An Artist on all surfaces, Mr. Effortless - Roger Federer

[kid-glove]

MN is a lesbian, whose got something up her miserable ass. I'm not even sure she likes Men's tennis as she gasps when it's brought up, on multiple occasions.

[Arvind Srinivasan]

If Federer retains his no.1 ranking and if Nadal stays at no.3, there will be a chance for them to meet in the SFs of the US Open. I know this is a little far fetched. But it does throw in some interesting possibilities....

[venkkiram]

MN is a lesbian, whose got something up her miserable ass. I'm not even sure she likes Men's tennis as she gasps when it's brought up, on multiple occasions. அட்மின், எப்படிங்க இதுபோன்ற கருத்துக்களை எல்லாம் அனுமதிக்கிறிங்க? கண்டனங்கள். இது தட்ஸ்தமிழ் தர பின்னூட்டங்களுக்கு சற்றும் குறைந்ததல்ல.

[kid-glove]

For more homophobic, vulgar, sexist, racist, outrageously deplorable views. Stay tuned.

[raagadevan]

"It's OK to break down, to let it all out"

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon-2012/interviews/Its-OK-to-break-down-to-let-it-all-out-Federer/articleshow/14785475.cms

"It's not enough to be No. 1"

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon-2012/top-stories/Its-not-enough-to-be-No-1-says-Roger-Federer/articleshow/14786306.cms

[ajithfederer]

Why???

Do u feel we have missed out on some achievements??



Fedex will smile @ the poll options :)

[San_K]

@ options 1, 8,9 and some missed such as 32 GS semifinals

BTW can't resist to utter

Is not Federer looks like James Bond?

1546 (https://p.twimg.com/AxbR9lTCIAEAEU2.jpg)

[VinodKumar's]

http://i48.tinypic.com/foekd4.jpg

[ajithfederer]

Attagaasa pic :clap:

[ajithfederer]

LONDON, July 10, 2012
I never thought I’d be that good, Federer confesses

DPA

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01139/IN10_FEDERER_1139418f.jpg

Roger Federer may be one of the greatest tennis players in history, but he is also a father whose twin daughters make sure he keeps his feet on the ground.

“I saw them this (Monday) morning and I asked them if they remembered yesterday (Sunday). One said ‘no’, but the other, ‘yeah — the clapping...’”, he says in a reference to the applause he received.

Maybe Myla Rose and Charlene Riva — his daughters — do not even need to keep him rooted. Federer is very conscious of who he is and of what he has achieved, but he is far from the arrogant image some British media attributed to him prior to the final he played against Scot Andy Murray.

“I do not know how other three-year-olds may understand, but mine almost understand the difference between a match and practice,” the Swiss tennis star said with a laugh. “Winning and losing, they don’t quite get that yet.” If Federer keeps up the level of tennis he has achieved over the past few months, his daughters will see more triumphs.

The sight of his wife Mirka and of his daughters at the stadium meant a lot for Federer.

When he won in 2003, he says, he did not expect to win at Wimbledon and to “have my kids see me lift the trophy. I was almost shocked in the moment itself that it all came together so nicely for me.”

What is Federer proudest of? “My whole career, I never thought I would be that good. I was considered a big talent, I was considered good in Switzerland first.” Nevertheless, being world number one was “more like a fantasy, a dream. (But) one thing leads to another. We had an extremely strong generation of players when I was coming along with Hewitt, Safin, Roddick, Ferrero and Tommy Haas.

“That pushed me to hang with them, not even being the best of that group, because clearly I was not. That really paved the way for me to always strive for more push and to finally become a true professional in my early 20s, which I still think is a bit late unfortunately, but the way my life worked it all happened at the right time. It really unlocked something for me and I won my first Grand Slam.” “It took a lot of pressure particularly from the media side. There were the doubts, the questions — is he ever going to achieve something or is he going to be one of those endless talents who never win a Grand Slam.

“I was able to do it then and things completely changed for me. I was able to maintain a long spell of wins that was what I was famous for not doing; I was famous for not being consistent. I was able to make the most out of my potential.”

Federer admits to finding warm-ups boring. But “it is part of the routine and it is part of what a pro player is doing these days,” says the man, who is also known to have pushed his head out of a New York taxi to scream his joy into the night. “I am not a robot,” Federer has said.

He is, however, extremely professional. “I’m stronger overall. I’m a man today — before, I was a boy — and growing into a man’s body is also difficult at times. I always listen to the signs of the body, to what it can take and not take. I work extremely hard.”

After winning practically everything, does he have dreams left? “I enjoy more as long as I am physically healthy. I’d like to enjoy the tour, the ride, the journey.”

Federer says there are things he’d like to achieve. “Last year, I was really hoping I could win Paris-Bercy (which he had not conquered yet).” He would also like to win a Grand Slam again. “Olympic gold is a dream for me, maybe Davis Cup, with great moments with my team members, all my best friends.

“Of course there are many things I’d like to achieve, but it’s not what fuels me every day, it’s not what I need to wake up every day.”

After the triumph of Novak Djokovic in 2011, Federer’s return changes some things in tennis — though not that many, he says. “Not in a big way.” But “it changes the dynamics now, I guess different semifinals. It is going to be harder for Novak and Rafa (Nadal) to find themselves in the finals now because they could face each other in the semis.”

Federer says he does not want to represent Switzerland for the third time in the inauguration of the Olympics, and also reveals he will not live in the Olympic Village in London in 2012.

“It is too far way. I did it in Athens when I was world number one, and it was distracting in a good way. But I just thought I’ve had the Olympic experience in the past.” Now he does not want to change his routine. “It’s the Olympics, so it’s a bit egoistic, but in some ways you have to do it that way. I stayed at the hotel in Beijing. It felt a bit odd, making it seem like it is just another tournament, but I got gold and I look back at this one as one of the great accomplishments in my life.”

Keywords: Roger Federer, Wimbledon

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/article3624358.ece

[svaisn]

Nice Article on the MASTER
http://ibnlive.in.com/blogs/gauravkalra/260/63680/roger-federer-our-kind-of-champion.html

[ajithfederer]

Yo svaisn welcome back ya :)

[svaisn]

Thank U :-)
Celebrated the Wimbledon Victory with a dinner in Chinese restaurant... Very happy after a looong time :-)

How are u:-)

[VinodKumar's]

RF in FB : "Nike Tennis sent me this today. Says don’t open until Monday... Any ideas of what’s inside?"

http://i46.tinypic.com/34j6f4n.jpg

[VinodKumar's]

I love that design. Nike :thumbsup:

[omega]

So Nike is taking mileage on the 287th week of Swiss Maestro being No.1 (starting next monday).
What else could be inside other than a shoe marked 287 in it...

[Arvind Srinivasan]

The design looks brilliant....

[VinodKumar's]

http://i45.tinypic.com/24boqhi.jpg

[ajithfederer]

~!##@$%^%^ :smokesmirk:

[m_karthik]

So Nike is taking mileage on the 287th week of Swiss Maestro being No.1 (starting next monday).
What else could be inside other than a shoe marked 287 in it...

A Golden Shoe... may be..

[VinodKumar's]

http://i47.tinypic.com/2vkdnbc.jpg

[VinodKumar's]

RF in FB :Thanks for all your guesses everyone. Looks like @niketennis made me a special pair of Vapor 9’s to celebrate the #1 record! They made 287 limited edition pairs total, and some will be available for you. Very nice of these guys. Feel free to check them out @niketennis.

http://i49.tinypic.com/2ex7jes.jpg

[VinodKumar's]

http://i50.tinypic.com/b6vvyg.jpg

[Arvind Srinivasan]

^Looks great...Congrats to Roger...What an achievement....:clap: :bow:

[ajithfederer]

Another coveted record in our hands. 287 weeks is a mind boggling 5 and a half years on tour as No 1 in a career spanning nearly 12(??) years.

:clap:.

Great pics there Vinod.

[ajithfederer]

I think this is the first time since 2005 that the first three grandslams of the year had a different winner. Every other year we had Roger or Nadal or Djokovic winning either 2 of (AO, FO and Wim). Only in 2005 we had Safin winning AO, Nadal winning FO and Roger winning Wimbledon. It will be good to see whether a 4th winner to claim USO 2012.

Go Roger go and get our USO 2012.

[VinodKumar's]

Another coveted record in our hands. 287 weeks is a mind boggling 5 and a half years on tour as No 1 in a career spanning nearly 12(??) years.

:notworthy:

[Arvind Srinivasan]

Go Roger go and get our USO 2012.

I would put Federer and Djokovic on the same pedestal wrt the US Open...Djokovic's been phenomenal in hard courts over the past two years.

