hmm... some good thinking there by federer

but it also means that if he does face him in the final in paris, he won't know what his chances are. he won't have given himself the chance to beat him sicne he lost in australia

He's an intelligent man Federer, he knows what his talking about!!

Someone please tell Roger he has to reach those finals first. It seems he forgot that little detail.

confidence or arrogance?

confidence.

predictable answer!

hey danny! How are you?....Look....am a nobody in terms of what I say on these threads. I don't put that much importance on what you say, and vice versa....I am predictable! So shoot me! Enjoy your evening....xx

also predictable danny that you would post me saying something along these lines...and hey...wait til carrie, fan4tennis and gretchen join the bandwagon....Lawdy...lawdy......xx

Emiliano55

I think it's obvious that Roger's comments are prospective, not categorical. Note words like 'hoping' and 'could', as in "I'm hoping to play him here in the final" and "but even if it doesn't it could still be a good thing". These express conditional possibilities, not guarantees. Just thought I'd clear that up for you ;-)

Nadal is a lucky motherfucker with his 34 masters on clay and at his home, Roger got no master on grass
Tennis calendar sucks

I hope against hopest that roger could make it to the final of paris and somehow beat nadal...
Than rolland garros wil b a real treat to all tennis fans,,..
cheers

I'm with you there jibi......

Hmm, very interesting mindset. In tennis, you have to make everything and anything into a positive. Whatever the situation.
You have to have selective memory, and you have to hold on to any little bit of hope and turn it into a positive to use to boost your confidence and performance on court.
That's what successful tennis players do. Of course there's a very negative side to this approach if you take it to extremes, but that's another topic.

I get where Roger's coming from.

Although I doubt whether Rafa beating Rogelio on clay before entering the FO will in anyway change Rafa's mindset, confidence and performance. I do however see how "avoiding" Rafa will in fact be more of an advantage to Rog.

Let's face it, Rafael is beyond needing to beat him (or any other player) to feel good about himself when entering the French Open. He doesn't need that type of motivation to beat Roger (the situation last year just proves it). Roger on the other hand, needs every bit of "advantage" he can get. Not losing another match to Rafa before the French Open will be ideal for him because he has yet to lose to him this year on clay and so he'll have that hope that whatever he's doing with his training might be the answer to his "Rafa problem on clay". This "hope" sounds very insignificant, and in reality, it probably is. But in the world of tennis, any teeny tiny bit of "silver lining" should be grasped and held on to, and used...

On one hand, if Roger makes the final, it'll be his first on clay this season, plus it could mean that he finally chalked up a win against a top four player (aka Murray since he's on his side of the draw).
Plus, if he's "lucky" enough to play Rafa in the final, then he'll be able to gauge his progress and try out his new strategies that he may be thinking about employing at the French. And if he wins, not only will he'd have ended the Masters drought (and tie Rafa for second most Masters won) but earning a win over Rafa on his favorite surface will mean so much to him and boost his confidence significantly. Oh, the headlines.

But on the other hand, if he indeed makes the final, and has to face Rafa, and loses. That will only rub salt in an already very raw wound. Plus if his "new tactics" don't work and he doesn't make a match of it, that will only further damage whatever confidence he has left when he faces Rafa in the French Open Final.

But as we all know, these are SPECULATIONS. All in all, it's better for Roger to not dwell on playing Rafa at all. It's best for him if he focuses on one match at a time, puts in all the hard work and just plays his game.

At the end of the day I really don't think it's a question of confidence or arrogance. I think it's a question of self preservation.

I do see Fed's point, but at the same time I would think playing Rafa prior to playing him at RG would have been helpful to Roger too. They tend to bring the very best tennis out of each other so I would think it's been helpful to Roger in the same way he's saying maybe it has been helpful to Rafa. I mean it would definitely make things interesting if they were to avoid each other up until RG finals (should both players make it that far) just because there would be so much suspense leading up to it (having not played since AO, etc.). I don't know. I don't think they'll play in Madrid and right now I think it's more likely they'll face each other at Wimbledon. But you never know, we'll see. Things are definitely heating up!

Every possible scenario has happened before PRIOR to the French Open, and STILL Rafa won. So whatever happens BEFORE the FO will NOT affect Rafa's performance... some people NEVER LEARN!!!

