Nice article, but the title is (to me) a bit off. I wouldn't say Federer fizzled, as he played great tennis through the whole tournament. I'd like to see Federer & Murray go at it in a Best of 5 series, as Federer always seems capable of taking one set off Murray in these Best of 3s they're always playing.

Personally, I think we saw enough tennis here to conclude that Andy Roddick is actually the second best player right now. At least, he was for this tournament. Sadly, that would leave my favorite, Federer, as the 4th best player in the tournament. And seeing as how he's going to be a father after this tennis season, and is currently President of the Players' Council, I don't see his tennis improving much. Too many distractions to compete with focused players like Nadal, Murray, etc. Still, here's hoping for a Wimbledon trophy for Roger this year! =)

-Arvis

Arvis,
Is that pseudonym for Justin Gimelstob?

Andy Roddick as the 2nd best player?

This is laughable, Andy Roddick at best is the 4th best player in the world. I would like to stress "at best," because I truly believe that Novak beats Andy when playing his best tennis. Lets be honest, Roger owns Andy, just beat him in Australia easy. Murray is playing much better right now than Andy and Roger. This puts Roddick at 4th. The argument could be made that Novak could be at Andy on any given day and I am not sure that at the moment the argument could not be made that Fernando Verdasco is playing better than Andy Roddick.

Verdasco has only lost to Roger and Rafa in his last two matches and has been playing extremely well.

By my accounts Andy should be somewhere around 5 or 6 best player in the world, coincidentally where he is ranked.

Your article is exhaggerated and unbalanced.
YOuare basing the entire stroy on the basis of yesterday's final participants: Murray could've easily been wiped out by Ljubicic (and was highly unsportsmanly for not acknowledging THAT out), equally, Nadal could've gone out to Nalbandian.

IUUSF,

All I was saying was that you could argue that A-Rod was the 2nd best player in that tournament, as he made Nadal work for a victory (something Murray failed to accomplish) and he made Novak look like a Djoke.

I'm not saying he's World #2. Far from it, as Federer is still an insurmountable roadblock for him.

-Arvis

...but they didn't. Tournaments aren't about near misses. They are about the players who come through in the clutch.

nole...where have you been? Wow...I think that's the first balanced thread you have written in the while. Hate to admit it, but I agree.....Ricky, I think a bit unbalanced too. Everyone but everyone is going on AGAIN about Fed not being in the mix anymore. I think that is still a bit premature. Also, if Nalbandian hadn't choked big time, Nadal would be out. Yeah...shows the mental strength of the guy...accepted, but have to say, was NOT impressed with all the swearing on court with Murray yesterday. He really can be a potty mouth. Big time. And Ricky, I think that Fed did play some GREAT tennis, to reach the semis yesterday. Some magical stuff was played by him, but not sustained. I might be hoping against hope, but I still believe in the man. I really do. I have read a lot of the articles on the net from the tennis experts...'is fed in the twilight zone....' etc. Everyone is writing him off, and by you saying he 'fizzled', I think that is a bit harsh Ricky. Remember also Djokovic is off task, but am sure he will come back and shock the tennis world again. I hear that he has 'fallen out' with his coach right now and so this could be the reason why he is a bit off his game. There is no doubt that Nadal is the man of the moment, followed by Murray. Federer and Djokovic have to both get their act together but this is the nature of sport. That's what makes it soooo exciting.

Agree fully with this article. Nadal and Murray still got through their matches , no matter how close they were.

For all those he debate the "fizzled" remark, Djokovic was pretty obvious, but doesn't anyone, ANYONE, remember that final set Federer played against Murray. I'd say fizzled is a pretty appropriate word.

Also, had Roddick faced the wind, I'm pretty sure he would have gone crazy.

World Tennis has three leagues at the moment: Nadal is on his own in the premier league; Federer, Djokovic and Murray are in division 1, and the rest of them are in division 2.

If Federer's fans still can't see that he can't hold a candle to Nadal anymore then they really need to take their blinkers off.

Livingdoll, you are becoming extremely boring right now. Go read some tennis articles by the EXPERTS and read about Fed's objectives and game plan. Oops. I forget, you didn't get an education!

Nole needs to raise his game if he wants to be considered as equal to Murray and Nadal, even Federer. Unfortunately, things don't look great at the moment ...

In my opinion, the situation can be seen as following:
When fed was the age that the emerging generation is now, he had to batle against a different, older generation and again his own generation. Having developed a new tennis game system, he had to figure out how to beat players ex ranked number one, to be superior to his generation ( Safin, Sampras, roddick, hewit, agassi, etc). When Fed was 21, murray, nadal, djovics, etc, where 15-17, and the had to enter the profesional tennis arena under the siege of an letal and agressive predator as was Rofer federer. So ex number one was like a natural selection pressure force, that destroyed the hopes of the weaker players and post a challenge to the very competitive a champion minded players as Murray and Nadal, so they had to evolve to become as competitive in the sport war as the toughest predator was, but even more, they had to become even better to be able to prevail. In a certain way federer taught Nadal`s generation how tro play tennis...
Roger stills Roger federer but the others competitors figured out how to beat him, So he has tow diferent choices he can make. He can maintain his same status quo, remain a very tough player for the next five, six or maybe ten years, being able to win a few tournaments when hi is inspired, but never regaining his number one position.... Or, he can evolve, he can aknowledge that the is a deadlier animal around, that can not effortlessly beat him, and, given his magnificient health, he can choose to improve and adapt to the new game that is being played by the best right now.

Nadal, in my opinion, is a counter strike player, he makes other players to shot very near the lines because of his incredible speed, and if they dont make and unforced error, that is likely, he makes a shoot with a huge top spin that is very heavy to respond, and if the other player do get to the ball he is so vulnerable that he wont be able to do anything. But, not only this, he builds the point so they`ll be large and that way, he doesnt make many unforced errors and he destroys the opponent stamina, making him surrender mentally and phisically...
Murray lets you play, and take anvantage of the situation, and havent analized his strategy much, but what hi does with federer is being very patient, and forcing federer to get nervous, frustrated and make a lots of unforced errors.
In the other hand, if nadal is a counter striker, Roger is the exact opposite, the most offensive player there can be,he generates the pressure with his precise shots, and ends the points, as fast as he can, he can also save energy this way, he, as nadal, know how to win, beside how to play...
So in my opinion, the first thing he should do, is to decide whether he wants to be a number one again, or he is happy being only Roger Federer, a living leyend, and even not the "Goat", an icon of our time.

Roger did fizzle that last set. Both surprising and shocking as a Fed fan. Some believe Murray is just too good for the Fed. I would agree Murray is good, very good, and I have no doubt he will eventually win something on a GS level. He moves ultra quickly, and reads the plays extremely well. Unfortunately being offensive on court , lowers whatever pleasure I might derive from his clever playing. Nadal is the BEST right now. We all know he may continue as such for a long time... But back to the Fed. Actions speak stronger than words. In that last set he actually looked as if he didn't care, as if the belief he didn't care somehow made/would make losing easier. (Funny thing is he is probably right (if my theory is correct) LOL as it can be argued "Attitude is Everyting!") I could not help notice him not running for a ball, that could have been kept alive. Nadal and Murray would have made the run and kept it alive, just as Federer could have, had he tried/really wanted to. Roger Federer is a GREAT player with SuPREME playing capabilities. We Fed fans will rejoice when he finally wins his next GS...and he will... The question is how long will it take him to due it?! He should follow the advice of one of his biggest sponsors and "Just do it!" LOL Cheers.

I don't like the sound of fizzle when referring to the Fed, but I agree with it here. After mounting a comeback to then go out not defending his serve so many times...well...is a Roger fizzle in my book, too.

Roger is transitional now, both on and off the court. Off court he is dealing with his new station in life as a soon-to-be father and what that will mean to him and his schedule. On court he has hungry opponents, health concerns, a changing body dynamic, mental toughness issues. And then there is Nadal, who brings the same presence, poise, power that the Fed brought to the game when Roger burst onto the scene.

Roger, then, back when he beat Sampras, took history into his own hands and made it his own. Nadal, now getting used to the throne, is doing the same...

Nothing Nadal does will ever diminish Roger's greatness. But Rafa may exceed it...

I have a strage feeling that Fed always try to avoid Nadalif he knows Nadal is gonna be in the final except in Grand Slams and on clay because on clay he thought he could test Nadal out which of course did not result in much improvement. It must be because Nadal is good and smart enough to exploit Fed's weakness which is the backhand and his mentality.

I dont think he purposely lost to Murray but in his mind he must have thought, 'It's not the worse thing losing to Murray coz I dont have to meet Nadal'. This slight mentality can make a big difference.

Federer's main problem is quite a mental one he can't passes Nadal or Murray.
I don't think Murray has a smart talented game he is simply a great returner, and in the last match Nadal simply made his winners sharper and the result couldn't be any better for him, I liked the way he turned him to minor threat by updating the strategy, wind did not had anything to do with it ,though a big part of the great results nadal is having these days goes back to how he is able to get to his opponents minds these days he beats them before he gets on the court, and it showed very well in nalbandian's match.
For Federer I think the priority now is for the slam not masters but with mental and physical preparation (including a coach) he can still do a lot, it is quite a waste to just limit the great talent he has with Sampras record.
And don't you think it is still early to name Murray among the best don't you think he should win a slam before this nomination!

I can't say I've come across AM being hailed as one of the best or among the best, moreso that he is a threat and has a lot of potential. But yes the Big 4 has been mentioned several times. He's very clever, has talent and weaponsbut I doubt people really put him at the level of RN and RG. But who else could be closer in terms of beating these guys consistently (like AM-RG)? But I do think he has earned the right to be included in discussions about possibly being amongst them - of course if he wins the big ones. It was the same with Fed when he was finding his groud, Nadal, Djokovic and even Gasquet and few French/Argentines late last year - and on a lesser level Gulbis and Nishikori. Some make it, some don't. Doesn't stop people discussing/analysing them because let's face it, it's exciting to have potential players come up and add to the challenge. And if they attract fans, those fans are gonna hope for their break through.

Federer won one GS last year no Masters, and three minor tournaments: Basel, Halle and Estoril in which the other big three were not involved. The last time Fed won a Master title was in 2007.

Even he must accept now that the end is nigh, instead talking about gaining his No1 ranking.

Honestly, I don't believe Federer is all that concerned about being #1 again. Although he did mention he was not opposed to it at one time or another... and despite all of our concerns or whatever we say here (LOL) it will remains possible... MORE SLAMS! That's what Roger WANTS! and he will get them... Pete Sampras was #17 in the World when he won #14 Grand Slam. It will not take Roger Federer that long. As for Murray, it just freaks me out that he has beaten RF yet again! If you can beat Roger Federer what is it 6 times in a row! I'm sure there will be at least one Grand Slam for you at one time or another. Will he win one this year though? Possibly...Probably not... LOL I find on the whole Rogers conditon what condition I'm in (could not help myself from the song (LOL) does add spice to the blogs! But then I've only started writing stuff here a couple of months ago, so what do I know?! What do I need to know?! Roger come ALIVE! Give me those GRAND SLAMS! All in good spirit. Cheers.

malteser: Also, if Nalbandian hadn't choked big time, Nadal would be out.

If Berdych hadn't choked at AO, Federer would have been out; if Tipsaravic hadn't choked at AO last year, Federer would have been out; if Nadal was fully fit at Wimb 07, Federer would have lost.

