With an assist from Mohamed Lahyani, it will be Roger Federer vs. Nick Kyrgios on Saturday at the U.S. Open.
Kyrgios controversially survived his second-round match on Thursday, setting up a blockbuster battle that marks the fourth between these two competitors. To say the head-to-head series has not disappointed thus far would be a gross understatement. In fact, it generally produces some of the most entertaining tennis this sport has to offer.
All three of their previous encounters have required decisive third-set tiebreakers and an incredible eight of nine sets have resulted in ‘breakers. Kyrgios pulled off a 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 7-6(12) upset at the 2015 Madrid Masters, Federer prevailed 7-6(9), 6-7(9), 7-6(5) last spring in Miami, and the Swiss scored a 6-7(2), 6-2, 7-6(5) victory earlier this summer in Stuttgart.
This highly anticipated reinstallment of the rivalry almost didn’t happen. Kyrgios trailed Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 3-0 in the second round before Lahyani implored the Aussie to stop giving tennis a bad look and start trying. Kyrgios obliged, dominating the rest of the match for a 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3, 6-0 win. The world No. 30, who preceded that performance with a four-set defeat of Radu Albot, is a now a solid but abbreviated 23-10 for what his been another injury-plagued campaign.
Federer knows a repeat of Thursday’s incident is not in the cards for Saturday.
“You think it’s going to happen again? It will not happen twice in a row,” Federer commented.
Kyrgios agrees. “I’m going to compete my ass off,” he told the crowd after beating Herbert.
He’ll have to if he wants a realistic shot at ousting Federer, who has advanced with straight-set victories over Yoshihito Nishioka and Benoit Paire. The five-time U.S. Open champion is now 6-1 on hard courts this summer with a loss only to Novak Djokovic in the Cincinnati final.
“Yeah, it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Kyrgios assured. “I definitely know that I won’t be the favorite, (or) the crowd favorite here…. I do believe I can beat him. I have done it before. It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m going to be looking forward to it.”
Obviously, this should be a good one. Kyrgios is a different player–and more importantly different person–on any kind of big stage than he is against an unseeded opponent on Court 17, and it does not get any bigger than going up against Federer in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Even when motivated, however, the 23-year-old remains inconsistent. Look for Federer to take advantage of some ill-time lapses and cross the finish line before another final-set ‘breaker is necessary.
Pick: Federer in 4
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WWW?
If you watch his post match interview around the Lahyani event if it happens in the next round, Federer was abrupt and condescending.
His three-word dismissive answer is “It won’t happen.”
When the interviewer asks him to explain why, he tries to evade the question by asking the interviewer “Do you think it’s going to happen again?”
The interviewer rightly tries to say that he’s asking Federer (what the interviewer thinks is irrelevant), but Federer abruptly cuts him off and repeats the interviewer’s own question to him again! When the interviewer starts to answer “I don’t think it really l…” Federer cuts him off yet again by saying ‘Exactly’. So disrespectful and unprofessional and the fawning reporters in the room all laugh.
And Joel Drucker’s article praises Federer for it.
If it was Djokovic giving those same answers, he’d be called defensive and criticized for it.
https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interviews/2018-08-30/2018-08-30_interview_roger_federer_round_2.html?chip=7
With that said, Federer in three losing no more than 12 games.
Joel Drucker’s fawning piece here…
http://thetennischannel.com/reporters/joel-drucker/joel-drucker-roger-federers-pressers-show-why-hes-king-both-on-and-off-the-court
Joel Drucker soft pedals Federer’s condescending response by actually MISQUOTING both the reporter and Federer:
Q. What do you mean?
ROGER FEDERER: You think it’s going to happen again?
Q. I’m asking. (INCOMPLETE QUOTE)
ROGER FEDERER: I’m asking you the question. Do you think it’s going to happen again?
Q. I don’t think it will. (INCORRECT AND IMCOMPLETE QUOTE)
ROGER FEDERER: Exactly, there you go (smiling).
Q. You understood my question? (INCOMPLETE QUOTE AND WAS A STATEMENT NOT A QUESTION)
ROGER FEDERER: I understood your question. You understand my response? It will not happen twice in a row. (INCOMPLETE QUOTE AND WAS A STATEMENT WITHOUT A QUESTION AS INDICATED)
From the video:
ROGER FEDERER: It won’t happen. (long pause)
Q. What do you mean?
ROGER FEDERER: You think it’s going to happen again?
