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FEDFANTHREAD II

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ATP Tour - Top players back Federer to recover


The world's top players have backed Roger Federer to recover from the latest in a string of defeat's that has many claiming his career is in terminal decline.

Novak Djokovic's triumph at the Australian Open in January and the Masters Cup on Sunday, two titles previously held by Federer, has lead to speculation that 2008 may be the beginning of the end for the former world number one.

Federer had played in the previous seven Masters Cups and the last five finals, losing out only in 2005 when David Nalbandian came back to beat the injured Swiss in a fifth set tiebreak.

This time, though, the 13-times grand slam winner bowed out in the group stage for the first time when, hampered by injury and illness, he lost a titanic clash with Briton Andy Murray.

That was his 15th defeat in a season when he lost his world number one ranking and beloved Wimbledon title to Rafael Nadal, as well as failing to win a Masters Series title for the first time since 2001.

"The fact is that he's one of the best - maybe even the best player - that this sport has ever had," said world number three Djokovic, whose victory on Sunday brought him to within 10 points of Federer in the rankings.

"But he's reached a certain point when certain players start to win against him, and then you lose a little bit of the confidence with the loss. The other players start believing more that they can win.

"For him it's a big challenge to come back next year. It's still not over. Roger is the second in the world and he's intending to get the top spot back next year."

Federer, who started the season suffering from glandular fever and ended it in Shanghai with a back injury and a stomach upset, put a positive spin on his 11th season as a professional.

"I was happy I could win the US Open for the fifth straight year," he said. "I'm looking forward to next year to go for six.

"It's been a good year. But tough to start off with. Tough to end. So obviously a little bit of mixed feelings. But I think it gives me the opportunity to start over all new again next year."

World number four Murray, who along with his fellow 21-year-old Djokovic will be looking to break the Federer-Nadal duopoly next year, said talk of terminal decline was premature.

"He's still playing great," said the Scot.

"Nadal's had one of the best years in tennis over the last 20 years and he's still not that far behind him. He's maybe lost a few more matches than normal but it's not totally surprising. Normally he loses like seven matches a year, which is ridiculous."

Losing finalist Nikolay Davydenko, who has an 0-12 career record against his fellow 27-year-old Federer, said the new generation of young players like Djokovic and Murray were now a threat to Federer, particularly when he was not fully fit.

"He's already been number one for many years," said Russia's world number five. "He can't play good for all his life. There are some really young players coming up, 21, 22 years old. They're fast, have very good concentration and are physically better.

"Because I see that Federer is not physically perfect at the moment. That's why the other players have more chance to beat him."



Great article including AO 2006 Ceremony with Rod Laverclip www.tennistalk.com/en/blog/D...

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DAVIS CUP - FIRST ROUND

Dear Fans,

After making it back to the world group for 2009, I have decided to play the first round tie of Davis Cup in the USA in March. I am excited to once again join my fellow Swiss teammates, who I have a great friendship with, and I look forward to what I am sure will be a tough weekend.

All the best,

Roger

Videos
Fantastic Fedrinka! www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab4-...

"IF" read by Roger and Rafa www.youtube.com/watch?v=is-J...

Young Federer www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpAl...

Links & Articles
All the latest interviews
www.asapsports.com/show_play...

Links to US Open Webnews
www.rogerfederer.com/en/roge...

Latest 10 comments

Read members' comments or add your own
comment by sheltec (U7618410)

posted Nov 17, 2008

hello guys

Salish hug How are you? Welcome to the world of google winkeye

Niecie I am noticing that you have become very naughty. winkeye and I have started to wonder what kind of new job have you started winkeyelaugh

Nad loveblush Yeah I left just before receiving your message. How are you? Check the other thing. A reply coming shortly. winkeye

"I don't mind you guys being naughty, but I mind that I'm not included"

Now that we have the licence, you would surely be included. Actually at a couple of instances, I wanted to get a little bit naughty but didnt because didnt have that licence. Now be careful. winkeyelaugh

If you like, I can quote one such instance. haha

Federer and his exhibitions matches, huh.

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posted Nov 17, 2008

Hi I'm new to the 606 thing. Big Federer fan and although disappointed he has slipped a little this year, very pleased that it's been such a brilliant 2008 for men's tennis.
The race for number one in '09 is going to be quite something. Check out some of the previous years and you'll see there are 12-month periods when the leads changed hands almost by the week.
Expect to see the Slams being shared around again next year. The days of Fed getting three a year are probably over but I'm sure he'd settle - and I think he'll get - one or two a year for the next two or three years that will put him comfortably past Sampras's GS record.
Probably the biggest unknown in 2009 is Rafa. Sure, he'll dominate on clay. But will his body stand up to a gruelling year? It's noticeable how he gains few points in the last part of the year. To stay number one he's probably going to have to win two slams. RF will be determined to win Wimbledon again. Remember, Sampras came back with FOUR more SW19s after getting dumped by Kry-Check (can never spell it) in 1996.
Ah, speculation ! It all adds up to a great 2009.

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posted Nov 17, 2008

Hi sheltec! hug

I'm good thanks. We have some naughty people on here, let's see how naughty it gets laugh

I found this on a different forum. It's a report from a fan in Shanghai after Friday's loss. See the last post on the page...
http://www.tennis4you.com/forum/index.php?topic=7671.4380

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posted Nov 17, 2008

Hi. Just joined. Looking forward to a great 2009 with the top four battling it out.
There could be a few changes at number one - remember when that happened !? - with Fed likely to get 1-2 more GS and the others in the "top four" vying for the rest of them.
Don't think rankings are going to mean so much this next year, as all of the top four are capable of beating each other. Rafa, I think, is a shoe-in for RG and Fed will be determined to regain SW19 crown. As for the other GS and the big masters tourneys, who knows? Could be the best year yet, and 2008 was pretty good.

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posted Nov 17, 2008

"I was quite ok after the match, from the press to seeing Roger come out of the exit. I told everybody that Roger was fine. I knew if Roger was fine, then his fans would be fine. Most fans were gone. I wanted to say goodbye to Zahed, and saw his Mom was crying. I hugged her and kept saying “Don’t cry. He will be fine. He will come back.” Emotions could travel, and travel fast. I couldn’t control myself, and I shed tears."
---------------------------------------------
Now that's scary, really really scary.

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posted Nov 17, 2008

Hi sirfredperry,

Welcome to 606! Yes 2009 should be a very interesting year for men's tennis with the top 4 contesting for the slams and other guys like Tsonga, Del Potro, Simon looking to break through.

cheers

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posted Nov 17, 2008

Ta muchly for your welcome. Been posting like mad until I was approved. Can't see myself getting much work done until Fed retires ! Already looking forward to the Dome (sorry, the O2 Arena) for the 2009 - and until 2012 at least - year-end championship.

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posted Nov 17, 2008

http://www.tennis4you.com/forum/index.php?topic=7671.4380

post no 4391.

if ever there is a player debating with himself about quitting, that picture of federer epitomizes it.

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comment by Niecie (U12349225)

posted Nov 17, 2008

Sheltec laugh

What me naughty - never, it is just your mind winkeye

WTF are we going to be up and running, come on pull finger.

cheers

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posted Nov 18, 2008

Check it out nice article on top! cheershug

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This article has now been closed to comments. Please visit another 606 thread or start a new one to continue the debate elsewhere.

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