Why's Federer on such a tear?

It's very odd this, isn't it? Certainly when he blew it against Djokovis in the USO I didn't expect this. Of course he's lost the biggest match he played in the intervening period, to his greatest rival, so let's stay in proportion but he does appear to be making serious inroads into the gap to the top two. Apart from the French, where he defends a final, pretty much all the other tournaments are opportunities for him (and risks for the top pair) up to and including the USO.

Why is this happening?

My own opinion is that he's finally got his game reorganised under Annacone; when Paul first came in Fed started to look like a chip-charger, and that's never going to work in today's conditions. Now he's integrated that as a tool in his game, a bit like how he built the dropshot into his game in 2009, making such a difference for his French. The whole thing seems to have made him feel like he has options again.

I also think his backhand is brilliant; I've never seen him handle Nadals forehand like he did last night, but that can be patchy under extreme pressure.

It's premature to consider a run for #1; the top two are still the boys to beat (or are they off their best too?) but much more of his and we might have an Indian Summer. Is it circumstances, a bit of good luck and momentum that'll fade, is it the real thing, or is it that the top boys are slipping a bit?

We'll see what happens when it comes to a slam.
Remember in WTF Fed beat Nadal 6-3 6-0 but couldn't beat him in a slam 3 months later.

That's not to say Fed can't beat Nadal in a slam, but this match doesn't really change anything. Plus there's many tournaments to go before FO we'll have to wait and see.

None of the above.
He's on a tear because Djokovic and Nadal are saving themselves for slams. Especially Djokovic.

noleisthebest wrote:None of the above.
He's on a tear because Djokovic and Nadal are saving themselves for slams. Especially Djokovic.

Like Nole did last year?

I just think he is playing better, more confidently. Well you know that's what I have been saying for a long time. He is also getting used to the physical game, spin, and learns how to defeat it (to an extend). Certainly doing much better than in the past.

Regarding his game yesteray, Nadal being tired from his previous day match makes a big difference in the rpm of the ball and that allows Fed to really dictate, including from the BH. But once Nadal gets that slam form, it gets much harder for Fed, especially knowing it's over best of 5.

Reg Anncone, I don;t think there is much to say about him. At the end of teh day, Fed still needs to time ball amazingly well under gusty wind and that no coach can teach him.

noleisthebest wrote:None of the above.
He's on a tear because Djokovic and Nadal are saving themselves for slams. Especially Djokovic.

you cannot be serious

I think in combination with realising his full potential he is also playing with a a lot of confidence
He has always been a confidence player,we saw a bit of that confidence disappearing when he served for the match as he went back to playing Nadal how he usually plays him but managed to pull himself out of that hole a little more then he usually gets in,but in the rest of the match he went for every shot believing he can make it
I think Federer always needs to go into a Fedal match thinking he is going to lose anyway,so he might as play like he has nothing to lose
Thats what he did yesterday,took risks which paid off,usually he plays it way too safe

Things really have turned full circle eh?

I recall about three or four years ago when Federer was THE daddy in the slams and when he was beaten by the likes of Andy Murray et al in Masters Cup matches we always heard and still do that Roger never tried as much or put lower stock in those matches. Why then is it so unthinkable now that the boot is on the other foot that Novak and Rafa are not really caring in these tournaments?

Do you think they didn't try? Is that the only reason Murray made the Dubai final?

CaledonianCraig wrote:Things really have turned full circle eh?

I recall about three or four years ago when Federer was THE daddy in the slams and when he was beaten by the likes of Andy Murray et al in Masters Cup matches we always heard and still do that Roger never tried as much or put lower stock in those matches. Why then is it so unthinkable now that the boot is on the other foot that Novak and Rafa are not really caring in these tournaments?

They are certainly playing more like they care
The difference here is that for several years Roger owned majors,Nadal neither Djokovic have ever been of that calibre
Lets see if Djokovic or Nadal are still making 3-4 slam finals in a season in 3-4 years time
Roger only started caring less about these tournaments 12 majors up and chasing Petes record..

bogbrush wrote:Do you think they didn't try? Is that the only reason Murray made the Dubai final?

