yey! An article about federer!

.....there is sooo much hype right now about Murray and it does remind me of the Australian Open, as well as Roland Garros...everyone but everyone banging on about Murray's chances of winning.....that he was the favourite to win the AO and a possible finalist at RG......Ugh.....excruciating press.......okay so murray is a great player but he is yet to win a slam....novak is still ahead of murray in the slam race, by one....we all know that the slams are the marks of true champions and I actually don't listen to 'favourite this' or 'favourite that'....

Roger is going in as the underdog...i don't know why the press are discounting rafa? Roger is No.2 in the world and provided he plays his best tennis then he can beat rafa...rafa is the defending champion and i feel that this 'injury' with rafa is more about hype now.......there is no way that rafa is gonna play wimby unless he is 100% fit....He has made that clear.....murray should be ranked 3rd and not favourite.....it just starts all over again.............

The top two champs are Rafa and Roger.....

Roger has made it very clear last year that Wimby is the one he wants to regain...I am absolutely positive that Fed is gonna play the best of his tennis on grass, his best and favourite surface. He should win wimby.....but equally there are many 'great' players out there...Roland Garros proved that....also am gonna be really interested to see delpo, soderling and Monaco.....and see how they play on grass...these are exciting days ahead fedfans....


C'MON!
Allez Federer!

malty wrote: "Roger is going in as the underdog"

Give me a break. That is one of the most ridiculous statements I have heard lately and I am a Rafa fan! All we've heard from fed fans since Madrid is "FED WILL WIN" , "FED WILL SHOW HIS MAGIC" and many other statements like that (usually in caps too) and NOW malty, the most fervent fan of all, wants us to believe that Fed is the underdog at Wimby? Rafa has not "officially" committed to playing Wimby as of yet. All he has said is that he will travel to London and that he WANTS to play, but won't play if he is not 100%. As much as some would like to believe that "'injury' with rafa is more about hype now" (malty's words), the fact is that he is injured and trying to recover in time. So, yes, as of this time, Fed IS the favorite, NOT THE UNDERDOG!

All this talk about Murray not winning a slam just makes me think that there was a time in Rafa and Roger's careers where they had yet to win a slam. They had to start somewhere winning and the same goes for Murray. They laughed at the prospect of Rafa winning the FO the first year he played BUT he won it! I have no doubt that Murray will win a slam, so why can't he start at Wimby or USO or AO or FO? I think blowing someone off just because he hasn't won a slam YET is severely underestimating him!

It looks like both Fed and Rafa (if fully fit) are the top contenders for wimby this year...however, let us not forget that there are other strong players as well, including Murray, Djokovic, Del Potro, etc. It will be interesting to see who all get past the 4th round, into the semi, and finals.

You make a really good point, Neil7 IF, either or both Roger / Rafa are physically fit ...Roger as in 2007 and Rafa as in 2008, Za Muzzah is going to have a rough time...nobody, not even a mystery party crasher, has much of a prayer. But, I can't help but understand the British press: 1) Rafa lost Madrid, Soderling beat him, and there are the questions about knees. 2) Roger had a bad year in 2008. Mono, 2 GS finals, 1 GS win, back issues + bad start to 2009: 1 GS final, more back issues... then Madrid win but Rafa questionable playing in high altitude, so dismiss that win. RF wins RG but so what, it was clay, not grass and Rafa was not in final.

Murray is the up and coming world #3. He has been groomed ( see his recent photos in his new "kit" as they say. He's the groom here on his native soil, about to make the all the land triumphant. I read and feel their pride. Murray certainly appears the part and says he is chill with the pressure. Braveheart.

1. Murray- TopDog (not the TT poster ; ) )
2. Rafa- mystery Dog
3. Roger- under Cat
4. anybody's guess underdog

im not so sure how feds fatherhood discussion turned into the fav for wimby discussion...but since we are on the topic ..let me just paste my comment in the other article here since it seems more appropriate ....
................................................................ .................................

ok ok ...lets not start taking insurance policies out by saying rafa is injured and what not . He 'will be' fully fit for WIMBY and i have no doubt about that . His uncle completely overplayed the extend of his injury and that is no secret considering how Rafa and Toni both gave completely different interviews with regards to participation in WIMBY ..defending champ will be there in full force and you gota be dumb to doubt that . ...back to the matter at hand .. ...

Even though he is defending champ ...there is this 'dude' who is the 5 time champ ....and common sense tells u that u gota give the title of the 'favourite' to him considering he was in the finals last year and lost in 9-7 in the fifth !!! ( not in the 4th round ...not in straight sets ) .

Murray , Djoker , Soderling , and John 'Nobody' Smith all have an equal opportunity of winning this as both Fed and Rafa ...i think we have all learnt from RG09 havent we ?

With that said ....I hope my man Fed willl roll his train on to #15 come SW19 . Its just destiny ....nothin but pure magic is the Fed !!

SW19 ...where we right the wrongs !
C'MON !!!!

fan4tennis......am not a big fan of murray...never have been..never will be...but i do accept that he is a fine player...not my cup of tea....never will be.....

I have read many articles my friend about favourites....and I think all this media hype is ludicrous....absolutely ludicrous....i don't think the media are giving rafa his due....you....being a rafa fan fft (are you sure...)? and saying the following:
quote
...'As much as some would like to believe that "'injury' with rafa is more about hype now" (malty's words), the fact is that he is injured and trying to recover in time. So, yes, as of this time, Fed IS the favorite, NOT THE UNDERDOG!...unquote...'

If you read the UK press FFT...roger is NOT the favourite...It's Murray! So....get your arse over to the UK and read what the press are saying!

Rafa has had 'weeks' to recover from his 'injury'...from what rafa has been saying, he has been playing with this type of injury 'for years'...it comes and it goes....surely you know that FFT?....secondly....are we gonna use the excuse that should rafa lose at wimby its because of his knees...........again?...............when clearly he said he will NOT be playing wimby unless he is FULLY FIT and 100%? No doubt you will have a whole list of excuses.