IF...IF...IF.... this...IF...IF...IF...that... Nadal would be out!!!! A load of stinking garbage from a fool!!!!

sky, I am afraid to say being No1 again is Federer's No1 Focus, check the ATP website. He talks about nothing else. When asked about 2009, he definitely said he thought he would win the AO, perhaps win RG, regain his crown at Wimbledon and get his 6th USO title. Daunting for someone who only won one GS last year, no Masters, and three minor tournaments that Nadal, Djokovic and Murray were not involved in.

Roger's main concern can't be re-gaining number one ranking not according to his performance in the masters ofcourse he doesn't mind if that happened but he doesn't have it as priority: if you realy listen to his post matches intreviwe he wants wimbledon (not even the french open) more than anything else and ofcourse GS # 14,listen how he talks about Nadal's performance he knows how impossible it is for him to go back now to #1 besides he had it for a very long time he have more important goal now

By JOEL DRUCKER
Published: January 16, 2009

The notion of a vulnerable Federer, of a king seeking to reclaim his throne, has only enhanced appreciation for his incredible tennis legacy.

Having been deposed to World No. 2, does Roger Federer have what it takes physically and mentally to become just the second player after Ivan Lendl to reclaim his place as ATP World Tour Champion?

As 2009 begins, Roger Federer has entered a new phase of his career that is potentially daunting, dangerous and distinctive. Daunting because he is trying to earn back his No. 1 ranking. Dangerous because the likes of Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and a host of rising new stars are nipping at Federer?s heels, eager to step up and make their own mark on tennis history. But, yes, distinctive because the possibility is afoot that Federer in 2009 could join Ivan Lendl as the only former ATP World Tour Champion to finish the year ranked at the top of the ATP computer after losing that spot.................

tennislover, I'm with you, besides as Federer "gets used to the idea of not being #1" (which has not been easy on him) the more he can relax, increase enjoyment of game, and performance on court.

Interesting, just had a look at the Sony Ericsson draw in Miami which puts Nadal and Murray in the Top Half, with Djokovic and Federer in the Bottom.

Nalbandian with Murray
and Roddick with Federer
i don't think Nalbandian has the nightmares of Murray as he showed against Nadal!

tennislover I can't wait to see how far Federer will get this time! LOL I'm aiming ALL THE WAY! Changes are GOOD! VERY GOOD! EXCELLENT even! LOL

Let's remember that just because one player beats another, it doesn't mean he is better. Roger, Djoko and Murray are like rock, paper, scissors, taking turns beating each other. Nole is 4-2 over Andy, Andy is 6-2 over Roger, and Roger and is 7-2 over Nole. If Nole is focused he can be Andy's worst opponent. He destroyed him last year in Monte Carlo, and then exited before Roger. I get the feeling that if Nole can hang in there, the three of them are going to take turns playing finals against Nadal all year long. Rafa will take at least 50% of the trophies and the "three caballeros" will divide up the remainder.

I am kind enough to post this article for you all:

Murray exposes Fed's fading skills

Scottish star joins Nadal in court nightmares of struggling Federer

By STEPHANIE MYLES, The GazetteMarch 24, 2009 7:02 AM



* Story
* Photos ( 1 )


Roger Federer serves during semifinal loss to Andy Murray Saturday. For a daily gallery of day's best sports photos, visit montrealgazette.com

Roger Federer serves during semifinal loss to Andy Murray Saturday. For a daily gallery of day's best sports photos, visit montrealgazette.com
Photograph by: MATTHEW STOCKMAN, GETTY IMAGES, The Gazette

If it seems odd to compare Roger Federer with the Habs, bear with us. There's a major parallel to be made.

For a long time, no matter how badly things were going, it seemed impossible to believe Federer wouldn't somehow turn it around, just as it was impossible to believe the Canadiens wouldn't right their centennial ship.

But last weekend, on a court in Indian Wells, Calif., and at the Bell Centre, the grim reality set in for both.

Federer's fans aren't ready for it. Federer certainly isn't ready. But the multiple Grand Slam champion is a reluctant, in-denial, struggling semifinalist as he heads into the final big event before the clay-court season, in Miami.

His effort against Andy Murray in the Indian Wells semi last weekend was frightening. He even admitted to the Swiss media that he was worried. He called the third set "shocking."

He also said this: "It was a decent tournament. Not the greatest of all time, but it was all right. ... It was one of those matches where it was very up and down from both ends, and today the better player won."

Federer must not have been watching the same match as the rest of us. He was the only up-and-down player on that court.

The former No. 1 had to take four giant steps out of his comfort zone, go for broke, hit shots he didn't want to hit and generally freak himself out - just to win the second set against the clever Scot.

And in the third set, he collapsed in embarrassing fashion, as if the effort was just too much. So many games he had game points, or break points on Murray's serve - only to see his backhand fail him time after time, or his forehand fly long yet again.

So Federer not only has Nadal starring in his nightmares, he has Murray making guest appearances.

Whether he breaks Pete Sampras's all-time mark in the majors or not, the greatest-of-all-time counter-argument is fair to make. How can you belong in that category when, during your era, there was another player (and now, two) you couldn't beat?

Nadal has won the last five meetings between them; Murray their last four. Federer's last win in the top-level Masters events (which includes Montreal) was in summer 2007. His last Masters final was nearly a year ago.

It's been a slow, gradual process, one you always wanted to believe he could reverse, because he's still only 27. But where he used to roll through the earlier rounds on cruise control, saving energy, he now has to work harder. And it takes its toll. At least that's how it appears.

Federer might be able to fight back against a Tomas Berdych or a Janko Tipsarevic in early rounds. But those guys don't have belief. By the time he gets to Murray or Nadal? Totally different story.

It is Federer who no longer believes.

Last weekend, Murray used the tactics that work so well for Nadal, even though he's right-handed: high, loopy shots to Federer's backhand, on the serve and during the rallies. The backhand breaks down, forcing Federer over to the left corner to try to hit forehands, and creating an opening down the line.

Federer doesn't get over to hit that running forehand as well as he once so brilliantly did. Everyone knows it. Everyone sees it. Luckily for him at this point, not everyone can execute that game plan. But those two can.

So unless he serves out of his mind (and he rarely does for a full match these days), he's in trouble.

Federer is still coachless. And frankly, that's not even going to help. I'm not sure there's a coach out there who has the answers he needs.

So while we're a little worried about the Habs, we're officially a whole lot worried about the Fed.

So.... can we all agree that, for the time being, Andy Roddick is a better player than Novak Djokovic? I doubt this will last long, but that doesn't change the immediacy of the truth.

-Arvis

Thumping down a champion when he's in his darkest hour is nothing new...they did it to Sampras , now they're doing it to Roger.

livingdoll -- are you really saying "the end is nigh" for the same Federer that has gotten to 19 straight grand slam semifinals and counting? are you talking about the same guy that has only lost to Nadal, Djokovic, Safin and Nalbandian (not in a Grand Slam) in a best out of 5 set match the past 5 years or so? he may not be the greatest of all time yet, but not sure where all the disrespect is coming from. it's absurd to think that the only way he can win against nadal and murray is to "serve out of his mind" the entire match--except for on clay against nadal.

Love this website! What gems of wit and passion do I awake to read in the comments! And here I went to bed imagining we Rafa-Roger fans would collectively join hands and sing kumbaya! LOL!!!

>> Andy Roddick as the 2nd best player? This is laughable,

How is it laughable when its true? roddick is ranked number two in the race.
Neither djokovic or federer are playing like top four, so as of now Roddick is better than djokovic.

Murray has everything to prove,at least regarding winning a slam and lets not forget he is a bad clay player which means he is going to lose fourth of the season,for Djokovic the first three months of the year is his best part of the season this time of the 2008 he was a real threat of number 1 ranking so i don't know how worse it can go for him.
that leaves the two big guys, don't take things for graunted about Nadal's physicalities lets wait and see how long his body is going to hold on with this type of play and it is matter of time until the guys is going to figure a way to beat his way of play so dont start to split the trophies already,and about Federer no body knows what is going through his mind but writing him off in this way underestimating him is quite hard to accept no one will know until the big ones start and the big ones for Federer are salms and slam for Federer is wimbledon

and to livingdoll
get serious, what is this website ?and the author of this article should get some informations about Federer he talks about serving out of his mind what does he talk about? Karlovic and Murray is Nadal's real threat ? dont forget he is still number 4

Hey guys I am a fan of tennis and having been frequenting this site every day ever since I found it. I originally decided not to join mainly because I felt most of the comments here dealt primarily with slaging of great tennis players. Nadal is number 1 player in the world no doubt about it and is the guy who drew me back to watching tennis. However I can tell 90% out of 100% if Roger Federer was player another player I would support Federer (10% dependant on whether the other player was playing out of his mind tennis to beat Federer) just because he brought so much to the sport and his shot are awesome. The same with Andy Murray I love watching his game but dislike his personality. However this does not prevent me from stating his game is of high quality ON HARD COURT. So I was very much incensed when I read the article posted by Livingdoll regarding Federer. I think it is despicable that people are writing of Federer and putting him down actually it is dam write disgusting. I believe that Federer is one of the greatest playersv EVER in tennis. And I pray and hope that he bounces back. (Not to say that I want him to start whooping Nadals as lol, he is my number one player). But just to prove that he can do it and his critics can?t him off so quickly. Clearly with the up and coming stars Federer has a lot more competition on HC however I cant say the same for the clay and grass courts. So please everyone keep things in perspective. Federer might be down at the moment but he is not out of the game. As I would like to point out it took Nadal the new star of the show 4 years to work on his game and become No1 in the world. Federer definitely does no need that amount of time to work on his game as he already knows how to win grand slams and he knows what it takes to become No1. He just needs to take time to work out his game plan and strategies against the up and coming stars. All of the other players have had time and have focused there game in a way that they can defeat Federer. We should now give Roger time to modify his game so he can do the same. The only legitimate question is whether he is willing to do so.


P.S
Can this ignorant buffoons who have probably never played tennis in there whole entire lives and who do not have in inkling of how much it takes to become No1 and remain there stop writing Article regarding Federer ?DEMISE?. Livingdoll I don?t blame you. I blame the people who write nonsense and publish it on the website.

Here, here, Top Dog. But its useless attempting to mediate. I happened upon this website looking for tennis news last weekend. I was under the impression that this vitriol was ebbing but this is pertpetual rafa-roger grudge match ground zero. All one can do is try and see it as somehow good for tennis that these two tennis icons inspire so much energy! I do appreciate how lucky we are to be around to witness perhaps the two "goats" or whatever. A necessay reprieve from serious world problems.

TopDog--- It's very OBVIOUS that you are a FED FAN! Show your TRUE color and don't hide with pretense that you're a NADAL fan.
You sound VERY VERY ANGRY and offended by the comments especially about FED.
It's understandable that you'll not be PROUD to ADMIT that you're a die hard Fed fanatic because of your idol's current status, BUT AT LEAST BE TRUE TO yourself.
THIS IS A DEMOCRATIC OPEN FORUM! You can't say "STOP writing articles regarding Fed's demise." (Sorry, I took the liberty of correcting your sentence.)