Be honest though bogbrush (as you were on 606 as well) and you know fine well that argument was always used by certain fans. If people posted their excitement of Murray or Djokovic etc beating Federer in the Masters Cup it was a frequent excuse (and do recall it being used here) that those wins came in matches that Federer wasn't really bothered about. Now as for thinking if Djokovic or Nadal didn't try I wouldn't say that. Just that when the going got tough they didn't dig as deep as they can or have in the past in slam events. It maybe explains why we never saw much glary stares from Novak, or fist-clenching and yelling like we see in slams. Now that doesn't take anything away from Roger's win (if that is what it is later) as he has been the player of the tournament alongside Isner.

As for the original post question I just feel his mind is in a much better place now and is a result of a long run of fitness and great results increasing his self-belief and allowing him to approach his match against Nadal in a far better frame of mind.

But when Federer took the foot off the smaller tournaments and TMS he was H&S above everybody else ranking wise and winning slams right and left.

There is a serious race to that number 1 spot now and a TMS in which you made teh effort to reach the semi is one they care much about.

It's a question of how he handles the high bouncing ball to his backhand. If Annacone has shown him how to handle that shot, then it's game on for Federer to start challenging for the slams. He has shown he is on a par with Djokovic in the slams, superior to Murray in the slams - it's only been Nadal and that high bouncing ball to his backhand that has consistently beaten Federer.

Looking at the way he has mastered Del Potro ... maybe he could do the same for Nadal ... if he could properly master that one shot.

In the last year Djokovic has been head and shoulders above everybody else in the slams but Nadal less so definitely. I really do feel that Federer's problem against Nadal in recent years has been between the ears and similarly what has been between Nadal's ears.

In other words - Roger Federer's air of invincibility slipped around two years ago and his self-belief took a blow which in turn put demons in the mind when he played Nadal which increased with each defeat. At the same time Nadal was flying high with that air of invincibilty but now that has slipped and his self belief has dipped and so affects his connfidence etc. Nothing to do with physicality and more to do with mentality.

I seriously think its his motivation to become no. 1 again. Taking one match at a time, thinking that it doesn't matter who he loses to/ win against, just one match at a time to get those points. When you've got that mentality its much more relaxed, and that is when he plays his best tennis.

bogbrush wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:None of the above.
He's on a tear because Djokovic and Nadal are saving themselves for slams. Especially Djokovic.

Like Nole did last year?

Maybe Nole learned a bit from last year. He played immense tennis in the Spring but it seemed to leave him with nothing left for the Autumn. With it being an Olympic year and Paris and London now back to back at the end, burn out could be more of a risk than ever.

I went for streak/draws although none fit perfectly it's really a mix. I actually think Annacone fixed his game by about the end of 2010 and it's been fairly consistent since then. In 2008 and 2009 he had some more patchy moments, and wasn't hitting through the backhand as effectively.

Maybe, but dodging just one match in a Masters, and going to a final set tb in that semi, seems an odd way of saving yourself.

I remember Fed throwing Masters events, but he usually did it early.

Reasonable point. Well the answer will come at the slams won't it. Djokovic is the clear no 1 to me and will remain so until he has failed to win both FO and Wimbledon.

Miami is also considered marginally the bigger of the two, so let's see what happens over there.

By the way, Federer skipping doubles might have helped him this year. He looked tired in his doubles final last year.

bogbrush wrote:Maybe, but dodging just one match in a Masters, and going to a final set tb in that semi, seems an odd way of saving yourself.

I remember Fed throwing Masters events, but he usually did it early.

I'm not excusing the loss in any way, Isner won fair and square, I'm stating that Nole is not in the same form as last year,not bursting at the seams to prove himself and chase the rankings.

It's not only the physical toll playing your max takes out of you, it's emotional, as well.

He is doing well at the moment, I really can't complain as a fan, although I am of course, gutted he lost both to Murray and Isner.

I am very happy for Fed to be playing his superb tennis again, it's great to see, and I love and highly respect his love and passion for tennis. I just can't stand it when he starts showing that other side of him, but there again that's probably I'm a Nole fan: that's where my love lies, with Fed it has never been more than like

Let me be clear, my own view is that Fed is not going to make a close thing of #1 and Djokovic will again dominate the year.