I am glad that Roger is going in as the underdog (in my view)...because it is all about Murray right now.....Murray is the favourite...switch on the TV...murray this...murray that....murray history....murray favourite.....bla bla bla.....so as I said....if Roger plays his best tennis...and he will...he will win...despite being the underdog.....

Rafa has got a very savvy media team....he is fit, he is hungry, he will play wimby....but irrespective of rafa and his status as defending champion...that all goes by the way side because its Murray mania right now....(yawn....yawn....)...This is when I find the press so disrespectful....but it is there right to print crap....freedom of the press, no laws governing what they say in terms of private enterprise....

So once again FFT...Roger is the underdog, based on the media's perception that Murray is gonna win......

Rafa will play wimby.......(am really wanting him to play cos he has been missed...) and tennis ain't the same without a rafa/roger final.....
C'MON
Allez Federer!

The world does not live or die by what the press in the UK are saying. Here in the US, Fed is NOT the underdog but the favorite so "....get your arse over to the US and read what the press are saying! "

As far as Rafa's injury, I will repeat since you OBVIOUSLY didn't read what I wrote:
" Rafa has not "officially" committed to playing Wimby as of yet. All he has said is that he will travel to London and that he WANTS to play, but won't play if he is not 100%. As much as some would like to believe that "'injury' with rafa is more about hype now" (malty's words), the fact is that he is injured and trying to recover in time. So, yes, as of this time, Fed IS the favorite, NOT THE UNDERDOG!"

hi fedexfan, malteser ( the boho blue dress devil ), and newly converted federite FFT : )

fedexfan..i think malt was just exclaiming about there being an article featuring RF at all these days.

I agree w/ what u say fedexfan but I am trying...when I read the Wimby British news to put myself in their place.

Lat year, leading up to Wimby there was Rafa news than ever b4
seen and with reason. The articles most often did RF justice but the major hype was all about Rafa.

This year, so far it's openly and unapologetically hyping Murray. Can't blame them.

I wonder how it will change when Rafa charges out jumping and running....knees all better.

Coool Sweeet Swiss....he's so experienced with hype, crowds, press...it don't matter....right the wrongs....

But as to article here? RF is not experienced at fatherhood. Who knows really what he'll do b4 US Open and he and Mirka are sooo happy... C'mon Fed.....take back Wimby!

Murray could claim US Open but if Rafa can't do it this 2009 at Wimby....i mean...Rafa will be ON FIRE at US Open

UK press will support murray ...cos he is from UK ....US press will support Fed cos he is adopted there .....Spanish press will support everyone else but Rafa cos they love to downplay his capabilities with all kinds of injuries , insurance policies no ? ( eg: his uncle !) ....**kidding :P **

Who cares who is the favourite ...as long as ur behind ur favourite ..!!! right FFT ( for rafa ) ....rite malt ( for FEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDExpresssssssssssssssss ) ...


C'MON !!

hahaaaa ......yoda.....fedexfan

hello hello zoey ....the hype for rafa last year was cos roger lost so badly in the final . that was understandable . Hype for murray is simply cos the brit's never had anyone , for a long time, to actually cheer for in WIMBY ( Henman was never a REAL threat ! )

With that said i just had a thought ...what would the crowd be like if Muzz meets Fed ....im dead sure it will be split ...you just watch ...Fed is loved there ...so loved ...so there might be hype bout muzz....but never under estimate the love for the FedExpress .

in fact ....supporting Fed is the only way to right the wrongs :P
hehe ...rite zoey :P "one match at a time "

C'MON !!!

zoey, I am NOT under any circumstances a "converted federite".....LOL. fedex has it right ......"right FFT ( for rafa )".

But I am also not an idiot to think that fed is an underdog (regardless of which press you rely on) at Wimby. Right now with Rafa unknown as to if he is playing or what shape he will be in, you have to know fed is the favorite. Can Murray or Nole win it? HELL YES! NO ONE should be underestimated and as I said before, Murray's first slam could very well be at Wimby. He has to start winning them sometime and Wimby very well could be where he decides to start his slam count or Nole decides to increase his slam count!

quote' The world does not live or die by what the press in the UK are saying. Here in the US, Fed is NOT the underdog but the favorite so "....get your arse over to the US and read what the press are saying! "unquote....

Fan4tennis...where on earth do you get your terminology from...? who said the world lives or dies by the press? YOU...no one else.....how the flibberdy jack am I supposed to know what the US are saying about Federer? I really dislike the fact that you use my terminology and scam it to suit your purposes. Cant you think of anything original?

I told you very clearly earlier on that Murray was the favourite...NOT federer over here in the UK...trust me it is unbearable...knew it was gonna be like this...so yeah...may be fan4tennis if you can put me up for a few days...to get away from murray mania..that might be an idea....my only worry would be when you met me at the airport, you would not drive me to your home, but a place in the middle of nowhere....and dump me there all on my lonesome with not a TV screen in sight.....you would hide behind a tree and throw darts at me when I wasn't looking and throw me bread and give me contaminated water until I died sloowwwlly.....

Anyways.....who on earth could ever describe you as an idiot? We all have our own opinions on the players....and here we are again....back to the rafa/roger argument....so whilst I have no wish to shatter your illusions on who the favourite is FFT...we'll just have to agree to disagree like we always do.....(**malty is crying**).

Fedexfan...am regrouping honey...am there....am waiting and ready...raring to go for the fed.....game by game and already in my visualisation mode......

Zoeyyy..have your got your tennis channel sorted for wimby yet?
Sky? climb aboard babe!

C'MON!

Allez Federer!