Q. “Yeah well, I am asking would you…”
ROGER FEDERER: I’m asking you the question. Do you think it’s going to happen again?
Q. I don’t think it really li…”
ROGER FEDERER: Exactly, there you go so it will not happen (smiling).
Q. (uninterpretable ) you understood my question.
ROGER FEDERER: I understand your question. You understand my response. I think it will not happen twice in a row.
I always prefer to see interviews myself because reporters often put their own bias or slant on things.
If there’s going to be bias, I’d rather it be my own!
#FakeNewsBiasedMedia
But Fed was right the first time. It won’t happen in their match. Period. No way. The reporter was looking for some other quote. Teutonic rage or indignation? “Roger Federer says Zeus will strike the umpire dead if he coaches Kyrgios again”? Don’t see why Fed is obligated to feed the beast any further. I will predict that if Fed does lose to NK (I don’t think he will) you will see some sulking, maybe snide remarks, in the presser. He really isn’t peRFect. But Roger WILL attend the losing presser.
He should have asked, “What would you have done in Herbert’s shoes?” (which I think is what he was looking for – or at least should have been).
However, with the long pause after his dismissively curt reply “It won’t happen”, a follow up was fair game and pretty much invited as Federer was clearly annoyed by it for some reason.
It’s fair to ask a player how they would handle the situation because Herbert failed in not standing up for himself.
The reporters in the room, instead of laughing, should not have let him off so easily. They certainly don’t with Djokovic going at him like a pack of wolves.
And how the media presents the players, has an influence on how they are perceived. And then the media will write so many articles asking “Why is Djokovic Unloved?”
There’s an element of prejudice in it for sure.
Lendl faced the same thing:
“I don’t think people in this country understand me. The media misrepresents me. They twist what I say. If I play Boris Becker here in the final, I’ll be prepared for the whole crowd being for him. If I can get a quarter of the people on my side, it will be a bonus. It is disappointing. I would like people here to like me more. But what can I do?”
I’m guessing Roger just didn’t want to discuss it much. It’s probably kind of annoying for a player to hear yet another story about Kyrgios’ antics, I doubt Roger wants to deal with or talk about it much, especially because he is playing Nick next. As much as I’m a fan of Nick and his game and want him to succeed and play with the right mindset, it is annoying to see him need the help of Lahyani here. It clearly helped him though. But also Herbert got pretty tight and sort of gave Kyrgios that break back up 5-3. If he doesn’t blow serving out the second set, he likely wins that match.
As is typical with Kyrgios, it’s not easy to make a prediction with him. One thing is absolutely not debatable, and that is that the bigger the opponent, the more he tends to care about being there and competing. And a Nick Kyrgios who cares is a dangerous Nick Kyrgios.
If NK does bring it like I think he will, then I think we can expect the typical Fed-Kyrgios tiebreaks. And anytime we get multiple tiebreaks, there is always the chance of the match going either way. While I do think that Fed will ultimately win, I also won’t be surprised if Kyrgios wins.
I thought Fed played the best he had in a while against Nishioka, crushing winners from all over the court and being efficient. I don’t buy that it was just because Nishioka isn’t that good. Fed has played MANY players of Nishioka’s caliber since Rotterdam, and to me he didn’t look nearly as good against those players as he did against Nishioka. BUT he then looked questionable again against Paire, spraying errors all over the place.
I do expect Fed to play better against Kyrgios, as Kyrgios tends to give Fed more rhythm in rallies than a guy like Paire does. Also, even though he’s 37 years old, it’s still true that beating Fed, or any Big 4, in best-of-five sets is a completely different animal than beating him in best-of-three.
I ultimately think that competing hard enough, for long enough, to win 3 sets off of Federer at a major will prove a bit too much for Kyrgios.
I feel like Kyrgios’ only shot to win is if he really steps it up in the tiebreaks, and wins 3 straight tiebreaks. It’s possible, but I just don’t realistically seen it happening….
I’ll guess Fed in 4. Possibly all tiebreaks.
How do Federer fans feel about Layhani helping Nick to win and as a result get to play Fed? If this were the same situation involving Rafa I would be absolutely furious and I tend very much to think that some of the Rafa fans here being tolerant towards Layhani would be singing a different tune if rafa had to play nick.
I’d be furious.
As it is, I’m very disappointed in Lahyani and the tournament director who should have stepped it.
What’s your gut feeling about who will win the uso hawkeye??
Federer. He’s a very stable genius.
