A page and forum to discuss all things Roger Federer.
29 Comments on Roger Federer
The wrench has been removed and Rafa has his rightful place as head of his own quarter. Still Nole shouldn’t have to face Raf before the finals.
With Fed out, should be a fair draw and French fans should be more respectful to Rafa. They are not fans of Nole (until after he loses).
So no need for me to do draw predictions as I doubt it will be as rigged as usual. Still expecting at least three servebots in Rafa’s quarter from Raonic, Kyrgios, Ivo and Isner.
Can you imagine a commentator in any other sport fawning over a team or player like this?
PMac has always been obvious about his favourite player but really? He should not be commentating matches. He’s giving David Mercer a run for his money.
Didn’t know where to put it up, so I’ll put it up here. It’s from an interview with Santoro.
Asked who”s the best player he”s ever faced, Santoro said unhesitatingly, “Federer without a doubt. He makes even the toughest things look easy. That”s the most impressive thing. His best quality is his freshness. It”s abnormal to me. It”s not normal to be like he is, laughing in the dressing room like a 15-year old kid. It”s inexplicable. He lives the profession. Some like the tennis, others the travelling, the competition, the training, the interviews, and signing autographs. He lives for all that 100%. It”s like he was measured for a suit and they created a sport for that guy.”
The thing that upset him the most on the court: “Against Berdych at Wimbledon in 2006. It was the biggest injustice I”d ever endured on a court. I played one of the best matches of my career on grass, I had two match points and he calls the physio saying he was injured. The match was interrupted for almost a quarter of an hour (Santoro lost the match 6-4, 6-7, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4). When he was asked how his knee was, he said it was nothing, it was just to break my rhythm. That”s the only time in my career that I didn”t shake a player”s hand. I didn”t say hello to him for three-four years. Now, we”ve become friends.”
The dirtiest player: “Coria. He was a dirty sort. With Hawk-eye, he would have won fewer matches. He was a cheater and a trickster. He had no problems circling a the wrong mark on clay. He tried to confuse. There was some sort of justice in the Roland final (in the 2004 French Open final, Coria lost to Gaudio after having been up 2-0). It would have pissed me off that someone like him would win a Slam. Weird guy.”
The biggest party guy: “Safin. At the Moscow tournament, he wasn”t affected by jet lag. He knew he”d be playing every evening at 8 PM, so he could go to bed at 5 AM and get up at 2-3 PM. He went out every night. You could also call him the nicest person. He”s really a sweet guy.”
Santoro then revealed a wish that he has, one that could become a regret if it doesn”t get fulfilled. “I would have loved to coach Ga�l Monfils. He”s a guy who has no limits apart from those he imposes on himself. Rightly or wrongly, I have the feeling I could have helped him. Today at almost 30, he has a structure that suits him, and I hope he keeps it to the end. That”s why I”m saying it now,”� confessed Santoro.
Finally, he spoke about a player, who”s been forgotten but one he”d most like to see again? “Rios. He had a bad temper but I loved watching him play. I recently watched a long bit of his Miami final when he became world no.1 and crushed Agassi (7-5, 6-3, 6-4 in 1998). It was pure genius. The first time he played Roland Garros (in 1994), he was 18. He lost in three to Sampras, who was number one (7-6, 7-6, 6-4). I congratulated him after the match and he answered: “I though the world no. 1 would play a lot better than that. I”m not impressed at all. One day I”ll be world no. 1.” There”s saying it and doing it. He said it and did it.”
I found the bit on Berdych quite interesting. I’ve never liked him much and this is probably just one more reason why.
A really wonderful interview with Roger. His journey from his teens to now is my favourite part about him. And the bit on Mirka’s first ‘sighting’ of him and the subsequent sarcasm is hilarious. The journo does put some spins of his own about Federer-Nadal being ‘great’ friends but overall, the article is good for Roger’s quotes and as usual, his refreshing honesty. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/18/roger-federer-interview-tennis-wimbledon-simon-hattenstone
“Federer is 34 and what he’s done for tennis in unbelievable. At this point, he is the greatest player of the game. I think he is going to be ready for Wimbledon. It’s still one of his goals to pass Sampras’s Wimbledon titles. This year his biggest goal will be to win the gold medal at Rio, but he can win Wimbledon. It will be very interesting to see if Roger will play next year as well, this is my biggest fear,’ said Borg to CNN.” http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Bjorn-Borg-Roger-Federer-is-the-GOAT-but-he-could-retire-from-tennis-this-year-articolo33772.html
Not too sure of being ready for Wimbledon OR Rio this year. But yes, the 2017 fear is certainly mutual.