However if he wins today and makes a strong run at Miami and a clay Masters then I may think again.

bogbrush wrote:Let me be clear, my own view is that Fed is not going to make a close thing of #1 and Djokovic will again dominate the year.

However if he wins today and makes a strong run at Miami and a clay Masters then I may think again.

It's good that he is "back". Must be inspiring for the "old"guard and will push others, too.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

bogbrush wrote:Do you think they didn't try? Is that the only reason Murray made the Dubai final?

Be honest though bogbrush (as you were on 606 as well) and you know fine well that argument was always used by certain fans. If people posted their excitement of Murray or Djokovic etc beating Federer in the Masters Cup it was a frequent excuse (and do recall it being used here) that those wins came in matches that Federer wasn't really bothered about. Now as for thinking if Djokovic or Nadal didn't try I wouldn't say that. Just that when the going got tough they didn't dig as deep as they can or have in the past in slam events. It maybe explains why we never saw much glary stares from Novak, or fist-clenching and yelling like we see in slams. Now that doesn't take anything away from Roger's win (if that is what it is later) as he has been the player of the tournament alongside Isner.

As for the original post question I just feel his mind is in a much better place now and is a result of a long run of fitness and great results increasing his self-belief and allowing him to approach his match against Nadal in a far better frame of mind.

But Federer was also safely ranked #1 and dominating slams then, hence he could afford to hold back.. Nadal is trying to gain on Djokovic and regain #1--- he's not saving himself for Majors becasue he's not in position too.. You don't think when Djokovic went down and Nadal knew he could face ISner in the Final and gain on Djokovic- that Nadal wasn't going to go all out to beat Federer?

Djokovic might have an excuse to take it less seriously, but last year he showed up and dominated every tournament basically- so he can do it-- he also has two players breathing down his neck and Federer has far outpointed him since US Opne, which means Djokovic has to start defending some pt to hold on.

I just think the dynamic and circumstances are differetn for when Federer took some focus off the masters........ Even so- Fed's certainly been great in Masters ove the year two..Lets not forget-- 2nd most ever, maybe tied for most ever-- doing that without any Masters on grass where he prob would have won every one for 5,6 years.

In terms of why the tear-- in almost every presser- Federer mentions its the best physically he's felt in years.. evne after the Australian loss "my body feels great- better than in a long time, which gives me confidence to play often and all out"

I think the minor back issues, bout with mono, and then the lung infection that prevented his normal training all affected both his game and hs confidence. That ever so slight dip + the inevitable affects of age _+ the new generation entering their prime caused Federer to go into that period of still excellent results, but not at the level we were used too..

For one thing, Annacone has gotten it into his head not to chip every backhand return back to Rafa Nadal. That strategy works well against a large part of the tour but it is an invitation for Nadal to run up hit an angled forehand and make Roger play chip and chase on his service games. To beat Nadal you have to come over the return and be aggressive on his serve and not let him get on top of the point. Something that just wasn't really part of Fed's game until recently. In 2010, WTF fed showed this new tactic and his willingness to go up the line with the backhand in the cross court rallies as well instead of getting locked into an unwinnable pattern.

Yes, it has happened. I agree 100% with socal.

I think just about every backhand return was driven yesterday.

Yeah BB, that is crucial if you don't drive the return on RAfa's second serve and just chip it back to him predictably you are in trouble. Novak also has shown the value of driving that backhand return on Rafa. This is a relatively new thing in fed's arsenal for many years he was content blocking and chipping back returns and getting into the rallies. To Roger's credit he has shown the ability to make a change like that late in his career. And he obviously has the talent to be aggressive and come over, but I think he got too comfortable and predictable in his backhand return pattern.

On that point socal I'd say that Andy started using a more aggressive return to Novak's second serve in The Australian Open and he looked a lot better for it.

Federer is definitely returning more aggressively with his BH.

However I think, like fed said, the biggest difference is his physical well-being. He's feeling good on court and is therefore playing better. This has helped him get his mojo back.