I don’t think it’s much of an issue, personally. Lahyani shouldn’t have done it, but Kyrgios still had to win the match.
I agree that if Rafa been next in line to play Kygrios, many fans here would be singing a different tune.
I agree with you here, Joe.
I definitely think that Lahyani shouldn’t have acted like he did. And, yes, we rafafans would probably have been very upset and smelled a conspiracy if Rafa had been Nick’s next opponent. That’s fandom 😉
But, as you say, Nick still had to win this match on his own terms and hasn’t got enough credit IMO for raising the level of his game and actually turning the match around. Herbert himself admitted that Lahyani’s conduct didn’t influence the level of his own game because he only realized after the match what had gone down between Nick and Lahyani, and that it might’ve raised Nick’s level of commitment considerably. I therefore think we can’t accuse Herbert of not standing up for himself during the match. He simply didn’t do anything during the match because he hadn’t realized what had happened. It was very hot and he was minding his own business and tried to focus on his own game. He was right to be upset afterwards, though.
As to the upcoming match: I believe that Roger will win. But Nick might turn out to be the pesky opponent he always is against Fed and other top players. I hope that the audience won’t give him too much grieve. But if Nick shows up and plays well, it will probably be ok.
As a Fed fan, I’m not really that angry for Lahyani. It wasn’t like he gifted Kyrgios 12 games, Nick still had to win it. Maybe I’m not angry cause I highly believe that Federer will win today.
Anyway, I still think what Lahyani did is disgusting and the most frustrating thing is how the USTA did absolutely nothing and even tried to convince us that Mo was just warning Nick – not a single word about possible consequences in that pep talk though. It seems that the USTA are total chickens. Herbert’s performance in the last 1,5 sets was kinda atrocious and Lahyani did nothing. Impartiality is one of the things I hate most in the world.
I don’t feel sorry for Federer that he has to play Kyrgios now, we don’t know what would have happened there, but I feel sorry for Pierre-Hugues, he couldn’t have known what was going on and I understand his anger, he’s been cheated in broad daylight and Mo didn’t suffer any consequences.
Nik in 5
Fed in 3…I’ll be watching!!!
Kyrgios has too much respect for Fed and will lose handily! Fed likes opponents who do not engage in long rallies so I think he doesn’t mind meeting Nick instead of Hurbert…if this was Rafa’s case I would be devastated because Nick makes a bad matchup for Rafa and is always super motivated to beat him…
Fed in 3 is my guess.
Kyrgios w the upset in either 4 or 5
#KygsLahyani2018USOChampion
Can anyone help?? Looking to attend US open Sunday or Monday on Armstrong court! Does anyone have any idea which day would give me better matches to watch?? I know it’s unknown but you guys would have. a better idea of the draw and who could possibly get assigned to Armstrong
Is usopen conspiring against federer . How did fed kyrgios not get night match n got day n Novak gasquet get night.
Maybe they feel Nick will compete better at night n they just want that fed djokovic qf
WTF?! They have Federer-Kyrgios on during the day session?? Are you kidding me? How in god’s name (if there is a god) could you justify not putting arguably the most box office matchup in tennis of the past two years on in the Night session?? This makes no sense to me…
Personally, I couldn’t care less, as I’m not busy during the day tomorrow. But I’m just shocked, as the most box office matches go at night, and you can’t get much more box office than Fed-Kyrgios in terms of matchup and drama!
Strange. Is Djokovic their new darling?
No word is Fed asked for day session. He knows Nick thrives in night sessions/box office environments and had problems in day session lately.
Fedexal-
I was actually thinking that myself! What if Fed actually would prefer to play NK in the day? Not only taking the night match hype out of it, but also NK seems to struggle more in the heat, while Fed has always sworn that he does relatively fine with the heat due to his training in Dubai.
Although NK is from Australia, and it’s brutally hot there, so who knows? I guess it’s not really the high temperature that make NYC difficult this time of year- it’s the humidity! And maybe NK isn’t so used to high humidity?
If Fed did request another day session, then I’m surprised that the Open would even allow it! T.V. money is the most important thing to the tournament owners- it’s all about ratings. And the night matches are where it’s at in terms of ratings.
Who knows maybe Fed asked for it. Given a choice , he would play Kyrgios in as low key affair as possible. Nick thrives in these big moments/night session environment. No reason this match is not a night match. And Djoker is not playing a super hot player. He is playing gasquet who is not a box office in NY.
