Roger Federer
Roger and Rafa both in a positive mood…
by bahamaderek on Mar.10, 2010, under 2010 Indian Wells, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer
“Back on the court in Indian Wells today,” Federer wrote on his Facebook page. “Felt great to hit as it was the first hit I had in two-and-a-half weeks.”
And defending champ Nadal is also in positive mood ahead of the year’s first Masters 1000 event, saying his knee will not be a handicap in California.
“I have been training hard for three weeks,” he said. “We have worked during the pre-season to recover the form which I had when I arrived in Australia. I feel strong and my knees do not hurt me – now I just want to compete.
“My main objective, the most immediate goal, is to play well during the American hard court season. I have 1000 points to defend at Indian Wells as the defending champion. But the main idea is to play well.”
The Spaniard is also keen to put himself in contention for the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup after missing the opening round victory over Switzerland, which Federer also skipped.
“The next elimination stage in France will be very hard and to get through it we need to all be at 100%. I would like to be there,” said Nadal.
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Stop whining and play tennis…..
by bahamaderek on Mar.07, 2010, under ATP, Roger Federer
The 2010 season is now into its 10th week. One Grand Slam has been played and tomorrow Indian Wells gets underway. Many of the top men on the ATP list have missed several events, and a couple are doubtful for the California event.
The head of the ITF has suggested that the player’s schedule be reduced, and that sets should go to a tie-breaker at 4-4. Is he crazy! The players whine and whine about the length of the season, the number of matches they are required to play, and the amount of travel they are forced to undertake.
Here are some interesting stats:-
Roger Federer has played 11 matches, 32 sets, earned $1,989,000.
Novak Djokovic has played 14 matches, 38 sets, earned $648,000.
Rafael Nadal has played 10 matches, 28 sets, earned $281,000.
Andy Murray has played 9 matches, 27 sets, earned $988,000.
Juan Del Potro has played 4 matches, 18 sets, earned $82,000.
Nikolay Davydenko has played 16 matches, 41 sets, earned $471,000.
Robin Soderling has played 9 matches, 23 sets, earned $420,000.
Andy Roddick has played 18 matches, 51 sets, earned $323,000.
This is over 10 weeks!! Most players have played less than 5 sets of tennis a week! Not a day, but a week!
Sure some of the poor babies are injured, some have played exhibitions and even represented their countries in the Davis Cup, but they are not overworked.
If he plays at Indian Wells, Federer will most likely receive a bye in the first round or play a qualifyer, some poor guy who is ranked outside of the top 200, thrilled to have a chance to play the #1, but for the spectators a ridiculous waste of time. The draw based on rankings sucks. Even the most ardent fan is bored by meaningless long tennis matches.
The format adopted in London at he year ending ATP Finals is the answer. Round robin events between players of equal skill levels, grouped into sections of 10 or 20 players. And just like other sports the top two in each group go up while the bottom two go down….simple!
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Has the ’sizzle’ gone from Men’s Tennis?
by bahamaderek on Mar.04, 2010, under Roger Federer
Not many months ago many macho male tennis fans could often be overheard ridiculing the Womens game. They singled out the Women’s lack of power, their failure to beat their lesser competitiors and the lack of any direction to their game. With the exception of Serena, these tennis pundits could have a point.
But like most criticisms and predictions, this one has turned around and bitten the critics in their collective ass. Men’s tennis, with the exception of Roger Federer, has fallen into the same pattern as the Women’s. Games are unpredictable, the quality has diminished, and the ’sizzle’ has gone from the game.
Noak Djokovic has cemented himself as the #2 player with a couple of victories, but for those of us who watched him play he does not exude domination or a quality that could rival that of the great Federer. He struggles to win in three sets, he struggles with his serve, and fortunately for him he hasn’t had to face any other struggling top ten players. He has no ’sizzle’.
Since Paris of 2009 Nadal’s demise has been front page news. With the advent of the clay court season just around the corner there is hope that he will regain some of his old gutsy form….just don’t bet on it! His ’sizzle’ has gone.
Andy Murray, the pride of the UK fans, has failed to come through when the chips were down. His adoption by the press as the great upcoming rival to Federer and the next #1 player is simply so much newspaper hoopla. He never had any ’sizzle’.
As for the rest of the ’sizzleless’ players, they have risen up and fallen back, some because of injury, some because of a lack of lasting quality. Tsonga, Simon, Soderling, Verdasco, Davydenko, Del Potro and Roddick are all players on the edge, but are all players who have shown a limited amout of endurance.
Where are the next generation of super stars? Who is on the horizon? Has the game become a contest fought by just mere mortals where on any given day anyone can defeat the others? Is the drama of the contest over riding the quality of the tennis(as it does in Women’s tennis)?
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Safina is out of Indian Wells….will Federer withdraw?
by bahamaderek on Mar.03, 2010, under 2010 Indian Wells, Roger Federer
There are several reports indicating that Roger Federer will not play at Indian Wells. While his participation has not been confirmed by the organisers, similarly neither has his withdrawl. He missed Dubai because of a lung infection, and by his own admission he has said he is feeling better. But whether he is completely recovered is unknown at this time.
The status of Dinara Safina is known, she will not play. Serena will retain her #1 ranking no matter who wins.
Other players included on the injured list are Davydenko, who will not represent Russia in this weekend’s Davis Cup tie with India. Del Potro who is at home with a sore wrist, Verdasco who is nursing an ankle.
The good news is from the Nadal camp where Rafa is telling anyone who wants to listen, that he is feeling great and ready to fight his way back up the rankings.
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…Nike and Adidas have gone too far….
by bahamaderek on Feb.25, 2010, under Jelena Jankovic, Roger Federer
Leave a Comment :Jelena Jankovic, Roger Federer more...
“The worst has passed,” says Roger about Tiger.
by bahamaderek on Feb.22, 2010, under Roger Federer
“Tiger is a good friend of mine,” tennis No 1 Federer said.
”What’s happened to him has been hard to watch over the last three months right down to when he made his apology. I am sure he’s headed in a better direction now. The worst has passed.
“I hope that he can also work things out with his wife Elin because they are very nice people – obviously for the sake of their kids as well.”
Federer has not spoken to Woods since the November car crash which preceded the revelations about his private life, but insists they remain friends.
“I have supported him, but I haven’t had any contact with him,” added the Swiss, who was forced to withdraw from this week’s Dubai Tennis Championship due to a lung infection.
“He has been where he knows he has been (in therapy) but my support does not change. I wish him the best.
“It’s been hard to watch from far away but I would love to see him back on the golf course. It is what he does best.”
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Federer withdraws from Dubai with a lung infection.
by bahamaderek on Feb.21, 2010, under 2010 Barclays Dubai, Roger Federer
Roger Federer has pulled out of next week’s Dubai Tennis Championship because of illness.
The world number one has been suffering from a lung infection and has not recovered in time for the tournament, which gets under way on Monday.
Federer, who has lifted the Dubai title four times in his career, will rest for the next two weeks and is expected to return to the ATP Tour in Indian Wells from March 11.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic and world number four Andy Murray, who lost to Federer in this year’s Australian Open final, are among the players competing at the hardcourt event.
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