Now now agf, why are you so desperate to say something whenever a new Fed fan emerges in this forum. It is not our fault we prefer Fed than Nadal who is good but has no grace and win matches using mind games. You and living doll here are the only Nadal fans who consistently come up with crap. Thanks for showing your true nature.

TRUE nature, indeed!
NOT PRETENDING TO BE WHAT WE ARE NOT!
HYPOCRITES...... is that what you call it? You prefer being called as such as oppose to being true.
NADAL WINS matches THAT's the most important!
AT least he uses his MIND to win.... better than all grace and LOOSE!

agf, it IS possible to be a Rafa fan and not hate Fed. There are many Rafa fans that celebrate his great accomplishments, yet don't feel the need to constantly denigrate Fed. Those same fans aren't blinded by being a Rafa fan, to where they can't acknowledge Fed's accomplishments too.

torres9: You say Rafa has no grace and wins matches using mind games? On other threads, you say he uses only speed. He may be speedy on the court to get to balls that others may not, but the only mind game he plays is while he is on the run to that ball, deciding where he is going to hit it and with what angle and speed. He doesn't just hit the ball willy nilly and pray for the best. He uses his brain to figure out strategies and placement of the ball and his fitness as a player helps him do this. He isn't over there placing spells on his opponents mind.

fan4tennis--- as the tennis players have THEIR OWN STYLE of playing... we here have our own way of giving our comments, I hope you respect that fact. I may sound very bold and aggressive, but that's ME, live with that.

I think the only problem with Federer are us, his fans, the critics, and the public, what we ask from him almost human imposible, we talking about a complex human being, and expect him to act like a machine. Maybe is his fault because he has us used to that, but is very very normal that after
FOUR AND A HALF years ( a whole university carrer length), he got tired, he lost his motivation and willing to be the best, maybe he thinks he wants it, but deep inside he doesnt, and there is nothing wrong with that, he just doesnt have that priority in his life right now, he enjoys playing tennis, being exposed to challenges, but doesnt need to win every title there is, and is very obvius that he doesnt make the biggest effort to do it. so lets wait and see, leave him alone for a while. Lets enjoy a new champion and watch his rise and decline, that Nadal will surely have. and if any day rogers get the urge to be there again, i am prety sure he will do it, because its in his blood.

Fan4tennis : He has no grace doesn't mean he isn't a good player. If you say he's graceful than your opinion is different than mine. He controls the pace of the game when he takes so much time between points, he over-celebrates his points, he grunts a lot. Are you saying these factors do not contribute to him winning at all? I bet they do. And his game is based on speed is what I said not that he has no other qualities at all but it revolves around speed.

Agf, you are just a Nadal fan who do not resemble his idol. Nadal who is humble will be embarassed to have a frog fan like you. Hope you wake up from your hibernation.

Got my chuckles for the night. Welcome top dog. You've probably already figured out who is fans of whom, and which fans have absolute hate for certain great players.

'night....

Torres9: Rafa does not win because of your ideas of his over-celebrations and taking time (which all occur after a point is played) and the fact he grunts, which he doesn't do all the time. I have a feeling you are basing your opinion on a younger Rafa because he has definitely speeded up the time between points (when he hasn't he was duly warned) and the fist-pumping has definitely been toned down this year. Your talk of his over-celebration makes me ask you, WHAT over-celebration has he done this year? He only won AO and IW. Lying prone on his back for a few seconds is not what I call an over-celebration.

I would not say that Nadal's whole game revolves around speed. He does a hell of alot of thinking and strategizing on the court and his ability to keep opponents off -balance is indicative of that. He is able to change and adjust if a strategy isn't working and that requires brain speed. People look at his muscles and they think that is all his game is but they are wrong. Any expert will tell you that.

Rafterfan! The above read does beat reality TV :) You are leaving, calling it a night?

yeah, Baggie v Ernie tomorrow. And I am the only one who cares this side of Cyprus or Latvia! giggling

mdmch: thankyou for your thoughtful posts. Don't imagine they went unnoticed.

fan4tennis, I do see the improvemrnt in Nadal's game. What I meant by over-celebrating is the football-celebrating antics whenever a point is won. Actually I am tired of debating on the same thing over and over again. Maybe Nadal has added the slice. I acknowledge that. Strategically he is good no doubt about that. His strategy against Fed is simple : attack the backhand with a looping forehand. Murray does this too. What can I say? A single-handed backhand cannot match a double-handed backhand in the power department and have trouble with a looping ball.

But Nadal without power and speed is a is 50% Nadal. This is my opinion. Fed still won matches at the start of last year with mono. I am not sure if Nadal can do the same. Again, it is my opinion.

Okay, it is so happened that Nadal have the POWER and SPEED, so what are you saying now torres9? do you want to suggest to have RAFA should reduce his power and speed and use his right as his forehand just for Federer to have a change?

CHANCE, I meant.

I dont have a problem with him using his power and speed but some of his fans here kept on saying his shotmaking ability is why he is good. He can just be like he is.

I always said he was effective but his play is ugly TO ME and is based on keeping the ball on the court rather than going for winners. My preference for attacking tennis is not liked here by some Nadal fans.

torres: My preference for attacking tennis is not liked here by some Nadal fans.

It's your preferance for ugly, personal attacks invloving derogatory name dropping that are not liked by nadal fans.

jean--- That's what you call "CLASS" at its best!
I suspect that the person they've branded "classy" is somebody in his level.
TORRES is very very upset, and personal attacks is the only thing he can do to feel better about himself. How IRONIC, a person with "class" will resort to such act of self indulgence!

Okay here is the two choices for you torres9

1. play ugly and win
2. play beautiful and loss.

YOU CHOOSE.

I choose 'play beautiful and win'. Fed is the only player who has dominated for so long with beautiful play. That is why I respect him.

Agf is the ugliest frog in this forum. Please hide your hideous pimple-face from the human being here. I only am being 'classy' because you are so 'classy' too agf.

Show more of your slum origin!
You must be so proud of yourself!
ha ha ha!!!!!!!

Was it one of the choices?

Torres9 open your eyes and brace the reality that the beautiful tennis is clearly inferior now to that one whom you called ugly.

It is understood for a Fedfan like you to not to appreciate some rare shots of Nadal that few men can imitate if none. It is so nice to see the awesome trajectory of Nadal's curling shot and that vicious & wicked stinging 4000rpm topspin.

You can not deny most of the classic tournaments of recent were matches that Nadal is involved.

Hey guys sorry to burst you bubble but Nadal has been and will always be the top player for me in tennis. I am a law student obviously studying to be a lawyer and unlike you agf i can appreciate good points when it comes to both Nadal and Federer. I am not a bias tennis fan i have my favourites and i can appreciate a fantastic player when i see one and federer is one of them. I do not feel the need to put Federer down to make Nadal look good. As far as i am considered Nadal has already proven that at this moment he is the best and i am hoping that after his career is over in tennis history this will also be the case. You can not predict these things. No one can ever change my opinion on Nadal EVER. I am i die hard fan of Nadal and watch ALL his matches. But i also try and watch the matches of other top please including Federer. So please as you do not know me do not say what you dont know. I do not know what other way that i can persuade you that Nadal is the top player for me (and i do not see why i should have to prove it to you and this is exactly why i did not want to join this website). But one thing i now is that i will not put other players down to prove Nadal is the best. HIS actions speak louder than all the words on this website OK. Nadal IS number 1 no need for arguments there.

I cant beleive that now i have finally joined this site i have to choose a side either Nadal or Federer. Is this the ritual for every new person who does. And i does see whay this should be the case. Nadal is my number one player for many reasons disregarding Federer. Therefore for PERSONAL reasons i will choose Nadal. But that will not prevent be from supporting , complimenting or congratulating Federer when he players fantastic tennis. I will support or criticise both Nadal and Federer for neither of them are perfect generally and when they play thier matches. I will not be blind to Nadal faults just because i am i fan. And i have always believed that Nadal can improve his game. I do not beleive we have seen the best of Nadal therefore i will not say he is perfect. There is so much he can work on and change so he remains No1 for a longer period of time however long that is.

Sorry Guys but i am not a fanatic of Nadal or Federer or Tennis as thier are more important things in life but i can appreciate all 3. And just to say Afg i will not get in any slagging match about Federer or Nadal. And i do not need to prove anything to anyone on this site i owe none of you nothing. The only person i need to be loyal and support is the tennis player i believe in the most which is Nadal. So please step back and do not attack me as i am new to this site.

First of all TopDog , welcome to this site! Your thoughts are refreshing and nice to read.Have fun :)

TopDog.....soryy but ur name is a bit awkward to call...i think u don't mind if call TD....

I am sure ur confused person.Its not me ur sentences telling !!!!!!

1.Nadal has been and will always be the top player for me in tennis.+
2. No one can ever change my opinion on Nadal EVER
3.I am i die hard fan of Nadal and watch ALL his matches
4.HIS actions speak louder than all the words on this website OK. Nadal IS number 1 no need for arguments there
5.Nadal is my number one player for many reasons disregarding Federer
6.I will not be blind to Nadal faults just because i am i fan

sorry i cannot find more of ur posts as i have yesterday joined school !!!!! lolzzz
I did not mean n e offense to u ...its just the summery of ur post to make u clear that u r a Rafa fan !!!!!!!!!Hope ur confusion is clear by now

Those sentences simply proves that U r a Rafa fan...........n e ways like Janhavi said......Wel come to the site ...........u will be used to the conditions soon !!!!!!

Hi........i m Fed fanatic & i m suffering from Federia !!!!!!!!! u can call me TJ only if u want to !!!!!!!

sorry not fan.....Rafa fanatic !!!!!! Hope u don't mind as its not an attack !!!!!!!! lolzzz

Tomnjerry No offense taken of u look at the history you will se that my post was to prove that i am a rafa than and i am proud of . But the theme through all my post is that i will not put other tennis playes down to make Nadal look good he does this all by him self. The post was mainly directed to Afg because he attacked be on the fact that i was not a Nadal Fanatic to put it in ur terms but a Federer fanatic. However thier is nothing wrong in being a fanatic as far as i am am concerned many people aer on this site. However i and not rude or offense about other player just because i am fanatical lol. About 1. So please read through the history of the confession which i am involved in and you will see what i am driving at.

In addition unless Livingdoll wrote the Article she posted which she did not i beleive i am permited agf25agf to say that journalist and other writers should stop writing stupid Article. Regarding both Nadal and Federer

Sorry guys about the grammer but i am having to type really fast and you Kind of get my gist and hey to all who have saide Hello TJ and Janhavie to say a few i can remember. Please dont get offended if i have forgot about you and i am not say hello specifically to them because they are Federer fans lol. (It seems people get so insulted easily on this website. Now that everyone knowS i am a die hard Nadal i am sure everyones reply is going to be "yeah yeah another Nadal fan ", = tainted and invalid comment/view. LOL

Okeyz.........TD..........I thought u r confused in choosing ur player !!! never mind !!!!! lolzzz
N e ways.best of luck 4 ur studies as u r a law student !!!!!!!!!!

Thanks TJ

TopDog, your right it is a stupid article, but although stupid some people want to believe that junk, and others actually due (believe it). So it's not going to stop, there are all kinds of people... Freedom of the press has its' place in a democracy. People should be encouraged to use their critical thinking ablilities, not just accept what they read. The truth is never a given. Of course this rule applies far beyond the scope of this blog. Cheers.

