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Today I was playing my best tennis, trying lots of different things, but nothing worked. When you're playing like that and he still comes up with all those great shots you really have to wonder if he's even from the same planet.
* Novak Djokovic, after Davis Cup match.
He's Roger. What can you say?
* Mario Ancic after their quarter final at Wimbledon 2006.
Just about everything he does is pretty impressive. So, yeah, 50 titles at any age is impressive. 50 titles at 26 is incredible. 50 titles with 11 of them being Grand Slams, and I think now 14 being Masters Series, that's just phenomenal.
* James Blake after their final in Cincinnati 2007, when Federer won his 50th title in the ATP circuit.
He's not just number one, he's the best in history. He has 12 Grand Slams and I'm sure he'll get the record (14). He can do it all. He serves very well, he has a very good forehand and backhand. He has no weak points.
* David Ferrer after his loss in Shanghai 2007
"Roger can produce tennis shots that should be declared illegal" - Tracy Austin
I really consider myself top 5 player in the world, which it doesn't mean that I am close to Roger.
* Ivan Ljubicic, at Indian Wells 2006
"I’d love to cook an egg on rogies head." - Tiger Woods
"you're either a clay court specialist, a grass court specialist or a hard court specialist ... or you're Roger Federer." - Jimmy Connors
From Ginepri after Cincinnati
"I think guys have seen that he's, you know, human. He's had such a stellar career that it's hard to keep that up. Maybe he's not as steady as he used to be. I think guys are feeling that a little bit more now, especially in the last couple of weeks. But if he doesn't stay No. 1, he'll find his way back to the top. He's such a tremendous athlete."
BLAKE AFTER WIMBY:
we all know federer is going thru a slump.. nd just watch out his slump.. 2GS finals nd a SM!!
"Of course, I've created a monster, so I know I need to always win every tournament,"
federer himself.
"i have only 3 words for roger federer, he's going down"-novak joko
it was said in 2007, i wonder wat wud joko say now abt federer
"He's a real person. He's not an enigma. Off the court he's not trying to be somebody. If you met him at McDonald's and you didn't know who he was, you would have no idea that he's one of the best athletes in the world."
-roddick
I still can win 2 or 3 more slams if Federer doesn't play- Marat Safin
"I saw Andy in the locker room, running around playing cards and he was loose. If you don't get on Federer early, it's trouble because no one comes back on him. Once he starts hitting those sweet shots, he took a little belief out of Andy. I saw Andy's face and I said 'Oh s***.'"
-- Bob Bryan on Andy Roddick's dismantling at the hands of Roger Federer at the Australian Open.
I've probably run out of adjectives to describe him on the court to talk about his excellence. He's just unbelievable."
- James Blake, 2006
To say he is the essence of calm and relaxation understates the mood of serenity in which he lives his life. He had enough time for everyone, a word for everyone; he not only has the potential to be the greatest player the sport has seen but he is its finest salesman as well. What more could tennis want? How much more will tennis get?
— Three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker, on Roger Federer, in his column in The Times (UK).
Nadal, who recently won a gold medal for Spain at the Olympics in Beijing, said that he has been inspired to perform at his best over the years because of Federer.
“All these years I’ve always had one person ahead of me and better than me,” said Nadal.
This guy loves the sport too much. He's NOT gonna go away without a fight, for sure.....
Federer has a lot more in the tank and anyone who says otherwise about Federer, just doesn't know tennis!"
-Jim Courier
Yeah, I mean, the guy has only made two Grand Slam finals this year. I would love his bad year.
I would love it. It would be great. I'd be really happy with right now.
I mean I guess at a certain point, the guy has the best four year run ever, and we're all sitting here in shock that it's not the best five year run ever.
We have to use a little bit of perspective here as far as how good he's been.
I've said it before, and I think he's said it, he's created a little bit of a monster for himself, and I don't think you know,
I remember reading a lot of stuff after, you know, Tsonga beats Nadal in Australia, and everyone's like, okay.
It was Djokovic for two months and you guys were like, going off, and then Nadal now and you guys are all jacked up.
You know, you got to give it some time.
One big result and he's just clicked in.
