Should Federer try and create some momentum?

The Swiss is clearly struggling with form, we all know he is older now and his back seems to be troubling more over the last couple of years than has been reported, but what has struck me lately is how often this year he has gone into a big tournament under cooked.

In 2010 he created some great momentum by entering Stockholm, he then made the final of shanghai and then won Basel and WTFs.

Last year, he played Rotterdam and Dubai and went on a great roll from there.

I know he has shortened his season so he can have more rest, but surely that was with the expectation he would go deep into most of those tournaments? He hasn't done that, so surely he can fit in a few extra tourneys in the Asian Swing? Or staying in Europe before heading off with some wins under his belt. He said himself, there is no better feeling than playing the week after you have just won a title.

He in my opinion is still the best indoor player around, should he wait until Shanghai low on confidence and out of match practice since the US Open to play his first match? He could have another early loss and what would that solve?

He needs more matches, if his back is better maybe going to a 250 or 500 before Shanghai might be an idea so he can get on a roll because that is when he is at his best. Not to mention he could use the points in the race for London.

He needs some momentum badly thats for sure, its a double edged sword though, if he gets dumped out of them too...
Might also have to worry about his back.
Id actually suggest he takes this newer, bigger racket and stick with it, hes gotta start thinking like Sampras, ie find his strength and rely on it more, his serve forehand combo for a start

falzy21 wrote:Id actually suggest he takes this newer, bigger racket and stick with it

Agree with that.  Perhaps the only good thing that may come out of the USO disaster is that it will hopefully convince him that sticking with the old racquet does not look like it is working.  Bigger racquet may not work either but I think he is at the point where it is worth giving it a serious go.

Darren Cahill mentioned that Federer had lost about 6 pounds to reduce the strain on his back (IIRC, someone else has mentioned this on v2 recently). It is not that he is not trying. The half-step slowdown may be something he may not be able to roll back, even if he managed his back better with longer breaks.

there were pictures of him at the US Open practicing straight after a match, on the face of it it seemed incredible that he was working so hard. However, it showed uncomfortable he was feeling with his lack of training prior to the tournament

Which kind of goes to show what we all knew and said, that he was carrying weight vs the top guys. To lose 1/2 stone is a ridiculous amount for a top player, Nadal et al would struggle to lose that without muscle loss. So I'm glad he has, and looks much better for it. I'm sure the hard work will pay dividends given the physical area is actually something he can probably improve vs the 09-12 years. The racquet switch benefit will kick in soon too. Watch out for him at WTF...and he play more events to ensure he gets there.

should he shoot off to Tokyo?

There's an indoor Challenger in France next week if he fancies it

Federer should take the rest of the season off like Rafa did, recharge himself out, grind himself out and be ready for the challenge next year from Wimbledon.

invisiblecoolers wrote:Federer should take the rest of the season off like Rafa did, recharge himself out, grind himself out and be ready for the challenge next year from Wimbledon.

I would actually agree with you but this part of the year is a great chance for him, he is best indoors, murray is out Rafa may be a tired, he could rack up some points. Its how he got to number 1 in 2012 was through his late 2011 run. Mainly wanna see him in London and qualify for what the 11th/12th time? My selfish reasons!

his 2012 form also helped him get to no1 as well

well obviously, but winning Basel, Paris and World Tour Finals (thats 3000 points) in a couple of months didn't hurt! His 2012 form didn't make him year end number 1.

Did everyone forget that Nadal is playing Basel this year? (Of course, he can cite tiredness to withdraw for his good friend Federer ).

nor did his 2011 form get him the year end ranking, as he didn't get it in either '11 or '12.

LuvSports! wrote:nor did his 2011 form get him the year end ranking, as he didn't get it in either '11 or '12.

you are just repeating my point? Not sure what yours is, he got to number 1 from a great end to 2011 and a great 6/7 months in 2012