[VinodKumar's]

Congratulations Roger video for the new "287" record.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YDj_Bxv6KQQ

[ajithfederer]

A series of photos to follow covering Master's rise to No 1 over the years. Guys Don't post for a while now.

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/558214_10151041658853701_1120110716_n.jpg


2003 - Roger Federer captured his first of 17 Grand Slams with victory over Mark Philippoussis in the 2003 Wimbledon final. © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/553931_10151041658048701_307515256_n.jpg



2004 - Roger Federer ascended to No. 1 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings for the first time on 2nd February 2004, after dropping only two sets en route to the Australian Open title (d. Safin). © AFP/Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/532339_10151041658243701_173736374_n.jpg

2004 - Roger Federer won his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/553222_10151041657293701_666590430_n.jpg



Roger Federer is congratulated by rival Lleyton Hewitt after defeating the Australian to win the first of five successive US Open trophies in 2004. He was crowned ATP World Tour Champion the earliest ever on 13 September after his triumph in New York City. © AFP/Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/382493_10151041657468701_890920015_n.jpg



2004 - Roger Federer and future wife, Mirka Vavrinec, read the reaction in the press to his US Open triumph. The Swiss became the first player since Mats Wilander in 1988 to win three Grand Slam titles in a season and the fourth player overall in the Open Era to win at least three in a year (Connors won three in 1974, Laver won four in 1969). © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/483241_10151041657933701_1446700070_n.jpg



2004 - Roger Federer won the Tennis Masters Cup for the second year in a row with victory over Lleyton Hewitt. © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/376951_10151041658573701_427257536_n.jpg


2004 - Roger Federer compiled one of the best seasons in nearly two decades by capturing an ATP-best 11 titles in as many finals, including three Grand Slams and three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophies. He was presented with the ATP World Tour Champion's trophy at the year-end Tennis Masters Cup in Houston, where he won the title with victory over Lleyton Hewitt. © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/581955_10151041658893701_462975933_n.jpg

2005 - In a magical summer for Roger Federer, the Swiss bounced back from a loss to Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros semi-finals to compile a 35-match winning streak with five tour-level titles - highlighted by clinching a third successive Wimbledon crown with victory over Andy Roddick in a repeat of the 2004 final. © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/531584_10151041657668701_2054279137_n.jpg



2005 - Roger Federer's victory at the 2005 US Open saw him become the first player since Don Budge in 1937-38 to win Wimbledon and the US Open in the same season in back-to-back years. © AFP/Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/524251_10151041657703701_1596563463_n.jpg


2005 - Roger Federer finished No. 1 for the second straight year, highlighted by an ATP World Tour-best 11 titles. © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/181123_10151041658698701_1464616921_n.jpg


2006 - Roger Federer cries on the shoulder of Rod Laver after clinching the 2006 Australian Open trophy with victory over Marcos Baghdatis. The Swiss became the first player since Pete Sampras in 1993-94 to win three straight Slam titles. © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/179139_10151041658473701_1662759879_n.jpg

2006 - Roger Federer won his fourth ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophy of the season in Toronto with victory over Richard Gasquet. © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/402814_10151041657593701_1942141534_n.jpg

2007 - Roger Federer won a Grand Slam title without the loss of a set for the first time at the 2007 Australian Open and was the first player to win a Slam title in such fashion since Bjorn Borg at Roland Garros in 1980. © AFP/Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/417705_10151041657398701_2144561681_n.jpg

2007 - At the All England Club Roger Federer dropped only one set en route to the title match before defeating Rafael Nadal in five sets to capture his fifth consecutive Wimbledon title and join Bjorn Borg as the only players to win at least five straight crowns at SW19 in the Open Era. v

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/306517_10151041658118701_1145757896_n.jpg

2007 - Roger Federer won his fourth Tennis Masters Cup in five years with victory over David Ferrer in Shanghai. © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/563999_10151041658953701_1517135637_n.jpg


2007 - Roger Federer was crowned ATP World Tour Champion for the fourth successive year in 2007. He became only the fourth player since 1973 to end the year as ATP World Tour No. 1 for at least four consecutive years - joining Pete Sampras (six), Jimmy Connors (five) and John McEnroe (four). © AFP/Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/480412_10151041656908701_1750801861_n.jpg

2008 - Roger Federer poses with future wife Mirka Vavrinec after making history by becoming the first ever winner of four Laureus World Sports Awards. The Swiss was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for the fourth straight time. © AFP/Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/578727_10151041657848701_1923868453_n.jpg

2008 - Roger Federer congratulates Rafael Nadal after losing an epic five-set battle to the Spaniard in the Wimbledon final. Nadal prevailed in a 4:48 marathon (9-7 in fifth set) in the longest final in the tournament's history. It also ended a record 65-match winning streak on grass for Federer and it was his first loss in a grass-court final (10-1). © AFP/Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/396940_10151041657818701_1053260362_n.jpg

2008 - Not ranked No. 1 for the first time at a Grand Slam tournament since the 2004 Australian Open, Roger Federer defeated Andy Murray in the final to become the first player to win five straight US Open titles since Bill Tilden captured six in a row from 1920-25. © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/480611_10151041657753701_836011104_n.jpg



2009 - After clinching the career Grand Slam at Roland Garros, Roger Federer graced the front cover of America's leading sports weekly, Sports Illustrated, with the billing "Masters Stroke: Winning the French, Roger Federer Makes His Case As the Best Ever". © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/556587_10151041657978701_579511039_n.jpg



2009 - Roger Federer clinched the career Grand Slam at Roland Garros in his 11th attempt by defeating Swede Robin Soderling in straight sets in the final. It was his 14th Grand Slam crown, tying Pete Sampras for the most in men's tennis. © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/309450_10151041658398701_269458049_n.jpg



2009 - Roger Federer won a record 15th Grand Slam singles title and reclaimed the No. 1 ranking with a marathon victory over Andy Roddick. After the final, Federer posed with tennis greats Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver and the man whose record he had broken - Pete Sampras. © Getty Images


Greatest pic of all time in Tennis :clap:

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/603496_10151041658308701_2128548078_n.jpg



2009 - Roger Federer became the third player in the history of the South African Airways ATP Rankings (since 1973) to rank year-end No. 1 at least five times, joining Pete Sampras (six) and Jimmy Connors (five). © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/311656_10151041658773701_2081491610_n.jpg

2010 - Roger Federer closed the season with his fifth year-end title at Barclays ATP World Tour in London (d. Nadal). © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/603475_10151041657203701_1105818938_n.jpg


2011 - Roger Federer's defeat to Novak Djokovic in the US Open semi-finals sparked a perfect 17-0 finish to the season for the Swiss. © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/558253_10151041656998701_1004785817_n.jpg



2011 - Roger Federer went 17-0 at the end of the season, including victory at the BNP Paribas Masters (d. Tsonga). © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/209015_10151041657113701_1610849129_n.jpg



2012 - Roger Federer is congratulated by his wife, Mirka, and twin daughters, Myla Rose and Charlene Riva, after winning his 20th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown in Madrid. © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/315302_10151041657908701_688605597_n.jpg



2012 - Roger Federer won a record-equalling seventh Wimbledon trophy by defeating Andy Murray. The victory saw him regain the No. 1 ranking. © Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

Great series of posts/pics taken from ATP FB Page :clap:. That's it fellas.

[VinodKumar's]

:ty: Stan. Great pictures.

[Arvind Srinivasan]

Wonderful pics there, AF....:thumbsup:

[VinodKumar's]

Achieved. Congrats Roger.

http://i46.tinypic.com/nf0kl2.jpg

[ajithfederer]

ATP has dedicated a section of their website to Roger and his No 1 ranking. There are a host of articles, stats, pics and videos there.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/DEUCE-Tennis/Federer-No1.aspx

[Puliyan_Biryani]

Superb pictures AF & Vinod :clap:.

[omega]

Great coverage of the legendary week AF & Vinod...

[omega]

Brilliant match during 2006 year end masters @ Shanghai

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwJjNpoHJgg

[tamizharasan]

Brilliant match during 2006 year end masters @ Shanghai

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwJjNpoHJgg
This is a very good example of match-up issues for Federer against Nadal. Against Federer is by far the best performance of Nadal in that tournament because he could not top his group as james blake topped Nadal's group but lost to Federer in easy three sets in the final. But Federer faced the biggest challenge from Nadal in the whole tournament.

[omega]

This is a very good example of match-up issues for Federer against Nadal. Against Federer is by far the best performance of Nadal in that tournament because he could not top his group as james blake topped Nadal's group but lost to Federer in easy three sets in the final. But Federer faced the biggest challenge from Nadal in the whole tournament.