He had issues with heat last match.
Against almost all other opponents, I’d say the match is on Fed’s racquet. However, Kyrgios is too talented, too young, and potentially too good. And Fed is on the cusp of being too old, if he isn’t already. If Fed brings the level he had in R1 and Kygrios plays anything like his 2018 form, Fed will win. However, if Fed plays like he did in R2, or if Kyrgios can somehow summon his best level, Nick could definitely win this match.
My guess: Fed will show up with something less than his best but better than R2. Kyrgios will show flashes of brilliance but will ultimately fold. Fed in 4.
They’ve had too many complaints from the likes of Hawks. So they’re giving Fed some fun in the sun 😂
You’re welcome My #4 fan.
#Humb1e
According to the stats fed has won one point receiving and kygrios has won 13!!
Not Roger Federer (@PseudoFed)
2018-09-01, 4:31 PM
Courtside tweetings: I don’t know about the other players, but I have My own commentary running in My head throughout My matches telling Me how great I am. It’s remarkably similar to watching the game on the television set or the wireless radio #USOpen
LOL 😂
Roger hasn’t hit remarkably well or anything, but he has played the big points much better than Nick. Outrageous drop shot by Roger there though!! #FedExpress
This will soon be over! Nick is going to crumble now..
Fed up a set and break. Yes, he can play @ daytime also. And he is showing that.
People forget this is a 37 year old Roger Federer, not a 37 year old Mikhail Youzhny. He’s moving like a gazelle haha. Absolutely awesome tennis.
Fed is going to beat Novak too
Nole isn’t a flake like kygrios! His amazing ros gives Fed a ton of problem s…
That match has 5 written all over it Amy..it will be a roller coaster.
Btw Rafa scheduled first tomm on arthur Ashe.
Do you know what the forecast is sanju??
26 degree Celsius .71 percent humidity.cloudy n partly sunny
Mmm that’s pretty humid!😕
Hope rafa comes out firing!
Quite possible at this point
Ok now he’s balling. It’s a demolition 🙂
37 year old often gets cursed for preferential scheduling, rigged draws, fan following , sometimes one forgets to appreciate the kind of tennis he displays @37 on the big stage .
At @37 if people still fear him then I would say he is the GOAT.
Bah, no bagel for Nick. He looks hungry, feed him a breadstick, Roger!
#Goat
The court is playing slow. Thats how it feels on TV. What do you all think ?
Sanju-
Fed himself said that this is the slowest the US Open has ever been, in his experience. Even more so than last year!
This match has the atmosphere of an exhibition. Tennis fans in attendance were robbed.
Federer fawns in the crowd however are obviously enjoying yet another “religious” experience.
#WheresCoachLahyani???
Recording his latest volume of inspirational speeches for nick!
#strictly impartial!
Herbert would have won today.
Cmon Hawks, just enjoy the match 😂
I meant fans.
#FreudianSlip
Nick is Roger’s No. 1 fan.
Says who? Roger?
#1 is pushing it!
Sorry Amy. I should have qualified.
Nick is Roger’s No. 1 fan (other than Roger himself). And maybe Patrick McEnroe.
What about benny? That’s not very fair on him.
Benny is disqualified because he’s also a Muller fan (and My No. 4 fan).
So who are your top 3 fans then!?
His top three fans are Herbert, Herbert, and Herbert
Well I’m No. 1 fan obviously.
The other positions are held for those who post about me as much as they post about tennis even when I’m not here posting! Benny has some catching up to do to catch No. 2 and No. 3 fans.
They know who they are LOL. (Unfortunately, they have no sense of humour. I’ve never read a single funny word from them.)
Fed hits the shot of the Open or maybe shot of the year.
#Goat
Kyrgios is actually playing like an exhibition…who dropshots at almost every point. The guy is a serious waste n is just not serious. Fed is playing well but framkly kyrgios is just not challenging him at all
He is always like that with all his silly tweeners!
That’s why you can’t infer from this performance that he is going to beat nole…
You said it ,Amy! Nole is a whole different animal in slams against Fedal and Federer probably now has a bigger block against Nole than what he had against Rafa especially after the two wimbledon defeats
Still think Rafa is his biggest block vmk! But Nole is the fave for that match for sure..
Kyrgios is afraid to take the match seriously.
Should be fined for lack of effort.
Nick is playing better now. Must be listening to his recording of layhani’s inspirational speeches during the changeovers…
Nicky donated his last break because Roger gave the wrap it up sign to Nick that practise is over.