Yep that is why this day...before we know more about Rafa for sure, it is all about Murray but in my lowly and humble opinion, the Brit press today and over wk end is guarded and in some cases ( should cite them, i know ), by omission of the '800 lb. gorilla' here, RF, or in ever so subltle irony or anecdote, dismissing Federer.

It's ALL about giving Murray the support he deserves and I think it's cool...almost had me singing the anthem.

fedexfan, I recall the Brit press from last Wimby and could barely read the descriptions of RG 2008. I did not watch RG 2008. Not around a tv then. I agree, when I read how long it has been since the UK had a Wimby winner....I just wanna....be a Muzzah fan. seriously...almost...and would but, those wrongs fedexfan, they must be fixed....if not now, when, i ask you...lol.

FFT...lol. my take my hand....all aboard! #15...mwah!

".....how the flibberdy jack am I supposed to know what the US are saying about Federer?"

The same goes for me knowing what the UK press are saying. You go by what you read where you live and I go by what I read where I live. There are so many other presses to read besides UK and US....Asian, other European countries, South America, Africa, India, Australia..etc.

As far as your comment to get away from Murray mania, you have quite the imagination! I think it would be more like I would have to soundproof my home so my neighbors would not hear us "debating"...LOL. Hope you are not allergic to a dog or cat! I would also introduce you to some good ole Southern hometown cooking and the best cheesecakes you'll ever taste! Maybe you could teach me some British or Greek recipes?

I'm sure Rafa will give his BEST shot, and seeing that he is last years winner, that shot is going to be strong (no doubt about it). I expect the Rafa of old, but with a "NEW" FED in town... Murray? He is good, but the SLAM at Wimby? (not just yet). No matter, each match will be played one point at a time. My prediction is the FEd is the "ONE". Like a BULLET (full speed ahead) right on the Bull's Eye for another WIN. Another Wimbledon to treasure beyong compare! Another Victory! Another Ecstatic moment! Another career High! Always nice to dream about such results. It's tennis, the dream of choice is ours for the taking! LOL Anyway, always nice to dreams about the results. :) Go FED go! C'MON FED!!! COME 'MONNNNNNE FED! :)

The press are going to be jumping up and down about murray being fav for wimby .. anyway keep dreaming..
I want rafa to play so the great ROGER FED can claim his title back..
then at least the rafans wont av any excuse.... oh sorry am sure they find something...
Roger is just gona play without any pressure and claim history again...
Go Roger Go Federer...
My predictions:
1.Roger 2 Nadal 3 i dont know and 4 i dont know,but i do think tommy haas will be a surprise package at wimby...

awwwww...fan4tennis..you'd cook for me? you sure you wouldn't poison me now?..i hear what you say...and trust me...i do.....the articles i read are not just from the UK press...we are talking Hindu Times, singapore sling (!)...Swiss News...etc...etc...and trust me...It's all about Murray....am I right in saying that USA do not have the tennis coverage or the same hype that we have over here in UK? (from what Zoey has said in the past)...that being the case....i am not surprised that you have not heard about murray mania....it is sick....sick....sick.....
fan4tennis.....you know that despite what you think about me....if you wanna freebee holiday with some excellent company (oh yeah!)....some fantastic food (am a great cook...nobody died just yet!)...then you are always welcome in my house........

it's funny there is not a single comment about the aticle...probably because we are tired of discussing the fatherhood issue.

what I think is that Rafa,Roger and Andy all have a good chance for winning Wimby...the predictions can never be accurate,... but the experts usually like to pick a specific player as the favorite,which does not mean much to me. I think it increases the pressure for players as well.
malteser,honey,I will be happier to think roger is the underdog,but I doubt that he is.. he is not the hot favorite like 2006 and 2007 but he is still a favorite.
again I think they all have chances as well as Nole..and maybe we will have surprises because I really think none of the favorites are that reliable right now.

I agree with boss,Haas is gonna be a surprise! I hope he's not on Roger's draw!:D

correction: I won't be happier if Roger is the underdog...:D I meant that I'll be happier if the media counts him as the underdog. the pressure would be less for him.

hahah....yes noliifar ...i for one am tired of this whole fatherhood rubbish ..roger will not change . especially with a wife who is an ex WTA player .

Now ...as for roger being the underdog or not ....it does not matter what the press thinks or says ...right now roger is pressure free. If he is at all stressed it would only be the pressure he is putting on himself to regain Wimby ...something he said is his main goal this year .

I believe in roger with all my heart ...i think he will not disappoint in terms of his game come WIMBY . Whether he wins ...hmm ..thats just too hard to call ...but i hope so .

Cant wait for WIMBY '09 ...where we right the wrongs
C'MON !!

What was it that Lleyton Hewitt was talking about? Has anybody here actually picked up on that thread? Can you perhaps share your own insights, and tell us if and how becoming a parent changed your prespective?

There are plenty of threads already where posters demonstrate their undying devotion to their man - usually, though I accept not always, commingled with their abhorrence of the competition. Enough is enough.

Now: does parenthood modify your inner competitor?

Your views, please.

gorafago...who cares about fatherhood buddy? If you are a born competitor...you are a born competitor...end of...kids or no kids......it ain't gonna change Roger's mindset...He is IN IT to WIN IT......Go: Roger: Go!

Jump aboard the fed express gorafago...join us for the ride again.....! Yippeee!
C'MON!
Allez Federer!

Since were are on the topic of Andy Murray here is a very interesting article on his view regardig his rivalry with Fed. One thing i can say is the Murray has got an abundance of confidence going into Wimbledon. I do not see him faltering at the early stages but he might find the pressure too much as he gets deeper, as the press will increasingly hype him up.

Fed up

By MARK IRWIN

Published: Today

ANDY MURRAY says he has Roger Federer running scared.
Murray, going into his biggest Wimbledon yet, reckons the Swiss superstar has become a sore loser after failing to beat him in their last four meetings.