-Andy Roddick
It's unbelievable for me.....It was like a dream. I was so happy …
I played so good, he played unbelievable, I think, all the time.
For me, he's No.1 always.
-Maximo Gonzalez
I'm happy, I did my best there and was happy to play with the great Federer. I lost to the man who'll be holding the trophy this year, just wait and see....
....When Federer slips a little bit, he reaches the finals of the Grand Slams every time. He is the biggest player for sure.
Nadal is playing good tennis this year but for me, Federer is the best one.
-Thiago Alves
Everybody know what level he can play.
......for me, he's still a great player. He created also a monster, like he said a couple years ago. He won everything.
And now everybody expects him to win everything, and, I mean, he's also just human.
I think even today, like I said, you could still see why he was No. 1 and still No. 2 now.
Every time he was tied, the score was tied, he came up with a better shot.
-Gilles Muller
But Roger is still there, you know.
And even though people are talking about him not playing so well this year, he's still very consistent, you know.
All Grand Slams he was semis, finals, you know, semis at minimum….
…..that's his strength, you know. Whenever he needs to play well, he plays his best.
-Novak Djokovic
I told him that he had, you know, a phenomenal year, regardless of what anyone said. I had a lot of respect for him....
....That's why I think that, you know, there's a very strong argument for him being the best player (of all time)
-Andy Murray
I liked what murray said after he lost to federer
"I was beaten by the best player of the game today. beat him a couple of times but he's set the records straight today. I gotta play a lot better if i have to win one of these tournaments"
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federer has made me eat my words that he is too weak a guy to make a comeback......... :D
(sampras's record is just a year away....probably i will stop watching tennis completely, once that is broken :( )
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Yey.. HaPPy for Roger as i just can't stand Nadal. He looked more comfortable than usual (maybe because he faced MuRRay instead of nadal? Lol). Great celebration as well.
He was right on target with post match interview. Those columnists and so caLLed pundits have to stop their negative thoughts on Roger (Vijay Amritraj is a great coMMentator, btw), because he is the best.
MuRRAy has a great future. Now those British guys have someone to suPPort other than Henman. Lol. he lOOked like he is belong to the main event at times, but he can count on valuable experience nonetheleSS.
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Federer :thumbsup: 8-) :notworthy:
What a way to finish this year! Experts are saying that he will be Number:1 next year.
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Time to revisit how the legend was born
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_d...01/1418928.stm
Monday, 2 July, 2001, 18:40 GMT 19:40 UK
Federer ends Sampras reign
Sampras will not be claiming an eighth Wimbledon title
Roger Federer beat Pete Sampras 7-6 5-7 6-4 6-7 7-5
Swiss prodigy Roger Federer ended the reign of Pete Sampras at Wimbledon beating the seven-time champion in the fourth round.
Sampras, gunning for his fifth straight title, which would have equalled Bjorn Borg's record, was silenced in a five-set thriller by a composed teenager with a tantalising array of shots.
The American, who had not lost at Wimbledon in a 31-match streak stretching back to July 1996, vowed he would be back.
"Let's not get carried away. I plan on being back for many years. The reason I play tennis is to play in these big tournaments.
There are a lot of young guys coming up but Roger is a bit extra-special - he has a great all-round game, like me doesn't get too emotional and is a great athlete.
Pete Sampras
"And the reason I stop playing will not be because of my ability but because I do not want to do it anymore. There is no reason to panic and think I cannot comeback and win here again."
It was Sampras' earliest exit in ten years of Wimbledon Championships.
And he paid tribute to his young conqueror, who was 11 years old when he won his first title.
Roger Federer
Federer shocked the champion
"There are a lot of young guys coming up but Roger is a bit extra-special. He has a great all-round game, like me doesn't get too emotional and you have to give him a great deal of credit."
Federer, a former Wimbledon junior champion, showed remarkable composure on his Centre Court debut.
He claimed the first set but Sampras twice drew level before he clinched the five-setter, sinking to his knees in awe at his achievement.
It was the first time Sampras had lost a five-set match at Wimbledon.
For once someone other than Sampras had the right combination of nerve, skill and fortune.
I have won a lot of close matches here but this time I came up short
Pete Sampras
Federer took the first set on a tie-break in which the number one seed was undone by a combination of bad umpiring and bad luck.