I think I lost my voice from screaming at Roger’s around the net shot earlier. How is he 37?! That was ridiculous!! Shot of the tournament so far.
Nick’s reaction was priceless 🙂
40-15 , real stupid drop shot. And he gets broken. I dont think Johny Mac can say he was like Kyrgios. JMac was much more serious.
Fed has an ever colder handshake with Nick than what he normally has with Djoko 😀
Kyrgios should retire from tennis and try out for the Washington Generals.
Exhos is where he belongs and he’ll never make the World Tour Finals so….
Nick’s sole redemption point was that he used to take matches against the big guys seriously but if he clowns around versus them too.. there is no point
He’s useless. Not so different from tomic
After a shaky start, Fed was much closer to his top form today. I can’t believe he managed to win the first set, because up until the end of it Kygrios was holding without thinking and Roger was just managing to hold on to his serve. Once Fed steadied himself, that was more than enough, esp. against a Nick who can’t decide if he wants to be on court or not. The around-the-post shot was the shot of the year so far. I was also impressed and surprised that Fed can still bring this level for a mid-day match.
If Fed can bring his sets 2-3 level the rest of the tournament, he is the favourite from what I’ve seen.
Kyrgios was all giggles in his post match presser. All media questions were soft balled mostly asking him about Roger’s skill. Nick said he was trying to get Federer to make some good shots and he was quite pleased with the loss.
What a waste of a grand slam match.
So far Federer has had the softest of draws.
Kyrgios would be winning non- clay slams by now had he played prior to 2008. Missed his chance.
No he wouldn’t, because Federer would have still won them. 🙂 Kyrgios would have lost to Rafa, Roddick, Hewitt, Safin, etc. in the earlier rounds.
Good catch Kevin. He’d just be consistently making finals then.
Kyrgios wouldn’t even have beaten Simon in 2008.
Or even Henman in 2004
Well he could have just as easily said, “Roger Federer, you’re my hero…(and Daddy).”
RT @NickKyrgios: Without sounding like a fanboy, congrats to @rogerfederer today. Too good on the day, GOAT. Good luck extending that lead, go get 21. Everyone else, thanks for the support during @usopen sorry I couldn’t get it done today. #MuchLove ❤️🙏🏽
I was right, Nick with too much respect for Fef stood no chance!!
Btw, young star Zverev sent packing by his compatriot Kohls! Not surprised at all…
Im only surprised because Kohl has hardly won a match this past few weeks , but tactically he was streets ahead as usual
Actually. Zverev and Kyrgios would have made slam finals had they played prior to 2008.
Not surprised that Krygios worships Fed. Krygios is only interested in quick point tennis; he doesnt think point construction tennis is real tennis. But, he forgets that Fed has/had put in the effort to train and practice so that short points or long rallies, Fed has the answers most of the times, unlike Krygios.
Krygios is one who wants quick work and leaves the court asap, win or loss. He only summons efforts when facing the top guys, even then it also depends on his moods.
Fedfans made a hero out of Kyrgios after he defeated Rafa at Wimbledon. Without the hype that has come from Fedfans, Kyrgios would have been a nobody. It’s no surprise that he wants to please Fed & his fanbase.
Get it DONE? NK didn’t even get it started! And he does sound like a fanboy. Not that I’m complaining. My biggest fear was that NK would somehow actually win this USO!
In other not-so-new news, AZ lost in 4 to Kohlschreiber. Happy for him.
Curious is becoming boring .
Kohl has variety and guile. Zverev does not. Kohl can adapt and change his game in different situations. Zverev cannot. Kohl isn’t a stubborn player with one speed. Zverev is. There’s my analysis. #MrMasters1000DoesItAgain #HappyForKohl
Great points, Benny. I’ve always liked Kohl’s game. He’s a bit on the short side for this era or he might have done even better.
Wonder what Great Stone Face Lendl will say/do about this? Although it was really unfair to expect him to have a huge impact after about half an hour with AZ.
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry with Nik Kyrgios. There is no talking to him. I don’t think he hears any of it. Llayani shoukd have saved himself the effort and not put himself in a difficult position,
I am just done with Kyrgios.
Having said all this., Fed is playing better than Cincy. I think Djoker – Fed would be a tough match for Djoker as well. Fed has beaten Djoker when he was not expected to in Slams earlier. 2011 FO and 2012 Wimby comes to mind.
