Saturday, July 10, 2010

Roger Federer: Finally Age has Started Taking its Toll

Roger Federer is arguably the greatest ever male tennis player. The Swiss tennis maestro holds record 16 Grand Slam singles title. However, over the last couple of years, it seems his age has finally started taking its toll on him physically.

Roger Federer has recently failed to reach the semi finals of French Open 2010 and Wimbledon 2010. Since 2004, it was the first time Federer failed to reach the last four of a Grand Slam tournament and over the last 6 years he played in record 23 consecutive Grand Slam semi finals.

Federer fans may disagree, but record shows the Swiss great has already seen his best on tennis court. Federer won 11 out of his 16 Grand Slam singles titles in between 2004 and 2007. During these 4 years, he dominated in all the Grand Slam tournaments, except French Open.

His fall on tennis court started in 2008 when he failed to win his 6th consecutive Wimbledon title as he lost to Rafael Nadal in an epic final. The same year Federer failed to win the Olympics gold medal in singles and lost the no. 1 rank to Nadal.

Roger Federer retained the no. 1 place in 2009 after reclaiming his Wimbledon title. He also won the French Open title for the first time the same year with physically unfit Nadal failing to reach the quarter final. Despite the two back to back successes, Federer could not yet show the kind of dominance he was once used to.

In US Open 2009, he lost to Juan Martín del Potro. With this defeat, he failed to clinch his 6th consecutive US Open title. Moreover, it was the first time he was defeated in a Grand Slam final by someone other than Nadal.

Federer started the 2010 winning the Australian Open, but agonizingly failed to reach the semi finals of both French Open and Wimbledon, losing to Robin Söderling and Tomáš Berdych respectively.

It seems pretty much odd for a player who holds the record of playing in 10 consecutive Grand Slam singles finals and 23 consecutive Grand Slam singles semi finals. He also holds the record of being the no. 1 in ATP ranking for 237 weeks at a stretch.

Roger Federer is now 28, an age which in tennis is counted as one of the last years of someone’s career. There is no doubt, Federer is a great player, but his age seems to have started taking heavy tool on him. There are now many physically strong players like Soderling, Berdych, Nadal etc. and it is always very tough to deal with those strong players in today’s power-based tennis.

20 comments:

  1. Roger needs to get a coach who will give him a power game. He can't just rely on finesse any longer. If he adapts, I think he can be a contender into his late 30s.

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  2. I don't understand why people can't simply accept that Federer dominated 2009. If Nadal couldn't compete enough that's his problem mentally or physically (which I think is more of mental). Fed even won Australian Open '10 when all the top players were contesting (again please don't tell Nadal was injured, he played well in the Karlovic match). Federer may need to train a bit more and come up with a new strategy to counter these so called new strong guys...

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  3. totally agree with second comment
    and whenever federer starts doing a little bit poorly the media starts writing how hes going down hill again.

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  4. Federer is likely to win another 2 to 5 more Grand Slam titles over the next 3 years. First, Federer is still too good a player when he is healthy and able to serve, despite the presence of Nadal and others. Since 2008 Federer’s productivity suffered due to mononucleosis and bad back, yet Federer has still won Grand Slam titles at the rate Pete Sampras did during his 6 prime years when he was the year-end No. 1 player! It’s ridiculous to write Federer off for simply losing in two quarterfinals due to understandable reasons. Sampras in his best 6 years had a far worse record losing in early rounds of Grand Slams than Federer does right now. Second, Federer has had back injury problems since at least 2003 (Wikipedia). Federer has played with injuries throughout his career, just like Nadal and other players. Unlike Nadal, Federer has not whined as much about his ailments or turned it into a soap opera, so the perception is that injuries have suddenly caught up with Roger. It’s true that age is probably exposing Federer to more injuries but also Federer has been relying on his serve more, which stresses his back. If Federer’s back is healthy, it would be dumb to bet against him. Third, consider that our perception of Nadal is based on only 2.5 months of success between mid April to early July. Nadal has only 2.5 months of playing well and his kool-aid drib=nkers are going gugugaga. Nadal was not the top player before April, when Federer started off the year as the undisputed No. 1 player. Nadal's history is that he is only able to play well for a few months cuz he pushes his body beyond its physical limits until it eventually breaks down and he becomes "physically unfit." Nadal's game is unsustainable. If Federer is able to win the US Open, the Year End ATP Championships in London and another Masters title or two, he would be considered the best player in the second half of the season (4 months).