Firstly, a serve by Federer appeared out but was allowed to stand, then a backhand by the Swiss teenager struck the net-cord and looped over.
But afterwards Sampras appeared happy to accept his lot.
"I have won a lot of close matches here - last year's final for one - and fortunately over the years I have managed to come up with the big shot but this time I came up short.
Big scalp
"Against Roger I had my chances but did not convert them whereas he played really well at the right time which is the key on grass."
Sampras believed he had weathered the storm when he overcame six break points to draw level at a set apiece.
But the 29-year-old twice allowed himself to be broken - and when he put a simple overhead long, Federer was once again ahead.
A lot of friends and players told me, "This year I think you can really beat him (Sampras)"
Roger Federer
But from a set behind, the pendulum swung towards Sampras again.
He rattled through a tie-break 7-2 to send the match into a deciding fifth set.
Federer's big chance came in the 12th game as the teenager took Sampras to two match points.
Federer only needed one of them, a forehand winner to claim Wimbledon's biggest scalp.
"It feels unbelieveable, of course," said Federer. "I knew it was not going to be easy. I'm very happy about my performance today, from the first to the last point.
And he admitted he was not the only person who thought that Sampras could be fallable.
"A lot of friends and players told me, "This year I think you can really beat him." I've played a great year so far - better than him."
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http://www.sportingo.com/tennis/a10240_smile-back-roger-federers-face-after-year-struggle
Smile is back on Roger Federer's face after a year of struggle
The Swiss master captured his 13th Grand Slam title by thrashing Andy Murray in the US Open final. Is he finally back to his invincible best?
''I would hope to go a step further and have that invincibility factor again.'' That was Roger Federer, addressing the media after his third-round win at the US Open.
One week later he had vindicated the seemingly incongruous statement he had made at that time. And, as he stood clutching his fifth consecutive US Open men’s singles trophy, a shy smile was visible on his face. It was a smile that said a lot, a smile that was more due to relief than the mere jubilation of having won another Grand Slam.
It once again reinstated the belief and faith in himself - and probably quietened his critics who were insistent on bashing him to no end. It was a smile which bore testimony to the fact that it was a reprisal completed, a smile that said indemnity had been done.
Yes, Roger Federer was a man on a mission for the past fortnight at the year’s final Grand Slam. It was evident in his attitude as he kept on battling his way to the end. A yell of frustration on committing an unacceptable error or the emotional outburst on winning a tough match or even a closely-fought set was so unusual from the normally stoic figure, and yet it proved that the fervour and the hunger were still very much there.
One by one he took out his opponents who had defeated him this year - Radek Stepanek in the third round, Novak Djokovic in the semi-final and, ultimately, Andy Murray in the final. It was a final in which Federer was irrepressible, slamming 36 winners to Murray’s 16.
With booming serves and deep returns, he kept Murray rooted behind the baseline. He also volleyed spectacularly with 44 net approaches to Murray’s meagre 11. A listless Murray simply had no answer to Roger’s impervious game. This was the vintage Federer.
Obviously, this was his last big opportunity to prove himself in a year which had given him a litany of woes, a year that started with him battling a strength-sapping mononucleosis virus during the Australian Open, resulting in his losing the semi-final to eventual champion Djokovic. He was then decimated in the French Open final by his determined and resurgent nemesis, Rafael Nadal, and heartbreakingly lost a pulsating Wimbledon final to Nadal yet again. Surely this one last chance of Slam glory Federer never wanted to let go of.
For any other player, reaching two finals and a semi-final in the first three Grand Slams of the year would have been considered a resplendent and awe-inspiring record. But it wasn't for Federer, a winner of 12 Grand Slams in the last five years, who has been regarded by many to be one of the greatest to have ever held a racquet.
Not only this, Federer also saw his staggering 237-week stay atop the rankings come to an abrupt end. A man who has dominated almost every opponent for the last few years - except a certain Spaniard - saw himself managing to win only two relatively low-key, star-starved tournaments, as well as an Olympic doubles gold. He got hammered 12 times in total by nine different opponents.