Tamil,

I think Roger's biggest challenge in that tournament was from Roddick in the RR stage. Roddick took the first set 6-4.
Was up a break in the 2nd, only to be broken back by Roger. Again in the tie-breaker Roddick was up a mini-break & could have served for the match. However Roger pulled it up with a 10-8. He then took the decider 6-4.

I like particularly like his SF match with Nadal as I thought both played a great match.

[tamizharasan]

My biggest problem with federer-nadal matchup was federer hardly allowed to play his forehand.

[kid-glove]

Nadal, what a great sportsman. He's happy for Federer after the match.

[VinodKumar's]

Now it's Wilson's turn.

http://i47.tinypic.com/2qd67fr.jpg

[ajithfederer]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/431815_261600750606377_1326742561_n.jpg

[San_K]

done by Nadal fan? only Rafa in color

[tamizharasan]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1240547-roger-federer-is-he-greater-on-wimbledon-grass-than-pete-sampras
148034248_crop_exact
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Roger Federer is an artist on any surface, Rafael Nadal is the master of clay and Pete Sampras was the king of Wimbledon.

This has become a tennis truism that most experts and fans often cite, and one of which I generally accept.

But it might be wrong.

Was Pete Sampras really better than Roger Federer on grass?

It’s blatant heresy to Sampras fans, like burning the original folios of William Shakespeare’s plays or igniting explosives on London Bridge.

Yes, this is SAMPRAS, the titan of grass who marched through 1990s Wimbledon like Henry V at Agincourt. He roused up victories at the cathedral of Centre Court where tennis is religion and tales are written by modern Geoffrey Chaucers.

So when I re-watched that mythical 2001 quarterfinal match between King Sampras and neophyte Federer, I didn’t expect to change my mind on anything.



Letting the Days Go By…Once in a Lifetime

Most tennis fans and certainly all Roger Federer fans are aware that in the 2001 Wimbledon quarterfinals Federer defeated Sampras 7-6, 5-7, 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 in their only career meeting.

Sampras was 29 years old, and though his footwork was slowing and nagging injuries were creeping in, he was the favorite to win a fifth straight Wimbledon title. He still wore an oversized shirt and shorts as comfortable signatures to his timeless stature.

Federer was 19 years old and already recognized as a rising star who, according to the BBC commentators of the match, “has the talent to win several Grand Slams.” He wore his short ponytail with his Nike bandana headband, every bit the swashbuckling but regal challenger.



2001: A Tennis Odyssey

It was startling to see both Sampras and Federer taking only a few seconds between serves and points. Neither player toweled off or bounced the ball 20 times. There was a flow to watching the match and no wasted dalliance. Most games lasted less than two minutes, stark contrast to today’s slow motion pace.

989578_crop_340x234 Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Sampras was the model of serving perfection. Observers can view footage from him on any year and see the exact same textbook serve: He crouches, places the ball into the throat of the racket, lifts his front foot, and tosses the ball extra high. His motion is so fluid he connects with extra whiplash, rare power and uncanny placement.

In his Federer match, he served with extra power and risk on his second serve because he struggled to volley efficiently. He would chalk up 25 aces, but nine double faults.

At age 29, he still looked the part of the greatest server in history. His aggressiveness and skill were like a master swordsman who could call up ingenious patterns of delivery to compensate for slower but smarter footwork.

Federer was a little more casual in his service delivery. His motion was still raw compared to the polished version we see a decade later, but his power and efficacy was undeniable.

Against Sampras, he looked to volley on every point. He possessed the skill and mentality to be a wonderful serve-and-volley player on Wimbledon’s fast grass. Though more unrefined than Sampras, it’s clear that he meant to play this way had conditions not changed.

At age 19, and with the added skills of an already heralded forehand and defense, Federer was on his way to developing serve and volley skills to equal Sampras’s peak. Perhaps this would have happened if the grass had not been changed.



Grass Intermission

Many people now assume that Wimbledon changed the grass to promote more baseline play, and bring more excitement to the monotony of too many aces or three stroke points. Watching '90s Wimbledon tennis was somewhat like bare-knuckle boxing over a century ago. It had all the strategy of asking two people to club each other to death with stand and survive defense.

Prior to 2001, the grass courts were often trampled by the second week. This produced more rough patches and inconsistent bounces for the players. So, Wimbledon ripped out the old grass that had been 70 percent rye and 30 percent creeping red fescue. After vigorous testing, it was replaced with 100 percent ryegrass.

989753_crop_340x234 Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

According to Eben Harrel for The Magazine World.com, the reason for the change to slower courts was to enhance the durability of the courts. It also caused the ball to bounce rather than skid.

Though Sampras and Federer were playing on the new grass, it had been a rainy and damp week, so conditions seemed the same as most years.

The rest is history. In 2002 David Nalbandian and Lleyton Hewitt did not combine for a single serve-and-volley point in their Wimbledon final.

Federer would all but abandon his growing prowess as a serve-and-volley player.



Federer 1.0

A big reason why Sampras struggled at the net in this match was Federer’s sometimes brilliant returns and passes. Federer faced a superior server in Sampras, but he also returned more effectively. He forced Sampras to go for more on his second serve.

Federer produced a few "Ya gotta see this to believe it" running backhand returns, mirroring Sampras’s acclaimed running forehand. The BBC commentators praised Federer’s backhand, which was wonderfully acclimated to pick up and return speedy, low tennis balls.

Federer and the world had no way of knowing that Nadal and court surface changes would force him to adapt his backhand from years of prior training.



Mighty Ships Passing Through the Night

Each set was a stubborn tense affair, neither combatant giving more than an occasional opening, often wiped away by serving blasts. It was an incessant pattern of serve and volley holds with rare break opportunities for Sampras. Federer had more break chances but only cashed in twice the entire match.

989650_crop_340x234 Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Sampras was cool and composed sitting on the chair during changeovers, aware that his dynasty was under siege, but without a trace of panic. He was an old Roman Emperor aware of the threat to his power but all the more determined to hold onto his crown.

Despite only getting two breaks the entire match, he never wavered with his outward confidence and belief. He played with his usual dominating style and cool demeanor.

Federer matched this composure with a sense of assurance. He never seemed satisfied to be locked in an epic duel, but forged on one detail at a time. His changeovers were spent eating a piece of a banana or dabbing faint evidence of perspiration with his towel.

Even after getting blown out in the fourth set tiebreaker, Federer strode out to battle with the same bearing as he had earlier in winning the first set.

There are few transcendent moments in athletics when an emerging player combines rare talent with composure in such a way you know he is destined for greatness. It’s hindsight now, but the feeling was there during this match. By 2003, his first Wimbledon title actually felt overdue.

Sampras to Federer was a link of legends, but also of dignity and class.



What a Tangled Web We Weave

Had Wimbledon not changed its grass, it’s very likely Federer’s serve and volley would have evolved with greater punch, placement and touch. Could his skill set at net become one of the greatest ever at a time with great baseline players and powerful racket technology?

Federer has proven his prowess of mastering fast courts including indoor surfaces and blue clay. It would have been interesting to see if he could have used his all-court skills to back up a lethal serve and volley game rather than attack primarily from the baseline.

Could any of the big servers of the past decade have reversed their results against him? Andy Roddick would have benefited from the faster grass to serve even more aces, similar to Goran Ivanisevic. Maybe 2004 or 2005 could have brought him titles. However, he has never had the volley, return game or versatility to match Federer.

What about the baseliners led by Nadal and Novak Djokovic? Would they stand a chance on the fast Wimbledon grass?

Which most reflects your opinion on Federer's grass legacy?
Federer is 2nd best on grass behind Sampras Federer is equally comparable to Sampras on pre-2001 grass but greater on the new grass Federer is the greatest player on grass (both grass surfaces considered) Submit Vote vote to see results

Is it unreasonable to suggest Federer could have collected ten Wimbledon titles on the fast grass? Certainly it’s a credit to Federer that he adapted his baseline game so successfully to grass in a manner that has helped his hard courts and clay game.

One thing is certain. Nadal’s rise to Wimbledon prominence was good for their rivalry and for tennis. The slower grass has added more interesting matches and more varieties of players to compete. It’s like trading in a predictable short story for an intriguing novel with more plot twists.

Sir Walter Scott would have been fascinated with the tangled weaves of modern tennis, but all we know for certain is what actually happened. Besides, it's tough to second-guess 17 Grand Slam victories.

I haven’t changed my mind on Sampras as the greatest grass court player I’ve ever seen, but it would have been interesting to see if Federer could have surpassed him. The difference between the two is closer than it may seem.