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  5. The reason why Federer lost some of his matches of late is due to the lack of intensity and that is partly due to age taking its toll. Federer is naturally talented and it has been able to compensate for the rigor that less talented players have to undergo. This explains why Federer is almost injury free throughout his career. However as he ages, the physical game of the younger players is bridging the gap between them and Federer's natural talent. I agree with the article that Federer needs more hard work to get back to where he was but the choice is his. He has reached a point in life where he is happy to just play on the tour even if he doesn't beat any more records. Somehow i know he is still hungry for more so I hope Federer can remain motivated!

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  6. Absolutely agree with most of the comments here. I don't think Federer has anythng more to prove to anyone. He is undoubtedly the GOAT. As previously said Nadal plays his best for only 3 months and lets see how he does in the latter part of the year esp US open where his record is just dismal.

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  7. people what age?he is 29 ,footballers run 90 min in their 35 years so story about his age is ridicoulous

    itts his motivation he just need that

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  8. and if federer has age problems in 28 what can you say about nadals with his knees in 28

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  9. i believe that rodg can bounce back if the motivation to win is as intense as like last year or few years ago..age? that's ridiculous. its not the reason. btw, he has nothing to prove anymore. HE is the greatest tennis player ever (for now, lets see if someone can break his records...) even with the losses, he is still THE ROGER FEDERER.

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  10. Federer is the best ever and will not fall no more again. No 3 is not bad, but we all know Fed can do better, back injuries are harsh but he is a strong man and will be able to regain his No 1 spot. US open is still to come and that tournament like wimbledon he has dominated, french open and wimbeldon were a minor set back this year and it doesn't mean that those two titles are now gone from him. He will rise yet again to his full strengths and will reclaim that No 1 spot and stay there until he is about 30-31(32).

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  11. Am really happy to see comments supporting the greatest of all time :)
    We all know ..he will be back with more grace, power and accuracy...
    Federer 3.0 will be coming soon....

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  12. Nice article! Roger certainly has done it all... I think he's simply not into the game as much (actually bored) because he has beaten everyone 5 - 15 times over, broken all the key tennis records, won every tournament several times over, etc... at some point 'the thrill is gone'... There's nothing else to prove... It's like climbing a mountain for the first time; the intensity, competition, focus, desire, etc... is there, but once you've done it several times over your HEART is not into it as much and when that starts to go, it's over... He's also a family man now worth hundreds of millions of dollars. At some point you start to see life outside those 4 white lines... He still is very good and can compete with everyone and may win a couple more grand slams, but honestly he's done it all....

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  13. THESE MEDIA PERSONS ARE THE BIGGEST SHITBAGS WHO JUST GO WITH TIDE AND LACK ANY IMAGINATIVE THINKING. federer is only 29 years old and physically the fittest . he will easily be competetive for the next 4 years. And he has set the standards so high that even if he goes down for a second the media pounces. Gimme a break. He has won a grandslam in 2010 and any year you win one is great for anybody. and what if he wins the us open. That puts him at 2 grandslam wins n two quaterfinals..how on earth is age cathing on him and how can these dumbheads predict his time is over

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  14. First, age has a lot to do with it. footballers can't compare with tennis players. The movements of a tennis player is totally different than a footballer, the stress on the hips, knees, abs and shoulders. If you have played you know...Second, Federer will win more majors, I'm not sure if he will win another this year. He seems to have lost his game for the moment and probably needs the rest of the year to find it. I firmly believe Federer wants to win enough slams to keep the record out of reach for Nadal or anyone else for that matter and will finish his career with 19 slams.