I think it's just incredible that he can still play at such a high level after almost 1000 matches on tour.

Federer, on top form, is still the best player in the world.

Agree, Craig. The margins are very tight at the top of the game. Therefore, these types of subtle tactical differences can play a big role in a matchup. For that very reason we didn't see fed have difficulty in converting break points like he did in other matches with Nadal. Better to go for the return and miss some than go 1-18 on BP softly chipping everything back. Nadal now knows he isn't safe in that pattern anymore.

Emancipator is also right in tennis confidence and form plays a huge role, and Fed looks comfortable in his game and where he is right now.

HarpoMars wrote:I seriously think its his motivation to become no. 1 again. Taking one match at a time, thinking that it doesn't matter who he loses to/ win against, just one match at a time to get those points. When you've got that mentality its much more relaxed, and that is when he plays his best tennis.

That's the way I see it too. And I don;t think he is after Sampras' record. He want to be number 1 one last time at 30+ while peak Nadal, peak Djoko and peak Murray are around. Then he will be happy and really enjoy the rest of his career.

Tall order....but the way he played last night he could have a shot.

noleisthebest wrote:I'm not excusing the loss in any way, Isner won fair and square, I'm stating that Nole is not in the same form as last year,not bursting at the seams to prove himself and chase the rankings.

It's not only the physical toll playing your max takes out of you, it's emotional, as well.

He is doing well at the moment, I really can't complain as a fan, although I am of course, gutted he lost both to Murray and Isner.

I am very happy for Fed to be playing his superb tennis again, it's great to see, and I love and highly respect his love and passion for tennis. I just can't stand it when he starts showing that other side of him, but there again that's probably I'm a Nole fan: that's where my love lies, with Fed it has never been more than like

Yes I am surprised by Nole's recent dips in form. Having said that he always had some....even last year buthe managed to scrap through everytime. This year those dips turn into defeats. That's the difference.

Tenez wrote:

HarpoMars wrote:I seriously think its his motivation to become no. 1 again. Taking one match at a time, thinking that it doesn't matter who he loses to/ win against, just one match at a time to get those points. When you've got that mentality its much more relaxed, and that is when he plays his best tennis.

That's the way I see it too. And I don;t think he is after Sampras' record. He want to be number 1 one last time at 30+ while peak Nadal, peak Djoko and peak Murray are around. Then he will be happy and really enjoy the rest of his career.

Tall order....but the way he played last night he could have a shot.

Oh right so it is not really about physicality after all Tenez. I thought as much or else Fed has no chance being that he has that physical monster with the demon shots to trouble Fed's SHBH, Rafael Nadal to contend with.

I think Fed's become more comfortable and as others have pointed out, importantly got his mojo back. There are a few caveats which relate to things others have pointed out:

a) How will Fed do in grand slams? We know he can get to the semis and quarters with few issues but does his recent form suggest he can go a step further, to the final and even win again? We will have to wait and see. Having said that though, Wimbledon is the tournament where many will be looking to see how Fed does even if the French comes first. Many Fed fans here thought Fed was still up for the challenge, could fight blow for blow with Nadal when he got to the French Open Final after beating Djokovic. What a false dawn that proved to be. Even with this victory, wait and see are the watch words.

b) His victory over Nadal was important and proves that Fed can still beat Nadal even on outdoor hardcourt and not just indoor. However, winning a match here and there doesn't add up to very much at all. What will indicate if Fed is making real progress against Nadal is if he can take a clay court tournament against Nadal (like he did in his pomp) and more importantly, stretch Nadal to 5 sets @ the French (should he meet him). If he can push Nadal that far I have hope Fed can capture Wimbledon again but an isolated victory yesterday, as good as it was needs to be followed up to prove anything further.

Fortunately, we have many tournaments coming up so we can assess if Fed can keep up his excellent form in just over a week's time and then regularly from mid April onwards. This proved a crucial period for Djokovic last year and a crucial period for Nadal the year before and to a lesser extent for Federer in 2009. The crucial thing is seeing if Fed can get himself back in contention on clay again and actually win titles (not the French but others) because it's clear that when Fed can win titles on clay, he's often unplayable on the other surfaces. Even getting to the finals could make a real contender again @ grand slams. All last night showed is that Fed is making progress back to potentially being No.1 but more importantly, being seriously considered a real threat @ grand slams again.

