CINCINNATI MASTERS TENNIS: FEDERER INTERVIEW (29-07)

[elainmarry]

is there any interview of mirka??

[fortleepinoy]

Yes, RF did! He has regained his number ranking in the world. That is not an easy thing to achieve with a lot of criticisms about him previously. For me, that is a visible sign that he has come back to his normal game which is very difficult to beat. His records show all these achievements as a tennis player. Nadal has a lot of things to work on if he wants to take the post RF has now. However, if Nadal will not change his styles of playing tennis, he will get a lot of knee injuries, can't beat.

[tipolopo]

federer is fycking looser

[dontreallycare3]

i really hope he gets his crown back next year. nadal's a great player and all but COME ON, the king needs his throne back. i'd say there's a pretty good chance of federer regaining his number one rank--he has all the points to gain next year (well, except the US open of course. he'd just be defending them, but still) and nadal has a shit load to lose. Fed better bring his A-game.

[jlo32007]

federer is one of the greatest players to live so I think he is just having a bad time. I mean he's so much older than all of these other guys like nadal and djokovic, and yet he's still better.

[CASPER10666]

Come on Federer.........

[frincyfru]

è sempre lui il numero uno anchese nadal fra poco lo superera.......la classe nn è acqua!!

l arma in piu di nadal è solo la potenza e velocita ......ma il vero asso del tennis è lui ,re roger!!

[abdoshatela]

federer is like a wounded lion who lost his throne but will roar again to get it back

[CASPER10666]

Roger is the yoda of tennis, he is sheer class and you cant teach the natural ability that he has. He has been ill and taken a while to get over it, but im sure he will be back all guns blazing. Federer is just a star and so dam sexy.

[jack3641]

yea that is true i mean hes jus such a good player and i think he'll come back to number 1

[archivosxirtam]

The class and talent of this CHAMPION is miles and miles away from any other tennis player !!! in all senses. Doesnt matter the spot.

[jack3641]

dude federer is getting older and older hes getting burned out...now i luv federer i think hes the best player since sampras but i mean hes jus getting burned out

[zabiha]

I would nt say Roger is "burnt-out". He is more like "at a crossroads" in his career. He has done it all. 5 Wimbledons in a row, 4 US Opens in a row. Numerous Master Series titles. World No. 1 ranking for 4.5 years. Surely he is motivated to win 3 more Grand Slams to surpass Sampras, but thats about it. The game is still there, pure talent, requires little practice and grinding, unlike other players. He could play like this for another 10 years. Question is will he have the desire to do it???

[o0oFinn]

nice comment abiha. To answer your question, I would say that the desire is here when it's about a grand slam.

I don't think he has the desire to stay #1 though...

[archivosxirtam]

I think that too. For what to keep that number 1, he smashed the prior record. I think he has to go and win again... the rest will come by default.

[mugballeri3]

well said. Every champ has a patchy time. Federer will have his crown back.

[fudhi77]

Federer is an amazing player. Yes, Nadal is good at his game and works hard but Federer is in a whole other league. It's a shame he's in so much pressure now to win the Olympics or the US Open to prove his excellence in tennis when the facts and the way he plays on court should be enough for everyone to admire his brilliance

[zabiha]

Well, wimpy Murray playing on one leg, just beat the so-called "superior to Nadal" Joko in straight sets. Same Murray that Nadal just wiped off the floor last week. So there you have it folks for the so called "Roger/Joko in one class and Nadal in a lower class" experts.

[zabiha]

You all are full of sh##. Especially Casper. You keep harping about how Joko beat Nadal 6/1yesterday, well then why dont you apply your own logic to what Nadal did to Federer in the French Open Final!!!!! 6/0!!!!! Hello. Wake-up. LookingforSounds, you should change your name to HearingWeirdSoundsinMyHead. Your analysis of beating World No 1,2,3 in the same tournament is flawed. Because Nalbandian did the same later in 2007 at the Paris Indoors which is a Master Series Event. What does that mean?

[CASPER10666]

yea, but Federe was recovering form glandular fever this year whats Nadals excuse to get totally spanked by Djokovic in the first set.

Federer is the Yoda of Tennis, sheer class in all aspects of the game, comes up with shots that others just pray they could do. You cant teach what Federer does its natural ability. I do believe that Nadal has been knocking on the door so long he is at his peak, lets just see if he can hold the no 1 spot as long as the master has.

[diehardFedfan]

sooooo?????? even federer defeated nadal 6-0 at in the first set at wimbledon in 2006...and basically wht happened to federer this year wasnt nadal's doing..it was bad playing from federer.

