. I will always be a Federer fan to the bitter end. Not that I expect the end to be bitter, but I am just saying. I will be a fan for as long as I live in fact. Such effortless beauty and grace I have never seen on a tennis court and neither have I seen such a delightful human being. And neither will I probably.
To say that Roger is in decline after such a year is insulting and a flat out lie. He may not be in his prime but that does not mean he is decline. When Roger stops make semi-finals at grand slams level or does not win at least one slam a year, we can start talking about decline. It comes down to appreciation. What you appreciate you get more of. That’s why it’s called appreciation. As long as we as fans of Roger keep appreciating him he will give us more to appreciate. I know the people who read my blog are not like the people on those forums, and we are the true Federer fans who has to show others how it’s done. We shouldn’t blindly worship him or be obsessed in an unhealthy way. But we should think logically and appreciate his achievements.
I’m not preaching to anyone here. I just hope everyone can appreciate Roger the way he deserves to be appreciated. I doubt we will see another tennis player or human being like this while we are alive. What we are witness to is the closest thing to peRFection on a tennis court that there is. To me Roger Federer is more then a tennis player. He represents certain values and he inspires me. He transcended the game of tennis and has become almost a kind of religion to many. I’m not a religious person, although I do believe in a God/Universe/Source. But if I had to choose a religion it would be Roger Federer. Tennis used to be like a religion to me anyway in my playing days, and now someone has come along that has transcended it. So it makes sense.
And no, I don’t think Roger is God. Lol! Just an inspiration and a role model really.
So to sum up: I think it’s important to keep things in perspective and not dwell on Roger’s latest loss. With Roger’s performance in Cincinnati and the US Open he has proven to me that parenthood won’t influence his future as a tennis player. He lost to someone who played an incredible match and it could have gone either way. There is no need to start worrying about decline or anything silly like that at this point. At 28 Roger is probably in the best shape of his life and still injury free. As long as that remains the case he will be winning grand slam titles for many years to come. If Agassi could play until age 36, then Roger can do it if he wanted. Physically he can certainly do it and his economical game style and immense talent is enough to allow him to do so. As long as Roger enjoys the game and wins grand slams, which can still be for a very long time, I think he will continue to play.
Ps. I am delighted to see more people starting to join my blog. I plan to keep this blog going for as long as Roger’s career last, which can be a long time as stated above. I also plan to make interesting posts even when Roger is not playing. This is not some part time kind of thing. I look forward to turning this blog into a community where we can all follow the rest of Roger’s career together and celebrate his successes as well as his failures, because that is what will make him come back even stronger. Expect Roger to come out guns blazing in 2010. Calender year grand slam next year? Impossible is nothing.
Reader Comments
Hi Ru-an,
I guess the problem is more semantics now. I often said Roger’s game is already declining. By that, I mean he’s no longer at his best.
For an analogy, if you are once as high as Mount Everest, and now you’re only as high as Mount Kilimanjaro… well, you just declined. You’re still very high but you declined. I think this is what happens to Roger, too.
Is Mount Kilimanjaro still one of the highest in the world? Certainly, but not the highest definitely. I hope at this level, he can still win 1-2 slams per year just like Sampras did. But a calendar GS is way way outstretched. You should take into account the emergence of youngsters with amazing talent, Delpo & Djoker being the leader I guess. I’d like to also say Murray, but it seems he’s too arrogant for the good of himself and quite a bit of a choker. jason
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Ru-an Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Well i wasnt necessarily referring to you, i dont think anything you said was out of order. I know the CYCG is a stretch but there is nothing wrong with dreaming and hoping for the best. Roger will have a chance at winning each of the grand slams next year which must translate into a chance of winning the CYCG, however small that may be. I think Rogers main rivals will be Rafa and Delpo. Djokovic and Murray is not a real threat to him at GS level as far as im concerned. Ru-an
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Hey Ru-an,
, but i guess in a few years Mirka and the kids will have something to say about the busy schedule and the travel etc…
good post – i totally agree.