TopDog,

Don't bother trying to explain yourself to the rabid trolls that frequent this site. The best thing you can do here is talk about tennis. If someone (usually agf25agf) feels the need to make it personal, we are all better off ignoring what that person has to say. So please, stay here and chat about tennis with us! But don't feel like you need to explain yourself and justify your opinions on who you like better than whom. We're all fans for our own reasons.

-Arvis

Hey of course i will stay Arvis when there aer such people like you who can be civil. Trust me i will not allow anyone to push me around. And some people on this site i do actually want to converse with. So i am in for the long hull buddy.lol

Arvis--- you want a piece of me as well? I havn't "touched" you once, did I? so you want to have a taste of attention so people would notice you exist. Well then you've got your wish. Just a "friendly" advice, you don't have to write your name at the end of your post... it's automatically included whenever you give a comment. OK, dear!

Really Arvis? I stumbled on to this website wanting to talk tennis and there are unbiased journalists here like Ricky but as far as the comment sections? This is at best entertaining and at worst downright offensive. If someone is made to feel they must "declare" their allegiance when posting? That's bad in my opinion and downright cultish. I admire Nadal and simply prefer Roger Federer and I don't like wasting time convincing others of my reasons. No problem is this were a Rafa Nadal officail Fan Spot but I had no clue that regardless of how it might have started, it is exactly that now. I am always looking for information about other players, not only the top 2 or top 4 and this is not the best forum for that purpose. The website itself is loaded with tools and links but the comment section: I rest my case. Ya'll just bullied Top Dog into declaring himself and basically kissing your asses! LOL!!! Reality TV quality really

To remind all of you especially the FANs of FEDERER.... I'm not here to PLEASE you. I'm here FOR RAFA and to praise him to the top of my lungs! If I offend you, one way or the other, I don't have to be apologetic about it IF I don't see the necessity. I'm addicted to criticizing Roger as much as you enjoy belittling Rafa and making fond of his mannerisms or rituals whatever it may be.
LIVE AND LET LIVE... if you want be one of my "friends", continue your assault on Nadal and we'll see where it will take us.

Those RAFA FANS(?) who want to consider themselves MODERATE(s)... that's your choice! Keep piling all your motions inside 'till you burst!

arfarf, congratulations dude or dudette in offending a tennis fan who actually likes many players but most of all the game. I am happy to leave you space! not that I won't search the website, as it is quality. I would not want to be your friend not because you are a fan of Rafa's but because you are a bully and I doubt that offends you, cleary I think anyone who can read gets it that you are proud to be bullying anyone posting here who does not fit your definition of a worthy Rafa Fan! That I admire Rafa and prefer Roger does not fit the cult to which you belong! Adios little dude

Sorry Zoey is kiss not one ass. It is a principle for me. Nadal was my number one fan before i found this site. Just i was forced to announce it does not men i have alway supported Nadal. I kiss no on ones ass. If they have similar opinion to me thats fine. Please do not make the assumption that i joined this site and decided to support Nadal. The later occured way before the former.

Thanks

P.S
just wanted to state my position

Welcome TopDog. Good luck in your studies. You have said what I have been trying to say in my posts the last few days. Just because you're a Rafa fan does not mean you don't appreciate Fed's abilities or have to insult Fed to "prove" your allegiance. And I believe the same is vice versa.

I am a Rafa fan like you. I'm not fond of Fed but I don't feel the need to denigrate him. I am not trying to persuade anyone to "change sides" when I defend Rafa. I am just stating my points.

There ARE people here that can talk rationally and civilly about tennis. You will learn quickly which ones can't.

zoey234 you sound very rational! LOL This agf25agf (person) is very messed up.

Agf

You are so presumption regarding Nadals ?moderate fans? (which I am presuming I am included) what makes you think our emotions are piling up and waiting to burst. I do not know Roger and Nadal so what is the big deal. Why should I get emotional and angry when I know that for me Nadal is the best WHY pray tell me should I waste my energy. I do not need to abuse or belittle other tennis players or people who frequent this site. For me that is a principle in all aspect of my life and I do not see why it should just change because YOU want it too. I think I have got a bit more class than that, you screaming and abusing other fans here does not mean you are the greatest Nadal fan OKAY. I support and Respect Nadal to the point where I believe he needs civil and positive supporters/fans. So you continue to be aggressive as you have posted on one of your posts and I will continue to be a ?PASSIVE? Nadal fan. Nothing has changed here and nothing will change just because someone I don?t know wants be to change my behaviour to suit them.


P.S

Agf accept that you cant convert/change everyone then you will have a much easier and peaceful life. However if you choose to do things your way thats fine. MY way suits me PERFECTLY thanks.

TopDog....piece of advice...DON'T give Agf the kudos and desire to be loved......he/SHE so desperately seeks. I have actually had severe diarrhea for the last couple of days from reading all the CRAP that he/she has written over the last few threads. But it is out of my system now. You just have to realise that as a few of the crowd have stated, he/she can simply not shower Fed with any kind of praise, it is pure criticism every time. Such a shame really. I noticed a few blogs ago that I said this person needed to go get a proper education with his/her girlfriend/boyfriend....livingdoll.........filled with PURE VITRIOLIC comments. NO CLASS. And....I notice how they appear to have 'stolen' my words....advising others to seek a proper education because they don't have any original ideas themselves! Ha! Federer isn't dead yet....Nadal is riding high....he deserves to be in his number 1 spot, but until the Fed decides to retire, he will ALWAYS be worth watching...he is a fantastic ambassador for tennis, he is incredibly gifted, always will be. The problem with Agf..is that he/she cannot cope with the genius of it all. He/she is bowled over by the sheer grace of the man. Okay, he isn't winning all the tournaments left, right and centre, but champions RETURN. That is what make them champions. So give Agf/ and dyingdull, their day. After all, who else have they got in their lives to listen to them? Sad really.....

topdog...welcum to tennistalk mate...and its gud to see u have respect for both of the champions that rule the tennis world ..one's game is so elegant and the other's is so unique..great champs!!!

malteser--- You're making our "vitriolic comments" your staple food that's why you had the severe diarrhea... you have to have it each day of your life so you'd flush all the stinking qualities you have in your system.
Yeah right, I can't cope with the GENIUS that is FEDERER... genius who can't figure out how to beat Nadal... genius who has tried a number of coaches and still looking for someone who can help him with his game.... genius who keeps on losing to the SAME player over and over again... so GENIUS is the man that he CRIED his heart out because somebody makes him look DUMB in succession in front of a massive crowd. HOW'S THAT FOR A GENIUS?

I come home for dinner to check match scores and dam it if that misbehavin' attack dog ( who would that be) doesn't have me on the floor laughing again this time. I won't mention your name and please don't mention mine but I am so impressed that you have me hoping when I am done with junior high school immaturity that I grow up and become just like you: courageous too how you take all the blame for offending others. If your enablers didn't really approve of you, your friends here would be happy if you never posted again. Your the classic gum shoe, class clown, scape-goat and after you figure out those expressions, hey, you can boast about it. I promised myself not to respond to your comments (you were a good boy/girl, alter ego, evil twin not to address me directly) and I will try not to get caught up again. Can't promise. Just feel happy you indeed accomplished pissing me off and amusing me simultaneously! LOL!! titters....

Back to tennis...

Thank you for joining tennistalk zoey you make me laugh with half your comments :D

zoey--- you're a CLASSIC.... TRYING to sound someone with a halo BUT what comes out from your mouth are balls of fire coming from hell! YOU'VE just joined the group of PRETENTIOUS Hypocrites who are DOING everything with all their guts to appear like an angel with the devil's wings on their backs!
You can't even construct a CORRECT sentence... junior high my a**! You'll not pass the first grade with that!

insulting my diction, grammar, wording, intellegence won't send me into a tailspin , whoever you are ( you are already are endeared to me on a certain level) and I am not even sure if you are 'real' or a figment of another posters clever imagination. I like thinking the later. Love you too and stop drawing me in by being so outrageously absurd! giggling is bad for constructing coherent sentences. Now go away! No, I will go!

Diction dear can't be corrected here, YOU HAVE TO HEAR IT.
YOU"RE A CLOWN!!!!!!!!! YOU"RE RIGHT... you better go away!

hey agf25agf not much tennis talk this evening, eh? I am watching Survivor Tocantins. Have you ever thought of being a contestant? Or having your 'character' be one? I am a clown but about that word in English: diction? go look it up and I am not being condescending here I fancy whatever is your language of origin is one I do not speak as well as you do English. If I did speak your language, we would not see eye to eye anyway. Asking for a truce here, you know, an olive branch, white flag....you get my drift.

I came to realize after reading tons of messages regarding posts like "you don't need to denegrade the other player to exalt your favorite one", is quite normal because you are just trying to shield/protect your favorate player.

I mean look at them (players) their goal is to defeat the player at the other side of the court so is it different to us (spectator) when we try to downplayed or criticize each opponent of our favorite player?

The discussion becomes ugly when we induce personal attack to a certain fellow poster. I mean it is normal to me to get yourself involved in fierce conversation as long as it bounds within tennis and players.

However, as a tolerance :-), if personal attack can not be avoided once, twice is enough...thrice is quite too much.

raindrops: this is normal in this rat race world. Nadal never let Fed win the FO. Fed never let Roddick win wimbledon. I believe all this shouldn't be taken too seriously. It is just a discussion. I actually enjoy all this debate. I do not think Nadal is not good just that he is not my cup of tea. I think everybody should be OK with that.

Raindropd

Downplaying and criticising your opponent is if very different from out right abusing/insulting and using foul language against your opponents and i have noticed that that none of the players do this to each other (publicly). So why should we do it to these players on this website. And i have noticed it is done a lot here. Its got nothing to do with protecting you fav player. It all got to do with the fact that degrading these sports players is not needed. We are not in a battle here. well i am not anyway. lol

P.S
I do not think people are criticising this players to down player them. Especially where you can that the opponent is not player as well as thye should or they clrearly have faults in thier game that they can work on to make them better players. There are many different reasons for criticising a player which is not exclusive to them being "crap" players. i.e underperforming.

Oh my. Did I start this somehow? Apologies, everyone!

-Arvis

Hey Arvis i am not sure if you are referring to my post. But i do not believe i have come upon any of your post which insult/degrades tennis player. So it was directed towards you sorry if you felt it was, indirectly.

I was just apologizing for starting the whole huge argument above, T-Dawg. No worries!