[LookingForSounds]

i like nadal very much,better than federer and novak!roger is a classic player.comparing with rafa is impossible coz rafa has a original way of playing..anyway,i respect both 3 players,they all deserve the glory.i just keep on remembering last year hard court season when novak won up 3 matches in front of the best three players-1/4 final-andy roddick,1/2 final-rafa and the final-roger federer,he is a great player,but i still like nadal more and more and i hope he'll be staying much time as #1

[kalisinata015]

federer is the best and he will stay from the end even if rafa is the number 1. You can't compare the incomparable!

[CASPER10666]

I agree with you, I think its the record of the player we look at not just how they are performing in the moment. Nadal has been number 2 for years and now Djoko has dealt him a real blow in the last game, 6/1 set was a shocking defeat for Nadal. But hey he is not superhuman Djoko WAS the better player on the night. Be an interesting final.

[CASPER10666]

Rafa (and I like him) got his bum spanked on Saturday by Joko, he had no game against him in the first round 6/1 I mean come on. Yes, guess what Rafa is human. Andy Murray is eagerly after Rafa's scalp and this is all good for tennis and for us watching. There is no need to rubbish other players or be rude or disrespecful, they are all good coz they are there playing at the top. Andy has gone from ranking 514 - 2005 to 8 - 2008 in the world. So lets just appreciate how good they all are.

[diehardFedfan]

i sooo agree with you.

[dukedija]

i agree with every word.

[Holmes093]

I don't see why your all loosing faith in Fed yes he did have glandular fever yes he is over it and he is loosing, Tennis is 60% mental, 40% physical, just coz u have the right strokes doesn't make u a winner look at djokovic he has it all but he's so aragant and mentally up his own arse he cant beat MARAT SAFIN, listen 2 all the ledgends becker, bjorg, mcenroe they all still believe federer is no.1 he just has lost his mentality in the game, nadal is a GREAT PLAYER, but is a LEDGEND,

[Holmes093]

P.S NADAL hasn't got past the Quarter Finals in the U.S Open in the past 3 years ha and i no your all gonna say but he has improved over the years well no not true how comes 2005 he got to the 3rd Round, 2006 Quarter Finals, 2007 4th Round. Not only this Federer is going for his 5th U.S Open title in a row, will the U.S be Federer's new home ?

[snappycruise]

I love Fed and like Novak a lot, better than Rafa.

[CASPER10666]

I agree, Roger is just the gentleman of the game. His ability has been far beyond the rest for a long time and they are only NOW just catching up, while he is ill might I add. Anyone with a pair of eyes can see the skill he has in compared to others. He is head and shoulders above them all, his records stand. People who think he is finished is in for a shock. Someone with that kind of strength to stay at the top for so long wont let illness finish him. Its not an injury its a hiccup.

[CASPER10666]

Im surprised that people are writing off Roger, I think now he is over his glandular fever from last Nov07 his health will improve and he will come back to his old self again. Nadal is a good player but lets see if he can hold the ranking for any length of time first before we give him grand titles. Rodger is sheer class and with all the new guys nipping at their heels it will be more difficult. Murray is itching to take on Nadal, he has no fear of him. For Tennis,its going to be a great time

[zabiha]

Sorry but people who say "Nadal is a good player" and "Roger is sheer class" dont know men's tennis!!! Nadal is a fantastic player, not just "good". His a 4-time French Open Champion and the first person to Win French-Wimbledon back-to-back since 1980. He has a 4-2 record against Roger in Grand Slam finals. These are the finals where Roger WAS NOT suffering from any fever ;----) Quit hiding behind Andy Murray and ask Roger himself to beat Rafael!!!!

[CASPER10666]

Nadal is a good player thats no insult, however as we saw Joko took him apart last night and he is not ill. Roger did have glandular fever, didnt use it as an excuse not to play, but anyone who has had this knows it can take a few years to get healthy again. I dont hide behind Andy Murray, his game speaks for its self. Roger is sheer class, his game consists of all shots not just power hits. Even Nadal says that, Lets see how long Nadal holds the title before we start comparing them.

[tranche2pain]

Nadal, number one,... it'll take me a year to get used to that...

[cels7]

Nadal is now number one, winning or not Cincinnati but there is a problem of counting of ATP because the olympics, but on 18 august when counts will be ok, Nadal will be the number one. Thats because the points that lost federer by losing the tournaments haven't been discounted yet.