[tamizharasan]

http://tennis.si.com/2012/07/18/roger-federer-steffi-graf-records-stats/?sct=tn_bf1_a8

Who rivals Roger Federer’s accolades? Perhaps just one: Steffi Graf


Analysis, ATP, WTA | Comments
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Roger Federer

There may just be one other player in Open Era history to rival Roger Federer’s stats and records. (SI)

Why do we love records? We love records because they provide empirical evidence for debate, they validate — or invalidate — our gut feelings (is Rafael Nadal the greatest clay court player ever or am I just craving a sandwich?), and to state the obvious, they’re recognition that we’re seeing something being done that has simply never been done before.

With Roger Federer’s record-breaking 287th week at No. 1 this week, he’s effectively hijacked almost every meaningful record in the men’s record books. Most major titles? Check. Most weeks at No. 1? Check. Most consecutive weeks at No. 1? Check. Career Grand Slam? Check.

The fact that he was able to do all this amongst a group of contemporaries that includes Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, and Lleyton Hewitt, makes his set of numbers even more astonishing. The list of his record-setting achievements goes on and on, including the one stat that, for my money, is THE Roger Federer stat: reaching a record 33 consecutive Slam quarterfinals. It’s one thing to possess a game that can dominate. It’s quite another to bring it consistently over seven years and avoid the inexplicable early-round losses. If the true measure of greatness is longevity, Federer’s sustained consistency is second to none.

There are few tennis players who can rival him in he record books these days, but Federer’s most recent achievement made me go back and take a look at another Wimbledon-loving player with a big forehand and one-handed backhand, who put up some numbers that still make my jaw drop to this day: the one and only Steffi Graf.

Here are some of my favorite Steffi stats:

• The only player, male or female, to complete the Golden Slam, which she did in 1988.

• Her 22 Slam singles titles remains the Open Era record for both men and women. Five to go, Roger.

• Won all four Slams at least four times. Talk about an all-court player.

• Made 13 consecutive Slam finals.

• Reached final of all four Slams in a calendar year 3 times

• Spent a record 377 weeks at No. 1

• Ended the year at No. 1 eight times.

• In 1987 and 1989, made the finals of every tournament she played. Think about that.

• Played in 36 Slams and made the final 22 times with a winning percentage of 81 percent in the finals (22-9).

It’s obviously not an apples-to-apples comparison, as the depth of the women’s game at the time is always a subject of debate, though I would argue that it’s a somewhat unfair charge (Martina Navratilova, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and Gabriela Sabatini were no hacks). And of course there’s the “what if” game surrounding Monica Seles’ stabbing in 1993, which derailed her career right when she had cemented herself as Graf’s only true rival. But the numbers are still startling on paper (all four Slams at least four times?), and ones that I suspect, may never be broken.

[tamizharasan]

one interesting fact about Roger Federer and Steffi graf is difference of 5 grandslam titles comes from french open. everything else including no. on each is the same.

[tamizharasan]

http://www.tennis.com/articles/templates/news.aspx?articleid=18946&zoneid


Federer: 2016 Rio Games possible if healthy
AP - Thursday, July 26, 2012



LONDON (AP)—Roger Federer is leaning toward competing in the 2016 Games if his body holds up.

Federer, who turns 31 on August 8, says his mind wants to compete again in Rio de Janeiro, but it will depend on his ability to stay healthy.

First up for the world No. 1 is the London Games, where he will try for his first gold medal in singles on a court he knows well.

The seven-time Wimbledon champion teamed with Stanislas Wawrinka to win doubles gold in 2008. His best finish in the singles competition was a fourth-place showing in Sydney in 2000.

But this year's Olympic tennis facility is the All England Club, where Federer won his 17th Grand Slam title a couple weeks ago.

Federer made his remarks about Rio on Thursday.

[VinodKumar's]

OLYMPICS 2012

Federer Hands Flag Honour To Wawrinka

Roger Federer (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/F324.aspx) has handed the honour of carrying Switzerland's flag at tonight's opening ceremony at the Olympic Games in London to doubles partner Stanislas Wawrinka (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/W367.aspx). Federer, who carried the flag for his nation in Athens and Beijing, said he was happy for his gold-medal-winning doubles partner to shoulder the responsibility.

"I felt it was important to give someone else a chance," Federer said. "I told Switzerland they should choose someone else and they then chose my partner Stan, and I think it's a great honour for him because I couldn't have won Olympic gold without him and everybody knows that. That's why I think they chose the right guy."

"I thought about it for a long time, what I should do with it when they offered it to me. First, I obviously hoped they would offer it to me and only later when I did accept it, I thought it was better for me to give it to someone else actually."

Looking for his first singles gold medal in his fourth Olympics, Federer opens his campaign Saturday on Day 1 of the tennis event at Wimbledon (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Tournaments/Wimbledon.aspx) against Colombian Alejandro Falla (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/F444.aspx).
While Federer enters the event full of confidence having won his seventh Wimbledon (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Tournaments/Wimbledon.aspx) title earlier this month, he said that the Olympics presented a different challenge to a Grand Slam tournament.
“In Wimbledon (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Tournaments/Wimbledon.aspx) we play seven matches best of five sets; here we play five matches best of three. Only the final is best of five, so that puts the margins closer to each other, I believe. If it would have been best of three in Wimbledon (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Tournaments/Wimbledon.aspx), I would have lost in the third round to Julien Benneteau (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/B747.aspx) because I was down two sets to love, so it just goes to show that here now, obviously a bad five minutes or a bad couple of points could cost you the tournament.”

Should he reach the second round, Federer could meet Frenchman Benneteau.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/07/Features/London-Federer-Hands-Flag-Honour-To-Wawrinka.aspx

[San_K]

one interesting fact about Roger Federer and Steffi graf is difference of 5 grandslam titles comes from french open. everything else including no. on each is the same.

Angana thaan Nadal P.S.Veerappa maaRi sirikkuraar

[tamizharasan]

Angana thaan Nadal P.S.Veerappa maaRi sirikkuraar
No one competes on the court better than Nadal. He is true warrior on the court and plays every point as if it is his last point of life but that took a tool on his body lately. So there is no wonder Nadal looks like P.S.Veerappa for federer fans including me.

[ajithfederer]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/531649_10151074267383701_713265726_n.jpg


No repeat of his Wimbledon scare against Julien Benneteau; Roger Federer wraps up a 62 62 win to progress at the London Olympics. Impressed with Fed’s performance? Photo: Getty Images

[VinodKumar's]

Second match mudinjurucha ??? Cha olympics la tennis follow pannurathu remba kastama irruku. Pudikavae illa :twisted:.

[tamizharasan]

Today Federer played a drop shot on the serve to set up a match point. I have never seen anyone playing a drop shot on the serve.

[VinodKumar's]

Tamizh where did u watch the match ? TV or online ? Highlights link irruka ?

[svaisn]

Yes please share the link...

You can see the scores here
http://www.london2012.com/tennis/event/men-doubles/match=tem002504/index.html

[raagadevan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BSAmAiVxs4

[svaisn]

FedEx wins the first round DOUBLES in 3 sets...

[tamizharasan]

Tamizh where did u watch the match ? TV or online ? Highlights link irruka ?
I watched in on TV as I am in west coast. You should be able to catch it now on the highlights. Let me find out.

[tamizharasan]

nbcolympics.com is streaming all the replays of the match. you will have to use your cable/dish account to watch this though.

[ajithfederer]

Federer lost in doubles yesterday i believe.


https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s480x480/582089_10151078788148701_1159242077_n.jpg
In singles, he has defeated Istomin 7-5 6-3 and will take on Isner today in Centre court. Some good action in quarter finals today.

http://www.london2012.com/tennis/event/men-singles/index.html

[VinodKumar's]

Yes he lost in doubles. Isner :shaking:. Upset lam thaanga mudiyaathu. Unakku vayasu irruku engaluku latchiyam irruku.

// Djoko vs Tsonga match will be interesting. Hope Tsonga doesnt choke like he does in big matches.//

[Arvind Srinivasan]

The Isner vs Federer looks interesting. And so does the Tsonga vs Djokvic match. Hopefully the matches are telecasted in Espnstar. Yet to see a tennis match from the olympics on TV.

[Bala (Karthik)]

^ ESPN HD a pathu channel-a pirichu at a time la ella events-um podraane....

[VinodKumar's]

Fan club - from tennis.com

http://blogs.tennis.com/thewrap/2012/07/fan-club-roger-federer.html

http://blogs.tennis.com/thewrap/2012/07/fan-club-the-federer-part-ii.html

http://blogs.tennis.com/thewrap/2012/07/fan-club-the-federer-part-iii.html

http://blogs.tennis.com/thewrap/2012/07/fan-club-the-federer-part-iv.html

[rajeshkrv]

nbccolympics gives you live cast why to depend on ESPN or any other channel

[tamizharasan]

Federer is not playing the toronto master.
http://www.tennis.com/articles/templates/news.aspx?articleid=19053&zoneid=25

[VinodKumar's]

Reason ??? Rest ah ?