If Fed plays like he did against Kyrgios from the middle of the 1st set on, he will win. I’m not confident he can do that, but it will more to do with his level than Novak’s. His road to this point has been relatively easy. If he can get by Millman in straight sets that will help his cause as well.
Fed could certainly play better against the Djoker than he did in Cincy, but it’s hard to see how he’s gonna win over 5 sets on a court that’s noticeably slower. He’d need to play like he’s not feeling the pressure, easier said than done. As I said at Wimbledon, Djokovic is a pretty big mental hurdle for Federer right now, probably bigger than Rafa, which is historically not the case.
Yes, very good point . Djoker is the same mental block as Rafa was for quite a lot of time for Fed. But Djoker is playing really well. I am also backing Djoker over Fed, Fed will get his chances like he would get ahead, get crowd involved, but Djoker knows how to win these matches. Djoker is already an all time great and if he wins this USO, you have to throw him in GOAT debate.
He is still the only man who believes that he can beat Rafa at Roland Garros which is by far the most difficult feat in tennis
Djoker is an awesome competitor.
Not fair to Djoko to say that Fed lost to him because of mental block. With or without mental block, Djoko could still beat Fed, as shown during 2011-2014, even before 2015 when Djoko was almost invincible.
When you start losing its a mental block. Fed had this against Rafa till 2017. He no more has that mental block after he has won 4-5 stright matches.
2015 between Fed and Djoker was a tight affair, if I remember it was 4-3 for Djoker but Fed lost all important matches and 2015 was Djoker’s best year on the tour.
Fed has mental block because he has not beaten Djoker since 2012 in GS matches. Its a long way back and that too happened in Wimby Fed’s best surface.
I have always said that I am very surprised that Djoker has won only 2 USO. He has been very unlucky. I think by the time he ends hi career he should have at least 4 USO given that he is a much better hard courter than Rafa who has 3 USO.
It’s just an excuse Lucky. It’s never a significant factor and is an insult to the players.
More to do with who’s game is just better at the time.
Confidence in their own game in general a factor yes but this mental block with one player over a longer period is nothing but convenient rationalization.
(Why do I feel you might get a response beginning with “Well Lucky, …?” but I digress. 🙂)
Djokovic is the best hard court player of all time. Much better than Federer. When’s the last time federer won the us open.
Fed has three more Hard Court Slams than Djoker. He has equal number of AO and 3 more USO . He has more ATP World tour Finals wins than Djoker.
Statistically, mathematically and logically Fed is the best HC of all time.
Any objectiive use of statistics, math and logic would consider career duration.
I would be more than happy to say Djoker is the best hard courter of all time if he ties or even is one shy away from Fed for USO + AO count.
And he should not lose to 35 + Fed in any HC slams. He has not so far but should keep up the record.
Subjective.
A player’s current ranking is what should be considered (not age).
37 age is not usually where you are anyway near your best. Even by form Fed is nowhere near his best. If you are ranked number 2 , that implies that others are not good enough to challenge you even when you are past your prime. If this is Fed’s prime, then he should play for 3-4 more years as you never retire a year after your prime.
Dont see Fed playing much beyond next year. If he is challenging Rafa and Djoker even now, that just shows his greatness.
Again, subjective.
One could use similar reasoning to support a weak era position for example.
There is a difference between an opinion and a fact. Its based on the fact that NO player on ATP tour has been in his prime at the age of 37 in the history of game.
Unless someone beats this, it remains a fact.
I havent seen any tennis pundit categorizing weak era or a strong ear. If 2003-05 was a weak era, 2018 is weaker era than that as it allows a 37 year old player to reach number one ranking . So any slams won by anyone in this era should be counted in the weakest era in tennis.
Prime is subjective, not fact.
2017 and early 2018 was relatively weak though.
Here’s just one pundit for you.
https://www.google.ca/amp/s/amp.economist.com/game-theory/2017/09/13/sorry-roger-rafael-nadal-is-not-just-the-king-of-clay#ampf=undefined
At the end only slams count. Noone remembers the era. Also, its a big blemish in Djoker’s cv that he went off the boil for 2 years something which Fed did not do. Also, Djoker and Rafa have enough years to overtake Fed in slam count.
If they dont do it , people would always look at slams and classify Fed as GOAT. In 3 slams he has 5 + victories and for the fourth one he entered the final five times. So he has pretty much going for him so far. Statistically he is the GOAT so far. Upto Rafa and Djoker to accept the challenge and prove everyone wrong and not a select few.