“Federer is not just the most successful tennis player in history but also the most beautiful. And is it not the case that this beauty reaches its fullest expression in situations of adversity? When Federer was defeating players such as Mark Philippoussis, Marcos Baghdatis and Fernando Gonzalez in grand-slam finals, he was like a uniquely gifted poet writing peerless lines, but never quite touching the soul. Only when Rafael Nadal and, later, Djokovic came along to cause him pain did he become Tennyson.”
“You will see joy as he caresses the ball, teases opponents with audacious drop-shots and produces ground strokes that leave those on adjacent courts slack-jawed. This is not a man playing the game out of obligation, but love.”
“When Federer finally retires, many of us will feel bereft. He will leave the game in capable hands, with the likes of Djokovic and Murray already producing fine contests, but something will disappear not just from tennis but sport. The injuries that have afflicted him of late, including the back problem that kept him out of the French Open, have taken a fraction out of his game. But when he finds that special rhythm, his racket becomes a wand.”
Federer says this first move into off-court looks provided a real learning opportunity for him—the competitor inside the 17-time Grand Slam champion knows fashion presents another area to conquer.
Still, Federer doesn’t have much competition in the contemporary tennis world—he says fashion doesn’t come easy to the men on tour. ”
I’ve been pushing the envelope a little bit and this collection brings all of that out.”
“I hope I have elevated the fashion sense in the tennis world a little bit,” he says.
“Roger Federer’s dad played a vital role in making Federer the tennis player he is today”
There’s his grace on court and the way he never seems to raise a sweat or be out of breath, even in the dying stages of a fifth set. There’s his soft hands at the net, and of course that one-handed backhand.
But above all, Federer’s won fans the world over for carving out a niche as the sport’s nice guy.
He recently came in fifth in ESPN’s World Fame 100 — a list that ranks athletes according to salary and endorsements, social media following and Google search popularity. (Rafa was 10th.)
He personifies calmness. Cucumbers probably wish other vegetables would compliment them for being as cool as Roger.
Roger Federer: ‘I need the fire, the excitement, the whole rollercoaster’
excerpts…
Roger Federer slowly, lovingly, takes the wrapping off his new racket, like a little boy with a giant lollipop. “It’s my Wimbledon racket,” he says. He runs his fingers along the frame, bounces a hand against its head.
He passes the racket to me – it is light and not highly strung, which could also be said of the man. We are in a vast warehouse in Zurich, Switzerland, and I’m swinging away with the racket and imaginary balls. He looks lean, tanned, glowing, in the way only an elite athlete can. He’s using the opportunity to launch a new clothes line – smart, spare, the kind of thing you’d imagine Federer wears in his down time.
Since winning his first major tournament, he has been known for his calm. He doesn’t shout at himself or his coaching team; he smiles rather than snarls on court; and he rarely questions decisions.
Federer’s grand slam total makes him the greatest male tennis player ever.
It’s not simply his record that makes Federer the greatest, it’s the way he plays. Only once in a blue moon does somebody come along who transcends their sport, elevating it into a thing of beauty: Lionel Messi in football, Muhammad Ali in boxing, Ronnie O’Sullivan in snooker, and Federer. There’s the spirit with which he plays, and the elegance – the single-handed backhand, the driving forehand (his shirt rising to reveal his washboard stomach). Federer can match today’s baseline bullies, but he can also mix it up with the serve and volley that used to dominate the men’s game. His appearance is every bit as stylish.
For all the achievements of Nadal, Djokovic and Murray, no player is loved quite like Federer. I have never had such a swooning reaction from friends and colleagues when I’ve told them who I’m meeting – young and old, men and women, Federer crushes know no bounds.
There is one thing he thinks has changed for the worse – the grunting. There is a good reason why he doesn’t grunt: it puts him off. “Back in the day, people didn’t grunt so much,” he says, “but now everyone does. I always thought, if I do that, my mind is with the grunting rather than the shot. I’m OK with it to a certain level, but I don’t like it if it’s too loud or it’s used in key moments. That becomes unsportsmanlike.”