I was thinking Roger didn't stand a chance, but his thought of even getting to the final of the FO to versus Rafa promises that he isn't a total wreck. If someone was going to beat him, it would be Rog. Not that...I'm thinking he will. I like his thoughts here though, it might help, though maybe versing him would be better, so his dreams are shattered faster, I feel it is less brutal this was. A 4th final lose at the FO might just drive him off the deeeeeep end.

So what happens to Djoko who is playing lights out on clay for a player other than Nadal? What about red hot Murray? I would say they have as much chance of beating Nadal at FO as Federer does, if not more.

This is what it means that living in a delusional world. In sports understanding your opponent's strategy is as much important as beating him.

If Fed doesn't play Nadal before FO and comes face to face with nadal, he wouldnt have a clue. 2008 FO was an exception to the rule. In 2005, 06 and 07 the matches were close. All the sets were even till the end and Nadal pulled away when it mattered. All because they played so many times in those years. We have to remember Nadal tinkered with his serve and flattened his backhand added a defensive slice to get him out of trouble. He is not the same Nadal of previous years on clay.

I am confused here. Does Fed think showing on FO to play Nadal, which is by the way the slowest among all clay courts, would somehow make it easier? I guess we will have the answer in next 4 weeks.

I was just watching rerun of Rome semifinal vs Djoko and noticed a pattern. Fed's laser like forehand is out of whack. The speed of his forehand comes from the rotation of his upper body from waist up and his feet were slightly bent at the knee and pointing backwards.. But now when you watch it closely, he twisting his whole body and going up vertically to hit the shot. This is the classic sign of lower back problems. I noticed that in more than 1 occasion. Hope he fixes this before FO. If not, his back wouldn't lost if he gets stuck with one of the clay courters on 4, 5 set match.

Finally, all of us who don't think Fed is a reincarnation of Lord Krishna ( I am a hindu, thus the reference), we all acknowledge his records. Arguably he is one of the greatest players. Please do not post his records again and again. No one is disputing the facts. We are only upset at the way he belittles and discredits his opponents. The 'sour grape' comments don't befit a player of his stature. Every time he makes comments like that, it becomes bad for him. Remember the sporting world has a short term memory. Anyway, 2009 is the final year that Fed will be any kind of force on the tour. He is fast approaching the phase of Pete between 2001 and 02. I wish him goodluck and hope he wins as many as he can soon.

I cannot believe for the life of it that Fed still thinks he has any kind of a remote chance whatsoever of winning the French Open, especially as he has not just Rafa, but also red hot Djoko and the unpredictable Murray as wellas X factors like Simon and Nalbandian to worry about.

I'd think a 28yo guy would be a lot more mature than to act and say the kind of things he did, one would think only the die-hard Fed fans would be naive enough to even care about what this guy is still on about. Just look at his stats against the other members of the Big 4 this season is enough to tell all you need to know about his level atm. He's about as good as Del potro, one that should be (hopefully) capable of beatin the players we expect him to beat, but always falters against the big guns when it really matters. Thats the new Fed for you right there.

as for comebacks or another slam anywhere, his chances are about as big as Vietnam winning the FIFA world cup, Fed is a long gone of the past, and down and out is the only way to go from here as I've said about a million times already in this blog, hope he is listening, cos he's not just wasting his own time but also everyone elses.

RIP fed, see you in the Legends League, hav fun practicing with Pat Cash.

I would not go as far as you AZN2NVY, but i will say this....

What Fed is conceding there is some of the worst crap i have ever heard!! In the first place Federer should have never even revealed this because it gives Rafa a psycological advantage right there!!.....bcos to me.....it just shows how terrified he is of Rafa and of losing to Rafa AGAIN!!!

If Federer has been trying to improve his game he should welcome the opportunity to test it in Madirid, and if he loses to Rafa, or anyone else for that matter, he can then go back to the drawing board in readiness for RGaros!!! I thought Federer said that it is only the big tournaments that mattered....so he should not feel any worst for wear if he losees in Madrid!!!.....i thought he would be concentrating wholly and soley on RGarros!!!!

Federer should be reminded that Rafa tried three times at Wimby before he beat him and that was through hard work!........ Federer perhaps should just try that instead of playing mind games......if thats the way Fed is going he IS going to lose bcos everyone already knows that mentally.......Rafa is the hardest nut to crack!!!!!

AZN: "He's about as good as Del potro,"

Delpo may be among the top players, but to say Fed "is about as good as Del potro" is a major insult to Fed. Even at his worst, Fed is playing so much better than Delpo.