The British No 1, who won his first grass court title at Queen?s on Sunday, is now breathing down Federer?s neck in the world rankings.

And the five-time Wimbledon champion is clearly starting to feel the heat, having consistently criticised Murray?s style of play.

Federer has accused Britain?s brightest hope of negative tactics and failing to develop his game.

But world No 3 Murray countered last night: ?A lot of the times I?ve beaten him, he has said negative things about me. His comments, though, don?t make me feel I need to change my game.

?I?ve won my last four matches against Roger and feel that will have a bearing if we meet again at Wimbledon this year. I will take a lot of confidence from those results.

?Much of the time, I think he has been very frustrated against me. That shows the style and tactics I play against him are working. He?s not used to losing very often and, when you?re upset, you sometimes say things you don?t mean.

?But I don?t think I?ve ever criticised an opponent. If someone beats you, you can?t have a go at the way they?ve played.

?When the top players lose it?s quite often down to a great performance from the opponent.

?So while it?s fine to be critical of yourself, and say you didn?t play your best match, it?s also fair to give credit to your opponent.?

Murray has so far faced ]Federer eight times during his career, winning six of those meetings.

And while Federer triumphed when they squared up in last year?s US Open final, Murray dismisses suggestions that the man with a record 14 Grand Slam titles is virtually unbeatable on Wimbledon?s Centre Court.

He added: ?In my opinion, Pete Sampras is the best grass court player of all time, because he has won seven Wimbledons. If I play Roger on grass, it?s a good surface for both of us.

?He has a lot more experience than me but I played really well at Queen?s and I don?t think that the surface will make a huge difference.

?Federer and Rafael Nadal have faced each other in the last three Wimbledon finals and the odds have to be on them doing that again this year.

?Yet I?m playing and moving much better than I was this time last year and, mentally, I am now ready to win a Grand Slam.?

Advertisement

Murray insists he is not feeling any pressure in the build-up to Wimbledon fortnight and has even invited comparisons to the late Fred Perry by unveiling a special retro-look kit.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Perry?s birth and 73 years since he became the last British man to win the men?s singles tournament.

Murray, 22, declared: ?The shirt I wear isn?t going to affect my performance in any way and the comparisons with Fred Perry were inevitable anyway.

?I can?t say I?ve enjoyed being a model, though.

?I?m a bit uncomfortable with that sort of thing. I don?t think modelling is a career I?m going to pursue.?

Topdog...it doesn't surprise me that murray has said this...there are plenty of comments that federer has given praising murray...he is just being selective as part of the mental battle now....you will remember what murray also said about novak 'whining' about the rankings...in case not...have posted it here:

Andy Murray just rolled his eyes when asked about it in Thursday?s presser, implying that Novak was whining (via the Guardian):

?There always seems to be problems and now it?s obviously the rankings. . .It?s great that Novak?s done well the last few weeks but the first three or four months of the year I played a lot better than him so I think the rankings reflect very well how the guys are playing. . .Until this week I?ve never heard anyone complain. I think maybe only in the last week it?s become a problem for Novak.?

I think that Murray is getting a little ahead of himself right now....and should be a little more respectful to both rafa and roger who are ahead of him and novak is not that far behind....it could all change in a heart beat.....

Roger will be keeping his own counsel and practising underground on a grass court somewhere in London! He will be going into the tourny full of confidence and less pressure I think than any of the players......

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

Hey Malteser1, of course I'm gonna be there - even if I don't quite join you! Unlike some bloggers who come on-line and say they're tuning out within minutes of their main man losing. I don't really get that. You can bet I stayed tuned to RG after Day 8. It was cool to see how the remaining players dealt with a different kind of pressure for once.

You may not be on my side, hero-wise, but I also appreciate your being the ONLY one to address the thread here. It is pointless, I admit - Hewitt can really only speak for himself, and even the singular Swiss said at the final RG presser that he did not feel parenthood would affect his tennis. Time alone will tell. Anyway, I believe the child is not due before matters are decided at SW19, which apparently is all we can talk about right now.

Now, if this were about tennis moms, it might get interesting. After all, the women have to put their bodies through it. Guys just get the ball rolling, if you'll forgive that. Some female athletes, notably distance runners, seem to improve after childbirth - you suspect some of them choose it as a career option - but Evonne [1980] remains the only Wimbledon singles winner among the mothers since the challenge round was abolished. She also won at her first Slam back following childbirth [AO Dec '77]. Margaret Court managed it at all the other Slams but not Wimbledon.

There are a few winning doubles moms out there, but I think Laura Gildemeister's QF showing in 1991 remains the most impressive Wimbledon singles achievement since Evonne. Ironic, isn't it, to think that neither player grunted or shrieked on court - unlike the non-moms who sound like they're in the delivery room every time they play.

Topdog , i found that article shocking .

I think our friend murray is taking up mind games ...or the press is just spinning this the wrong way ...duno ...just shocking . Wont judge him till i see the entire interview.

C'MON !!

Fedexfan

Would also be interested in reading the full interview so if you find it please post it up here.