Tics seem more pronounced in tennis than any other sport. Does he have any? “Not really.” Which of his rivals’ are the worst? “Rafa’s are somewhat obvious,” he says. Before every serve, Nadal pulls an imaginary wedgie out of his bottom. “I think it’s worse on TV than actually playing him. When he’s about to serve, you’re focused on yourself, not what he’s doing with his hand.” Does he get annoyed when players’ tics slow the game down? “I get frustrated with umpires allowing them to go over the time limit. I don’t want us to lose viewers because we’re playing two points every two minutes, or you hit a let call and go through the whole routine again. There’s a danger of that.”
In his New York Times essay, David Foster Wallace wrote that Federer was “both flesh and not”. In a New Yorker profile, Nick Paumgarten developed the theme: “The point is that to root for Federer is to root for a Platonic ideal,” he wrote. “It is like rooting for truth.”
Roger Federer Remains the (Fan) Favorite at Wimbledon
” He’s the unqualified GOAT, the player who brought fluidity and versatility back to the men’s game after years of grunting serve-and-volley dullness, the Swiss maestro with more perfectly tailored smoking jackets than most men own t-shirts, the best friend of Anna Wintour who looked so clean and elegant on his way to piling up more major championships than anyone in history. Rafael Nadal, his best rival, had the power but not the range. Novak Djokovic, his next rival, might have the titles, but not the affection.”
I was just speculating that it’s very strange that Andy is willing to drop 1000 points to Nole and perhaps he had “inside” information (like I have thanks to Benny about Rafa).
Stuart Fraser: “BREAKING: Roger Federer announces he is OUT for the rest of the season. Needs more rehab following his knee surgery earlier this year.”
Federer has pulled the plug on his 2016 season! This is bad news.
However, I pity those hater fed fans who were crafting their ridiculous stories about Rafa serving a ‘silent’ ban in 2012. Well, this is 100 eggs on their faces!
Also, so much for their stupid theories regarding ‘Rafa looking fine against Rosol/Soderling’ before pulling out for months !!! Yeah, Federer really was limping against Raonic!
A lesson for for all those fed fans. Do not disrespect these great athletes who have given their 100% all their life.
I wish Federer a speedy recovery.
For the first time I feel his retirement is not for away now.
You really spoke for me with this comment. Just recently, we were going at it with the likes of Fedfan. I am sick to death of the truly I insulting conspiracy theories that have been thrown around by rabid Fed fans to discredit Rafa in some way.
I remember reading on tennis-x that Rafa took 7 months off in 2012, not for the knee but to work on his hardcourt game. It would be funny if it wasn’t so insulting and stupid.
Ben Pronin put forth this insane theory as to why Rafa came back in 2013 and had so much success. This is the kind of specious garbage that haters have spewed out so carelessly.
However, I do not intend to follow their example and do the same thing to Fed. I do not stoop that low.
I do not want to be in the same company as some fed fans who are only too quick to take cheap shots at Rafa.
The wrench has been removed and Rafa has his rightful place as head of his own quarter. Still Nole shouldn’t have to face Raf before the finals.
With Fed out, should be a fair draw and French fans should be more respectful to Rafa. They are not fans of Nole (until after he loses).
So no need for me to do draw predictions as I doubt it will be as rigged as usual. Still expecting at least three servebots in Rafa’s quarter from Raonic, Kyrgios, Ivo and Isner.
This is ridiculous…
https://twitter.com/ESPNTennis/status/735187725138202624
Can you imagine a commentator in any other sport fawning over a team or player like this?
PMac has always been obvious about his favourite player but really? He should not be commentating matches. He’s giving David Mercer a run for his money.
#FederazziAreEverywhere
46 mins ago – View on Twitter
Sad to have left Paris. I’ve played @rolandgarros every year since 1998 ? pic.twitter.com/uUwdCwmKg…
Love it. Be back soon, Roger.
Didn’t know where to put it up, so I’ll put it up here. It’s from an interview with Santoro.
Asked who”s the best player he”s ever faced, Santoro said unhesitatingly, “Federer without a doubt. He makes even the toughest things look easy. That”s the most impressive thing. His best quality is his freshness. It”s abnormal to me. It”s not normal to be like he is, laughing in the dressing room like a 15-year old kid. It”s inexplicable. He lives the profession. Some like the tennis, others the travelling, the competition, the training, the interviews, and signing autographs. He lives for all that 100%. It”s like he was measured for a suit and they created a sport for that guy.”