[VinodKumar's]

hmmm both Roger and Nadal don't have many points to defend in Toronto. Veverama velagitaanga :).

[omega]

Skipping Torronto by players who go deep in Olympics was always expected.
3 tournaments (olympics, Torronto Masters & Cincinati ) in 3 weeks is not possible even for young guns.
I am expecting Murray also to withdraw from Torronto Masters....

Time for may be Milos Raonic or a Berdych to win it....

[ajithfederer]

didnt he win cincinatti last year??

[ajithfederer]

Nope he didn't. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATP_World_Tour_Masters_1000#2011_ATP_World_Tour_Ma sters_1000

Last year 5 ATP Master's 1000 were won by djokovic.

[ajithfederer]

Saw this in orkut RF Community. Jeez i should go there more.

http://images.orkut.com/orkut/photos/QQAAAL6N_EG4TSviVRH2jlCw82ssQnp3TybgUiNwElzcrRKLHw emmnZepzdQOGtZRcN1aXYzkuwTzZnmwpt2mj45u7fplavMDxlD DMlL9NusuSTtAJtU9VB6XWaZw9gLleRnM2D_8lySplQeAQ.jpg

[ajithfederer]

Guys, We stand to gain some points if we win the gold medal tomorrow. We can win a max of 615 points or 315 min.

Men

The ITF/ATP ranking points agreement was announced on 1 June 2011. The breakdown of points on offer is listed below, along with quotes from Francesco Ricci Bitti and Adam Helfant.
ATP ranking points (singles only)
750 Gold medal
450 Silver medal
340 Bronze medal
270 Fourth place
135 Quarterfinals
70 Third round
35 Second round
5 First round

http://2012.itftennis.com/olympics/players/ranking-points.aspx

Guys a request discuss the final match in this thread tomorrow. Thread-ayum ottanum vera vazhi illa. Request stands for all roger matches (if possible).

[omega]

Andy breaks on his 2nd BP oppurtunity for a 4-2 lead..
Earlier Fed wasted 2 BP oppurtunities in Murray's first service game...

[omega]

Murray holds his which went for a duece for a 5-2 lead in the 1st set..
Both are hitting the ball cleanly...
Conditions are looking great as well...

[omega]

Murray breaks again for a 6-2 first set...

[omega]

Game 3 of 2nd set (Murray's serve) going on for 12 minutes now
Fed has missed 6 BP oppurtunites just this game...

[ajithfederer]

:sigh2: Fed. Didnt know this was a 5 setter.

[omega]

Finally holds for a 3-0 lead in 2nd set...

[omega]

Murray is playing beautifully.....Great court coverage & hitting really deep... Wonderfull!!
Fed struggling to hold his serve....It has been a while since he held his serve..

[omega]

Murray breaks for a 4-0 lead in the second

[ajithfederer]

Kilinjudhu lambadi lungi. :lol:

[ajithfederer]

hOGAYYA Ogayya oh nenju o manju (2nd set)

[omega]

murray breaks in 3rd for a 3-2 lead...
3 games away from a gold medal

[omega]

Fed is throwing the towel here....

[ajithfederer]

idhukku DP ae vandhirukkalam.

[omega]

idhukku DP ae vandhirukkalam.

Yenya, velli pathakkam pothaatha?
DP wins vengalam earlier beating Nole 7-5, 6-4

[omega]

Murray to serve for the match 5-4..

[tamizharasan]

Federer has shown the signs of age. It is interesting to see where he goes from here.

[omega]

Federer has shown the signs of age. It is interesting to see where he goes from here.

He will go straight to his hometown to take a well deserved rest.
Things will be back to normal soon.

[San_K]

Is this first olympics medal for him in singels?

[Arvind Srinivasan]

Well deserved victory for Murray....:clap: :clap:
Federer looked highly out of sorts...But anyways should be contended that he got a silver....

[VinodKumar's]

Congrats Federer for Silver :notworthy:.

[omega]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVOJDTIn06A

[ajithfederer]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s480x480/625570_10151080048754941_1720978342_n.jpg


Leaving The Club. Had a great month at Wimbledon. Wimbledon trophy and a Silver medal. Thanks for everything. See you in SW19 in 2013!

[ajithfederer]

Top 4 in ATP Rankings. Nadal's lost a chunk of points and Murray is gaining behind him.

1 Federer, Roger (SUI) 11,435 0 21
2 Djokovic, Novak (SRB)11,270 0 19
3 Nadal, Rafael (ESP) 8,905 0 20
4 Murray, Andy (GBR) 8,120 0 21

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Rankings/Singles.aspx

[ajithfederer]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/251913_10150979416694941_265467737_n.jpg

[PARAMASHIVAN]

Yesterday match :banghead: :shock: :|

[VinodKumar's]

Happy B'day Roger. Wish you have a great year ahead.

http://i45.tinypic.com/mhezy8.jpg

[ajithfederer]

Happy Birthday Roger Federer. Being Number 1 at 31 is a great dream come true. Winning 7th Wimbledon title and silver at olympics should propel you forward for the rest of the season. Hope to see you winning the USO 2012.

Message from official site

BIRTHDAY WISHES

08.08.2012 | Off Court
Dear Fans

It was - and still is - an unbelievable summer with a whole series of highlights. I would like to thank you all for your support the whole year through, much of all that has happened would not have been possible without all of you. Thank you so much also for all your kind wishes and gifts, your creativity and loyalty are overwhelming! I am really looking forward to many more moments with you all.

Sincerely,
Roger

http://www.rogerfederer.com/en/esp/news-detail/news/4118-geburtstagsgruesse.html

[Arvind Srinivasan]

A very happy birthday to Roger Federer- a true connoisseur's delight

[tamizharasan]

Very happy birthday to Federer.

[ajithfederer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viQvnU3eZsg&feature=related

Roger Federer - Best Points @ Wimbledon '12 - (HQ). The opening BH is outrageous.

[VinodKumar's]

:notworthy:. The Tennis.

[VinodKumar's]

:lol:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8ofNg0y8w60

[ajithfederer]

Vinod, People in orkut were discussing that getting tickets are getting quite difficult for USO. I am not sure about the details. Please check out Orkut RF Community.

[ajithfederer]

Federaaa :bow:. TFS VINOD.

[ajithfederer]

BERLIN, August 13, 2012
Federer tops ATP rankings

Wimbledon champion Roger Federer stayed top of the men’s tennis rankings released by the ATP on Monday.

The 31-year-old Swiss remains on 11,435 points narrowly ahead of Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (11,270), who on Sunday claimed his third title of the season at the Toronto Masters.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal remains third with Olympic gold medallist Murray fourth and Spain’s David Ferrer fifth.

The only changes in the top 10 see Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia gain a place to eighth, while Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina drops to ninth and John Isner of the United States comes in at 10.

ATP top 10 as of August 13 (previous ranking in parenthesis): 1. (1) Roger Federer, Switzerland, 11,435 points 2. (2) Novak Djokovic, Serbia, 11,270 3. (3) Rafael Nadal, Spain, 8,895 4. (4) Andy Murray, Britain, 8,200 5. (5) David Ferrer, Spain, 5,455 6. (6) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, France, 4,880 7. (7) Tomas Berdych, Czech Republic, 4,425 8. (8) Janko Tipsarevic, Serbia, 3,320 9. (9) Juan Martin del Potro, Argentina, 3,305 10. (10) John Isner, United States, 2,890.

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/tennis/article3764093.ece

[ajithfederer]

Federer could very well lose his No 1 ranking at the end of next week if Djokovic wins Cincinatti Open.

[VinodKumar's]

Vinod, People in orkut were discussing that getting tickets are getting quite difficult for USO. I am not sure about the details. Please check out Orkut RF Community.

I was looking for the tickets yesterday. Men's final and semi finals sold out. Tickets are available for quarter finals. For two sessions it is coming around 350 bucks (pinnadi mattum thaan available ah irruku). Two days leave poda vendi vera varum pola. Kastam thaan. I should have planned well before.

[tamizharasan]

Federer could very well lose his No 1 ranking at the end of next week if Djokovic wins Cincinatti Open.

Djokovic anyways leads Federer in this year points. It will all depend on who wins US open this year.

[venkkiram]

I was looking for the tickets yesterday. Men's final and semi finals sold out. Tickets are available for quarter finals. For two sessions it is coming around 350 bucks (pinnadi mattum thaan available ah irruku). Two days leave poda vendi vera varum pola. Kastam thaan. I should have planned well before. ஹலோ, இருபது நாட்களுக்கு முன்னாடியே இதே நிலவரம்தான். வார நாட்களில் மட்டுமே எனக்கு ஆண்கள் டென்னிஸ் போட்டிகளுக்கு சொற்பமாக டிக்கட் இருந்தது. அதனால்தான் பரவாயில்லை போனா போகுது என, வாய்ப்பு இருந்த சனிக்கிழமை இரவு ஒற்றையர் பெண்கள் இறுதிப் போட்டிக்கு டிக்கட் எடுத்து விட்டேன்.

