“Among players active since 1990, Federer holds the worst record in matches where the loser wins more points than the winner—but that might just be further evidence that he’s the greatest. ”
The conclusions the author draws are dubious and certainly don’t apply to the opponent against whom Roger has the worst record. Players with superior defensive skills such as Rafa, Novak, and Andy, don’t “go for broke” on their shots against Roger. I’ve no doubt that less skilled players probably do go for broke since it would be their only hope against Roger (not counting the last couple of years). The “analysis” just shows that someone without exceptional defensive skills would have to employ a low percentage strategy of high risk shot-making against Roger. Didn’t we already know that? While Roger is indeed one of the greatest to ever play the game, to me this article is just another example of using a statistic, drawing flawed or debatable conclusions, then using those conclusions as evidence of Goatness. Bleeccchhh. I did take notice of some of the comments.
“Compared to Federer on court, he (Rafa) resembles a man working in a field with a hoe.” Or this regarding Novak and Rafa: “neither will ever be beautiful to watch.” Ah yes, more about Rafa as the gardener or the “lack of beauty” in Rafa and Novak’s game.
Love this question from SI.com. Have posted a variant of it on “another” site…
If you were Roger Federer and the tennis gods offered you the following two scenarios, which would be more enticing: Win another Grand Slam title, or never win another Slam, but disallow Rafael Nadal from equaling your Grand Slam record of 17?
— Karan, India
• In keeping with my lawyer’s advice, I tend to stay away from hypotheticals, but Karan’s question is too good to pass up. There’s obviously a right answer and a wrong answer here, a high road and low road. Publicly, my answer goes something like this: “I play to achieve, not to deprive others. I want everything on my racket. I want to compete and may the best player win.” Privately, I give this scenario significantly more consideration.
didn’t realize heat stroke was “just a mental thing”.
Thanks Dr. Fed!!!!
Most competitors, though, followed Roger Federer’s line that, although conditions were tough, they were the same for both players. “It’s just a mental thing,” the Swiss said, albeit before Dancevic collapsed. “If you’ve trained hard enough your entire life or the last few weeks and you believe you can do it and come through it, there’s no reason. If you can’t deal with it, you throw in the towel.”
Dancevic disagreed. “I don’t think it’s much to do with the shape the players are in, some players are used to the heat, their bodies can genetically handle the heat, and others can’t,” Dancevic said. “It’s hazardous to be out there, it’s dangerous. It’s been an hour and a half after my match and I still can’t pee.”
RT @christophclarey: “RT @staffsky Great news:#Federer ends all speculations and declares himself ready to join Daviscup-team in QF ag KazakhSTAN early april”
Now we know what Fed’s priorities for the season are…………………….DC.
Interesting stuf by Pete Bodo. He’s certainly correct in stating, that Fed can’t relaibly go for glory alone anymore, and that, due to earlier exits in some tourneys, he has more time and rest at hand than earlier in his career. But I dunno about the ‘great con’. When Novak declined to play the rubber, he knew, that he abandonned his squad to almost certain doom, no matter, what. Wawa could’ve done it without the Fed’s help. And Fed had known for some time, that Novak wouldn’t be there. But he only declared himself in after Wawa’s AO win. So, it’s reasonable to deduce, that he had a case of carpet bagging, as far as this rubber is concerned.
Bodo’s contention is that, and it is very compelling, Fed delayed announcing his participation to close the window of Novak’s deciding to play in response. Even without the Slam, Wawa was going to play DC and most likely win the tie. Wawa did not suddenly become a tough DC player after beating a crocked Rafa, who is Fed kidding? Certainly not Bodo. It’s Fed’s vanity and fear of being humiliated by the likes of Novak which have kept him out of regular DC ties.
Well, if Fed delayed his decision to play DC, in order to close Novak’s window of decision (could well be, of course), then his logic is faulty. Novak had abandonned his squad, knowing very well, that the depleated Serbian team had no chance against Stan and the Swiss double team. Why would he change his mind, when Fed announced his attendance? If anything, that might have been all the more reason for Novak to stay away, if he wanted to avoid a tiring tussle with slim chances for a win.