I'm really SURPRISED at the way Andy brings up a discussion from more than a year ago!!
well Roger might have been a bit harsh there,but he had a point. and later on when he realised his comments were not taken positvcely or that he had been harsh he said this:
NY times:Federer, who said he had now learned the English term ?sour grapes,? said he was trying only to provide ?constructive criticism? and did not mean to imply that he did not respect Murray?s game.
?He beat me after all,? Federer said. ?It?s unfortunate, because that?s not what I meant at all.?
He added: ?I?ve always thought he was one of the most talented ones of the whole group, even more talented than Djokovic, to be honest. I thought he would do the most first before Djokovic, but Djokovic played really well the last year and started this year unbelievably.
****************
I don't know how the author dares saying Roger became a sore loser the times he lost to Murray,this is after Indian Wells:
ROGER FEDERER: He's a great counter puncher and reads the game really well. He's got great feel, you know, so he's he's very confident at the moment. You can tell the way he plays, you know. He knows he doesn't need to play close to the lines because he knows he can cover the court really well.
I think that calms him down mentally. I think that's why he's playing so well.there were ups and downs from both sides and today the better player won.

when Rafa lost in FO the media ppl asked Roger if he thought Murray was the favorite for reaching the final,and he did not exactly say yes or no but he gave Davydenko more chance and I think that pissed off the british media,because they think Andy is the favorite for everything.
just a few days ago this was a headline in Guardian:"Federer tips Murray excellent for the Wimbledon"
while Roger is encouraging Murray for the Wimby ,Andy is bringing up old memories and playing mind games.I don't mean to disrespect Andy ,I have respect for him and his game,and I don't dislike him,but I have lost the affection I used to have for him. I accept that roger made a mistake in dubai and he sometimes does say a bit too much but at least he does not attack anyones's character....

gorafago...(male or female buddy?)....you made me laugh with your analogies to the delivery rooms! no disrespect to you...but you seem to have been around a lot longer than me and know much more am sure.....but your comments are interesting and informed.....

fedex..am sure its mind games right now...if you remember the US Open in 2008...the very words that Murray used to describe federer were.....'I think you are the best player EVER'...you can hear/watch him say this on youtube.....it is also in print.....

I just knew his was gonna happen...media murray mountain out of every orifice like a bad diarrhoea day with murray...stop! stop! take some imodium! stop the crap murray.....am sure that the media give it the spin...but i did hear him say this about novak and again, well documented...it is dangerous ground to be on for him....we had all the hype with murray entering the AO..do you remember? Murray was gonna win that.....bets were on and he was the favourite...Rafa, Roger AND Novak were all up in arms about saying...'Hold on Guys'....(media)...

Cowen, Petchey and others (sky sports commentators in UK) .....OMG...we had the same or similar over in UK with the FO...whilst Andy was not favourite...he was not far off.. and was THE ONLY man to stop rafa...as he had done so well in the masters series......and now..here we go again.......wimby...on his 'home turf'...splashed all over the papers...he gave an interview last night...you could hear it in his voice.....the undisguised conceit...am sorry guys...but its there.....

I think that his team are saying to him...be aggressive, be disrespectful...you are better...bla bla bla....and hell...yeah...he has to believe in himself....right? but to come out days before wimby and say all of this? Is it really wise? I don't think so....

And when all is said and done...He has reached ONE GRAND SLAM FINAL...that's ONE.....and he was beaten in straight sets....AO final didn't make it...French final ....didn't make it.....don't get me wrong...i know the guy has talent...but whoooaaaaa hoooo laaaaa...hoola hoola moola moola....Murray...am sure it has to do with his 'new media team as well '19' who have Beckham on their books.....
It's all getting a bit much actually....

Its kinda more classy right now that Rafa and Roger and Novak...are saying nothing....

So Let murray take all the glory in the media...all the hype....alll the pressure...you have it Andy my son.....Kharma gonna bite him on the backside....soon enough.

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

I forgot to say in my prevoius post that actually Andy's mother said that roger's comments after dubai were very helpful.

malteser:
honey can u alos help and post the praising comments Roger gave on Murray?
I posted the ones I remembered,but I have read more before.and by the way since u live in UK,how do u think it has been reflected there?
and malty,I don't care if murray is the man to win this,maybe he is. he will someday win his 1st slam and that might be this Wimbledon but that does not mean he should bring this type of dis cussion up after MORE THAN A YEAR!!!!!!!!
specially considering that Roger has been very complimentory about him recenty(for whatever the reason is)...I can't believe Andy,I never ever post sth negative about other players but this time I'm really annoyed.

"Federer has accused Britain?s brightest hope of negative tactics and failing to develop his game. "...........what a nonesense!!!! because last year in Dubai he said that Andy's style was too defensive and depended on the opponents errors,it means he is CONSISTENTLY CRITICIZING Murray.???? OH MY GOD! and whatever he said he somehow apologized right?

the article also says roger is feeling the heat....gimme a break!!!!! Roger has reached what he needed,from this moment on it's all bonus for him ,few weeks ago i thought it would be a disaster for roger to fall to 3 or 4,but now it has changed .the author could not have been more ridiculous.
apologies everyone,I've already posted 3 comments on this ,but the whole thing is just too frustrating.

niloofar...there are a whole host of them out there....but this one is part of an interview given by fed last year as it covers murray, novak and rafa....so have posted this one....(and hey...this is the guy (fed)...that the trashers say always bad mouths opponents...its such a load of crap niloofar...so I totally understand why you find it frustrating....you and the rest of the fedfans (as am sure they do...and you do really....) just gotta keep the faith in the fed and know that he is a sportsman, despite what is reported about him or how the press twist his words..it just makes for a better story!)...

When asked what Murray has to do to improve to win a slam.......

ROGER FEDERER: I don't think a whole lot. I think he's got himself in better physical shape. So from that standpoint he's better than ever.

I think with finals like this, you know, he knows now what it sort of takes to get very far into a Grand Slam. I think it's something that's unusual. You know, once you get to the semis or finals, you're celebrating your first quarters, celebrating first semis and first final. It takes a toll on you emotionally, as well, because all of a sudden there's all the attention you ever wanted, but what you really want to do is focus on getting the title.

I think by putting yourself in those types of positions, giving yourself opportunities, you know, he'll (murray) only get bigger. I always thought he was a big match player. You know, give him the biggest court in the world, he will have no problem handling it. I think that's what he's shown anyway throughout his career.


Q. On that note, you always seem to speak with tremendous sportsmanship, especially about some of the younger players coming up through the ranking. Is that something maybe as a statesman now you feel a responsibility to do?