-Arvis

Top Dog. Its zoey and I apologize if it was me who started it, I confess. My excuse is: I am new to tennis forums and blogging. The reason I joined was not as a fan to cheer. I joined to know what was going on in mens and WTA tennis. In my small region of the planet, tennis does not get much press or coverage this time of year and I am thrilled to find where it does. On the other hand I, maybe in the dark here but did not realise the intensity of the rafa-roger um, fans. I make no secret that I favor Roger Federer and have for years but I don't even belong to a fan club, internet or otherwise. Reading this forum has been eye opening to say the least! I will not have time to read and post after this weekend as I my vacation or Holiday is over. I can take the negative press and commentary on RF, I may not like it but hey, free speech is to be protected! Even agf25agf couldn't cheese me off here by himself but I fell into the mix badly when a new voice, a moderate one joined (Topdog) and if one reads through it, the manner in which he was forced to declare himself was despicable. That's my opinion about bad group behavior. I do not think there is a law against it, it just finally annoyed and I had had enough of a couple others being verbally taken to the cleaners. Pardon my colloquialisms. Not good to use them here as I am uncertain they translate . Sorry, if am now zoast!

no cable coverage of the present matches. FSN showing pool and bowling

Yeah Zoey....I know what you mean, coming home to have dinner and checking in on the TENNIS......and all you see are ridiculous comments coming from bloggers who vent their spline. Me included.....but in terms of replying to the most outrageous comments from a 'Mr.' know-it-all. And by the way, AGF.....please don't think that you are some kind of OPOTHEOSIS....Do you know what that means?....go to school and learn some proper language. The crap comes from your mouth. You show nothing but utter, utter disgust when you even utter the name of Fed. The words are surroundered with barbed wire, electric fencing and petrol bombs....Why is that soooo hard for you? Your words....
'malteser--- You're making our "vitriolic comments" your staple food that's why you had the severe diarrhea... you have to have it each day of your life so you'd flush all the stinking qualities you have in your system.
Yeah right, I can't cope with the GENIUS that is FEDERER... genius who can't figure out how to beat Nadal... genius who has tried a number of coaches and still looking for someone who can help him with his game.... genius who keeps on losing to the SAME player over and over again... so GENIUS is the man that he CRIED his heart out because somebody makes him look DUMB in succession in front of a massive crowd. HOW'S THAT FOR A GENIUS?....

You know you show no mercy. Good for you. However, I am a great believer in Karma.....and for what it's worth... I really do feel that Federer will come through. You know.....I don't 'hope' for that because I just feel that he is the expert. He knows what he has to do, what he has to accomplish. Like a previous blogger said, I am not sure that winning the masters' series is something which drives him any more. I might be wrong. I am not a mind reader...can only hypothesise...He must know what he has to do in order to beat the top guys and so he needs to put his strategy together. I personally feel Agf, and to all the other fedhaters out there, that his greatest days are over in terms of dominating the game. No question. There is a new kid on the block. I accept that, but I still LOVE watching his game. There is no one on the tennis circuit quite like him. And whatever you say Agf, YOUR problem is that all you see is Rafa, but there is no balanced viewpoint from you. Just total dissing of the Fed. You see...that to me shows a lack of understanding for the game. Even those tennis players that have been and gone, great champions, Laver, McEnroe, Sampras et al......all have the CLASS to recognise great champions and what they represent.....they have all said how quite BRILLIANT Federer is in terms of his tennis....there is no one quite like him. Yet I can accept that Nadal is the here and now...that is not to say that Federer is over. All Agf does is write him off. This is when we come back to school. What if you deal with a child who cannot understand how to write a piece of poetry? Do you tell him just to GIVE UP because he is CRAP? or to forget it? NO...you don't. You try and teach him different ways to overcome the problem. You give him strategies to work on, you try to improve his confidence......you know what I am getting at? So may be Agf, you could learn from your own inadequacies? Or is it that if you do something wrong/don't quite understand something, that people write you off? I hear a lot of projection coming from you disillusioned mouth. Go wash it out with some soap and give yourself a fresh start, a new outlook on life....you never know.....you might even like it....
Also...stop referring to the crying issue...IT'S SOOOOO PASSE (....with a little accent on the 'e').

Here, here, Malteser1!

BTW, I am considering joining a Federer Fan club. All those years while he was on a winning streak and I did not feel compelled to join. Nothing like an underdog to inspire favor here!! LOL!!

home-boy A-Rod is due to win a Federer match-up. Fed is, as funspiritman summed so well, in transition, A-Rod has been to boot camp training and calorie counting. He has to be so over losing to Federer. H2H is dismal for homeboy but does anyone suspect RF may be gentleman enough to sort of, be kind!
Arod over FED in a sweet bromance 3 sets

A great blog Zoey from another site on Fed........

'it­ is simply a testament to Federer?s unbelievable­ achievement in the past five years that you see him as­ past his best, when the worst that anyone can say of­ him, is that he is, for the time being, ?only? second­ best. Nadal has a hold on him, that is fair, but until­ Murray wins not one but 4, 5 or 6 grand slams, and­ until Murray beats Federer in a few of those grand­ slams, who honestly cares how much talent Murray has? ­ Federer has always had a player that he lost to more­ than others, and finally found ways to overcome them on­ the big occasions. Right now that player is Nadal, who­ is rightfully number one. But please spare us your­ depressing talk of Federer?s demise until Federer­ himself says that he is done. He looks hungrier than­ ever to prove people wrong and you should know better­ than to dismiss a player with his record'.....

Apart from this........Nah........I cannot see A-Rod beating Fed, but no denying the improvement is there.....and hey. Who knows? I just have to put my faith in the man! I am not going to believe otherwise. I cannot see that he wouldn't be trying out new strategies. He is an intelligent guy and he knows this is 'do or die'. Enough is enough! I want to see the aggression return. I think at the US Open...only 7 months ago, the aggression that he was showing on the court, was unbelieveable. That just needs to come out in full force and get that damned first serve sorted! He must be aware of all the talk about his 'premature demise......'Load of bullshine!' Just gotta get his arse into gear and none too soon....Cannot wait to see him in action at the weekend. Everyone is bigging up murray right now, but yeah...I accept he is in the mix, but gotta win a slam in my eyes before I can see him in any other light than he is a threat. Many tennis experts were talking the same about Gasquet. An incredibly gifted player (in my view)...yet seems to self-destruct under pressure......Murray is gonna take a fall sometime soon, he is even bigging himself up.......a confidence thing I know... but I am not a big fan of Murray. Sorry to all murray fans out there. Recognise his talent, but just don't like the game he plays. PLUS zoey....I think....not sure whether it was you....but Murray talks dirty on the court and I don't like that. He is a modern day mcenroe. Not nice.....

Here is a question posed to roddick at miami..26 march (READ CAREFULLY ..that goes for sum ppl here)

Q. Right now, if you had a Slam final, would you rather play Roger or Rafa?
ANDY RODDICK: Well, I don't know. I mean, it's -- I'd like to have that option to be there at that point.
Q. Safin was saying at Indian Wells that the thing that most surprised him about Rafa is his hands. He thinks that people didn't really appreciate how great his hands were coming in. Is there anything, tennis-wise, what have you seen of him that surprised you over the last few years?
ANDY RODDICK: Marat is 100 percent spot on. He developed a chip that gets him out of trouble a lot that no one ever really talks about. They talk about the running and heaviness, but he volleys well. He's able to transition into the court now. He's able to play returns, as evidenced by Wimbledon last year.
No one really mentioned the fact that he was standing a foot inside the baseline and hit a return. They talk about how he stands back, but he's able to mix it up. I don't really think he gets credit for how complete of a tennis player he is. I think he kind of gets pidgeon-holed into what people remember from five years ago.


If sum 1 is stubborn enough nt to admit sumthing that is written by me time and time again then i hope u wud listen to andy...who i think is 100% unbiased!!!!

mateser1, I just wrote a long reply, point by point too and poof! lost my wifi connection.

I try to remember: Thanks for the lovely quote. Where did ya get it? Don't really need to answer, I can look it up. Okay. That part I am not convinced is Federer being "hungrier than ever"

I suppose that could be true but who really knows. I don't. Roger is a head case and I say that in the most caring way. He was always what my dad called "emotionally fragmented." Say what!? Dad died in 2002 same year RF lost his baby coach. I understand Roger's outbursts of tears when he wins. From my perspective I say okay, milestones in my life, win or lose, I miss dear ol' dad. I can be shopping for graduation or something and boom! I miss dad and cry. Roger is someone with a sense of humor and imagination. Sometimes I laugh when he spaces out during a match. Hopefully it is a 5 setter and he lands the spaceship. He tried hard in AO. I did not see him space out but toward the end his step was slow and he did not bend his knees and then, he lost his serve. Of course his opponent is fresh as a daisy and on a top seed roll! But to me, when Roger has service trouble like he did in the 5th set at the AO, these days that means back trouble, not head case. Head case was third set vs Muzz, IW.

Oops, gotta go and this was far from the post I intended Malteser. I like your points and will try to reply later.

Later Z

Topdog,

Well it's happening quite frequent, fans belongs to different players are oftenly end up in a clash (trash talk) because both camps are trying to impose their claims about their favorite player, and I am not excluded but I try not to implict personal attack like calling someone idiot, stupid or something related to direct insult.

Again, since the players are battling at the court, fans do the same thing out of the court, pretty normal in may own opinion. We are here to agree and disagree.

To Malterser1: About Roger. ( I addressing this to one poster here however I am quite aware others not as friendly may not resist, I almost took it personally couple days ago but I realize now that this forum is comprised of mainly Nadal and Nole fans with some Muzz on top!) Not a complaint, simply an observation.

Roger: I had time to bone up on some tennis journalism and noticed that Mario Ancic (another personal favorite) had some press which was extremely kind about his glandular fever noting correctly that mono as it is called in the US does not go away. It is a virus that gets in a system and stays with periods of remission and exacerbation. I knew Fed was ill last year, actually he began appearing 'not himself before the AO in 2008. The point here is he does not complain Fed only went public with the mom news months after he knew. And by the FO it was clear to anyone who cares that Fed was lethargic, a step slow. It was painful to see. Such a great champion slipping but it was the same for others and will be again. Being frightened of glandular fever was something Andy Murray admitted in the pre-Miami interview a few days ago. I hope the best for Mario and for Roger. But Andy Murray seemed to understand by adding that he thought the illness was something athletes had to fear. I am not quoting anything here but the Murray interview in full is on the Sony Erikson web. So Malteser, my wish for Roger is to take it easy for awhile but what do I know. I wish he would rest and have felt that way for over a year when I watch him. He is not playing to what he used to and has given us glimpses of his genius. As I wrote before, Roger will let us know. He is not forthcoming as other sport figures are but that is his personality. I hope he rests and does not feel he must hold any ranking as he has entertained and amazed us more than expected in my opinion. Of course I would love the old Roger back but I adjust, reluctantly. Now if Andy Murray wins 4 consecutive Wimbys I will swim the English channel naked!!! I believe he'll get a GS and more but if he wins 5 wimbys, 5 US Opens I will pledge my ever loving allegiance to him and fall to my knees!!

malteser1 and zoey234 always a pleasure to read your comments on this site. Thanks for that. Not just a breeze is felt, but a strong wind of Federer might, power, and force uprooting strength. (I might have been a poet, but I didn't have the courage LOL (just kidding) LOL I remain pre-disposed to the Fed and always I'm grateful for your contributions. I don't think there is much more one can say that you have not already mentioned about Roger Federer. It was SUBLIME! LOL Cheers Federer fans! Cheers! We should consider getting together someday for the party of the CENTURY (en masse)! LOL Limited only by what the imagination is capable of... and THAT is a lot! LOL Go FED go!

zoey234: you've made me laugh out loud! I'm a Murray fan but I think you're safe there in your bathing costume girl!