MonaLisa already has said all that i wanted to...lolzzzzzz

meeting or not meeting rafa on clay b4 rolland garros will not matter that much in my opinion....its ultimately his performance on sunday 7th june thats gonna count!!!!!!

fan4tennis, "Delpo may be among the top players, but to say Fed "is about as good as Del potro" is a major insult to Fed. Even at his worst, Fed is playing so much better than Delpo."

Thats not true at all Del Potro has managed something that Fed hasn't been able to do for the past 2 yrs - beating Rafa. Thats a fact.

Del Potro is also more likely to beat Rafa than Fed will ever be able to even if rafa's injured or severely eahusted, thats also a fact.

Del Potro is able to come back from 2 breaks down in the 3rd and turn it around and beat Rafa just like he did in Miami, while when Fed is down in the 5th at the OZI open he simply just gave up and threw his towel in the air and surrended, not Del Potro, he fought hard and got his reward.......

There's my 5 cents right there.

The funny thing is Rafa is not thinking about playing Roger in the finals at Madrid or RG yet. Even with his legacy on clay, he doesn't disregard all in his path to the finals, so he doesn't assume he is going to get there by right, he believes he has to take one match at a time. In fact, Roger will be happy to beat Rafa on any surface at the moment, seeing he hasn't beaten him since 2007.

Roger has more than Rafa on his plate....errrrrr..........Murray..........Djokovic?

Hav no doubt in mind about fed. rachin the finals at Paris ..The fact is federer was havin the worst season before reachin the US open finals and the AO ....he is havin a much better season in that respect... If he plays his very best in the french open he will stand a chance , but still rafa is a walll...................

What ridiculous nonsense. I'm seriously surprised he had the nerve to say such a thing to the press. Even back when he was playing lights-out tennis and beating Rafa consistently on other surfaces, Fed wasn't even able to stretch Rafa to five sets at RG, let alone beat him. Now, when he's playing much worse tennis than before and hasn't beaten Rafa on any surface in a year, he really thinks he can beat Rafa at RG?

Maybe he needs to say such things to build himself up. But last year, he was all "I'm much closer to beating Rafa than ever before" and then he lost worse than ever before. I think he should focus more on his tennis and keep his mouth shut.

When asked these questions, maybe Roger should stick to:

"I have to play my best if I want to win, no?"

I like what the Fed is doing. He is preparing himself mentally/emotionally for whatever happens. Obviously his desire to WIN is as strong/healthy as ever it has been. Go Roger go...

Also AZN....you talk about Del Potro? and Fed being no better?....did my eyes deceive me or did Roger trounce Del potro at the AO....like...... BIG TIME? Del potro had NO chance.....may be your comments should produce a fairer description? You should consider RIP? (7.53 a.m. 5/11/09)

Agf...you never learn because you are just so disparaging of Fed each and every time. Jeeezzzzz.........yawn.yawn. I live in hope tho'.

Sky...definitely. His desire to win is as strong as ever. More so. He knows that this year already. He hasn't produced the goods in terms of winning titles, but he has still reached the semis of the masters and finals of the slams. I believe that playing in Madrid is going to serve as brilliant practice for him prior to FO. I believe he will be trying out new tactics and seeing how they go. I am just excited that he is playing tomorrow.

Also.....did I see a compliment for Fed from FFT. Have just fallen off my chair and given myself a back injury! which I am sure she will be pleased about!

Carrie good one .. :) Fed shud hav said Thank God I dont have to play qualifiers :D

This is probably a preview of Roger's excuse if he doesn't make the final in Madrid. "I didn't want to play Rafa before RG anyway, so I chose to lose the match on purpose on my racquet."

He seems to be conceding that if they met in Madrid, Rafa would win. If he doesn't have any confidence of beating Rafa in three sets, how on earth does he think he stood a chance in 5 sets?

"I think he should focus more on his tennis and keep his mouth shut."-SYD , 5/11/09 12:10 PM

I agree! He should let his racket do the talking, as Rafa is doing.

hahahaha..that's my first reacion..he's some sort of allergic to rafa...

anyways, to those who think it's an intelligent answer, i don't think so..

yes, it may be sort of a relaxation thing for roger not to give rafa an advantage about "beating somebody on clay prior to RG"..

but here's the catch: rafa has all the advantage to think that if djokovic was able to dispose federer on previous matches and he was able o beat novak twice, then he does not need any tune up game or what so ever from federer....

anyways, madrid is clay but conditions are different so i really think any pre RG showdown won't stir any advantages to both....