All subjective.
If your first statement was true, there’d be no current debate (to which there is, depite any claims to the contrary) and that’s a fact.
At 37 if a player is dominating , reaching number 1 ranking , going toe to toe with younger and potential great players, that means he is the GOAT.
Upto Djoker and Rafa to beat his slam count and prove everyone wrong. Fed’s cv is perfect so far for GOAT.
No. All subjective.
Fed becoming the oldest number is unfortunately a fact.
It maybe subjective for select few , but those select few are usually ignored and it becomes a fact.
Federer became the oldest number?
That’s nonsensical.
Oh you mean oldest No. 1 perhaps.
Sure, during a weak period where Murray was out, Nadal coming back from a stretch of nine tournaments where he wirhdrew from. And Nole MIA.
Never said him being oldest No. 1 wasn’t a fact.
Your stated sentence though certainly isn’t a fact as I already stated.
All you have left are tired old strawman arguments.
I never said he lost *because* he had a mental block, that’s a completely different proposition. But I am saying it’s now a difficult mental hurdle to overcome. That doesn’t mean he can’t win, but it’s one of the significant reasons for which I would have Djokovic as the favourite.
That’s fine. It’s natural for fans to want to believe that losses from our favourite players are as a result of anything other than a better opponent.
I don’t buy it.
Not many fans can admit that this happens.
When do you think that Federer was beaten when he was near/at his best level? I’m guessing never.
Zverev lost. He should think of becoming a humble person first as that is the first step before he goes deep in slams. I mean seriously , I see a lot of similarities between him and Dimitrov. Both have potential and have failed to live up to.
In fact Kei is a much better competitor than both of these two in slams. He has got good wins here at USO and gives his 100% whenever required.
Both NK and AZ disappoint!
AZ just couldnt deal with an opponent who’s crafty and played with varieties. I think most of the youngsters fall short when dealing with varieties. NK is supposed to be the best among the lot as he himself comes with much varieties in his game. Too bad, he’s not interested in realising his own full potential, just want to do things depending on his mood.
I think Tsitsipas and Shapo have better chances of realising their full potential and they at least can play with some varieties. De Minaur may be another followed by FAA perhaps?
Am I right to say that only Delpo and Fed have not lost a set reaching the fourth round?
The Fed vs Djoko QF looking more and more likely as I doubt their R4 opponents could do any damage.
I think if that come to pass, Djoko will beat Fed again; Djoko is no NK, he wont let Fed off the way NK did in the first set today.
Happy that Zverev is out! I like kohls who is a wonderful shot maker so great to see him go through.
Honestly i think some people on this site overrate Zverev. His fh alone isn’t where it should be to go deep in a major let alone win one!
The flaws in his game simply aren’t exposed in the same way in bo3. That’s why bo5 always favours the elite.
I see de minaur really took it to cilic!! Good for him and he has the humility which Zverev lacks…he has guts that kid!☺
Amy, did you watch the match?
A very high level of tennis I thought.
Did anyone else notice just how deranged Cilic looked serving late in the match? Eyes bulging out of his head and tongue hanging out of his mouth. Truly bizarre.
De Minaur was pretty impressive for 19.
Always a few great late night matches at the US Open.
Nole is seriously back. Only the crowd getting on him would give Federer a chance in this one.
No I didn’t see it hawks. Sounds like I missed a good one. I like de minaur a lot: he has skill, humility and guts. I hope he prospers in the game…what are your thoughts about him?
I’ve seen the Nazi hugger look stark raving bonkers before! ie in the same way you described. I really hope he doesn’t get to the final…actually I really hope kohls beats him!
Nole is definitely the fave for the match with fed. On a slow hard court his amazing ros will give fed a lot of problems…
Yeah I think he has great potential but his size could be a problem long term in today’s game. However, didn’t hold him back last night in what was a very high level entertaining affair. I was really impressed with his ROS on Cilic’s first serve and often punishing his second.
Cilic was the most derranged I’ve ever noticed as the match went on. It was quite the sight. He’ll bow out meekly if he meets Federer or Djoko.
Mira how are you??I don’t seem to have seen you in a long time!
I have been meaning to ask you how you are for ages as I know you had some problems a while back. If you don’t mind me asking that is?!
Hey amy!…Ermm,thank u for showing your concern amy!Really really appreciate it!…bout my problems…well….everyone have problems right?I have problems left,right,middle,up,down,north,east,south,west…everywhere amy!