Zoey et al.....I think being a MASSIVE fed fan, I am also accepting of the fact that Nadal right now is better than him in terms of his 'present' tennis. I can appreciate his game and enjoy watching him play....whether or not Fed is past his best 'now'...is clear to see in terms of his first serve percentage..(wobbles in front of nadal and murray)....and the silly mistakes he makes which don't do justice to his overall play.....but even so, his tennis is quite simply awesome to watch.....still.....on a good day.......It may be that I hanker after the glory days....don't we fed fans do that? But I think because we are a certain breed of fans who have the class to recognise his faults, we are still loyal and wish for more, wish for better from the GOAT....we are mature enough to recognise that the sands are shifting in terms of nadal with a very close murray behind. Lest not forget though, that Roger didn't get to No.1 without hard work...and then let it slide to a very worthy champion. What frustrates me is that when he has a bad day........the media, fed haters.....say he is OVER.....his bad day becomes his DEMISE...'Is this the end for Federer...'bla bla. I guess that is the nature of the media, no less annoying though........
I will continue to watch Fed until HE decides he wants to retire. I also enjoy watching football and liken Fed 'being a veteran' to David Beckham...some 6 years older, who is still scoring goals at 33, still awesome to watch.....a quite brilliant player.....and then you have Zinidin Zidane...an absolute legend who must be late 30's....early 40's...now retired, saying what a brilliant player Beckham, Gerrard are.....I digress....but my point is that if you have the motivation, the hunger to still want to compete, to win, to lift trophies...AT ANY AGE.......Look at Dame Kelly Holmes....35 when she won a DOUBLE OLYMPICS GOLD in track running....then you always have that chance. Only when Fed loses that....motivation, that hunger, that will to win......will he be ready to leave the sport......To my mind he is far from that point.....Also am pretty sure that the No. 1/2/3 ranking is not that important in the scheme of things. Rather be No.2/3 and win 2 slams this year than No.2 and zero.

The Fed, the Fed, The FED! LOL Logic would have it, the Fed will eventually learn how to deal with the likes of Nadal, and Murray, and or on their "off days", BEAT them! LOL The people who write for the media don't have to believe what they write, or say. They write mostly for sensationalism. It is quite obvious. Those who say it is over for the Fed likely are saying/meaning he will never be #1 again (as if that really matters). They fall short of the genius aspect, and neglect to mention (forgo) those moments of brilliance we (the fed fans) so much enjoy. Captured in the spirit. The Cosmic dance of his ways... Wait! Are we still talking about tennis?! LOL The point is he is the most fun to watch play the game of tennis. Were it not for the Fed, tennis would main nothing to me (and for many others). It's not over for the Fed. Not be a long short. It is just the beginning of something new. A catharsis. He will keep us on our toes, wondering what he will due next... There are so many potential shots, so many body moves. Which one will WIN, the point, the game, the set, the MATCH?!!! That's tennis FEDERER style. Cheers.

THEY are the same journalists who used to shower FED with sweet complements and never ending praises. They have acknowledged his genius BEFORE and it's so PASSE (tx malteser) to talk about it NOW. If you think ALL people have to say HALLELUIA every time they come across the Swiss' name, you'll be so disappointed.

FEDERER is OUT (maybe until he equals Sampras' record)! For the mean time reserve your exaltation to your idol 'till he wins AGAIN. You're just making yourselves so DEFENSIVE whenever somebody talks about Roger's "misfortunes".

Yesterday, when he won over Kim, it's like he won a grand slam or something... don't get TOO excited FeD FaNs, he's got a loooooong way to go. He should get through with flying colors 'till the quarters, then you can have a FIESTA whenever he wins. You REALLY MISS HIM WINNING (a championship match), against the TOP GUYS, that is. POOR LOT, you will have to wait a little while and just dream about it for the days to come. Good luck, ENJOY YOUR NIGHTMARES!

whew!! so glad to read you are still write the same fierce nonsense agf25agf! I do miss RF winning but you are helping my pain. Sorry Ag (for short) I love tennis whether Roger Federer wins or loses. I think I get you now too. I had some confusion, to be expected but you might be a Nole fan posing as a Nadal fan. Yep, I am thinking just that.

zoey--- I couldn't care less whatever you think. I'd prefer ANYONE except FEDERER!

You did not deny it. Hmm, really agf you pledge allegiance to Rafa? You said only one tennis god for you. Is it Novak Djokovic or Rafa? See I know you don't care what I think. Maybe that is why I like you but Rafa fans like Top Dog have no alternate motive. Top Dog , his or her persona anyway is clear about being a Rafa fan and holds no malice as you do against Federer. It makes absolutely no sense that a true Rafa fan would hate Roger. Rafa is #1 and there really is nothing and no one is sight to stop him. I have no issues with Rafa being #1 or breaking records Roger has established. I still love Roger Federer's tennis and that remains in my memory. Is the Swiss a bad person? I doubt it. He is not perfect. I an, strange as it my seem, cheer for other players, always have always will. Roger will slip from the top seeds, eventually hard to imagine, Rafa and Nole will too. The thing is for some reason, you wish worse for Federer and that makes me curious about your mental state!! LOL

I'll tell you a secret, zoey, I don't hate Fed! HAPPY? I hate his FANS who always insist on what's so irritating- twisting the facts. Federer si JUST an INDIRECT victim of my anger to what his FANS are doing (you know who you are!!!!!). He happens to be in the crossfire.
TO get my point through, I definitely have to direct my comment to FED, especially when the article says something that I don't agree with with respect to him.
I hope that clears it for you. Don't worry about my mental state... MIND YOURS!

hey Sky, forgot to say thanks earlier. I really did not know I could go off like I have on the Federer. Lets do have a huge celebration all Federer Fans: Malteser, Torres, uh who else? Malteser, I have not given up on the possibilty of Fed on a roll again. Maybe another Wimby? or US Open. I go back home tomorrow and then to Costa Rica for 6 weeks. Hope to log on occasionaly and definitely for the French and Wimby. Later Zoey

agf25agf your're a piece of work.

Really agf? I hate both Fed and his fans, but not all of them. Some are very mature and great. Only few crazies here are part of the majority on his forum! I learnt my foul language from them, they use it a lot on Nadal and Murray. Probably Hrbaty too. Three guesses why!

Hi Zoey, I've enjoyed your posts, however I think you're trying to apply logic here and it doesn't work with the intensity and rawness of feeling that seems so close to the surface. Have always wanted to go to Costa Rica, the wildlife is meant to be astonishing. enjoy!

To zoey
Ag2f is just a novak's fan what do you expect from him?
Anyhow for Roger's fan whom irritating him and make him hates Roger (what a huge loss!),it is story of absorbing tennis and living it time by time go beyond the records and numbers created by legends, Roger's tennis extended from that point to the point where you are questioning if the sport it self absorb the talent he had ,back from 04 tell 07 a massive show of greatness I was wondering if there is more can be done, simply the reservoir will have a point of challenge but there is always a respect and appreciation for everything , maybe not dominant in the way he once was and the body being the biggest threat , but greatness can emerge in any moment, sorry if you have problem with us but I have to say one thing am sorry for you because taste is innate gift can not aquired????????..loser

Why are you pushing me to Novak? FED FANS, you're giving me the impression that ALL Djok FANS are FED "lovers".
SO tennislover( you aren't one for sure), you're practically saying that those WHO DON'T ADMIRE FED DON'T have TASTE. By the law of #, there are more NON fed fans combined which makes US, the NORM... and you the MINORITY are the ABNORMAL LOT...so who's the loser now?.............Next time, don't be a sissy, address your comment to me DIRECTLY. CHICKEN......you're a coward with a lot of (bad)"taste" !

I don't have anything against Novak though. He's a very colorful character like Rafa, unlike the "others" who are so BORING!

Agf...roll about in your own slime you ridiculous, pathetic, mixed up freak. Zoey was RIGHT. Your mental state surpasses the physicality of you. Your mental state reaches the dark abyss of despair and blackness. You see no way clear.....you SECRETLY love the Fed, yet you cannot admit it. Talk to us Agf....talk to us....we ARE your friends....we want to help you get through this difficult period in your life....Do not worry...we appear your enemies, but it is all a ruse.....we feel your pain....We know that you lack direction and focus....we understand the turmoil that you are going through. It is difficult to accept genius....it is difficult to appreciate greatness.....but don't worry...you will get through this dark tunnel......at the end of it will be light.....the light of the fed awaits you Agf.....if only you would reach out and touch the magic of his tennis racquet......Nadal will hold your hand on the way...he will guide you to everlasting immortality. He will guide you and hand over the racquet to Fed once again...you can then both walk in the garden of Eden.....Hold on Agf...do not worry.......all Fed fans will welcome you with open arms.....

and how do you know the Fed fans are in a minority? Seriously dude,I usually press the ignore button when it comes to you , but you gotta be careful with what you say
Like the saying goes-Know your facts before you distort them.

I doubt you geddit and I know I'll be seeing another ' intellectual' post from you.But I gave it a try nevertheless. ;)

great advice! what would we do without such intellectual fed fans!

Here's another CRAZY member! Just READ YOUR OWN POST, malteser, and pretend that it's not yours. Is that a composition of a SANE person. You think you're poetic enough to make me as STUPID as YOU are?

AND here's another ONE from (the name itself denotes someone really ???) their camp. Are you hurt? That's why you're here to support your idol. Why should I be careful with what I say ... FOR YOU? And who are you anyway? You're another pathetic fan who wants to be notice. Ok, happy now? So go back to your cave and make some fire to keep you warm and calm... go go go... Good boy!

i think we should go on a picnic together to decide who is intellectual ????????? fun ka fun & fight ka fight !!!!!! Isn't it a brilliant idea ????? lolzzzzz

here we go ;) oh..well..never mind :)

hey agf25agf Roger Continues to shine as the fairest and most popular player on the ATP World Tour after the 2008 ATP World Tour Awards were announced in Miami, and fellow players voted Roger the winner of the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award for a record fifth consecutive year. Only Ederg himself won the award five times (over eight years). Dont' kid yourself agf25agf. Roger is obviously still very popular. Much more so than you want to imagine (or in your Nightmares). Cheers.

You started with me. I've ignored you're stupid posts before, now watch me!

Ok, be contented with those POPULARITY CONTESTS!... be so very PROUD of THAT! You have nothing to boast about nowadays anyway!

Tomorrow Fed might win a singing contest in Zambia, so get ready for a national convention of Fed fans for the VICTORY PARADE!

CLOWNS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Poor Agf...just doesn't get it.....and by the way you moron....poets NEVER get hurt, especially when they have a Masters in English Language and literature....So dude....never fear...MALTESER IS HERE! You see, we poets LOVE to visualise....we visualise success in the Fed.....we don't worry about hurt, we try to help those that are in turmoil with their own feelings. LIKE YOU... YOU talk garbage at the highest level...always being disrespectful to genius..and as Janhavi said....highly arrogant of you say to that Fed fans were in the minority......CAN YOU COUNT? Ha! cannot enunciate nor count. That speaks volumes.....I hope Fed does win a singing contest in Zambia.....Good for him.......Yeah...there will be a victory parade and that will be when you move over from DARK SIDE....come join us Agf...find peace and tranquility through your TORTURED soul.......YOUR THE CLOWN!!!!!!

poets NEVER get hurt, especially when they have a Masters in English Language and literature

It gets even funnier! I should get one too to stop myself getting hurt and would that also qualify me as a poet? Because that would be the biggest joke ever!

Is it a comedy show where people r throwing jokes ??????? not done !!!!!!!!! lolzzzzz

Arvis,

"Personally, I think we saw enough tennis here to conclude that Andy Roddick is actually the second best player right now. At least, he was for this tournament. Sadly, that would leave my favorite, Federer, as the 4th best player in the tournament"

HAHAHAHHAHAH, you must be from different planet.