The thing that upset him the most on the court: “Against Berdych at Wimbledon in 2006. It was the biggest injustice I”d ever endured on a court. I played one of the best matches of my career on grass, I had two match points and he calls the physio saying he was injured. The match was interrupted for almost a quarter of an hour (Santoro lost the match 6-4, 6-7, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4). When he was asked how his knee was, he said it was nothing, it was just to break my rhythm. That”s the only time in my career that I didn”t shake a player”s hand. I didn”t say hello to him for three-four years. Now, we”ve become friends.”
The dirtiest player: “Coria. He was a dirty sort. With Hawk-eye, he would have won fewer matches. He was a cheater and a trickster. He had no problems circling a the wrong mark on clay. He tried to confuse. There was some sort of justice in the Roland final (in the 2004 French Open final, Coria lost to Gaudio after having been up 2-0). It would have pissed me off that someone like him would win a Slam. Weird guy.”
The biggest party guy: “Safin. At the Moscow tournament, he wasn”t affected by jet lag. He knew he”d be playing every evening at 8 PM, so he could go to bed at 5 AM and get up at 2-3 PM. He went out every night. You could also call him the nicest person. He”s really a sweet guy.”
Santoro then revealed a wish that he has, one that could become a regret if it doesn”t get fulfilled. “I would have loved to coach Ga�l Monfils. He”s a guy who has no limits apart from those he imposes on himself. Rightly or wrongly, I have the feeling I could have helped him. Today at almost 30, he has a structure that suits him, and I hope he keeps it to the end. That”s why I”m saying it now,”� confessed Santoro.
Finally, he spoke about a player, who”s been forgotten but one he”d most like to see again? “Rios. He had a bad temper but I loved watching him play. I recently watched a long bit of his Miami final when he became world no.1 and crushed Agassi (7-5, 6-3, 6-4 in 1998). It was pure genius. The first time he played Roland Garros (in 1994), he was 18. He lost in three to Sampras, who was number one (7-6, 7-6, 6-4). I congratulated him after the match and he answered: “I though the world no. 1 would play a lot better than that. I”m not impressed at all. One day I”ll be world no. 1.” There”s saying it and doing it. He said it and did it.”
I found the bit on Berdych quite interesting. I’ve never liked him much and this is probably just one more reason why.
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Santoro-Federers-the-best-player-I-ever-faced-The-dirtiest-player-Coria-hes-a-cheater-articolo33200.html
Santoro only played Rafa one time losing 60 61.
So of course Roger was the best player he ever played. Who else?
Why on earth is Fed playing Stuttgart? Clay? At this point? Strange…
Taking full advantage of the extended grass court season obviously. Clearly the clay was the problem and not the back.
Clearly. :eyeroll:
#FedFam nation is everywhere…
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ClKq7tBWMAA7DZe.jpg
A really wonderful interview with Roger. His journey from his teens to now is my favourite part about him. And the bit on Mirka’s first ‘sighting’ of him and the subsequent sarcasm is hilarious. The journo does put some spins of his own about Federer-Nadal being ‘great’ friends but overall, the article is good for Roger’s quotes and as usual, his refreshing honesty.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/18/roger-federer-interview-tennis-wimbledon-simon-hattenstone
Refreshing honesty lol.
You should read it. A lot of it is actually self-critical.
“Federer is 34 and what he’s done for tennis in unbelievable. At this point, he is the greatest player of the game. I think he is going to be ready for Wimbledon. It’s still one of his goals to pass Sampras’s Wimbledon titles. This year his biggest goal will be to win the gold medal at Rio, but he can win Wimbledon. It will be very interesting to see if Roger will play next year as well, this is my biggest fear,’ said Borg to CNN.”
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Bjorn-Borg-Roger-Federer-is-the-GOAT-but-he-could-retire-from-tennis-this-year-articolo33772.html
Not too sure of being ready for Wimbledon OR Rio this year. But yes, the 2017 fear is certainly mutual.