[m_karthik]

Federer could very well lose his No 1 ranking at the end of next week if Djokovic wins Cincinatti Open.

Looking at the draw, he should be playing in finals without any trouble.
Even if Djok wins, and if Federer plays the final against him, he will not be losing the No 1 Ranking..

[svaisn]

Federer could very well lose his No 1 ranking at the end of next week if Djokovic wins Cincinatti Open.

It doesnt matter any more
He has achieved everything he wanted... except for Olympic Gold...

Now he can just relax and not care about anything other than to play in his own style and grace and make his fans happy

Anything that gets added to his kitty is additional :)

[Arvind Srinivasan]

Federer could very well lose his No 1 ranking at the end of next week if Djokovic wins Cincinatti Open.

Pretty sure it will turn out to be a Djokovic- Federer- Murray standoff in the end for the title. Will be another exciting tournament.

[ajithfederer]

WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN 2012
DJOKOVIC CHALLENGES FEDERER FOR NO. 1
Cincinnati, U.S.A.
by ATP Staff | 13.08.2012

Novak Djokovic will challenge Roger Federer for the No. 1 South African Airways ATP Ranking this week at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. If Federer reaches the final, he will retain the No. 1 spot regardless, but anything less, and he will find himself under pressure from the No. 2-ranked Djokovic.

Federer retook No. 1 from Djokovic after winning his 17th major title at The Championships, Wimbledon. A week later, he broke Pete Sampras’ record for most weeks at No. 1 with 287 weeks. However, the Swiss was forced to withdraw from the Rogers Cup last week and, following Djokovic’s success over Richard Gasquet in the Toronto final, Federer now finds himself just 75 points ahead of the Serb.

Nevertheless, with Djokovic dropping 600 points this week, having reached the Cincinnati final last year (l. to Murray), Federer does still hold the advantage. After bowing out in the quarter-finals last year (l. to Berdych), the Basel native is only dropping 180 points from his total.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/~/media/ADFF591BD0394491AD9C6B5B19C9C3D2.ashx

If Djokovic is to re-ascend to No. 1, he must reach the final and hope four-time former champion Federer loses before the quarter-finals. If Federer were to reach the quarter or semi-finals, Djokovic could overtake the Swiss by winning the title.

Federer and Djokovic are the Top 2 seeds at this ATP World Tour Masters 1000 hard-court tournament in Cincinnati. Djokovic finds himself in the same half of the draw as defending champion Andy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro and Janko Tipsarevic, while Federer could come up against David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych or Mardy Fish on his route to the final. Both players have first-round byes.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/08/33/Cincinnati-Monday-Federer-Djokovic-In-No-1-Battle.aspx

[venkkiram]

Pretty sure it will turn out to be a Djokovic-Federer-Murray standoff in the end for the title. Will be another exciting tournament. ஒருத்தனை வசதியா மறந்தே போயிட்டிங்க :) அவன் வருவான்! வந்தே தீருவான்! வந்து நிப்பான் சார்! அஞ்சு செட்டு முழுக்க விளையாட!

[ajithfederer]

Olympic gold ain't necessary.

It doesnt matter any more
He has achieved everything he wanted... except for Olympic Gold...

Now he can just relax and not care about anything other than to play in his own style and grace and make his fans happy

Anything that gets added to his kitty is additional :)

[Bala (Karthik)]

Nadar or Robot will win this. Not a strategy, not a prediction. A fact (waiting to happen). Inevitable

[omega]

Nadal is not playing Cincinnati....
He even seems questionable for USO.

[omega]

Great going so far by the Maestro....
Some of the BH blocks off Fish's serve were really deep unsettling Fish completely.
Fed looks really good.

[omega]

Fed def Wawrinka 7-6, 6-3...
Not all that clean from Federer.
53% first serve in, 5 double faults, 2/10 on breakpoint oppurtunities are not going to get the job done against Nole.
18/20 net points won was the only good stat..

[ajithfederer]

ATP FB-U:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/418869_10151118310323701_793860114_n.jpg

Roger Federer will go into the US Open Tennis Championships as World No. 1 after reaching the Western & Southern Open final with a 76(4) 63 win over Stanislas Wawrinka Official. Will Federer maintain the top spot for the rest of the season? Photo: Getty Images

[ajithfederer]

Roger Federer is certain to go into the US Open with the No. 1 South African Airways ATP Ranking after winning his ninth straight meeting with countryman Stanislas Wawrinka 7-6(4), 6-3 in the semi-finals of the Western & Southern Open on Saturday in Cincinnati.

“The goal has already been achieved by getting back there,” said Federer. “I have to look at the long term, and I would like to stay around for as long as I can. For that reason I have to pace myself at times, but I'm happy I'm playing so well again right off the bat again here in the States. Obviously I hope I can keep it up tomorrow and then also in New York.”

Federer won 75 per cent of his service points, and after failing to convert any of his seven break point opportunities in the first set, he broke Wawrinka twice in the second set to claim victory in one hour and 35 minutes. He is yet to be broken in the tournament.

“I'm happy with how I'm playing. I could have served a bit better to keep me out of a bit more trouble on my own serve,” Federer said. “Then again, I only had to save a couple of break points. Overall I'm actually pretty happy.”

The 31 year old is chasing his fifth title at the Lindner Family Tennis Center following triumphs in 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2010. He is looking to add to season crowns at Wimbledon, Indian Wells, Madrid, Rotterdam and Dubai.

On Sunday, Federer will aim to equal Rafael Nadal's record of winning 21 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles when he battles Novak Djokovic in the tournament’s first final featuring the Top 2 ranked players on the ATP World Tour. Federer is 15-12 against Djokovic, having won their most recent meeting in this year’s Wimbledon semi-finals.

The second-seeded Djokovic advanced to his fourth final in five years at the event, dismissing sixth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 6-2. The Serb broke del Potro three times and saved all six break points he faced to avenge his loss to the Argentine in the bronze medal match at the London 2012 Olympics. The 25 year old improved to 5-2 against del Potro and like Federer, has not dropped serve en route to the final.

“[I] try to step into the court and take my chances. It's what I have been trying to do in last couple of years,” said Djokovic. “Obviously sometimes it works, sometimes not, but it's been working quite often for me actually in the last two weeks. I'm happy for that. When you are in the situation of break point down, it makes you focus more and makes you be more aggressive. So that's something that I always look forward to.”

Said del Potro, “I had I think six break points in the match and I didn't take any one. Against Novak or the top players, if you don't take your opportunities, you will lose for sure. I think he played much better than me today basically in the important moments or the break points. He was too good for me.”

Djokovic is bidding to lift his first Cincinnati trophy, having finished runner-up in 2008 (l. to Murray), 2009 (l. to Federer) and 2011 (l. to Murray). He is trying to join Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter and Andy Roddick as the only players since 1990 to capture back-to-back titles in Canada and Cincinnati. Djokovic has a 12-9 record in ATP World Tour Masters 1000 finals and will contest his 49th career ATP World Tour level title match (31-17 mark).

Even if he is victorious, Djokovic cannot regain the top spot in the South African Airways ATP Rankings that he lost to Federer when the Swiss hoisted his 17th Grand Slam trophy at Wimbledon.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/08/33/Cincinnati-Saturday-Djokovic-Plays-Del-Potro-Federer-Faces-Wawrinka.aspx

[VinodKumar's]

Just watched the replay of Roger vs Wawrinka ....Wawrinka played some amazing forehand shots ... Roger din't play up to his standards ... Could have been in the other side if the opponent was one of the top ranked player. Hope he does well in Final.

[VinodKumar's]

It's always good to see two single back handed players tennis match. Style :smokesmirk:.

[ajithfederer]

Qute a long statistical article on Roger Djokovic rivalry. A history of their duels.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/Rivalries/Djokovic-Federer-Rivalry-New.aspx

While Fed leads 15-12 against Novak, One must give it to djokovic for considerably defeating both Roger and Rafa in recent years.

[omega]

Federer has won 4/4 @ Cincinatti Masters...
Nole has lost 3/3 @ Cincinatti Masters...

Hope the trend is not broken.
For the first time @ Cincinatti No.1 is playing No.2...

It should be a great contest, if both play to their potential. Obviously the best hard court players of their generation.
Cincinatti suits both their games really well. Tough one to pick.

[ajithfederer]

I don't mind losing this for the USO.

Federer has won 4/4 @ Cincinatti Masters...
Nole has lost 3/3 @ Cincinatti Masters...