"I like what the Fed is doing. He is preparing himself mentally/emotionally for whatever happens."-sky , 5/11/09 12:59 PM

More like preparing an alibi just in case he does not reach the finals, to me. Remember mono, back, fading light, the wind, wedding...?

i must say, i admire his confidence.

danny

:)

malteser, I have complimented Fed quite a few times. Remember our short-lived truce? I have always said Fed has a great record, plays great tennis and all that, but he is just not the tennis player for me. I prefer Rafa for various reasons. AZN's comment about Delpo was so off-base that I had to say something.I apologize to the Delpo fans, but at this moment, you still cannot say that Delpo is better than Fed.

As much as I hate the constant reciting of stats, maybe AZN should look for what results (including the round the player exited) Fed and Delpo have had this season of 2009!!! (Especially the AO 2009 one)

Does it mean that Roger has lost to Rafa in RG all these years because they met each other before RG?? If so,I would say Roger is in denial!!

FFT....you know...we may even grow to like each other as the days start turning into weeks....I guess when I see a compliment from you it is so rare that I have to have a double take! But I am going to frame your comment and I would like to thank you for actually be sooooo nice about him. I totally understand that you prefer Rafa, it is just that I don't keep banging on about Rafa to you and if I do mention him it is with respect...I don't like it when you constantly say....(and you do)...that he is arrogant or whatever. For now with you FFT, I am at peace......

I know it won't last long though!

Federer doesnt have a low back problem, his forehand isnt failing, his backhand isnt the estrategy every player learned from nadal to neutralize him. Federer doesnt have a mental block that unables him to perform at his best in critical situation like he was so used to do. I mean, he DOES have all those litlee defects that count at critical moments. But the source to all those problems is his attitude. When you see his face on the field, when he is on a delicate situacion, what you feel is sorrow, compasion, you feel injustice because a great hero may not fall. When he is winning, i am never sure that he really did everything to win, or the oponent just craped on his pants. When he makes a winner, i have the sensation that it was pretty lucky, when he doesnt make an unforced error, i wonder how long the rally will last... Is that Roger Federer?. Is he the muse that used to inspire me and make me want to evolve because, "almost perfection" is possible?. The truth is that I dont know.. when you go to a doctor you want to see hope in his face, when you are in trouble and go to a friend for advices you want to see optimism, when you look up at a person and that person inspires millions of people, you want to see FIRE and greatness in his eyes...
So I believe that Roger has got an attitude problem, he is in denial, he belives ( in my opinion, off course) that he is losing not because he is being overplayed by other, but because he hasn't played his best tennis yet. He is frozen in the reality of two years ago when he dominated every match he played. he is not aware that, as in nature, if you want to survive and prevail in tennis you MUST evolve, Nadal studied him for four years and overcame his treat. Murray evolved, djokovic evolved but with a litlee attitude problem as well, del potro, verdasco, rodick, etc.
But Roger stud on the same mental place, denied the reality that surround him, in his head he still the best player with a very bad streak. So when he enters the court, he is like a king without a trone, he expects reverence and receives insubordination.
Federer needs a slap in his face and an enlightement so he will understand that if he ever wants to win again ( and off course he can) he must do what all the other players have done.... Evolve

mdmuch...you could well be right. A good slap around the chops to wake him up. But...... I would like to say though, that Roger has changed and is changing his game....more volleying for starters. We have seen that a lot more volleying than he used to play...plus he is also coming to the net a lot more.

I don't think that there is a lot wrong with his game...he has played some excellent tennis...especially in Rome (concurring with Peter Fleming on sky sports today).....(despite what people think), plus at AO final. Federer needs to dig deep and get that old fighting spirit back....like you said. It's the fire that is missing sometimes. Complacency perhaps? I dunno. I still feel he wants to win....but is putting too much pressure on himself in terms of that elusive......14TH SLAM. He needs to just go in and play 'free' tennis, like he used to. Problem is that he is now in the category of trying to beat Nadal, along with Djoker and Murray....I still think that Fed can win though. His tennis...when his head is where it should be is still awesome, still sublime, and still liquid gold. He needs to believe that himself and then he can win......and he will.