Patriotism, maybe? Remember, Novak is very sensitive to what his compatriots think of him. If Fed had announced he was playing DC earlier it might have put pressure on Novak to abandon the ski slopes to come and play, not to save Serbia but to save his blushes in the Serbian court of public opinion.
Federer: Top players are almost too nice to each other
ESPN staff
March 3, 2014« Trott and James end World Championships with medals | Wright and Chisnall handed Dubai Masters debuts »
Roger Federer has called for top tennis players to “go after each other” and says he wonders how close his relationships with them will be when he stops playing.
Despite being on good terms with Rafael Nadal, and admitting he is closer with him than other leading players such as Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, Federer says that it is difficult for today’s professionals to be friends.
In an interview with Australia’s GQ, Federer said of tennis relationships: “I’m not sure how close we are as friends. I’ll be interested how much we’ll stay in touch once everything is said and done and we’re off the circuit. We’re not going to dinner, if you know what I mean.
“I don’t want to say today’s players are too soft, but we’re almost too nice to each other sometimes. It’s good when players go after each other a bit. As long as it stays within the rules and it’s fair, that’s OK. You have to be a bit tough.”
In the latest collection of our favourite images from the sporting week, Lizzy Yarnold goes knock-door-running, John O’Shea takes some tips from Mr Miyagi and Chris Powell tries his hand at gymnastics.
View our Week in Pictures gallery here
The Federer-Nadal rivalry became one of the game’s greatest after the Spaniard burst onto the scene in 2004.
They have faced each other in a record eight Grand Slam finals, including the epic five-setter at Wimbledon which Nadal won in 2008.
Nadal leads the head-to-head count 23-10, winning the most recent meeting in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January.
Federer added: “I’ve done and lived the most with him [Nadal]. From five-set matches on court, to promoting a tournament in Qatar, to doing foundation work together in the ‘Match for Africa’. And I’ve gone to dinners with him.
“I know his family the best, as well. I know his mum, dad and sister. Yeah, our bond goes further back than the one I have with Novak or Andy. And for that reason I feel closest and most connected to Rafa.”
Federer has emerged from an injury-induced slump in 2013 to win his first title for nine months by beating Tomas Berdych at the Dubai Championships last weekend.
Federer, who only won one title in 2013 and struggled with a back injury, admitted he was battling pain throughout the campaign.
“I went through that weeks and months, like every day I hoped there was going to be a little improvement,” he said.
“I only started to feel that improvement halfway through sort of the US Open maybe, so it was a long time. I was fighting it all the way from Indian Wells really.”
I feel Roger should have skipped the Miami Masters to rest himself especially after the IW final appearance. He will in all probability lose early here.
The only benefit I think he would get is that of the rankings. Even a single match win will put him in a good place to get the no.4 spot, until Ferru shows up in the final which is possible but highly unlikely to happen.
It’s official. Edberg has joined Roger’s team. http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/12/roger-federer-hires-stefan-edberg-to-join-coaching-team/
Roger has released his 2014 schedule: http://tennis.si.com/2013/12/28/roger-federer-releases-2014-schedule/
Ya just gotta laugh at some of his statements: https://twitter.com/BrisbaneTennis/status/418332151159857152/photo/1
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/01/what-every-pro-tennis-player-does-better-than-roger-federer/283007/
“Among players active since 1990, Federer holds the worst record in matches where the loser wins more points than the winner—but that might just be further evidence that he’s the greatest. ”
Huh??
meaning even in matches he loses, he often wins more points
not sure how that be considered a good thing–at least not in terms of his mental game.
I’ve read the article twice…………….still can’t figure out the conclusion, in relation to the empirical findings.
……in other words, Fed is a victim of the unique tennis scoring system.