Quite expectedly, this was enough to send shockwaves through the sport. Either it was the mono effect or his age, or maybe his game simply declining. Critics inexorably started pounding him, almost writing him off. He was flooded with post, emails from former players, coaches, doctors, fans giving their advice from all over the world.
On Monday night, as Federer stood placidly at the Arthur Ashe Stadium having taken the first step to reviving his battered image, the view of his father Robert up in the stands wiping tears from his eyes proved that it was not only the man himself suffering, but also his family. This was surely a battle won more mentally than physically.
With this latest Major title, Federer stands just one short of Pete Sampras’s record haul of 14 Grand Slams as well as becoming the only man in the history of the game to have achieved five consecutive titles at two different Grand Slams – Wimbledon and the US. It's certainly a record good enough to make anybody speechless.
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http://www.hinduonnet.com/tss/tss300...0011000800.htm
From the publishers of THE HINDU
VOL.30 :: NO.06 :: Feb. 10, 2007
FEATURE
Geniuses similar, but vastly different
Roger Federer battled only his genius on his way up, learning which shot to select; Tiger Woods battled prejudice, the first African-American star in a lilywhite, spoilt, country club sport, writes Rohit Brijnath.
Both want to win every tournament they enter. Both often win every tournament they enter. Both wept last year on victory. Both make opponents weep. Both have CVs the size of novellas, the recitations of which before matches causes rivals to consider alternative employment.
When a rueful adversary once said, "We're all human beings here, but there is no chance humanly possible he is going to lose," it's hard to say who has been spoken of. Roddick on Federer? Close. Montgomerie on Tiger Woods.
But as much as there is similarity between Tiger Woods and Roger Federer there is difference, brilliant twins, yet fraternal ones.
The golfer owns an accountant's blank face but it comes with an interrogator's menace. On the tee, he could melt stone. The tennis player enters court like a man visiting an art exhibition and no one has yet told him it's his. Federer scowls every new moon, Tiger in his sleep.
The czar of the clubs intimidates, but appears like he seeks to; the racquet-master intimidates, but it appears a by-product of how he plays. Of Tiger, it is regularly said, that he practices more dutifully than anyone, ignoring even a dipping sun's signal to go home; no stories abound of Federer's work ethic, as if it is unseemly for him to be seen sweating.
The golfer's power is so striking that it occasionally obscures his majestic touch; the tennis player's feel is so delicious that it occasionally conceals his considerable power. Tiger is physically commanding, owns a fashion sense (red T-shirt on the final day is his signature) and looks an athlete; Federer is actually an athlete but doesn't always look like one, and his clothes appear designed by a colour-blind banker.
The tennis player battled only his genius on his way up, learning which shot to select; Tiger battled prejudice, the first African-American star in a lilywhite, spoilt, country club sport. It may account for Tiger's resolve, or as Federer said last fortnight: "He is more driven than me."
The tennis player is rich, the golfer is loaded. Federer made roughly $22 million or so last year; Tiger made roughly $90 million. America, the biggest market, is, incredibly, cold to the tennis player; in America, the golfer, is the hottest athlete in the market.
The course guru faces greater scrutiny and pressure from the US media; the court magician gets a free ride from everyone. Tiger's every move is analysed; Federer's every movement is deified. Tiger did not respond happily to questions about his slump: Federer has yet to be in a slump.
Tiger is more recognisable, probably the planet's most famous sportsman, which defies immediate logic considering golf is an elitist sport, beyond the reach of much of the planet; Federer is better loved, both by public and peers, his fame limited perhaps only because he is not born American, or English.
Tiger has opponents, Federer, clay aside, does not. Federer's opponents send him virtual valentines, like Roddick who once said: "I told him, `I'd love to hate you, but you're really nice'." No one sends Tiger a valentine except Elin.
Tiger is known to spit invective; Federer told us he threw racquets once else we would have never believed him. Tiger faces enormous distractions in his workplace; Federer does not. Tiger, as an African-American role model, an American icon, has to be more careful of what he says; Federer can call himself "magical" and everyone nods in agreement.
Golfers seem aloof, isolated, locked away in country clubs, men viewed from a distance, not given to demonstration. Tiger, wearing a mask most days, appears even more remote, a distant God, an inaccessible icon, evoking respect, but rarely affection.