[zabiha]

Yes. To clarify, if the Olympics were not there this year, Nadal would be No. 1 when the new rankings came out on Monday. Because Roger would lose the 500 points he won last year at Cincy and Nadal would gain 225 points for reaching the SF here after exiting with no points last year at Cincy (in 1st Rd I think). But due to the Olympics PUSHING FORWARD the tour schedule, Roger gets to retain his 500 points!!! Until Aug 14th, i.e. the week when last year's Cincy was actually played.

[HeartBreakKid1987]

But Nadal will win Cincinnati!!!

[Shuffles08]

Federer is till Number 1 everyone...at least until Nadal wins another tournament.

[tommygecko]

nadal is already guaranteed world no.1, only a matter of time. go to the atp website and you'll see

[zabiha]

Nadal is awesome too, certainly better than Federer at the moment, and who knows for the next 2-3 years too. But his game is more injury prone and it is too early to crown him history's greatest player like some people are doing!! Remember he was already beating Federer regularly 4 years ago, but Fed has won most of his titles in the very same four years. I theorize a lot of this has been due to the stress of Nadal's style of play. Which may continue to limit him to 1-2 Grand Slams per year.

[diehardFedfan]

I absolutely agree with everything uve got to say.

[mattylga]

Fed has had a nice run. I always said that Nadal would take the ranks and he has!! Fed speaks from the heart but I think he's been spoiled. The hunger is not there. People will be talking about Nadal the way people have been talking about sampras and Federer all these years. Nadal wil go down in history as the best tennis player ever. He hasn't even reached his peak yet, mark my words!!

[ameseylad9]

Hes not number one yet jackass.

[akuonye]

fed [played in the easiest erta ever}

[TheGEazye]

erta ? he did not play is the weakest era ever he just made them look weak...

[XrenegadeZ]

What wrong with you people? There is nothing wrong with losing the number 1 spot, so just accept it will happen and if it does, Roger would have a goal for next year, i.e get his title back.

[ameseylad9]

Fuck you.

[mattylga]

can't argue with that. Great point!!

[mattylga]

tough guy over the internet LOL....but federer is not #1 anymore so what does that make Nadal?? But if you'd like to hang out and chat in person just let me know.

[diehardFedfan]

ofcorse he is in his prime...just tht till this yr he didnt win other slams except rg...you cannot win a slam if ure not mature or in your prime..thts wht being in prime is all about..right now he's at the peak..and might continue till the end of 2009..roger was in his prime from 2003 and peaked in 2006..where he won maximum matches...

[zabiha]

People forget that Roger has a very easy stress free game whereby he runs half as much as his opponents. He could play for years like he does now and even if he wins 1/4 of his finals, that could be a lot of titles. He does not HAVE to be Number One to win several more grand slams. He is the CURRENT Wimbledon, French, US Open finalist, strange people are counting him out already!! At this point in his career, he is playing against history (Grand Slams), not against opponents or for small prizes.

[grafight]

Well, the n.1 is now gone... Let's see how Roger copes with it. Pete lost his n.1 a few times along his career only to get it back, usually to finish the year back at n.1 and he did that masterfully. That's why his record stay at #1 is so tough to beat. And now with Rafa at a new level and winning EVERYTHING in sight it seems even harder.

[diehardFedfan]

i dont think he's ready to accept a change of guard...which for the time being has occured..and i give full credit to nadal for tht inspite of not liking his game and being an avid fan of federer. he desperately wants a career slam and the pressure is cracking him up.we could see wht happened in hamburg when he blew up his chances..at the French Open where Nadal was brilliant..federer didnt play at all. even nadal's uncle said he couldnt believe wht he saw.

[diehardFedfan]

I think Federer's problem is no longer Nadal..his biggest opponent now is himself..I dont know wht his aims are but he really has to sort himself out...he's cracking up..trying to do too much..he has now equalled almost every record in tennis ..but i think breaking the records is creating pressure on him coz he expects too much out of himself..so much so tht when he fails he isnt able to get over it..i also think he wants to break pete's record at no 1 in one go..and tht a bit unrealistic.

[ihateuutube]

roger can't beat anyone in the top 25 these days. he won halle and got to the finals of wimbledon without facing a single player ranked that high. now he loses to simon who was ranked 22nd at the time and to karlovic who is currently ranked 22nd.

[diehardFedfan]

I think its not got to do with the rankings anymore....i presume he dosent know how to improve his game...and wimbledon was such a blow to him tht he's just not being able to forget it which he ought to......

[lizwonderful]

There's nothing wrong in being humble and accepting help from the outside. I hope Roger realizes this soon before it's too late.