Puleease………………
And all this time I thought it was only the last point that mattered.
the only “point” that really matters is the one in your avatar
The conclusions the author draws are dubious and certainly don’t apply to the opponent against whom Roger has the worst record. Players with superior defensive skills such as Rafa, Novak, and Andy, don’t “go for broke” on their shots against Roger. I’ve no doubt that less skilled players probably do go for broke since it would be their only hope against Roger (not counting the last couple of years). The “analysis” just shows that someone without exceptional defensive skills would have to employ a low percentage strategy of high risk shot-making against Roger. Didn’t we already know that? While Roger is indeed one of the greatest to ever play the game, to me this article is just another example of using a statistic, drawing flawed or debatable conclusions, then using those conclusions as evidence of Goatness. Bleeccchhh. I did take notice of some of the comments.
“Compared to Federer on court, he (Rafa) resembles a man working in a field with a hoe.” Or this regarding Novak and Rafa: “neither will ever be beautiful to watch.” Ah yes, more about Rafa as the gardener or the “lack of beauty” in Rafa and Novak’s game.
“Compared to Federer on court, he (Rafa) resembles a man working in a field with a hoe.”
Well, clearly the hoe’s yielding dividends. What’s Fed using, a combine harvester? Considering its yield against Rafa, maybe he should change, no?
i gotta find me that taylor who cuts Roger’s new clothes. Some mighty fabric, that.
Fed works in the ballroom.
#CombineHarvester
Love this question from SI.com. Have posted a variant of it on “another” site…
If you were Roger Federer and the tennis gods offered you the following two scenarios, which would be more enticing: Win another Grand Slam title, or never win another Slam, but disallow Rafael Nadal from equaling your Grand Slam record of 17?
— Karan, India
• In keeping with my lawyer’s advice, I tend to stay away from hypotheticals, but Karan’s question is too good to pass up. There’s obviously a right answer and a wrong answer here, a high road and low road. Publicly, my answer goes something like this: “I play to achieve, not to deprive others. I want everything on my racket. I want to compete and may the best player win.” Privately, I give this scenario significantly more consideration.
Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20140114/roger-federer-australian-open-mailbag/#ixzz2qOPXIXKs
didn’t realize heat stroke was “just a mental thing”.
Thanks Dr. Fed!!!!
Most competitors, though, followed Roger Federer’s line that, although conditions were tough, they were the same for both players. “It’s just a mental thing,” the Swiss said, albeit before Dancevic collapsed. “If you’ve trained hard enough your entire life or the last few weeks and you believe you can do it and come through it, there’s no reason. If you can’t deal with it, you throw in the towel.”
Dancevic disagreed. “I don’t think it’s much to do with the shape the players are in, some players are used to the heat, their bodies can genetically handle the heat, and others can’t,” Dancevic said. “It’s hazardous to be out there, it’s dangerous. It’s been an hour and a half after my match and I still can’t pee.”
Are we human, or are we Dancer?
Pseudo-Fed explains why he doesn’t like to play the Murrays. http://pseudofedblog.com/2014/01/20/why-i-dont-like-playing-the-murrays-qf-preview/
RT @christophclarey: “RT @staffsky Great news:#Federer ends all speculations and declares himself ready to join Daviscup-team in QF ag KazakhSTAN early april”
Now we know what Fed’s priorities for the season are…………………….DC.
there is no such thing as prioritizing Davis Cup for an entire season. There are only TWELVE DAYS of Davis Cup–at most–in an entire season.
…..and there’s no such thing as making mountains out of molehills either. But then again………
He’s prioritising DC for two reasons.
1. He wants to carry the Swiss flag into the Olympic arena one more time even if there is no realistic hope of ever winning the gold in singles
2. It bugs him not to have a DC win on his CV.
2.
Here’s an article from Bodo called “The Great Federer Con,” about Roger’s participation in Davis Cup. http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/02/great-federer-con/50522/#.UvWcgejTldh
Interesting stuf by Pete Bodo. He’s certainly correct in stating, that Fed can’t relaibly go for glory alone anymore, and that, due to earlier exits in some tourneys, he has more time and rest at hand than earlier in his career. But I dunno about the ‘great con’. When Novak declined to play the rubber, he knew, that he abandonned his squad to almost certain doom, no matter, what. Wawa could’ve done it without the Fed’s help. And Fed had known for some time, that Novak wouldn’t be there. But he only declared himself in after Wawa’s AO win. So, it’s reasonable to deduce, that he had a case of carpet bagging, as far as this rubber is concerned.