Oppss!…I can sense Ricky with a “Let’s not carried away okay?” line now…hehe…But,thank u once again for caring amy!…I love u for that!
Fed Kyrgios was a waste of a match. Kyrgios was goofing around after he handed the first set to Fed. I wouldn’t read a whole lot into Fed’s performance from the second set on given there was not much pressure once Kyrgios started flaking about. Djoko will be a whole different ball game and he will keep peppering Fed’s backhand that can break down.
Kyrgios should have been fined for lack of effort.
Media didn’t even bring it up.
Serious lack of concern for the integrity of the game across the board.
Oh dear mira that’s not very reassuring! You are making me worried for you now!….I wish there was something I could do to help but the only thing I can do is send you my love and tell you i am thinking about you!
You need to tell us if you are feeling bad mira then we can be extra specially nice to you!! Promise me you will??!! xxxxx
For some reason this ended up here! Obviously it is my reply to mira from above!!
Thank u amy…Your words make me cry!…God!……This is crazy!…maybe midlife crisis!heh heh…
Mira take care darling!! Talk soon!!
xxxxx
Australian breed of players Tomic and Kyrgios are way too arrogant. the 19 year old , the guy who played Cilic is much more studious and hard working like Hewitt.
Even Millman the guy who plays Fed next is not a well built 6 feet guy but he is hard working. If I remeber he beat Nick in one USO .
Disagree that Fed has a mental block with Djokovic. I don’t think he ever has. He has had two mental blocks in his career. One with Rafa, up until AO 2017. Two, with winning a slam, from about 2014-2015 when he seemed he was too old and wouldn’t be able to get many more chances. That block also ended with AO 2017.
Losses this year have more to do with age and his opponents just being a bit better on the day (e.g. delpo, Coric, Anderson). Cinci loss was due to age and being out of gas. Fed started fine and (I thought) had the slight upper hand through the first six games or so. But he just had nothing in the tank and played the worst match he’s played since 2013.
Imo, the only slam loss to Djokovic where I thought Fed was the clear underdog going in was AO 2016 (maybe also Wimby 2014). Again imo, Fed should have beaten Novak at USO in 2010, 2011, and 2015. If they meet here in QF, winner will depend on Fed’s form. That wouldn’t be the case if Novak was at his 2015-16 best, but he’s clearly not. Still, given the decent chance that Fed’s age will tell, I’d say Novak is the slight favourite should they meet.
test
Disagree that Fed has a mental block with Djokovic. I don’t think he ever has. He has had two mental blocks in his career. One with Rafa, up until AO 2017. Two, with winning a slam, from about 2014-2015 when he seemed he was too old and wouldn’t be able to get many more chances. That block also ended with AO 2017.
Losses this year have more to do with age and his opponents just being a bit better on the day (e.g. delpo, Coric, Anderson). Cinci loss was due to age and being out of gas. Fed started fine and (I thought) had the slight upper hand through the first six games or so. But he just had nothing in the tank and played the worst match he’s played since 2013.
Imo, the only slam loss to Djokovic where I thought Fed was the clear underdog going in was AO 2016 (maybe also Wimby 2014). Again imo, Fed should have beaten Novak at USO in 2010, 2011, and 2015. If they meet here in QF, winner will depend on Fed’s form. That wouldn’t be the case if Novak was at his 2015-16 best, but he’s clearly not. Still, given the decent chance that Fed’s age will tell, I’d say Novak is the slight favourite should they meet.
Disagree that Fed has a mental block with Djokovic. I don’t think he ever has. He has had two mental blocks in his career. One with Rafa, up until AO 2017. Two, with winning a slam, from about 2014-2015 when he seemed he was too old and wouldn’t be able to get many more chances. That block also ended with AO 2017.
Fed’s losses this year have more to do with age and his opponents just being a bit better on the day (e.g. delpo, Coric, Anderson). Cinci loss was due to age and being out of gas. Fed started fine and (I thought) had the slight upper hand through the first six games or so. But he just had nothing in the tank and played the worst match he’s played since 2013.
Fed’s losses this year have more to do with age and his opponents just being a bit better on the day (e.g. delpo, Coric, Anderson). Cinci loss was due to age and being out of gas. Fed started fine and (I thought) had the slight upper hand through the first six games or so. But he just had nothing in the tank and played the worst match he’s played since 2013.