My thoughts are actually that he will want to do great for another 2 to 3 years, with at least 1 or 2 GS every year. and then while he is still in his prime, stop after the olympics in 2012 which are held on Wimbledon grass – so he’ll be the favorite for the only small thing still missing in his resume.
It does sound a little bit too quick for me already
Anyway, looking forward to the coming years, where he can be completely free of pressure and play his best tennis.
Tristan tristan
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Ru-an Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Good comment as well. I think he will retire at the earliest at the Olympics of 2012. He did say he wanted his children to see him play though so im not sure if they will be old enough by then to appreciate what they are seeing. He has got a few more things to achieve like the Olympic gold in singles, at least tie Sampras’s record for amount of year end nr 1 which is 6 years, beat Agassi’s MS titles won which should be pretty easy as he only needs 2 now i think, winning Davis Cup, winning most US Opens in the open era which is one more, break Sampras’ record of most Wimbys which is 2 more and most amount of weeks at nr 1 which he should be able to break pretty soon as well. All these things he can achieve my the time the Olympics 2012 is done, so i guess it wont be a bad time to retire. But if he still enjoys the game then and are able to win GS events im not sure if he would retire. Ru-an
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tristan Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 9:34 am
stop, stop! you’re getting me all excited about all these records he’s gonna break still!!
and yeah – the week after Roland Garros, if he’s still nr 1, he’ll be at nr 1 the most weeks. tristan
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He will want the Davis cup too, I think he well give it a good go next year, there’s also the number he spot he needs to keep until the week after Halle to break Sampras’ record for weeks at number one. Also I worked out who was the most succesful at GS this year, and for your reading pleaseure I will publish it here, the top 10(funnily enough the 10 different semi finalists and the only ten to yeild more than 1000 points from GS)
1. Roger Federer 6400
2. Juan Martin Del Potro 3125
3. Rafael Nadal 2900
4. Andy Roddick 2190
5. Robin Soderling 1785
6. Novak Djokovic 1530
=7. Andy Murray 1440
=7. Fernando Verdasco 1440
9. Fernando Gonzalez 1350
10. Tommy Haas 1080 Paul
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tristan Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Nice post, paul – i guess you’re a numbers freak like me
you’re right – after RG he will be equal with sampras, after halle it will be 287 weeks. should be possible i think – esp on masters (shanghai, paris, IW and Miami) he’ll have a lot of points to win. tristan
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jason Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Interesting. Murray = Verdasco… maybe Ru-an has something to say about that.
If JMDP shows progress towards the right direction, I’m going to anoint him “the good Argentine Safin”.
Isn’t it interesting to notice that both:
1. won their first grandslam at the US Open
2. by beating the greatest player in the generation, and
3. won it at 20 yrs of age with
4. similar styles of play.
Sadly, Safin went the wrong way after. Hopefully Delpo can keep his focus on tennis. jason
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Ru-an Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Yeah that is pretty interesting. But not really if you take into account that they both made a semi, a quarter and two fourth rounds! LMAO! Ok i really need to work on my stats :roll: Ru-an
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Ru-an Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
When it comes to the mental department i think Delpo is very different from Safin, but i think Safin is more naturally talented. Safin is a scary talent but i think Delpo will have a much better career because he is not a nutcase like Safin. He is very good mentally. Ru-an
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Ru-an Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Interesting numbers indeed. I guess i should appoint you as me stats man then?
Never been my strenghth really as you can see. Well at least i got the first two levels pretty much right. After Rafa everyone seems to be pretty close together. Thanks Paul. Ru-an
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Paul Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Numbers are my strong point, I’m going into my honours year for Maths next week.
Paul
I’m excited about this breaking the number one record thing, there will be a MASSIVE points swing at the French even if he retains it, so I think thee Aus Open is a must.