Hope the trend is not broken.
For the first time @ Cincinatti No.1 is playing No.2...

It should be a great contest, if both play to their potential. Obviously the best hard court players of their generation.
Cincinatti suits both their games really well. Tough one to pick.

[ajithfederer]

And BTW, when will you think the men's draw will be coming out???

[ajithfederer]

What time is the match??

[VinodKumar's]

Match started. Djoko is broken in his first two games :shock:. Fed serves with the lead 3-0.

[ajithfederer]

Vakkali. Enaku theriala!!!

[VinodKumar's]

Fed serves for the first set with the lead 5-0. Inaikku Djokovich-ku lunch Bagel pola ;).

[ajithfederer]

Jeezzz he is 5-0 up..

[VinodKumar's]

ESPN ippothaal SLPL pottu saavdikiraan :banghead:.

[ajithfederer]

Does anybody watch SLPL???

[VinodKumar's]

6-0. :notworthy:. Finished first set in just 20 minutes.

[omega]

Vinodh it is in CBS.....

[omega]

Hope Nole is not under the weather this time around..

[ajithfederer]

Vinod, u watching. Is he serving really that well? :shock:

[VinodKumar's]

No live stream in CBS .... enga veetla cable connection illa. How is fed playing ??

[VinodKumar's]

I am not watching Stan. there is a live stream link in very low quality ... athula ninnu ninnu vera varuthu.

[VinodKumar's]

Just started watching in lemon tv ... so far fed 16 winners and Djoko 4 winners ...

[omega]

CBS is a national channel which u should get normally with an antenna (19)

[m_karthik]

I am not watching Stan. there is a live stream link in very low quality ... athula ninnu ninnu vera varuthu.

Playing well.. Serving Good.. Holding easily.. Djokovic is not serving that well.. Fed was more in attacking mode..

Check in this link
http://www.sportlemon.tv/v-4/2/164/v-436537.html

or other links in http://www.sportlemon.tv/c-4.html

[Arvind Srinivasan]

Cha!!! Missed it...

[ajithfederer]

Yes it is like basic cable in the country.

CBS is a national channel which u should get normally with an antenna (19)

[VinodKumar's]

Djoker back to form. Playing at his best in last couple of games.

[Arvind Srinivasan]

Yes...Djokovic playing really well here......

[VinodKumar's]

Tie breaker.

[ajithfederer]

2-0 up in t/b

[Arvind Srinivasan]

good start for Federer....

[ajithfederer]

Good early advantage.

[VinodKumar's]

3 all now.

[ajithfederer]

freakkkk

[VinodKumar's]

Sixer's are coming out at wrong time.

[ajithfederer]

6-5. federer has to win this point nw.

[Arvind Srinivasan]

6-7 with Federer serving...

[Arvind Srinivasan]

He's got it...Whatta win...:clap: :clap:

[VinodKumar's]

:victory:

[VinodKumar's]

Roger is not broken in this entire tournament :notworthy:

[San_K]

Roger Federer :clap: very good for him to extend No.1

[omega]

Suddenly the strong era is looking like the weakest era!!
No wonder the strong player of a weak era is winning.
Was there a roof over the court?
Shame, the variables were not enough to disturb the strong player of weak era...

[kid-glove]

Good warm up for Djoker and Roger.

[kid-glove]

kg Why does all yankee stadium feel so yank, plastic and soulless? I say take off the extended US HC season. Only AA with lights on, is magical. Others are all so dry.

[Bala (Karthik)]

Where is Robot fan Rajeshkev? Idhuvum retirement benefit fund-a?
Illa straight a USO-va?

P.S: Cruel god will actually make Rajeshkrv's excuse come true, adhu vera vishayam

[kid-glove]

Yeah, unchecked optimism is setting up for a fall. Except for the Oracle. Federer will win the USO. Thus spake Oracle. Thy god reigneth. Amen.

[Bala (Karthik)]

Suddenly the strong era is looking like the weakest era!!
No wonder the strong player of a weak era is winning.
Was there a roof over the court?
Shame, the variables were not enough to disturb the strong player of weak era...
:lol:
Mani-Ramani

[kid-glove]

Strongest player is missing, the player who Mr.Omeha was propagating to be 'faking injury' as per Uncle Toni's tonic, to magically return for USO. Another gift for Federer. As usual no response from Omeha.

[Bala (Karthik)]

KG
You have redefined the word "strong". What a coup! :lol2:
BTW, yet to get an answer from your side regarding the ownership by Robot. Unga narrow "convenient" sense laye varuvom, strongest player (because our mans your ditch) is robot's ditch, who seems to be turning into our ditch

[Bala (Karthik)]

Sachin Tendulkar is owned by Fannie Dw Villiers. So, Fanny is the strongest, greatest, deer, honey etc...
Yeah yeah, cricket != tennis and fdv!=Nadar but the fundamental prachanai is the same - using that as the main measure

[kid-glove]

Nadal has a 6-3 on GS to Djokovic, 8-2 to Federer. Next?

[Bala (Karthik)]

Duh, there's a thing called recent form, rise of form, peaking, trend etc??? Straight-a hero eh?
Appo 17 should be enough to put a lid on the other side right?

[kid-glove]

The Roddick era is exempted. Rest could be counted.

Adhulla his record with Nadal, without Nadal pOduvOma?

Federer fans shouldn't care about all this, aesthetics mattum pOdhum illaiya. Be happy with that.

[kid-glove]

Recent form. Nadar lost the Ozzie open on final set. But won the French.

Anyway, Djokovic usually beats Federer and then faces Nadar in the finals. So reductive logic that Fed beats the man who beats my man. And hey 'my man', me no gusta.

[VinodKumar's]

http://i46.tinypic.com/1gq1ww.jpg

[Bala (Karthik)]

Well, I'd take that any day from an Arsenal fan :lol2:

Well, yeah Nadal era ain't over. Conditions ungalukku platter la vechu kudukkappattirukku, eppadiyum top la vandhuruveenga :thumbsup:

[kid-glove]

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg833/scaled.php?server=833&filename=nadlstfucopy.jpg&res=landing

[kid-glove]

Exactly right. Andha madhiri 'Tsonga fan', 'Arsenal fan', 'Oranje fan'-nu sonnalE perumai thaanE. Why this GOAT, COW, LION gloryhunting, I say.

[Bala (Karthik)]

Recent form. Nadar lost the Ozzie open on final set. .
oh, like that??? Wimbledon, USO, Oz la naanga bagel dhaan vaangumom-la. Noted

Btw, nice try with the disowning. Nambittom.

[kid-glove]

How about the logic to exempt the fact Djoker eliminated Federer before facing him in finals?

[Bala (Karthik)]

Well glory hunting for an individual (nation) great (foreigner alright) is less ridiculous than a cooked up, propagated, borrowed, fake identity with a *club* whose "greatness" at any point maybe susceptible. Yaaru ya pottadhu indha glory hunting taboo? Neenga enna edho naattu sudhandhirathukka paadu padreenga? And neraiya sprouts are causing untold damage in twitter/fb etc. At least you have depth of knowledge and insight. But wannabes aping you dont. :twisted:

[VinodKumar's]

http://i46.tinypic.com/1629wuq.jpg

[VinodKumar's]

http://i50.tinypic.com/345bls8.jpg

[VinodKumar's]

http://i49.tinypic.com/t6qmwy.jpg


http://i49.tinypic.com/25s1m9u.jpg

[kid-glove]

Well glory hunting for an individual (nation) great (foreigner alright) is less ridiculous than a cooked up, propagated, borrowed, fake identity with a *club* whose "greatness" at any point maybe susceptible. Yaaru ya pottadhu indha glory hunting taboo? Neenga enna edho naattu sudhandhirathukka paadu padreenga? And neraiya sprouts are causing untold damage in twitter/fb etc. At least you have depth of knowledge and insight. But wannabes aping you dont. :twisted:

A slight update: Fedtardism is single biggest propagated nuisance to mankind now. Worse than Barca/ Man yoo faaans. FACT.

[Bala (Karthik)]

And epitome of aesthetic high + success = Justice. Life is fair for a change

[Bala (Karthik)]

Per capita KG, per capita. Arsenal wins hands down. Talk about punching above and beyond your weight

[kid-glove]

And epitome of aesthetic high + success = Justice. Life is fair for a change

True for Barca.

But not quite so for Federer, when he's Rafa's ditch. In a Rafa-less universe, yes, utopian ideal. OthukkurEn.

[Bala (Karthik)]

Sulamangalam sisters madhiri volley kooda appappo double-handed a aada aaramippaanga, your strong men, appo rasinga. Appavum rasippeenga

[Bala (Karthik)]

True for Barca.