You would not readily hail Tiger should you bump trolleys in a supermarket. With Federer you might discuss backhands. His smile is gentler, his manner less daunting, yet also his faithful less demanding. He is not bereft of ego, or Mother Teresa on the court, but appears to understand that for all his super gifts he is no superman.
The golfer is an idol on a pedestal; the tennis player is a more human hero.
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Videos of roger's welcome party at basel today!!!
http://www.sf.tv/sfsport/manualx.php...sfsportmanualx
enjoy!!
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http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2.../070611_tennis
What if Rafael Nadal didn't exist?
What if the player considered possibly the best ever didn't have a nemesis? A tormentor? An obstacle in his path, a thorn in his side, a pain in his ass? Would Roger Federer be considered as great if there was no Nadal? Or is he considered so great because Nadal exists?
Roger Federer
AP Photo/Michael Spingler
Federer is left to wonder, will he ever win the French?
Greatness is often defined by adversity, by what interrupts a person from achieving it. When you have an entire sport at your feet, in your hands -- at the end of your racket -- what meaning does the person who halts you from achieving unconditional greatness hold?
Think of tennis without John McEnroe interrupting Bjorn Borg, or basketball without the Pistons interrupting MJ. Think of boxing without Joe Frazier. Before Sunday's French Open men's final, Mary Carillo compared Federer-Nadal to Ali-Frazier -- one floats, the other counters. But her words reach far deeper than a simple analogy.
The French Open is the only thing in tennis Federer doesn't own. The one title that separates him from being Tiger, or Jordan, or Ali. Or Rod Laver.
That damn clay.
Federer finally beat Nadal on clay one month ago, at a tournament in Hamburg, Germany, ending Nadal's 81-match winning streak on the surface. That gave Federer, and his fans, hope. When both Federer and Nadal reached the French Open final again this year, the tennis world knew there was a decent chance that "Frazier" would lose.
But "Frazier" had other plans.
"I feel sorry for Roger," Nadal said after his 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win on Sunday. "He's a friend, a good person and a great champion."
By fighting off 16 of the 17 break points he faced, and winning five break points of his own, Nadal reminded Federer on Sunday that the entire tennis world is not his -- not yet.
Nadal reminded him by repeatedly attacking Federer's backhand with shots that -- almost every time -- had Federer making contact with the ball at eye level behind the baseline. He reminded him with a running forehand at deuce in the sixth game of the first set -- a shot that curved in the air as if it had left Josh Beckett's hand, hovering over the white chalk that divides the red clay -- a shot that Federer never recovered from (he lost five consecutive points after that). He reminded him by assassinating his confidence, by demoralizing his ambition, by crushing his thoughts of victory.
Since January, when he won his third Australian Open, this was all Federer had been thinking about. He said he was "almost" obsessed with the French Open and winning this title (the only Grand Slam title he hasn't won) this year. And after that win in Hamburg, Federer thought he had a great shot.
"Spin it anyway you want," he told the press afterward. "I'm disappointed to have lost. I could care less how I played the last 10 months or the last 10 years. At the end of the day, I wanted to win [this] match."
Nadal crushed Federer's heart. Interrupters of greatness do that. Somehow, they just know how.
Nadal has now won three consecutive French Opens. At 21 years of age, he is tennis' LeBron James -- only better. Nadal has never lost at the French. He's 21-0. And he has never even played in a fifth set. That might be the sickest stat in sports right now. He's never come close to losing in Paris. He hasn't even been pushed.
That damn clay.
That damn clay covered Nadal's back and long shorts when it was all said and done. Covered him while he hoisted the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy over his head. Covered him just like he covered it during the 3-hour, 10-minute autopsy he conducted on Federer's hopes and dreams.
Like Frazier covered the former Cassius Clay in Madison Square Garden.
Over the last four years Roger Federer has amassed a record of 277 wins and 19 losses. Read that again, please. 277-19.
But of those 19 losses, seven have come by the racket of Rafael Nadal. Two (and counting) in finals at Roland Garros.
Yes, greatness loves company. But not when it's a clay-covered pain in the ass.