[lizwonderful]

He lost today. Honestly I feel sorry for the man and I never thought I would feel this way because I don't like Roger's attitude, the man is full of it.

There were days when I would cheer if he lost a game but today I almost shed a tear on his behalf.

There's an old saying that pride goes before a fall and that is what's happening to Roger right now.

[diehardFedfan]

if u think roger has attitude coz of not hiring a coach then i think thts because he lost his coach of early days and dont think he's ever been able to get over it.

[snappycruise]

higueras is his coach

[diehardFedfan]

I know..but its kind of mainly for clay.

[lizwonderful]

Ok!!! so I am a huge fan of Rafa, he puts a lot into his matches. I would like to see him become number one but not like this. What the heck is wrong with Roger, When is he going to get off his high horse and realize that he needs a coach. He is still playing the same way he used to play 2-3 years ago, then you have players like Rafa Nadal who keep improving their game.

[helenlundeberg]

Roger is totally delusionnal : he thought he played well throughout the match, that's why he needs a coach who'll tell him 'you sucked, here's what you need to do...' Until he snaps out of whathever excess of confidence or lack of lucidity, he'll keep loosing to nobodies like Simon. He should also get in shape...

[EricTheRed03]

I thought about what you said, long and hard.. and you're actually 100% right.. too bad Roger can't see this.

I love Roger.. but jeez, he needs someone than can oversee his game.

[lucapaolo]

you could break yours, so to start with..

[justuser82]

Federer i don't think that u need to see a doctor...but the only problem u have right now is ur brain and mental strength...u have the game, we all see it!! u can...hope u will regain ur confidence in this tourament!!! YOU JUST HAVE TO!!!

[MANDYSRI]

i hope fed wins this tournament, he really still deserves his no.1 spot. he hasn't won much this year, but he has still played really great.

[Elfa6]

i hope fedex break a leg or something so rafa can take his place cause he diserves it

[diehardFedfan]

thts mean...true rafa should be no 1..but the way roger has played for 5 yrs..u cant complain about the ranking..and ofcourse rafa will take over.....but roger is the best

[chloewhite]

I don't argue about Rafa deserving the No.1 spot (for a while)... BUT how on EARTH can you hope for such a MEAN and NASTY and EVIL thing? Would you like if i wished you broke your fingers while typing your comments?

[alicanvin]

YOU dont HAVE to TAKE everything YOU read SERIOUSLY

[fetez1]

Saying that is shit enough

[fetez1]

Damn. Are you mad!!! Im a rafa fan but how can u wish 4 an injury in order to get to see rafa at no 1 spot?!!!

I pity you

[lucapaolo]

you could break yours, so to start with..

[honynakhal]

well I don't think he played really well through out the match ..

but ofcourse I hope he will buil on this ..

plz Roger do your best

[diehardFedfan]

hats off to Ginepri for sticking it out...but I bow down to Roger for just the player he is..in tht second set Ginepri had advantage on Fed's serve at 5-5..the umpire called his shot long..but it was not..and Roger challenged the call knowing he could even perhaps lose..he was right and Ginepri got the break..just goes on to show tht he dosent forget grace and honesty under any circumstances..this is not the first time..he has always been like this..im proud to be his fan.

[ayazagl2000]

Heelo dude, let's guess will RF win Cincinnati master honestly I don't think

[itsisi]

me too!

[sonnyreddevil69]

NADAL HAS AGE ON HIS SIDE

[diehardFedfan]

he plays with his knees strapped up..how long is it going to work...he just grinds out points.

[TOPSPINBB08]

he is just experiencing a slump. he will get back. just a little bit of time

[hardings930]

Federer is still number one in the world and won more titles than anyone on the circuit. Why would he be concerned that Nadal had won 1 Wimbledon???

[sristti]

Roger i just love you

[Sherpa11]

i am a rafa fan but i really dont want fed to collapse. after he lost in toronto and when ginepri served for the match in cin i thought he really cant handle the pressure that rafa has taken his crown in wimbledon and is pretty much in his neck in the rankings. i do hope that fed is back coz what a wonderful player he is and what a great rivalry there is between rafa and him.

anyway, go rafa :)

[latinapeacechick]

yeah i agree

their rivalry is awesome

[mazzalfc]

I love Federer. What a player, and what a man.

Long live RF!

[diehardFedfan]

he's too good to be a human...

[zazou007miller]

allez GO GO Roger!

[chloewhite]

He's gorgeous ^^ He's simply not capable of saying bad things about his opponents or even himself :) He's the man of positive energies, for sure :D

[SscubaStevee]

Good job Federer.