Jason Del P and Safin were also both the 6th seed when they won there US Open, another similarity
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Ru-an Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Wow thats great Paul, congrats! A lot of people seem to be making the comparison between Delpo and Safin. I wonder how Roger would have against a Safin like that. No ways he would have lost in straight sets like that. Just another reason Roger is better than Sampras. Anyway it seems like you will be the stats man around here then. Maybe you can work something out about the record amount of weeks at nr 1 thing and send it to me?
Ru-an
Btw i dont know if you noticed but i changed the diagram on my blog, its much more accurate now thanks to you
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Couple of typos sorry. Should say ‘I think he WILL give it a good go’ and ‘the number ONE spot he needs to keep’
Apologies Paul
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Ru-an Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
No need to apolopgize, i actually had a typo in my title earlier, appriciate instead of appreciate. Pretty shocking stuff but thankfully i saw it early
Ru-an
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Hi Ruan,
I have always appreciated your blogs and I have always felt that they always inspire me and force me to think positively!I don’t have enough words to thank you for that!
I think you are the only one who have always supported Roger through your blogs…everyone else would have at one point of time or other written something that would have hurt the achievements of Maestro and his genuine fans!
I was surely disappointed after he lost the Australian Open at the beginning of the year to Rafa…I just felt his game was there but he needed to believe he can overcome Rafa!I cried for many days just questioning God that why Roger remains on the losing side when he plays Rafa in a Grand Slam final and in a five setter match..but I got my answer after he won the French Open and then back to back wimby!After he lost the US open..I was of course sad but this defeat was nothing in comparison to the earlier ones.
I mean it would be disappointing for anyone to lose a match and the situation becomes intense when the match is a Grand Slam final but whatever Roger has achieved,that is something that cannot be explained..and I cannot expect him to win each and every match when he steps on to the court..I think that would be too much to expect from a single player with so many new guys up and coming!
Even in this era..he maintains his level at Slams..I just want to know who else is there who has at least reached the quarterfinals of all the Slams let alone finals!even Rafa when he was at his best couldn’t make it to the finals of all the Slams so i don’t understand why cannot we appreciate such a huge accomplishment by the Maestro!
Someone had commented that for Roger winning does not come easily..for that person..I would like to tell..surely for a person who has reached four Slam finals in a season and won two and lost the other two in close five setters..how can winning come easily???
The person does not feel any shame in saying that???
I am sure Federer can never be matched..only those who cannot accept the greatness of a champion like him..always find one or other reason to blame the maestro!People like Federer are born once in a lifetime..he will bounce back and win at least 20 majors by the end of his career!The accomplishments of the greatest sportsman do not need any explanation! Monisha Dikshit
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Ru-an Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Is that your real last name or are you taking the piss? Just checking. Ru-an
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I have a love-hate relationship when it comes to Roger, simple reasons, I want total domination. I have to accept one important fact, Roger is no longer the 2004-2007 Roger. He cannot win 10 tournaments a year all the time. Other players analyse his game so much they are slowly doing surgical cuts. Good thing, he too is looking into ways to improve himself. He is still ahead in terms of improvising his game. I appreciate how much he has brought into the game of tennis. Similar to soccer, watching Roger indeed is a religious experience. Win or lose, we need to enjoy how he played the game. Let’s move away from the end result, I know I have to. Give me time and I believe I will be there :-) Dippy
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Ru-an Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Lol! We all want total domination and at least your being honest. I doubt you hate him though
Ru-an
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I also want Roger to be dominate. I still say that he is never appreciated fully like he deserves. I believe it is jealousy. This man is about as perfect an athlete as ever. In society, we are brainwashed to see athletes as bad boys and girls and for athletes to take a stand (politically). Roger did look somewhat slow on Delpo forhand and was totally “out of his comfort zone”. Roger is a religion, good and/or bad. I still have not recovered from Monday. The day will come when he is in delcine. I hope that day is VERY FAR AWAY. Denise
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Ru-an Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
You are totally right there is a lot of jealousy. Society often hates the most successful and ‘perfect’ among us. I dont know why but its pretty pathetic if you ask me. Just like they hated Jesus they are now hating Rog? Pathetic. Oh and i think im now recovered form Rogers loss finally. I was still very low on energy yesterday. Ru-an
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I still have not recovered by Monday.As I have said before I want Roger to win everytime.