ROGER FEDERER: No, I mean, it's up to me to be honest, you know. I'm a very honest guy. If I think a guy is good, I'll let you know. If I think the guy is average, I'll let you know that, too. I think the guys coming up right now they've sort of broken through, and I was maybe expecting them to break through maybe half a year or year earlier. You know, but it was only really Rafa and Novak who broke through from the group earlier, you know.

I mean, Rafa I always knew he was going to be a great player from the first moment I played him on. And I think Novak's done a incredible job of improving because I wasn't that impressed from Novak in the first place when I played him in Monaco. But Rafa, from the first moment, I knew he was going to be unbelievable.

thank malteser!!!! the thing that has made me upset about this is that Murray did not mention these words right away...he is saying it now that Fed has been very complimentory about him in several occasions. why can't he forget that one occasion?( even in that Fed apologized)!

Malteser1, I will shroud my gender in mystique yet, while cheerfully admitting to being around the block a few times. Maybe this is why I marvel at the way these threads get sidetracked all the time - if I were [a lot] younger I might be the first to go with the flow! I have generally avoided chill pills thus far in life but perhaps I might benefit from one occasionally. [And so might others, but let's not get sidetracked even further, suffice to say that I am not referring to you!]

Let me tell you that parenthood never affected my tennis game - still way too much "thide-thpin on the thecond-therve", as my orally impaired tennith - sorry, tennis - coach used to say.

Meanwhile, Niloofar is spot-on - Roger Federer has been complimentary to Andy Murray in recent times. But many sports stars seem to need to stir up a war of words to get them going. We'll see if it benefits the Laird of Dunblane. It's nice to see the defending champion kept out of this one. That will suit him, I feel sure.

Mr or Ms gorafago, if i may, pls, in my second post...way up there, i did pose a question, sort of and said, "As to article here..." but i have no real experience as a parent and it was clear that the tone of thread was going elsewhere than the article itself.

But I was honestly wondering gorafago, don't you suspect Roger will have a more difficult time focusing on tennis, to wife is former pro, after baby Fed is born? AND what impact / effect do you expect, having as you say, 'been 'round the block?

i don't always go w/ flow...thinking subject of fatherhood federer more interesting than dull, boring federer villianizing pitiful Brit press.

And I like Muzz...the spin doctors have lost their minds

end of that.

I think Fed will be impacted by fatherhood...but would like your thoughts, goafago.

thanks

Oh and btw, gorafago, when I read your post about the greats that did not grunt? I thought, yessssss. I mean really, all that excessive noise is intrusive into opponent's concentration and game. It is ironic, in the past, it was not a necessary element to win.

gorafago....you need to know that I actually think you are Steffi Graf!....oh yes....and by the way...zoey is one of my best mates on this site....however...she wavers sometimes.....like now...i feel her vibe...and I have to keep reminding her that fed having his son can only be a brilliant 'spur...rer.....on...a.'...for him....he has said in many of his interviews how honoured he would feel playing in front of his son...and how that just makes him want to play better tennis for longer...i think it is just great.....and zoey...honey......have faith! yes...of course he is going to be affected by fatherhood..but in a positive way....it's just great....i love it....i love federer...i love zoey....i love tennis........and alos gorafago...i LOVE your humour...you are definitely a woman! and for the record...am NOT a fan of murray.....zoey may change her mind if she lived in the UK...so I guess seeing/hearing him in dribs n' drabs...ain't so bad...trust me....living in UK is excrucisating....sick...ad nauseum murray.....yawn...yawn......

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

So......zoey....in case you worried about winning after fatherhood....this is for you.......

The following is a list of men who have won grand slam singles titles since 1980 after becoming fathers:

Jimmy Connors Wimbledon (1982), U.S. Open (1982, 1983)
Pat Cash Wimbledon (1987)
Andres Gomez French Open (1990)
Boris Becker Australian Open 1996
Petr Korda Australian Open 1998
Yevgeny Kafelnikov Australian Open 1999
Albert Costa French Open 2002
Andre Agassi Australian Open 2003
Mwah!

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

Malt, you know I am not long on "faith." :)

And...i was curious how gorofago might expand on the topic of Federer's tennis and fed jr. Tho gorofago says it did not impact his/her...how does it not?

And how realistic is it to think the tot will actually ''see" him playing tennis, except in retrospect....down-the-road...when fed jr. cares.

Seriously, I hear tennis pros, including Federer say that and think, What?

If the kid is anything like well, the ones I know? He may even with his magnificent tennis genes, want to steer clear of tennis....take up snowboarding

zoey..i hear what you say..but am one of life's positive thinkers....you say how is the 'kid' gonna see him play tennis..well...in 2012 at olympic games...fed wants to play there.. that is his plan...roger junior will be 3 years old....walking...talking....seeing..hearing...his daddy.....

why so negative zoe? no need honey.....it's all good!

Ok Malt. It will all be fun to see. Very cute too. I hope junior has a brother or sister on the way, a playmate. The more , the merrier....one of them might have an interest in tennis? I dunno....wondering how it all works.

Still, would wager something that if junior is born close to US Open, not being negative here, as I don't think it's bad to focus on a baby, Federer might not be himself come Labor Day USOpen 2009?

Imagine AO 2010 tho....the Federer express will be on track. That Final 5th needs fixing....:)

do you know what zoey...am really glad you got me right now (!).......
Fed is gonna win wimby...AND the US Open....the baby is due at end of August...fed will defend US title...Mirka's orders! remember she is a loyal tennis wife....confidente....for almost 10 years now....she used to roger's hunger and passion for the game...time enough for the baby...AFTER he comes back with US trophy...make no mistake...this is gonna fire roger up even more......absolutely 100%...they will have talked about this...and he needs to be selfish right now...for his son..because of his son...i just see it that way...okay...camcorder for the birth..not the same...but who knows...what they have talked about? he has made it clear that he wants wimby back and that he will defend his US title...me thinks mummy federer (roger's ma)..will be with mirka....and she will understand...she will pop baby out in 24 minutes...the time it took Roger to win the first set at the French Open! It's all timed you see! (tee hee zoey...)...chill baby.......
It's all good!
C'MON!
Allez Federer!