But not quite so for Federer, when he's Rafa's ditch. In a Rafa-less universe, yes, utopian ideal. OthukkurEn.
Seri, irudhila final count eduppom :lol2:

[kid-glove]

There's always a narrative to be read in Williams sisters success and Chelsea's success in CL. Obviously it's not the same high as Federer's or Barcelona's, but still constant disintegration and integration is good for Sport.

But will continue to badmouth and wind-up people. It's addictive.

Of course, you've been consistent with your ideology, spare me the liberty of doubting the rest.

[kid-glove]

Personally I don't even care for glory-hunting than gloating.

As for twitter/FB/T-C/TT-F/T, irritation of pseudo-Fedtards irk me more than Manunited/Barca mostly 'harmless' glory-hunting.

Though in Twitter, I have the choice to follow views of Brian Philips and Steve Tignor, the idiots (most Arsenal fans are also Fedtards) litter my timeline. Heck, even Federer's an Arsenal fan sir. :lol2:

[VinodKumar's]

Sulamangalam sisters madhiri volley kooda appappo double-handed a aada aaramippaanga, your strong men, appo rasinga. Appavum rasippeenga

Intha generation volleys ah paarunga ;)

http://www.tennistv.com/video/clip/2030064

[tamizharasan]

Federer played great match and make himself as one of the favorites to win US open. I still think Djokovic is still marginal favorite when compared with Federer going into US open.

[tamizharasan]

Sampras once said, during his era where wimbledon courts were playing faster, he would never lose to double handed backhand player in the wimbledon. Today's courts pretty much kills all the advantages of playing with single handed backhand and that is the reason most of the today's top players have double handed backhand compared with single handed backhand of the previous era. Tennis changed and that is all.

[omega]

Strongest player is missing, the player who Mr.Omeha was propagating to be 'faking injury' as per Uncle Toni's tonic, to magically return for USO. Another gift for Federer. As usual no response from Omeha.

Sure, Hoffa (Rafa) should weigh few pounds more than Roger & Nole, hence w/o doubt should be the strongest player..
Wait, didn't he win 2012 RG with injured knee (what a shame to the rest of the pros', they can't even beat a one legged rabbit).

How strategically he avoids meeting Roger....
Sure he has a great team to get him out of adversity at times of needs...

[ajithfederer]

For all KG's arguments on Rafa/Federer it is true that Rafa leads federer in h2h but defeating federer alone is not going to give you GOAT. You have to be consistent everywhere my friend. Take Rafa's less than par 2nd half of the season record for instance.

[ajithfederer]

And for the record I have to say Aus Open courts post 2007(yes since the 2008 event) were also slowed down enbadhai naan inge therivithu kolgiren.

[ajithfederer]

:lol: :thumbsup: 7-0 hey even roger didnt lose that bad in a single year if you count Feb11- feb 12.


BTW, yet to get an answer from your side regarding the ownership by Robot. Unga narrow "convenient" sense laye varuvom, strongest player (because our mans your ditch) is robot's ditch, who seems to be turning into our ditch

[ajithfederer]

Huh Ingayum naan nottai solliye aaganum. Rain played spoil sport when the momentum was with Nole on the first day. Where are the goddamm closed roof stadiums eh??

Recent form. Nadar lost the Ozzie open on final set. But won the French.

[ajithfederer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y84dUk4VEzI


ATP.Cincinnati.2012.Final.Federer.Vs.Djokovic.High lights.[HD]

[povAferdeack]

And for the record I have to say Aus Open courts post 2007(yes since the 2008 event) were also slowed down enbadhai naan inge therivithu kolgiren.
I am a Fed fan but want to know where you read it...got any official source/ post link?

[ajithfederer]

Djokovic who was the eventual winner of that 2008 event commented such before the tournament started. Even Federer said the same. And people who have been watching GS events year after year could easily tell the difference.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Australian_Open#Surface_change

[ajithfederer]

The point at 04:04. Roger's return :shock:. Commie yells at the End of point that is circa 1985 at its very best

[ajithfederer]

@ 07: 35 Novak's yell when he hits an UE :lol:

[ajithfederer]

The pace of the rallies/shots is amazing, like the entire video is fast fwd-ed. Kudos to both the players for not having an slugfest :clap:.

[ajithfederer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQo4EkYuQOI&feature=channel&list=UL

[kid-glove]

So Novak's pinnacle season. he not only beat Nadar, he beat Federer to get to Nadar.

Nadar when dominating beat Djoker AND Federer.

Federer beats Djoker, but never faces Nadar.


Omeha,

The strategy is that Nadar planning to win one WTF in closed-roof in-door chOppu. :poke:

[ajithfederer]

I am putting a word out if Roger doesn't win anymore slams from now on, Nole's gonna surpass Rafa (GS Count)in the next 2-3 years, IMHO.

[kid-glove]

Oh no way. Murray will play his part. Tsonga will play his part. Even Del P is no push-over. Djoker no longer invincible.

[ajithfederer]

I don't deny your point kid. Let's see. Even in the next slam the highest chance is for Nole then to Fed/Murray and others given that there is no Rafa there.

[Bala (Karthik)]

For all KG's arguments on Rafa/Federer it is true that Rafa leads federer in h2h but defeating federer alone is not going to give you GOAT. You have to be consistent everywhere my friend. Take Rafa's less than par 2nd half of the season record for instance.
Idha thaan pala naala koovitrukken, padhil varla. Appo Fannie D V than greatest.
Thirumba thirumba Djoker defeated Roger in semis-ne sollitrukkaaru.
Oru 31 vayasu kezhavana veeztha kashtam, and veezhthittu GOAT glory hunting panna vendiyadhu. And look at how conveniently (without conscience) use the "close" loss argument. We should have at least 2-3 GS more now, if we go by "close" finishes.
Is it all because of Sampras? Avvalavu paasama?

[kid-glove]

From being comfortable ride for Djoker, it was already closing down to even matches, and Nadar is getting back to make Djoker his ditch.

Djoker is now losing badly to Del P, and nearly lost to Aandi petti in Ozzie as well.

So yes, reasonably conclusive enough to say Djoker on his way down here.

If Nadar comes back fit (which is his biggest problem), he'd be back to making Djoker his ditch full-time next season. The curve is down again.

Never been Sampras fan, Rafter on the other hand..

[kid-glove]

Couple of years back, Federer was still 31?

Personally, I think Federer's a natural athlete and could play till his 35's.

[omega]

kg Why does all yankee stadium feel so yank, plastic and soulless? I say take off the extended US HC season. Only AA with lights on, is magical. Others are all so dry.

Still better how about having the entire ATP tour on clay (only RED though)?

Hoffa will disappear...
Length of season will not matter (can even be extended further)...
Heck with 2 year ranking, even ranking on weekly basis will do..
Sounds extremely good. Who knows may happen.

[omega]

So Novak's pinnacle season. he not only beat Nadar, he beat Federer to get to Nadar.

Nadar when dominating beat Djoker AND Federer.

Federer beats Djoker, but never faces Nadar.


Omeha,

The strategy is that Nadar planning to win one WTF in closed-roof in-door chOppu. :poke:


Ideal conditions thaan (indoor) ellaarukkum allergy aachche...
Heck it suits Roger's game & he can only win on such conditions (how dependent he is on conditions).
Did ATP shift WTF to any indoor clay??

Roger will not win WTF 2012. I expect Murray to win it.

[omega]

Oh and this,

Can you ask Hoffa to show up on the other side like Roger showed up every time on Hoffa's fav. surface...
A guy who has won GS as early as 19, who have beat No.1 on his least fav. surface (2004 Miami Masters) in their very first meeting,
can't get to USO finals till 2010.. He was still maturing ahh?? Doesn't it tell you something.. Yes he is only capable of beating Roger in any surface. Unfortunately he had to beat 6 other guys before meeting Roger. ATP should've given him 6 round byes to meet Roger directly in the Finals right. Given such, he would have been still able to do that (beat Roger). You would have gloated even more.

How all of sudden Olympic Gold Medal became that important (just because Roger didn't have it). Heck if Roger had got it, then irukkave irukku Davis Cup right?? From when did all these crap became so important. Shabba, muydiayla...


How do you expect to beat a chicken who doesnt show up?
To me H2H doesn't show the greatness of a player. On deep analysis only portrays his weakness/cleverness after realizing how skewed it is.

[omega]

Couple of years back, Federer was still 31?

Personally, I think Federer's a natural athlete and could play till his 35's.

Very clever in deflating any future arguments by Fedtards (past his prime) after losing to Hoffa in future.
So till 35 Roger will be considered in prime & is expected to beat both Nole & Hoffa back in back in a GS event.
If one or the other doesn't show up then it doesn't count.
Wareh whah!!