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  15. Can someone please explain to me what this article has to do with Rafa Nadal? Apparently, I'm missing something! It's my interpretation that the article centers on Roger Federer. I should know better to expect a discussion about Roger Federer to take place without Rafa Nadal being attacked for minding his business; it never fails, most Fedfans are so predictable and irrational! For a long time, I have observed that nine times out of ten when someone points out a flaw in Roger Federer or writes an article that alludes to his weaknesses or imperfections, the discussion immediately changes to how Rafa Nadal is not all that; he won't last either, bla, bla, bla. However, it is interesting how when Roger is winning, age isn't a factor; he is simply incredible at his age, but the moment he loses early in consecutive slams, all of sudden, his age is catching up with him. I'll tell what's catching up with him, the field, and the fact that players do not fear him anymore and he is too full of pride and me thinks it is beneath him to recognize and accept that he might need to make the necessary adjustments to keep up, whether that includes getting a coach or making tactical adjustments. What Roger is going through right now is not Rafa Nadal's fault. So, I don't understand why there are those of you who can;t comment on the topic without bringing Rafa into the discussion in a diminishing way! Is everything that happens to Roger his fault?

    When Rafa was winningless for eleven months, he took the verbal blows and punches, he lived with the disrespect directed toward him as a champion by fans, journalists, commentators, media, etc. he faced the negative, derogatory remarks about how he was all finished and his knees had made their final run. He accepted the fact that very few people believed in him anymore. He accepted how the media funeralized his career, but he faced it with courage and belief in himself and continued to work hard while everybody made sealed his future with their bleak predictions. He kept fighting, no one gave him anything. He stood the test; maybe, roger federer needs to be told that he's not perfect for a change; maybe it will do him good! maybe part of his problem is having to live up to being perfect and it has taken it's toll and as a result, he's crumbling under the burden of perfection that you guys have placed on his shoulders. So, instead of always looking to blame Rafa Nadal for Federer's struggles, you might want to reflect back on Nadal's rough spots in the road and learn a lesson before you condemn Rafa for doing what he is suppose to do, which is to seize every opportunity to win! Of course, he doesn't know how long it will last, but he doesn't need to worry about what he can't control. Players have ups and downs; no player is exempt, not even Roger. Once most of you accept that, you will be able to face facts without looking for a scapegoat. In any case, try to stick to the topic and the topic is "Roger Federer..." How long Rafa will remain in the winners circle is a topic for another day!

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  16. Roger is pretty much done. He does not have the spirit to come back, he looked like a bitter delusional child in his press conference. Rafa will have to give him a beatdown at the US Open for you diehards to finally admit who the king is.

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  17. Roger is the best of all time. I guess that we should all listen to the experts who know. Laver, Borg, McEnroe and Rafa himself along with his Uncle all say this...they all know that his talents are superb. It is really too bad that he had mono and that let Rafa in at the time. But look how well he played. Now he had a lung infection and an embolism which is very serious. Yet he is still playing with little comments. I myself am tired of hearing of Nadal's knees. I do feel bad for him though as he seems to have to take so much time off for his recovery. His game is so punishing to his knees. Go Federer. Rest your back which by the way, he has had for many years without the comments. I do agree about the comments of Federer not saying much until now. What can we say about Nadals' knees? Has his age caught up with him or is it is strange strokes and off balance shots????

    Either way, It would be nice to see both Nadal and Federer healthy as there does not seem to be too much of the others with the same intensity or commitment to the game and training.

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  18. I wish generally that the game allowed for more skill and less just hitting the ball as hard as you can from the baseline. Yes, that does take skill. However, after watching the epic McEnroe, Borg match, I realized how the game has changed over the years. McEnroe did make a slight comment. Probably only Federer has the talent to play all over the court. Federer will be back stronger than ever when he is not injured. You could see the back injury in his serve but that will get better...go Fed...show them all.

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  19. I wish generally that the game allowed for more skill and less just hitting the ball as hard as you can from the baseline. Yes, that does take skill. However, after watching the epic McEnroe, Borg match, I realized how the game has changed over the years. McEnroe did make a slight comment. Probably only Federer has the talent to play all over the court. Federer will be back stronger than ever when he is not injured. You could see the back injury in his serve but that will get better...go Fed...show them all.

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  20. Lucky great athletes like Wayne Gretzky did not believe that they were done at the age of 28. I think that people have to realilze that when an athlete is as talented as Federer, that they can play longer than most. Let's give the poor guy a break. He is such a fine young man. He is a father, travels around the world for the poor. He seems to never think of just himself. Perhaps, he should focus more just on himself for the time being and his family. Nadal does and he seems to have more time. You never hear of him going to a third world country and maybe Fed should learn from this right now and just enjoy his time in the tennis world. He sure loves the game and it has been a pleasure to see such a fine tennis player in our time.

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