Get back on that train lady! gotta go get some sleep now......
mwah!
xxx

LOL Malt....and my bad...imagined you'd be watching (stalking) practices at SW19 or something today...

ahh-oh....Next Tuesday...i get to get excited all over again....

Not entirely convinced about your 'birthing' scene, not being negative, simply allowing for variety, let's say

gorofago....what say you?

i dont think now roger is bothered about what murray orthe media have to say,its all just mind games just to distract ROGER and u know what its not gona work...
Roger is now pressure free and he has equalled and won the FO his game is getting better his mind is stronger he has a baby on the way (Mirka I mean),you will see the new and more relaxed and more composed roger even more than before to claim the wimby...
US open
and the No 1 spot...
GO CHAMP
GO ROGER GO...........

Hello Malteser1, and please bear with me while I greet your comrade Zoey and apologise for not spotting her earlier post which was on point. Zoey, thanks and well done, and that's the last three-Sanatogen lunch at the country club for me this summer, I promise. I will put my view on impending Fed fatherhood no further than before, though - let's wait and see, how can any of us really know?

Malteser1 - oh, to be la Graf! Not for the legendary husband, the occasional free watch or even the chance to viva in Las Vegas, but just to be forty and fabulous again. Supple enough to put on my tennis socks standing up. You've made an old sort happy. What can I say except "Malt, douze points", but that is French and not German so let me reassure you that I am not Mme. Tarango, far less her countryman and punchbag, the cuddly M. Rebeuh.

Very interesting list of tennis dads, M1. I never knew Pat C had a child about the same age as Rafa. No wonder he lost to the 15-year-old boy wonder over a set back in 2001. He was presumably tired of teenagers already. I remember, though, when Cash was the coming thing, and he lost out to a 36-year-old Nastase on the Bristol grass in 1982. Able for anybody, our Nasty!

As for the Murray-Federer hokum, I can only say ho-hum. In fact we all seem to have overlooked the worst crime in yesterday's Times. Writing up the new Murray kit (I nearly said kilt - he is proud of his roots so I expect they'll design one for him next year), fashion editor Lisa Armstrong referred to the last British singles win - Miss Wade, 1977 - as "one fluke year".

I expect bitchiness in the fashion world, that's not the issue here. It's the ignorance. Virginia Wade built up a career of sustained excellence, or at least jolly-goodness, lasting into her late thirties when she forced a final set in her 1983 QF. And she more than stands comparison with Mr F at RG '09 here: not only did she (eventually) cope with top-dog status in the final, she went one better and defeated the No. 1 - Miss Evert - in her semi-final match.

If Ms. (why do I suspect it's Miss?) Armstrong doesn't watch her manners I'm going to send out an SOS for Mme. Tarango to come back and sort her out.

gorafago...i like you....you are funny and informed.....

as this is the only fed article at the moment...i thought i would post the atp ranking possibilities which as you will all see is both exciting, scarily exciting and breathtaking for the top 3 right now.....

Analysis of the ATP rankings reveals that Roger Federer went into The French Open 4,490 points behind Rafael Nadal but after winning the title, he cut the margin right down to 2,070 points. Nadal's lead is a narrow 2,115 going into Wimbledon.

Because both Federer and Nadal withdrew from grass court tournaments in preparation for Wimbledon they both lost 450 points from their respective 2008 titles won in Queen's.

If Federer wins his sixth Wimbledon title and Nadal loses before the semi-finals, then Federer will regain his precious World No. 1 ATP title on the 6th of July.

Meanwhile, if the results run his way, current World No. 3 Andy Murray could go to No. 2 by winning Wimbledon.

to all fedfans...start the visualisation process....(that includes YOU zoey....)...sky, fedex, torres, raftafan, niloofar......
C'MON!
Allez Federer!

hehe malt ..i hoped on the fed train long time ago ...right now ...im focused ....ready for round one . ready for the draws to come out and people to start ba mouthing fed as always ...im resdy ...bring it on ...its time ....zoey , torr , rafterfan , niloofar, boss .. all federites unite ....hehe ..we are all behind Fed the man ...
zoey is probably going to need a push malt ...ill leave that to u...she tends to wander..

C'MON !!!

hey ....a cool article i found ....shows our man fed believes in himself ....:)

http://eurosport.yahoo.com/17062009/58/wimbledon-federer-m-b etter.html

C'MON!!

fedex fan...i ABSOLUTELY ADORE YOU......i hear what you are saying about zoey...and i know that she will read this....Zoey! stop letting th side down with your wandering girl! i don't wanna hear about how much you fancy del boy.....stop!..stop!...stop!.....much more visualisation is needed from you and a ton of faith and self-belief! right?!

thanks for the article fedex...will read in more depth...but surprising how low key everyone has been except murray! he giving an interview on 'the mighty drive'...fivelive sports...uk radio at 7pm...for any of you murray fans out there....murray is really do the media spotlight...good and tight right now! shouldn't he be on the practice or something?
C'MON!
Allez Federer!

thx for the article fedexfan...
its brilliant to hear from the great man himself that is ready and raring to go....
come on all federites....
go champ
go roger

malteser: u said if Murray wins wimbledon he will become no.2..is that regardless of Fed's results? even if Fed loses in the final?!
oh...that interview was on UK radio???? too bad!!! that made me feel even worse,I don't want to sound nasty but I 'm very mad at Murray for the reasons I posted above...I think he might have affected fed's popularity there.don't u?

zoey...? where are you girlfriend? did you hear what fedex said? STOP YOUR WAVERING now.....sassshyyinng with del potro's caveman looks or giving murray the eye! Get back on that fedex train with all the passion, hunger, belief and visualisation of the fedfan groupies!!! Oh yeah baby!