SEE how very very angry malteser is! He's in a state of trans! He don't know what to say anymore! Poor poor soul!

remi-- dear, if you get serious with these nincompoops, you'll be crazy. Treat them as toys, you'll enjoy them!

Arvis,

What everyone feels is Roddick's game is not worth his ranking and it should be above 15 for the kind of game he plays

remi--- play with the one called malteser.... IT will give you a good laugh!

malteser--- learn from Rafa HOW TO PLAY DEFENSIVE!

I am tired of reading the ?Fed-hater? that becomes part of fedfans vocabularies.

If we go back years 2004-2007 when Federer was winning almost everything, the only thing you heard from fedfans were their unison prayer that Federer will win French Open sooner than later. There?s no such a thing as FED-HATER that time.

In my memory, the most ?disgusting cricitism? hurled to Federer for not winning FO wasn?t from the mouth of any Nadal supporter but it was from Mr. "Balls" Willanders, a tennis great who is very vocal with his admiration for Roger.

Undeniably this is the main target of Federer Express but because of Roger?s failure at FO for many attempts due to Nadalitis, then a ?Nadal-hater? was born and come to life, conceived by nobody elses but the FEDFANS. They were the first ones to spew hate against Nadal because, aside from FO frustration, the ugly H2H definitely adds up more pressure and misery to Federer and his loyal fans.

It was not long ago, the nadal-hater-fedfans were very vocal in lambasting Nadal as a dirt baller, a one dimensional player who can not win outside of clay. During that time, the Nadal Camp can only muster to say ?WAIT & SEE Nadal is improving and wallah, after his first hold of Wimbledon trophy a new kind of negative slogan proliferated again by nobody else but the Nadal-hater-fedfans. According to them Nadal can never win hardcourt GS because his game does not suit fast surface.

Inspite of his previous wins against Federer in Hardcourt, the usual nadal-hater-fedfans totally erased those wins from their memory banks and ignored the recent win of Nadal in Olympic, which was contested in hardcourt. At this time the Rafafans gained some sharp teeth and try to respond on the belittling talks about Rafa done by fedfans.

You want a simple proof? What about that RESOUNDING criticism how ugly Nadal?s game is? If not all of you nadal-hater-fedfans, at least most of you did say it, didn?t you? As one of Nadal fans, here is my last word to that beautiful and ugly thing ? there is no such a thing as beautiful if it is losing. No matter how nicely it is done if it didn?t work then it?s just utterly useless. Nadal-hater-fedfans, whether you accept it or not, Nadal has proven to the whole world his superiority on all surfaces, a feat that Federer was trying to achieve all this time.

CONCLUSION, the ?fed-hater? is a result of what fedfans did in early days and it has now the recoiling effect on them. So fedfans, you deserve all the hates ? reap what you sow.

Now what we will call one who is posting hatred posts for fed ??????? of course hater !!!!! is there n e other word ????? I have just joined school,tat's y lacks knowledge !!!!!!!!!!

Of course agf! You rule.. and so does raindrops, livingdoll, etc!

Roddick the second best player???? Well, we'll see him in the final then won't we, along with Daffy the duck. Sorry Arvis, but I think you dream.

First-I dont hate Nadal.So atleast I am not a Nadal-hating-Fedfan.
Second-Nobody trashed Nadal the way his fans trash Roger,going to the extent of calling him gay and taking unnecessary swipes at his character.
Third-I for one never called Nadal's game ugly.
Fourth-How about Nadal fans constantly accusing us of' blind worshipping' just because we do not agree with their assessments of Fed's character?
Fifth-The Nadal fans in the past have lambasted Federer's game enough,calling him 'boring' even in his days of winning everything in sight.
Sixth-How about Nadal fans claiming Fed had no competition and won on his talent alone till archangel Nadal came along?
Seventh-The double standrads.Sure,go ahead and say what you like about a player.But then accept criticism and trashing of your favourite player.I dont trash any player,so I dont accept trashing of my favourite player.
Eigth-The gloating.Since Nadal always had a leading H2H vs Fed I never remember Fed fans gloating too much.Except maybe after Wimbledon 2006 .Nadal fans on the other hand gloat every time Fed loses a match.
Moral of the story-Both sides have equally been at fault.I for one do not deny mistakes on my part.I underestimated Rafa.I accept it.
As for reaping what we sow-We shall see who reaps what.

Phew......just got back from playing tennis.......so THAT was the reason for the delay AGF...nothing more.....AND I have NEVER slated Nadal....always complimentary about his play, his strength, his determination. I completely agree with Janhavi...It is the constant rampaging of Nadal fans (some...not all...), who are the fed haters. Why? If you have nothing to worry about why can't you accept that Federer IS a great champion. A champion who will live on in the memory of TRUE tennis fans...That is why Roger's fans have so much class. You see...when you dis the man from Switzerland...you show your ignorance of the game of tennis. Why do you want to subvert purity Agf? Raindrops? Remi? Why can't you accept that despite your spite aimed towards a man of great worth, you reduce your characters to that of ignorance. Go read....(oops...I forgot...you are selective...you need pictures above the writing to work out what it says..)...the EXPERT ARTICLES from champions in the here and now, from past players turned coaches who accept that this is Nadal's time, but do NOT accept that Federer is over. This is not the rantings of a loser, but the acceptance of a tennis fan. As for you Agf, Remi, Raindrops, you just show how much hatred you have for a man who has given so much enjoyment over the years...I can only think it is because you are all SCARED that he might just recapture another masters/slam/No.1....We will have to see...but do try and say something a little more intelligent than calling us 'blind worshippers'. We are not. We just recognise genius when we see it.

And....having just sen him throw yet another temper tantrum on court and call the Umpire a "f------ a-------", I just hope Daffy duck beats him.

^ you're talking about Roddick right? yeah I wish he could've contained himself a bit.
Not for the fans,for his sake.

I think Roger's talents are overstated. Now that he has real talented players beating him, his game has been exposed as average. He is playing the same game now that he was playing when he started, and who can blame him, he was successful with it, but I will never accept that he plays better tennis than eveyone else, it's just that no one was prepared to take him on, or they were all just as bad until Rafa, Djoko and Andy came along. If you look at the top ten for the years that Roger was No 1, nearly all of them were about to retire.

This is livingdoll back under a new name.

Livingdoll...why change your name?.......I think you need to be listening to Peter Fleming, Mark Petchey and Barry Cowan, who discuss Federer's talents to the 'enth' degree. And they would disagree with you wholeheartedly Carrie. So 'Carrie' on with the crap....How can you say that Roger isn't a talented player? Such a load of bullshine....Honestly.....Carrie, whatever you say, however you say it, you will always have your cronies, Agf, raindrops, memi and remi...two halfs of a whole brain who will support your rabid nonsense...we will just bat them back right atcha!

carrie also posted that roger isnt hard-working, now he isnt talented too, yet he dominated for 4,5 years. What is the secret of him lol

malteser-lets be a little polite,shall we?

Can't teach old dogs new tricks.... malteser was born with that behavior!

It's nice to have you back, CARRIE! Don't make malteser angry, he's going to bite! HE HE HE!!!!!!

I've learnt not to be lead blindly by these commentators who to a man backed Roger every single time he has played Rafa in the last 18 months and were wrong without fail. These commentators praise Roger because they know he'll cry if they don't.

Calling people names doesn't help. It's what people resort to when they are losing the argument.

I had some problems with my login so I had to re-register.

malteser just got back from playing tennis... IF IT'S TRUE , DO YOU HAVE TO ANNOUNCE IT to the whole world?
YOU DOn'T play AT ALL,because if you do, you'll NOT GIVE A LOT OF EMPHASIS TO WHAT IS COMMON TO YOU! PRETENSION at its BEST!
JUST SHOW HOW insecure this ?player? IS! HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fellow players voted Roger the winner of the Sportsmanship Award agf25agf. Don't you get it? It's not just a popularity contest, it's an honour. I would expect the players who have had dealings with Roger Federer would be in a good position to characterize him in a true/real sense. Certainly more so than those of us who have never met him. I was trying to show you although you don't like the guy, he is still a nice guy. This is what the award represents in part. Roger won 5 it five times. As for your name calling a lot of the time, STOP IT! LOL Poor soul, you probably don't even know how. I won't go so far as to say you don't have it in you. Cheers

I swear I never heard about Federer being tagged as gay but metrosexual sort of comment is, YES I heard it once lately. However, that's nothing compare to fedfans constant association of Nadal to an animal, a savage beast which is heard every now & then. Even his broken English was not spared by CYNICAL fedfans, who are too proud to say, AT LEAST Roger can speak 4 or 5 different languages. The fedfans are always come up with a slight to exalt Roger even if has nothing to do with Tennis. Is Tennis an Oratory contest?

HELLO malteser1...is this how you define CLASS-fedfans eh?

Unlike the RESOUNDING 'ugly, animal, beast...etc' that we heard in almost every topic at tennistalk, that 'blind worshipping' is rarely heard too so I presume it was just a spurt-of-moment kind of comment and I suspect that the Rafafan who made that remark was just responding to a certain statement about Roger that is not in accordance with the 'current and real score' of Roger's tennis. Counterpunching is what Rafa and his legion of fans do most of the time.

Admit it, the so-called CLASS-Nadal-hater-fedfans are relentless and incessant with your derogatory remarks against Rafa EVERSINCE, that's what made me say, the 'fed-hater' is all started by frustrated fedfans and the effect now is all coming back to you because it is time for the fans of that man whom you slighted his brand of tennis, to grind Federer along with his so-called CLASS-Nadal-hater-fedfans. Time to serve you dose of your own medicine. Endure more deriding comments now that your beloved Federer is not winning as much as he did in his heyday.

Come on people! lets "listen" to ourselves. This looks like a religious debate about semi god figures, almost like if we were greeks and fought for our differents mitological divine figures. I understand the passion and admiration that a athlete might generate, i feel it, i see them working really really hard, maybe harder than we will ever do, and i can see them proving what an amazing thing is a human being, by reaching ALMOST perfection, precision, belief in one self, and showing it in the brighest, and most beautiful sport, off course tennis. But i also understand their humanity, they are humans after all, they rise and fall, guided by the rythm of their soul, by their motivation, emotion, expectation, obstacles, introspection, change of goals, change of priorities, maturity and evolution. I am a federer fan, only because a love watching how he plays tennis, is just that simple, as someone said above, i think Sky, he is and artist, but I also love to watch Nadal, they play very diferent, and i love to watch tennis in general, but to get to point of focusing on bashing a player just because of their rivality, ? their rivalry is a marketing strategy by the media and Sponsors, there is a business behind this after all. This is not a fight between good (Fed/Nadal) and evil (Fed/Nadal) this is a mitological fight of our time. its great and it is great that it generates so much passion, and give us entertainment and, in my personal case, inspiration and example to reach the best of me, to turn my potential energy into acting energy, and reach what I thought was imposible. This is what we should be arguing about, the sport logic, strategy, technique and art. And, most of all, talk about how expending time watching a sport and then arguing about give us to our personal life. There is a question i would like to ask the peolple here ( those who dont want to keep talking about the same shit always). To me, a tennis match is like an abstract of life, specially to the decision making and emotion management that a person has to face. Each point, each game, each set, each match, each tournament, show us how a person mind behaves in critical and stresfull situation, and how the person turns that thinking into acting, in milisecond time... So the question is: What is tennis to you? and why do yo focus that concept into a single player?