Yes, Roger forget about everything, keep your mouth shut and go play some tennis! I don't think it's an attitude problem at all. his game was based on speed and athleticism, he's older and therefore slightly slower. He's gotta admit that and try to compensate somehow in other areas. but first he has to admit that the problem is one of being older in tennis terms. He doesn't seem able to do that, he blames other things.

deuce....do you think so? You know...I really don't think that it has anything to do with his age, otherwise he would be losing in the early rounds...like EVERY match....he still has speed, finesse, great shots, the hunger, the will to win.....It is the attitude to his own game. His self-belief. Yet listening to recent interviews...he BELIEVES, it's just the tennis isn't as consistent. I don't know what the answer is here. Only Roger does and I guess his tennis will do the talking over the next few weeks.......I think with Sampras, with Agassi, they still had the belief and went forward into their thirties, so I really don't think that age is the factor here. You say he blames other things? (going back to what danny says...) without having to repeat the 'same old', but not sure I cant without making sense. His back was a legit occurence, as was the mono, but its all 'old news' now. Fed has gotta deal with younger, hungrier guns, he has the hunger but it is enough to match the others and beyond?

Hmmmm, I wonder how many slaps Fed needs...(Nole, Andy...even Wawrinka maybe could say something about that.
Sometimes it makes me sad to see how Great Fed is loosing coctact with reality

i think that the age issue has something to do, but not in the way deuce is mentioning. If you look at the football ( soccer) players, there are excelent, and very speedy 27,28,29,30 ( Henry) for example, in the army the best soldiers are those above their 25, in marathons runners is more or less the same. I think that if age is what is affecting Federer is maybe the melancholy of being on "his way out" (long years from now) and not in the way in. He might feel "old", but again is a part of his attitude, not a physical thing. The speed that he is lacking, is mental speed, reactions, decisions, and confidence on those decisions. i think that in this era of the world in general and sports in particular, youth is overrated. Lets analize a player like lubicic he is about 30, and gave a dificult game to murray, i think it was on montecarlo. Davydenko almost beat murray after playing back to back games on the same day ( he is 27 as well). age is in your mind, specialy in a sport like tennis, where is all about precision, positions and triangulation, thus, concentration. Like a proposed before, Federers attitude is taking away all of those things, specially his ability to focus on the actual game, he is playing for the camera, the crowd, his wife, his name, his pride, but not playing the game....

There comes a time when tennis players due to age are overtaken by younger players. I remember when McEnroe was at his best, and he had just beaten Borg at Wimbledon, he played like someone from another planet, and the press were asking if there would ever be anyone who could beat him, of course there was, Sampras, Becker and Agassi came along. Sampras also had the same experience eventually.

Roger has achieved more than most other tennis players being at the top for over four years, that time may have come for him, it will for Nadal one day. Roger shouldn't be bitter about it, he should come to terms with it, and enjoy playing if that's what he wants to do, without ankering after the No1 ranking again.

Don't you guys think he is a step slower, cos I do. He doesn't get to the ball as quickly as he uses to and therefore the timing on his mighty forehand is just enough out to cost him many many points, that's what I meant about him needing to compensate. I don't think you can compare other sports like football either, in tennis you, the individual, are exposed. I don't think you can compare other older players either. Of course they can cause the odd upset but it's just not the same as being at the very top for 5 years.

I agree with yo Carrie that maybe he will not be number 1 again, not because hes no fit for the job, but because he doesnt have the motivation that comes with youth, or the urge, and I totally agree that he shouldnt be bitter about it, and play the game with pure love for the game. But I do believe that if he really loves tennis more than everything else, like we should all love our jobs or dreams, than he should find the inner fire to be competitive for the rest of his career, and achieve that 15th title or the french open title that is worth like two. Like a Roger fan I dont expect him to be number 1 again, but like many peolple said in this forum, tennis is just not as fun without the FEDEX, and seriosly I believe that the only guy capable of beating Nadal on clay is Roger ( at his best) so to all tennis fans, if you dont want to watch a monologous, monotonous tennis for the next 2 seasons (in spite of Murray, and Djokovic) than lets hope that Roger gets that enlightenment click that he needs and kicks nadals itchy ass. ( LOL, no disrespect for nadals fans, he is without a doubt the best right now in all aspects you can look at a tennis player, even in those that federer use to be the best)

malteser can you give the link to peter flemings article?
.. i cant find it

"no disrespect for nadals fans"
mdmch, the only person you disrespected with that comment is yourself.

Back to discussion.

There are a lot of comments here since I last visited! I quickly scanned through them and I've read many excellent points.
To sum up my thoughts on all of these comments, I think that Roger's constant focus on Rafa and his comments and "strategies" concerning Rafa are very much reflective of a deep psychological hurt and trauma.