I don´t know if I´m obsessed in an unhealthy way as you said, who knows? I´m not ready to think logically.I´m thinking with my heart. When the match was over I was in pain I realize now that it wasn´t a normal reaction..
How can a tennis player produce this kind of feelings all over the world? Just because he is the greatest, the King, the One! ines
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Ru-an Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I know what you mean, because Roger wins so often we want him to win everytime. So when he loses its really hard. Concerning the pain you felt, i felt the same. I actually had some sort of a panic attack. So yeah that is probably unhealthy too but there is nohing wrong with me at this point. I actually feel more positive then i have in quite a while. I guess its kinda hard to have a blog like this and not really get influenced Roger’s losses. But the cool thing that ive noticed with my blog of late that there is so many peole that feel the same about Roger, and if we all come together as a community it could be easier to handle his losses and it could be a lot of fun too. And by the way you have to join my blog, i insist! You dont have to chat to be a member of my blog! Lol! Ru-an
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Paul Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Hmm, right now I keep 2 spreadsheets, one of the rolling rankings that includes the top 6 and one for year end which includes the top 17, the year end one is easier to keep as everyone has to play a set amount of tournaments, but the rolling one gets complicated with tournaments at different times and that.
At new year I will a new one towards Roland Garros as if that is the ‘year end’ since it is the bench mark for Roger to get to.
I was on a Nadal blog recently (just spying! and just the once!) and I noticed the guy had the ATP top 10 rankings in a bar at the side, you should maybe consider doing that? Paul
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Paul Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I’ve replied on the wrong comment sorry! See above comment about rankings if you are confused anyone. Paul
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Of course I come to your blog to find support and to read your excellent comments, it´s a familiar place for me, I shame not to say the rigth words, hope you understand, by the way this is a sort of particularly chat(in English)what a shame!I don´t use to,but I´ll just do it only for you I´m going to be a member. In my opinion you know how to handle people not so easy like me, be sure. ines
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Ru-an Reply:
September 18th, 2009 at 2:44 am
Cool
Ru-an
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Hi Ru-an, every tennis fan is indebted to Roger, but Roger fans do get carried away at times. Roger in decline is a statement given by many after comparing Roger on 2004-2007 to what Roger is now, Roger is not getting any better anyways but if he could hold on to this level for atleast next 2 more years we could see him win some more slams.
I just put the question to you, which Roger would you think is better? Roger of 2004-2005 or Roger of 2009-2010?, we are not comparing Roger to Rafa or Sampras, we are comparing Roger of different years and coming to conclusion Roger is on decline, thats very natural, thats the theory of nature all goodthings come to an end oneday.
Last but not least a very interesting blog, I love the Federer Cartoon serving tiredlessly on your shout box, it made my day .
I wish Federer win 2 more Wimbledon, 1 each of other slams, i would certainly hope he defends his FO next year [only Slam he hasnt defended], and I bet he will do, mark my comment. Coolers
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Ru-an Reply:
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Hi Coolers. Almost everyone will tell you that Roger of 04-05 was much better than he is now. Personallyi dont think there is as big a difference as people say there is. He may have gotten older or whatever, but people dont realize how hard it is to stay at the top without your opponents eventually figuring you out. The fact that Roger won 2 slams this year and lost closely in the other 2 is just amazing. He may not have youth on his side so much anymore but he now has a wealth of experience. It was clearly evident in his FO run. His serve has also improved to compensate for any lack that comes with age. I dont think his level has changed much.
If Roger defends his FO crown it would be totally awesome. I hope you are right!
Ps. Im adding your blog to my blog roll. Ru-an
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