🙁 God. It’s killing me. 🙁
“Federer is not just the most successful tennis player in history but also the most beautiful. And is it not the case that this beauty reaches its fullest expression in situations of adversity? When Federer was defeating players such as Mark Philippoussis, Marcos Baghdatis and Fernando Gonzalez in grand-slam finals, he was like a uniquely gifted poet writing peerless lines, but never quite touching the soul. Only when Rafael Nadal and, later, Djokovic came along to cause him pain did he become Tennyson.”
“You will see joy as he caresses the ball, teases opponents with audacious drop-shots and produces ground strokes that leave those on adjacent courts slack-jawed. This is not a man playing the game out of obligation, but love.”
“When Federer finally retires, many of us will feel bereft. He will leave the game in capable hands, with the likes of Djokovic and Murray already producing fine contests, but something will disappear not just from tennis but sport. The injuries that have afflicted him of late, including the back problem that kept him out of the French Open, have taken a fraction out of his game. But when he finds that special rhythm, his racket becomes a wand.”
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/the-times-sport/wimbledon-2016-roger-federer-must-not-walk-away/news-story/cfb7b23a5be51034e4ae009c1124e1f8
“How a sportsmanship lesson helped shape Federer’s new fashion line”
http://www.si.com/tennis/2016/06/23/roger-federer-nike-lab-collection-fashion-design-wimbledon
Exerpt:
Federer says this first move into off-court looks provided a real learning opportunity for him—the competitor inside the 17-time Grand Slam champion knows fashion presents another area to conquer.
Still, Federer doesn’t have much competition in the contemporary tennis world—he says fashion doesn’t come easy to the men on tour. ”
I’ve been pushing the envelope a little bit and this collection brings all of that out.”
“I hope I have elevated the fashion sense in the tennis world a little bit,” he says.
US Open Tennis @usopen 2m2 minutes ago
Roger that. In a landslide victory, fans voted five-time champ Federer the Ultimate #USOpen Men’s Champion.
https://twitter.com/usopen/status/746013728831840257
“Roger Federer’s dad played a vital role in making Federer the tennis player he is today”
There’s his grace on court and the way he never seems to raise a sweat or be out of breath, even in the dying stages of a fifth set. There’s his soft hands at the net, and of course that one-handed backhand.
But above all, Federer’s won fans the world over for carving out a niche as the sport’s nice guy.
He recently came in fifth in ESPN’s World Fame 100 — a list that ranks athletes according to salary and endorsements, social media following and Google search popularity. (Rafa was 10th.)
He personifies calmness. Cucumbers probably wish other vegetables would compliment them for being as cool as Roger.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/roger-federers-dad-played-a-vital-role-in-making-federer-the-tennis-player-he-is-today/news-story/0981df50839f6b5a1ddedc9b52ee97aa
Roger Federer: ‘I need the fire, the excitement, the whole rollercoaster’
excerpts…
Roger Federer slowly, lovingly, takes the wrapping off his new racket, like a little boy with a giant lollipop. “It’s my Wimbledon racket,” he says. He runs his fingers along the frame, bounces a hand against its head.
He passes the racket to me – it is light and not highly strung, which could also be said of the man. We are in a vast warehouse in Zurich, Switzerland, and I’m swinging away with the racket and imaginary balls. He looks lean, tanned, glowing, in the way only an elite athlete can. He’s using the opportunity to launch a new clothes line – smart, spare, the kind of thing you’d imagine Federer wears in his down time.
Since winning his first major tournament, he has been known for his calm. He doesn’t shout at himself or his coaching team; he smiles rather than snarls on court; and he rarely questions decisions.
Federer’s grand slam total makes him the greatest male tennis player ever.
It’s not simply his record that makes Federer the greatest, it’s the way he plays. Only once in a blue moon does somebody come along who transcends their sport, elevating it into a thing of beauty: Lionel Messi in football, Muhammad Ali in boxing, Ronnie O’Sullivan in snooker, and Federer. There’s the spirit with which he plays, and the elegance – the single-handed backhand, the driving forehand (his shirt rising to reveal his washboard stomach). Federer can match today’s baseline bullies, but he can also mix it up with the serve and volley that used to dominate the men’s game. His appearance is every bit as stylish.
For all the achievements of Nadal, Djokovic and Murray, no player is loved quite like Federer. I have never had such a swooning reaction from friends and colleagues when I’ve told them who I’m meeting – young and old, men and women, Federer crushes know no bounds.
