I just read somewhere that Bjorn Bjorg believes that Federer is the 3rd favourite at this year's Wimbledon behind Nadal and Djokovic. Now, there is no denying that Nadal has improved his grass court game tremendously and Djokovic has been in great touch this year. But to discount a 59 match winning record on the surface and five straight Wimbys would be a folly. If anything, Federer's mono-affected performances reveal the steely character of the man. That he managed to reach the semis or better at the two slams is no mean feat. Who knows? By September, we might see him equalling Sampras' record of 14 slams.
Atheletes are known to go through such "bad" patches (compared to their own high standards). Tendulkar, Woods, Sampras, Ali have all been through this. Great champions find a way out of this and emerge stronger.
I don't see any crisis with his game as yet. Even if he fails to win the next two slams. Federer's game is based on precision in shot-making and creativity. The creative mindset is still intact. Its just that his consistency has deserted him to a certain extent (look at his unforced error count this year). This can be attributed to the after-effects of mono as well as the rise of several other players (including Djokovic) who throw him off his rhythm. Once he gets his consistency back (more likely on the faster surfaces), the beautiful game will start flowing again. That punishing forehand, that versatile backhand, those angled volleys as well as the deceptive serves. The very facets that brought me back as a die-hard tennis fan during 2003 Masters Cup (victory over Agassi in the final with a 6-0 second set).
Nadal's victory at Roland Garros will spur Federer on to play better and we all know that if Federer starts playing in the "zone", there's likely to be only one winner (especially on the faster surfaces). Part of the reason why baseliners have started to do well at Wimby is due to slower courts and slower balls. Its a tribute to Federer's adaptability that he's won at Wimby using serve & volley (to a significant extent in 2003) as well as by staying back (2006, 2007). Therein lies the answer to all the critics' questions. That he's by no means finished. And that he is the strongest contender at Wimby '08. Those in doubt will have to wait till 6th July.
Atheletes are known to go through such "bad" patches (compared to their own high standards). Tendulkar, Woods, Sampras, Ali have all been through this. Great champions find a way out of this and emerge stronger.
I don't see any crisis with his game as yet. Even if he fails to win the next two slams. Federer's game is based on precision in shot-making and creativity. The creative mindset is still intact. Its just that his consistency has deserted him to a certain extent (look at his unforced error count this year). This can be attributed to the after-effects of mono as well as the rise of several other players (including Djokovic) who throw him off his rhythm. Once he gets his consistency back (more likely on the faster surfaces), the beautiful game will start flowing again. That punishing forehand, that versatile backhand, those angled volleys as well as the deceptive serves. The very facets that brought me back as a die-hard tennis fan during 2003 Masters Cup (victory over Agassi in the final with a 6-0 second set).
Nadal's victory at Roland Garros will spur Federer on to play better and we all know that if Federer starts playing in the "zone", there's likely to be only one winner (especially on the faster surfaces). Part of the reason why baseliners have started to do well at Wimby is due to slower courts and slower balls. Its a tribute to Federer's adaptability that he's won at Wimby using serve & volley (to a significant extent in 2003) as well as by staying back (2006, 2007). Therein lies the answer to all the critics' questions. That he's by no means finished. And that he is the strongest contender at Wimby '08. Those in doubt will have to wait till 6th July.