We all agree that he needs to "shut up and play" (that has a very nice ring to it.)
But the fact of the matter is, he CAN'T. Rafa is so deep into his mind that he's haunted by him. You'd think that since he still carries the advantage of not having to worry about playing Rafa until he reaches the finals, that he'd do just that. Not worry about Rafa at all, and take every opponent and every match at a time. Isn't it best for him not to dwell on his version of the Boogey Man?

A group of friends and I were discussing Roger's psychology and we all came to the conclusion that "denial and delusion" is a very fair and very accurate description of his mentality when it comes to (not only Rafa) but all of his tennis problems.

The funny thing is, with all of Roger's greatness and accomplishments and genius, there's just SO much he can learn from Rafael. Rafa is the Roger Federer to the young guys on the tour (ie Murray and Djokovic). Meaning, he's to them what Federer was to his generation. Rafa has set the bar and set the standards for these other young guys, and they are working hard and improving so that they can compete and keep up with him. Numerous times I've caught an embarrassed smile and a humble shrug of the shoulder as if to say "Oooh, Garsh!" whenever Rafa's thrown a compliment their way. They feel that (despite his phenomenal accomplishments) Rafa respects them and views them as equal competitors. In return they have a lot of respect for him as well. This goes for his first round opponents to his finals opponents. Even though we tend to forget that Rafa is only 1 year older than them. What's even funnier is this, part of the reason why Rafa's the way he is to the other guys on tour, is because coming up, he had Roger Federer. I would say that his competitiveness and desire/hunger to improve and set goals is the part of him that was inspired by Roger. Everything else about Rafa's character, that's different from Roger's, was inspired by family and friends and is something that just comes from him.

Time and time again I've been told, "let Rafa stay number one for five years, then come and talk to me". The thing is, most people forget that Rafa was number 2 for a good part of those years, and being number 2 for so long isn't easy either. That's the lesson Roger is learning now. With number 1 comes a whole lot of challenges. But with number 2 comes challenges as well. Rafa's outlook and attitude when he was number 2 is something that Roger should try to emulate. Look at it as a challenge rather than a curse. I feel that we've been down this road before, and it always leads down to the same path: personality, character, and heart.

The role reversal hasn't sat well with Roger (obviously). I remember back when everyone was talking about Roger winning 25 or 30 Grand Slams. But what I also vividly remember, is how they said over and over that when all is said and done, the Man is what will matter most.

Roger Federer needs to be careful here. No one doubts that he is good person, but he was never given a reason not to be so. When one faces hardships and when things aren't going one's way, that's when character is revealed. So far, he leaves a lot to be desired.

Here's to Roger finding his footing again. When he and Rafa clash, for whatever reason including the tennis, it's an instant classic.

*breathes out* Those were just a few of my thoughts.

I admit that I'm a tad confused about this...tactic (for lack of a better word). It's not as though Federer's game is going to have changed since the last time they played. Why would not playing each other benefit Roger but not Rafa? I hate to say this but it sounds like he's talking out of his backside this time.

More than any other player the FED is an enigma. Moments of brilliance, genius, and then...From those who want the FED to drop dead (I'm prone to exaggeration) LOL , to those who prefer the powerful symbology of the Phoenix. Description amass. What will sustain him?! How long can he last?! Consternation on both sides of the equation. I just hope he is having enough fun, and continues to give us FED fans those special moments, those thrills, and may they abound! For us FED fans it is a pleasure to watch him play, and when he "WINS"?! Boundless joy! Cheers.

I just don't understand this. I thought Nadal was the one who always beats Federer. Why would Federer be confident going into RG if he doesn't get another shot at Nadal beforehand? Federer is the one who needs a match with Nadal before RG. If he doesn't get it, he'll go into RG knowing that he basically has no chance.

Ricky, maybe Fed thinks it's better for him mentally to go into RG knowing he hasn't already been beaten twice on clay by Rafa (like years past). Might help the ol' noggin. Probably won't help enough though.

I don't think for one second, Rafa is playing any mind games with Roger. I'm sure even when Roger is in his hideaway purporting to train and improve, he is not achieving anything because he sincerely believes that his game is not the issue, it's the psychological warfare between him and Rafa that's the issue, and if he can win the mind game he will beat Rafa, meanwhile, Rafa is slugging away on the practice courts getting match ready.

Roger still doesn't see Andy Murray as a problem for him, he thinks Andy will never beat him in a major, that Andy is only good for tournys like Doha and Abu Dhabi. Even Rafa doesn't take Andy or Novak for granted, even though he has a very comfortable lead over them. They are all professionals and anyone of them is capable of beating the other one on any given day as has been proved time and time again.