There is one thing he thinks has changed for the worse – the grunting. There is a good reason why he doesn’t grunt: it puts him off. “Back in the day, people didn’t grunt so much,” he says, “but now everyone does. I always thought, if I do that, my mind is with the grunting rather than the shot. I’m OK with it to a certain level, but I don’t like it if it’s too loud or it’s used in key moments. That becomes unsportsmanlike.”
Tics seem more pronounced in tennis than any other sport. Does he have any? “Not really.” Which of his rivals’ are the worst? “Rafa’s are somewhat obvious,” he says. Before every serve, Nadal pulls an imaginary wedgie out of his bottom. “I think it’s worse on TV than actually playing him. When he’s about to serve, you’re focused on yourself, not what he’s doing with his hand.” Does he get annoyed when players’ tics slow the game down? “I get frustrated with umpires allowing them to go over the time limit. I don’t want us to lose viewers because we’re playing two points every two minutes, or you hit a let call and go through the whole routine again. There’s a danger of that.”
In his New York Times essay, David Foster Wallace wrote that Federer was “both flesh and not”. In a New Yorker profile, Nick Paumgarten developed the theme: “The point is that to root for Federer is to root for a Platonic ideal,” he wrote. “It is like rooting for truth.”
Read more…
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/18/roger-federer-interview-tennis-wimbledon-simon-hattenstone
Fans are everywhere…
https://twitter.com/Wimbledon/status/747770043694473217
Roger Federer Remains the (Fan) Favorite at Wimbledon
” He’s the unqualified GOAT, the player who brought fluidity and versatility back to the men’s game after years of grunting serve-and-volley dullness, the Swiss maestro with more perfectly tailored smoking jackets than most men own t-shirts, the best friend of Anna Wintour who looked so clean and elegant on his way to piling up more major championships than anyone in history. Rafael Nadal, his best rival, had the power but not the range. Novak Djokovic, his next rival, might have the titles, but not the affection.”
http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2016/06/27/roger-federer-remains-the-fan-favorite-at-wimbledon/
COUPE ROGERS: “Roger Federer déclare forfait ”
https://twitter.com/TVASports/status/755436254381105153
Federer also withdraws….If Rafa doesn’t play, it will be a dull field.
So glad we decided not to go this year.
You roll the dice when you invest in buying tickets weeks/months in advance to tennis tournaments.
When Murray pulled out I was wondering if he already knows Nole’s plans to do the same.
Also, Rafa is far from a lock to play Toronto.
Could be missing the Big 4.
What a bust.
Is Nole also not playing?? Or do you think he’ll also pull out?
No no. He is still in.
I was just speculating that it’s very strange that Andy is willing to drop 1000 points to Nole and perhaps he had “inside” information (like I have thanks to Benny about Rafa).
hahaha ohkayyy… get it
Stuart Fraser: “BREAKING: Roger Federer announces he is OUT for the rest of the season. Needs more rehab following his knee surgery earlier this year.”
https://twitter.com/stu_fraser/status/757991666636689409
https://www.facebook.com/Federer/posts/10154337738059941
Federer has pulled the plug on his 2016 season! This is bad news.
However, I pity those hater fed fans who were crafting their ridiculous stories about Rafa serving a ‘silent’ ban in 2012. Well, this is 100 eggs on their faces!
Also, so much for their stupid theories regarding ‘Rafa looking fine against Rosol/Soderling’ before pulling out for months !!! Yeah, Federer really was limping against Raonic!
A lesson for for all those fed fans. Do not disrespect these great athletes who have given their 100% all their life.
I wish Federer a speedy recovery.
For the first time I feel his retirement is not for away now.
vr,
You really spoke for me with this comment. Just recently, we were going at it with the likes of Fedfan. I am sick to death of the truly I insulting conspiracy theories that have been thrown around by rabid Fed fans to discredit Rafa in some way.
I remember reading on tennis-x that Rafa took 7 months off in 2012, not for the knee but to work on his hardcourt game. It would be funny if it wasn’t so insulting and stupid.
Ben Pronin put forth this insane theory as to why Rafa came back in 2013 and had so much success. This is the kind of specious garbage that haters have spewed out so carelessly.
However, I do not intend to follow their example and do the same thing to Fed. I do not stoop that low.
I do not want to be in the same company as some fed fans who are only too quick to take cheap shots at Rafa.