Nice and true post mdmch. I had lost interest in tennis for a few years because it became "boring" to watch. I'm not into the antics like I used to watch JMac display but they showed passion for the game then. That's what drew me to Rafa. He was playing Fed and because I had not watched tennis for awhile, had no clue who either one was or their rivalry or personality. You could almost feel the passion for the game when you watched Rafa, as he played each point. You felt the energy he showed and could see the raw determination in his eyes. He drew me back to tennis. After that, the more I learned about Rafa's game and his personality, the more I knew that this young man would go far!

mdmch-fantastic post.Totally agree.To answer your question-Tennis to me is an inspiration of an independant mind.Like they say,no matter how much support you have,at the end of the day,you decide where your life takes you.Thats what tennis teaches me.To draw a simile-A tennis court is much like life's blind turns.You have to be prepared,you have to be on your own , you have to deal with your crisis.I love the spirit of the game.The way it is played.Its so much different to the usual definition of a sport.And to me Roger personifies tennis.I have liked many tennis players.But Roger is closest to my definition , my idea of tennis.He's the inspiration of an independant mind.He's beautiful,smooth , an artist like many say and a thorough gentleman.He's everything I ever wanted to see in a tennis player.I admire his love for sport as I have not seen many individuals love their profession as much as Roger loves tennis.To me and to many,Roger plays tennis the way it should be played..Maybe I'm to rigid.But thats how I like my tennis.
Watching tennis and Roger gives me entertainment and a new angle to look at life and its offerings.
Sheesh-too emotional of a post here..lol..but the question was such , I couldn't help :o)

I'm sorry, 'Roger personifies tennis' completely passes me by!!!!!!!

Janhavi......please don't tell me to be polite....when I receive such a load of crap from AGF...Kindly direct your comments to him...he/she has to be THE most impolite man/woman/transvestite/transsexual out there as of course i do not know their gender. Agf....I am actually a CRAP tennis player....but I want to learn to play the game.... the reason why I said it? because YOU presumed the reason I had not answered your blog was because I didn't know what to say......but then I forget...you cannot read can you? I agree with Janhavi....Roger personifies tennis. He is an inspiration to me. I accept that he is not playing his best tennis agf...I really do...but i do not turn away as a loyal fan would not do that. As you would not turn away from Nadal. I repeat....I think NADAL IS A GREAT PLAYER, HE EXUDES CONFIDENCE, DETERMINATION AND SKILL.....But my heart lies with Federer. I cannot change how I feel for you Agf...and what makes you think I am a man? Ha! And carrie, the fact that 'Roger' has passed you by...are you sure you are a tennis fan? I mean...to reach 19 slam finals over the last 5 years.....correct me if I am wrong...(please...), but I don't think there has been anyone else that has done that. I think the last stat was 10 slams....but again, let me know if I have missed a piece of important info like that. I respect Nadal, Roddick...on a roll...but some of you out there have to completely trash a tennis player...I haven't done that and accept greatness in different athletes.

mdmch--- LOVELY! Dramatic and full of emotional outburst! But, doesn't impress me. I'm might sound pessimistic to you, but I'm just being REALISTIC.
If you're REALLY into TENNIS, you CAN"T be OBJECTIVE in terms of being a fan.We can't give our allegiance to different players with the same intensity. You can't serve TWO KINGS at the same time. That's SO HYPOCRITICAL!
THIS DISCUSSIONS/ DEBATES or whatever you want to call it, illustrate how BIG the players are in terms of following and support. IT'S HEALTHY FOR TENNIS in particular.

What I meant was that in my opinion, Roger does NOT personify tennis.

malteser read my previous posts,you'll get my drift. ;)

I agree with everyone who is favoring Roger-The Kinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng & peace at TT !!

Federer, the King?........................No crown, no throne..............no kingdom!!!!!

Carrie....many crowns, many thrones, he has tennis kingdom! Agf.....you are right...you cannot serve two kings...but you CAN respect both. You do respect your king, Nadal...but show no respect to Fed....I hugely admire, respect, and bow to Federer's greatness.......YET I RESPECT Nadal's tenacity, etc.....you do not. You GIVE it Agf, but you don't TAKE it. Respect the fed......or at least acknowledge his accomplishments. THAT, my friend...you CANNOT argue with. They are the facts. I agree that the passion displayed on this site in particular is awesome and makes me feel lightheaded because of the fierceness of the returns! Like a Fed v Nadal tennis match...Oh yes.... bring it on.....Agf, am I right in saying that once upon a time, a long, long time ago....Agf said 'VINTAGE FEDERER?' or was it in my dreams? if so, did you or did you not acknowledge the might of the genius that is called Fed?

When I started joining this blog, I tried to compose myself. Kind of feel the environment before I settle in. But, it's not a civil surrounding... no reason to be politically correct at some point. I thought there's ONLY one thing to survive in the midst of the beasts... give a strong stance and be HONEST with what you feel... NOT to HOLD BACK on my support to Rafa and HIT ON his rival if it will emphasize the point that I want to imply because it's THE WAY of the "jungle". Like playing tennis, IF YOU HESITATE, there's a big probability that you'll lose the point.
YOU, malteser, demonstrated this to me once , and not twice that you repeated it... actually , you JUST DID it (above comment) again. I tried to complement Fed's performance, but you didn't believe that I really meant "vintage Fed". SO I PROMISE MYSELF, you'll NEVER EVER hear a message of that tone for your idol from me EVER AGAIN.
I'm just LIVING UP to my PROMISE!..... and I'm NOT going to BREAK it (yet) in the near FUTURE!

Sorry malteser, I don't get your drift. The king of the Tennis Kingdom is Nadal, Federer has been deposed. No doubt he was king once but not now. Two people cannot wear the crown and sit on the throne at the same time.

Federer does not accept this nor do his fans.

Let me correct you Carrie.......I DO ACCEPT THAT NADAL IS KING OF TENNIS FOR NOW....I DO ACCEPT THAT. You see....I have even said it TWICE..... and if you read my previous posts, I have said this more than twice. My point is that I don't have to trash Nadal or his tennis skills in order to appreciate Roger's own skill on the courts. I will always be true to him in terms of his style, his play, his own personal style. I have said many times that I think his dominance of the game has gone, that is not to say that he will not recapture that Carrie. That is what being a champion is all about. When Nadal finally is deposed.....I wonder whether you will be so loyal or whether you will be blinded by his genius? I just don't think there is any need to be so negative about Federer all of the time. And girl. you have to admit it, read your posts, pure venom concerning the man. No need. But then you are what you are and you won't change so you 'carry' on being 'carrie', as for Agf....once again, I think you just misunderstand buddy. You admitted 'I tried to compliment Federer'.....thank you. That's all I need to 'hear'. You do have a heart Agf, even if you don't like to show it. Never say Never!

janhavi: loved your post about tennis, I'll share mine. For me tennis is not really a reflection of life, it's a pared down instant of pure theatre, a reflection of life, one man against another, sometimes a woman but alas not so often these days. It's a memory of the days of the amphitheatre, the jousting ring, fighting to the death. There's no longer blood on the sand but there's plenty of other emotion around. For that short period of time there you are, exposed and you must do or die.
Sport in general, is a very healthy way of channeling our aggression. hence the raw emotions on display here.
However, in real life I hope we have learnt that the human race must co-operate with each other in order to overcome the challenges of our time.

First of all, let me say how impressed I am with your insight malteser, I am a girl.

I don't have any venom for Roger, but I was never a fan of his style of play..........yes, I know.............I know, the world and his wife are, but it doesn't appeal to me; so I am not only saying things because he is not No 1 anymore, this has been my stance all along. I just feel that a lot of people refuse to accept that Roger is not the ultimate in tennis any more, and still try to leave him on the pedestal and ignore what Nadal has achieved. To say Roger is still King, just illustrates this.

I would still support Rafa even if he was outside the top 100.

As I said, I would support Rafa 100% even if he was outside the top 100, but I wouldn't still insist he was the King, because he wouldn't be if he wasn't No1.

carrie ...i see your point .....you said "I just feel that a lot of people refuse to accept that Roger is not the ultimate in tennis any more" ... hence your solution to this is to badmouth fed every chance you get ? ( this is a question, not a statement )

secondly ..im a die hard ...and i mean dieeee hard fed fan ....but i have accepted that he is NOT at the top now . However , he is still on that pedestal of mine . He is still 'my' king ...i dont think that this is wrong or is deserving of a tongue lashing from anyone...especially since you would support your player even if he was outside the top 100 , and im sure he would still be on ur pedestal . most of your post (all over) have been more focused on being anti fed ...than it is pro nadal.

there are others wayyy worse than u ...but aft ur last post i tot u were actually not all that gone ... :)

Of course you have every right to put Roger on YOUR pedestal, I was responding to malteser for saying that Federer IS the King. Do you want me to accept wild claims like 'Federer personifies tennis', 'Federer is the King', when I don't actually think so?

Oh my God ag2f how miserable you are seriously man you should seek some help do you spend your life here ? common ugly man/woman you should seek some yoga perhaps some self respect lessons some art lessons expand your horizons it is ok not everybody is perfect like Fed's fans, you should know that accept that and perhaps the art lessons can give you some taste, though I think you are a dead case you are psycho
The way you talked to me earlier wow man/woman or maybe you are both!(if you know what i mean but i can not trust your IQ)

y r u complaining, you are also member of "the haters" band.

Carrie....thanks for your earlier posts. You see.....I HAVE to go with fedexfan here. I totally hear what you say and love the fact that you are committed to your own King - Nadal....has a certain ring to it... I will admit....YET..you do NOT see my point. I DO NOT TRASH NADAL. Never have...I see a certain softness coming through your posts about Fed, the last couple any way...may be I am wrong. But you see, I respect the game...I love the competition. It is healthy. What irritates me is when you and others speak of Federer as if he is a nobody....yet he has done so, so much for the sport of tennis. In fact, watching sky sports tonight, a 70 year old dude sent an email in saying that he watched the Nadal v Federer wimbledon match 2008 and how gripped he was by the match, how thrilled he felt to be a part of the history that was made that day. He 'spoke' with such Joy, it made me smile. He ide3ntified and respected TWO GREAT CHAMPIONS....TWO GREAT KINGS.....Forgive me...but I disagree with you.....Many countries, many Kings....many idols, many fans. I think that Fed is the BEST thing that has happened to tennis. Right now, Nadal is enjoying his 'fan...dom'. He deserves it. He is fantastic to watch....YET I still cannot agree with you in terms of the way he plays and the way Roger plays. His style is magical, he glides around the court....that is my take on it. Nadal, isn't 'beautiful' to watch in terms of his style...my own opinion. That is the joy for me of watching Federer. Yeah, I know that Nadal's style, Murray's style is THE style right now, but federer is a 'special' kind of player. That is what makes his play so enigmatic for me anyway.....and when he goes for the volley, the slice, the fed forehand. It is just sublime. I can watch it on replay over and over again. Just me. I accept it. So all I would say is great that you have your own King, but try not to be so damning of someone who has brought such class and 'majesty' to the game. He will ALWAYS be the KING to me.