You know what, back 2008 the Fedexpress Bus was running ruggedly with 4 old tires as the year starts. During January somewhere in Australia, the Bus runs in full throttle sudden a commotion was heard everywhere because the BUS has bumped a burning hump that caused one tire to burst. However the Fedexpress BUS got the necessary repair and reduced to Fedexpress TRICYCLE.

Then during the month of May, all of the passengers who called theirselves 'the great believers' are in full swing again riding the Fedexpress TRICYCLE. Everyone then was wearing a happy face without realizing that the road ahead in attempting to get some French Fries is 'rough' literally made of gravel and sand. All the great believers had high hopes that this will be the gratifying year for them. ALAS, another tire severely damaged again due to bad uneven road. Then another repair has to be done to keep the Fedepxress on the move. So the poor Fedexpress Tricycle reverted into Fedexpress BICYCLE.

Then month of June came, once again the 'great believers' are all in hurry to get abroad the Fedexpress Bicycle. Noticeably, no one was wearing happy face this time but everybody was bashfully grinning like hyenas with their teeth gnashing, too assured that their trip this time will be certainly smooth. And so they start pedaling alternately the jammed Fedexpress Bicycle into the sleek and greeny lawn of London. It was indeed a smooth ride till the last few kilometers before the road ends. So unfortunate that the ride took longer than expected and no one among the great believers has able to figured out that unlike the Bus, Bicycle is not equipped with "high beam head light" and no one to any of them has bring along with an EMERGENCY LIGHT at least. So when the light fades out, they all crashed on the ground due to poor visibility, causing another tire to blown out. Of course the ill-fated Fedexpress Bicycle was recycled to a UNICYLE Fedexpress.

Ha.ha.ha.ha.haahhhh.

Nobody is taking anybody for granted here.Roger did not say he hopes he wont have to play Nadal before RG.Nor did he say that not playing Rafa before RG will not benifit Rafa too.In case of a situation of not being able to play Rafa prior to the RG,he says he will still look at a positive side.Lets face it,if at all they do meet in finals Rafa will again win and I dont really know if Roger can take another blow to their head to heads which has,for all these years been, a lot based on their clay court clashes..It wont be a psychological advantage,but its still better than taking another defeat on clay just before RG.
Playing Nadal on the other hand will give him a slight clue of where he stands and where Nadal stands.So all in all what he said isnt totally wrong.He's just looking at the positive side of a possible situation.

Tarzan! You are the champ! That is one hilarious post :)

Now Rafa better win RG or we Rafans will have egg on our faces *rolls on floor laughing*

Bravo! Raindrops, I like it.

Raindrops,

Tarzan can do comedy too?
Not sure though if everyone can get the tricycle part. Do we have them in other parts of the world?

humorous post raindrops.....well done

but federer salvaged a lost tyre when he won the us open last year....so he is on a bicycle if im not mistaken...u forgot to mention that didnt u.........i wud actually wait till wimby to see wether is riding on a bicycle or is on foot...lolz

Raindrops that really was a cool post! LOL Our Fedfan headlight is coming directly from the sun God Ra (no need for artificial lighting). We pull out the light from within when RA goes to sleep blinding with the skills of a/the "MASTER" Roger FEDERER!

of a/the "MASTER"-that was!

Federer is still a "MASTER" Danny, albeit his skills are a "little" at rest on occasion. LOL

considering not facing Nadal before RG as an advantage is a defense mechanism known as rationalization, for not being able to reach a single final in the last tennis events. I totally agree with MiniArbre (except with his/her sense of humor), that federer is in denial and delusion, wich in turn, undermine his mental structure leaving him unable to perform at his full potential. Not facing Nadal before the RG final is not an advantage, is a sign that he hasnt been able to reach a final on clay courts, wich means that untill today he is farthest from beating Nadal that he ever was (on clay).
I believe that he is still a genius on a tennis court, he stills Roger federer, but his actual self is not capable of managing his ever lasting skills, is like he doesnt remember, and the cause, i believe, is his attitude toward the new situation. One of the other things that i think hurt him, is the unconditional support from his fans, feeling the rush of standing ovations, even when not acting to deserve it, drives away the ultimate engine to improvement, that is social recognition.
he should meet Nadal in madrid, and get beaten really hard, so he can realize that he cant aproach his nemesis like he is superior, he has to understand the new relationship of power that exist between the two of them... that Nadal is the alfa male right now. If then he enters Roland garros with a humble attitude, and focus on building a momentum, and watch every single of nadal matches, and if he manage to get beyong semifinals, than he has to forget his effort free game sistem and get dirty and fight like his life depended on it... or like it was his last chance to do ti. Then he`ll have the right attitude to win.

