I have to hand it to all the top players who have endured so long in the Tour. 20+ tournaments a year, including 4 GS's, would take its toll on anyone, mentally and physically. Fed is one player who could stand the test of time and aging, as his style is efficient and effective, and should last a few more years.

Agree with The Fed here. I mean, most of the time when he lose, it's always close. That's the sign of a champion.

He's the hardest player to beat especially in the major tournaments. Getting past him is as good as winning the tournament.

What's Federer going to say? That most of the time when he met top quality players he lost?! The fact is that in the two slams when he met talented, versatile players he lost, and in the others when he faced mentally weak, one-dimensional players without the future prospects of the other two, he won. Every time Federer loses to a player, especially to one he has previously dominated, others start to feel more confident against him. His game towards the end of this season was quite good, but his opponents, like Davydenko, were not getting intimidated at all and staying with him from the baseline. Davydenko, unlike past players, did not care about Federer's shot-making (like the return smash in the third), but stayed focused on his game and his belief, kept up the pressure instead of folding (again, like past players) and won. Federer will be even less of a threat in 2010 as intimidation becomes almost a zero factor in his matches. Some of his opponents are even adopting the "strike first" strategy against him, which he used for so long, and the resulting pressure is doing its job.

samdaman, the same could be said about Rafa. No ones scared of his looping forehand anymore.

To torres9: I completely agree, but I think Nadal is still evolving and will be more of a threat in the coming years than Federer. He will find a way to simplify his forehand and reduce the reaction time of his opponent, thereby reducing court time and prolonging his physical state. If not for Rafa's injuries and family problems, he would probably still be sitting at the top of the rankings.

I dunno but he did evolve to a lighter player and I dunno if he can change his grip just to hit a forehand like Delpo, Djoker,

Fed is 28 so obviously he'll be lesser of a threat than his younger rivals in 5 years. But at the moment he's still no.1 and younger players are not really having it easy against him.

We dont see Delpo winning in str8s against him or bagelling him .

Remember Muzza was beating him 5 times in a row or sth and ppl said Muzza would never ever lose to Fed again but looked what happened.

Ppl thought when Nadal was winning a lot in 2008-early 2009, he will take the torch and dominate like the Fed but he didn't.

It's all to play for. I still believe Fed will have a career like Agassi where he'll play till 30+ and still beating the young players.

samdaman,how can you say that any of fed's opponents were one dimensional players?and mentally weak? no way. In all four slams this year, they all went to five setters, he lost two, won two. The ones he lost, he faced a very dangerous player, soderling, who more than proved his worth at barclays atp this year. Plus a revitalised roddick, who played awesome tennis. if anything, this shows that fed was as fit as any of his younger opponents, never gave up, had brilliant mental strength and could still play some amazing tennis. I think you need to clarify your post. I was also amazed that some of the doubles players at Atp, average age was 36!Big up to the 'oldies' of the game.

Maxi,please dont try to defened the champ, that is insulting to the greatness he has showed through the years
the one thing we dont deny that Nadal can be the next great champ,because we know that legends exist we have been fan of one, for that we are grateful for what we witnessed what ever there is left we are thrilled to see.
we stopped counting at 15 this year we will continue in no time.