Bodo’s contention is that, and it is very compelling, Fed delayed announcing his participation to close the window of Novak’s deciding to play in response. Even without the Slam, Wawa was going to play DC and most likely win the tie. Wawa did not suddenly become a tough DC player after beating a crocked Rafa, who is Fed kidding? Certainly not Bodo. It’s Fed’s vanity and fear of being humiliated by the likes of Novak which have kept him out of regular DC ties.
Well, if Fed delayed his decision to play DC, in order to close Novak’s window of decision (could well be, of course), then his logic is faulty. Novak had abandonned his squad, knowing very well, that the depleated Serbian team had no chance against Stan and the Swiss double team. Why would he change his mind, when Fed announced his attendance? If anything, that might have been all the more reason for Novak to stay away, if he wanted to avoid a tiring tussle with slim chances for a win.
Patriotism, maybe? Remember, Novak is very sensitive to what his compatriots think of him. If Fed had announced he was playing DC earlier it might have put pressure on Novak to abandon the ski slopes to come and play, not to save Serbia but to save his blushes in the Serbian court of public opinion.
“He’d never call him an S.O.B. but Federer desperately wants to beat Nadal”
Click on My avatar, Roger’s finger wag, to learn more…
#Humb1e
Federer: Top players are almost too nice to each other
ESPN staff
March 3, 2014« Trott and James end World Championships with medals | Wright and Chisnall handed Dubai Masters debuts »
Roger Federer has called for top tennis players to “go after each other” and says he wonders how close his relationships with them will be when he stops playing.
Despite being on good terms with Rafael Nadal, and admitting he is closer with him than other leading players such as Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, Federer says that it is difficult for today’s professionals to be friends.
In an interview with Australia’s GQ, Federer said of tennis relationships: “I’m not sure how close we are as friends. I’ll be interested how much we’ll stay in touch once everything is said and done and we’re off the circuit. We’re not going to dinner, if you know what I mean.
“I don’t want to say today’s players are too soft, but we’re almost too nice to each other sometimes. It’s good when players go after each other a bit. As long as it stays within the rules and it’s fair, that’s OK. You have to be a bit tough.”
In the latest collection of our favourite images from the sporting week, Lizzy Yarnold goes knock-door-running, John O’Shea takes some tips from Mr Miyagi and Chris Powell tries his hand at gymnastics.
View our Week in Pictures gallery here
The Federer-Nadal rivalry became one of the game’s greatest after the Spaniard burst onto the scene in 2004.
They have faced each other in a record eight Grand Slam finals, including the epic five-setter at Wimbledon which Nadal won in 2008.
Nadal leads the head-to-head count 23-10, winning the most recent meeting in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January.
Federer added: “I’ve done and lived the most with him [Nadal]. From five-set matches on court, to promoting a tournament in Qatar, to doing foundation work together in the ‘Match for Africa’. And I’ve gone to dinners with him.
“I know his family the best, as well. I know his mum, dad and sister. Yeah, our bond goes further back than the one I have with Novak or Andy. And for that reason I feel closest and most connected to Rafa.”
Federer has emerged from an injury-induced slump in 2013 to win his first title for nine months by beating Tomas Berdych at the Dubai Championships last weekend.
Federer, who only won one title in 2013 and struggled with a back injury, admitted he was battling pain throughout the campaign.
“I went through that weeks and months, like every day I hoped there was going to be a little improvement,” he said.
“I only started to feel that improvement halfway through sort of the US Open maybe, so it was a long time. I was fighting it all the way from Indian Wells really.”
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/288295.html#ilo6sAe0Qw6OVWyd.99
Roger exercising on court at IW: http://youtu.be/PNcPbAHkcDM
I feel Roger should have skipped the Miami Masters to rest himself especially after the IW final appearance. He will in all probability lose early here.
The only benefit I think he would get is that of the rankings. Even a single match win will put him in a good place to get the no.4 spot, until Ferru shows up in the final which is possible but highly unlikely to happen.