Great post mdmch! Well written and thought provoking!

mdmuch....I think you want the interview of peter fleming for Gasquet? I would imagine it would be on youtube....? I came home from work yesterday to watch sky sports that I had recorded from 11 am that morning. It was within the first 20 minutes....so if you can access sky sports on the net....am fairly certain you will be able to see highlights or something like that? Also am sure that whatever Fleming has said about Gasquet, it will be reported somewhere. He was very supportive of Gasquet. I'll leave it there because obviously this post is about fed/murray, but hope you are able to find it. Cheers.

mdmch good read, HUMINITY CAN be/is a POWERFUL force. When Roger reaches the depth you speak of to WIN, whether it is in the way in which you describe or otherwise "SHIT WILL HIT THE FAN" (no doubt about it). We know Roger has what it takes. When "WILL" Roger pull it OFF?! Is the million dollars question! All I can say for the moment is I will be around when he does. I don't believe we FED fans are part of his demise, but it is an interesting twist/angle (and a plausable part, although not likely). Roger has lost the #1 position, he believes he CAN take the #1 position BACK. But "ULTIMATELY" his belief in winning Grand Slams is where it's at. He is a BELIEVER! He is ROGER FEDERER! (LOL) We FEdfans are "loving" spectators. In for the ride, the good times, as well as not so good times. Go Roger go...

MiniArbre.......amen!!!

I think we've ALL (rafanites and Fed fans) reached a point where we should scream out.......

Roger just shut up already and let your racket do the talking!!!!....damn it!!!!

hear...hear...monalisa.......

danny....I cannot find your comment on fed...it may be on another thread, but I just want you to clarify your comment on fed being 'redundant' and 'history'?... don't understand how someone can reach a slam final and 3 masters semi finals in 2009 and still be called redundant and history?

monalisa.....loving fed's early aggressive style...first serve percentage GREAT.....OMG.....C'mon. Beautiful volley,............dan...did you see that? 2 games up 30 love.....xxxx

5:0? DAN? REDUNDANT? HISTORY?

wow! go fed go... LOL

malteser1 dan was referring to the writing "envious envy" as being redundent not so about the FED, as for HISTORY?! He did say something along to lines of OUR FED will be history next YEAR! Don't hold your breath DAN! Take good care...

OK. NIce...first set...against confused and patetic player. But it wont be enough...
And already swiss newspapers have great title this morning:
"I have a game to beat Nadal"...Great way to start the day with lot of laughing...
Fedex...(pardon...exFed)...is so confused that he need something like victory in first match and aready he is ready for Rafa...???

...and just one thing more.
Malteser had allready described me as hater. LOL.I ddont hate nobody, including Roger. I wish him all the best in sport and in private life...he deserve it.
He was the BEST player for some time...he is the one of the best in history of tenis...never wanted to denyied that. He is still great player...completely cappable to win any tournament...but something in his head is lost...his protective mental wall is not so strong anymore...and out of court his attitude is not so noble anymore as many people here would like, including me.
But you know...in defeat you show the real face...
...and just to answer malteser...I support Novak...so you can now dig some dirt about him...just to see who is hater here.

All the best...Zare

zare...I wouldn't crawl to your level......I don't slate Novak the way that you slate roger on other posts...so you don't con me with your niceties here about roger....you have been busted for the hater that you are.....go join gordana. you deserve each other...only now you say that he is 'one of the best in history' cos you got scared with your disgusting talk. I don't care who you are, you should at least have a bit of acceptance for the tennis player, federer...who you say is not as noble anymore....so zare...you think that novak smashing rackets twice on court is noble? very strange that you and gordana mention NOTHING about that episode in rome masters....conveniently forgotten because you cannot be discerning about roger but you can be about novak? that doesn't surprise me.....why would I want to dig a load of dirt on novak? fact is fact. He is No.4 in the world, he showed his arrogance on court many times...yet you don't accept it. turn a blind eye because you choose to....zare you show yourself up here......yeah in defeat you show your real face...roger has complimented many players after a match...go read some of niloofar's interviews and just accept. but you don't because you are so full of your own self-importance.....you are the hater here not me.