Getting head of Nadal might not require beating him much.

Good and well detailed post by lucius. I think for the most part Lucius the biggest benefit of this victory is the fact that it continues to build the momentum and confidence of fed prior to RG. Not that Roger is lacking in belief. But when you have that belief and the results are starting to come, even against a player that has been your nemesis you can start to feel a wave of momentum. WE saw Djokovic use this to propel himself to the top last year. In a way Roger since the USO last year has been riding very high and has to feel now with two wins against Rafa in that time period that he is very close to where he has to be.

Plus I think it further solidifies in his mind that his new strategic approach against Rafa does pay dividends. This will help in the slams become this strategy of attacking returns and limiting the use of the chip backhand is the formula he needs against Nadal. Up the line backhand as well. So it is a good building block win to something that could be very special.

I am torn between a few possibilites
a) that Federer is now taking the in-between slam tournaments more seriously to build up momentum and confidence.
b) that the work with Annacone is bearing fruit.
c) there has been a momentary return to the weak ear'a
d) that Federer has recovered from his mono.

So looking at the poll options I'll have to go with the bearing fruit option.

Yeah I reckon Annacone must be a bit of a factor too.

Maybe Sugar Harris has taken time off from his international jet-setting to give Fed a few words of inspiration (some of you will know what that means!)

Wasn't he funny!!!??? Even funnier was that some took his posts seriously!

Sugar was brilliant. Never let his persona slip - he should have written a humourous column for a tennis mag or something - it would have been great.

JuliusHMarx wrote:Maybe Sugar Harris has taken time off from his international jet-setting to give Fed a few words of inspiration (some of you will know what that means!)

Shuggie!!!!! One of a kind!!!! Must be jetting on some yacht with Nasty and his six young wives at the moment...
I miss Shuggie

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A69931614

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A67260666

Federer breaks another record..4th IW title he stands alone again..
Poor Nadal doesn't any major record for the GOAT anymore...he now shares the master series record with Federer
Does IW give the most prize money for a master series?

Excellent performance from Federer he really has found something in the last 6 months. It seems as if he lost his way slightly from 2008 to early 2011, losing matches he should have won and generally putting in indifferent performances at times. He still needs to work on his tactics and his mental game, especially at the slams. This really could be the start of an unexpected Indian summer.

I think I saw Sugar Harris in the crowd, and - I can't be sure - but Federer did seem to look over and give a nod at one point.

Henman Bill wrote:I think I saw Sugar Harris in the crowd, and - I can't be sure - but Federer did seem to look over and give a nod at one point.

Rudeski talking rubbish. Just leaping onto the Isner bandwagon. I predict we'll never see him in a final at this level or higher again. Well maybe once more.

Actually just as I go to post this he's talking sense , far more level headedly about Federer and how the slam against Djokadal is still the real test.

Henman Bill wrote:I think I saw Sugar Harris in the crowd, and - I can't be sure - but Federer did seem to look over and give a nod at one point.

Not the shirtless old hairy guy, I always imagined him to be well dressed and dignified Poor Shuggie, his photography book must have turned out failure so he let himself go

Henman Bill wrote:Rudeski talking rubbish. Just leaping onto the Isner bandwagon. I predict we'll never see him in a final at this level or higher again. Well maybe once more.

Actually just as I go to post this he's talking sense , far more level headedly about Federer and how the slam against Djokadal is still the real test.

so was it Rusedski commentating alongside Robbie, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!!

Incrediblexman wrote:Excellent performance from Federer he really has found something in the last 6 months. It seems as if he lost his way slightly from 2008 to early 2011, losing matches he should have won and generally putting in indifferent performances at times. He still needs to work on his tactics and his mental game, especially at the slams. This really could be the start of an unexpected Indian summer.

I think Shuggie has sorted it for Fed (finally) that when he plays matches the courts are sped up (by latest secret technology)

SHUU-GIIIIIE !!!