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

Hey malteser, I know this is off-topic, but I think I found a youtube video of you! =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3X1YtjM-4U

-Arvis

Arvis....

you have absolutely 100% made my day...have just watched it...it's absolutely........

.................H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S!

and yes...similar....i do wear my hair in a ponytail sometimes and it is the same length or pos. longer..but i am blonde...but oh my god! how funny! Am sure fan4tennis would watch that and scream like banshee! I did!

thank you....thank you....thank you.......the funniest thing i have seen E-V-E-R!

C'MON!
Allex Federer!

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/17062009/58/wimbledon-federer-m-better.h tml

to all the fedfans out there....an article by sid siddiqui who loves agassi...but as a result of watching the fed, more and more.....has learned to love the fed! (just a 'feel good factor' really.....before.....'the games begin!'

Federer is a player who cannot find his equal in the game. He has achieved such a place in the game and its history that it seems it will take quite some time before his records will be broken, and yet he is only 27 years old and still has quite some time to play the game.

The way he commands respect on the court and off it, the love and admiration that the media and his fellow colleagues have for him, the respect he receives from someone like Rafa Nadal, who has his own records to show off?all these make him unique.

This has been a great year for me as far as tennis is concerned. I got to see Andre playing again, and that too with his wife at Wimbledon at an exhibition match, and believe me, seeing those cracking baseline shots along with his cheerful self, I was reminded once again as to why I love this guy.

A couple of weeks after that, Federer became a part of tennis history yet again when he did something only the great Andre Agassi has been able to do in the Open Era?that is to win all four Grand Slams.

What a match it was! For me that match had everything: emotions, scares (fan running up to Roger), a good solid runner-up, supreme baseline tennis, big serves, and whatnot.

However, the most special moment was seeing Andre handing over the trophy to Roger. There I saw the man who has been the sole reason why I started to watch the game handing over the trophy to the man because of whom I currently watch the game.

There has not been a dull moment in tennis for a while, though Roger is here and he is the best. I will always miss Andre, but at the same time I will always cheer for Roger.

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

Oh well, seeing as you've put it up here too, I have to get you to make sure and correct Sid's planet-sized clanger, Malteser1 -

"Only the great Andre" my foot.

Rod. 1969 alone.

Please!

Ahem, gorafago, do you read 'Bleacher Report'.....?

He was only writing in an anecdotal fashion, not minding to cross t's and dot i's

Malteser babee.....maw! I gotta work and can't do TT as much as would like. Soo excited for wimby to start and the draw is manana! Whoo hoo, babeee!

Still sorting about tennis channel...or a better wifi for home. TV coverage WILL be better on basic cable in US for Wimby tho...I checked that!

Go Roger Go!!

Hi gorafago...now i get you! Hey...if sid wants to believe that agassi is 'his best player'...he is entitled to his opinion? right? I wouldn't have termed that a 'massive clanger tho'...it's pure opinion on his part......1969? buddy...i wasn't even born then....sorry......but obviously have read about Rod Laver....did you actually see him play? oh my god! You must be a legend yourself!

gorafago...if you look at the following stats for agassi...you can probably understand why sid feels the way he does tho' and that's fair enough! right?


Agassi.....is a former World No. 1 professional American tennis player who won eight Grand Slam singles tournaments and an Olympic gold medal in singles. He is, with Rod Laver, Don Budge, Fred Perry, Roy Emerson, and Roger Federer, one of only six men to have won each of the Grand Slam singles title in history, and one of only three (with Laver and Federer) since the beginning of the Open Era. In addition to his Grand Slam and Olympic singles titles, he won the Tennis Masters Cup and was part of a winning Davis Cup team. He won 17 ATP Masters Series tournaments, more than any other player. TENNIS Magazine named him the 12th greatest player, male or female, for the period 1965 through 2005. Agassi's Grand Slam composition is (4 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 1 Wimbledon, 2 US Open) for his career.

i'd say this are the hallmarks of a g-r-e-a-t champion...surely?

C'MON!
Allez Roger!

Malteser....have to be out the door...have fun, chick! I lurve cavemen Malt...:) delpo

Verrry Funny Arvis! thanks

zoeyyyy! love you! Great to hear from you...how are you?...C'MON! Let's get ready homegirl! No more del potro swooning....no more murray meringuing! just............. p-u-r-e...p-u-r-e...support and love for the visualisation of our fed......cheers ALL fedfans!
C'MON!
Allez Federer!

Hi M - glad to get that one out of the way, and yes, who couldn't love Andre? He's got to be the all-time reformed scamp if ever I met one, and I certainly have.

Saw Rod, met Rod, pictured with Rod - but sadly never with Lew Hoad, whom I at least saw. Never was there a front-runner to match that man when he was in the mood. As Rod used to say, "When you're in front, concentrate on staying there". Hoad did that better than anybody, even Pancho Gonzales.


Zoey, will clock on to Bleacher (a new one on this old lag) some time over the weekend and post my impression back to you on a future thread when it feels appropriate. I hope I am not in for a shock, my system couldn't take it these days. An ambulance started blaring as it pulled up close behind me earlier today and I screamed louder than that guy's wife in the Federer championship-point video on Youtube, so help me. [Can you imagine if he'd beaten Nadal to win it? I fear she'd have leapt out of her clothes on the spot, dear me.]

gorafago...bleacher is b-r-i-l-l-i-a-n-t....you will enjoy the writings of long john silver.. the chief editor there and rohini who is second in command.....both brilliant writers.....long john more melancholy but so emotive/evocative and a real gold nugget...you can 'feel the emotion through his writing'...i love him....but NOT as much as Federer!

gorafago..you are............... v-e-r-y.....c-o-o-l

C'MON!
Allez Federer!

C'MON