Basel 2017

Most of those Delpo's BHs are quite weak. But they are still better than what he was hitting most of the year. And he hit a few pretty solid ones too.

At one point, Fed hit 3DFs in one game

We need Tenez’s eyes.

Ou est tu?

Finally Federer relaxes and clicks back in to his deadly self.

He played two very good back-to-back return games. If had played like that all day, the match did not have to last this long.

It’s strange to hear him talk to himself in Swiss German.
It just does not suit him at all.

Good to see Fed hammer Delpo’s BH and give him a taste of his own medicine.
I don't know why he didn’t do more of it.

I’ve never seen Fed so wild, love it!

WINNER!

Not the cleanest performance, but win is a win.

Just saw the trophy ceremony:



The idiot commentator had to mention Serena Williams etc...

So good to see a trophy in Fed’s hands.
With AO17, this is the best week of tennis I’ve seen from him.

Today doesn’t count as he was clearly extra emotional and nervous.
Beautiful presentation, as always.

Nah, he was better in Indian Wells.

luvsports! wrote:Nah, he was better in Indian Wells.

Nah, not as free and wild as in Basel.
He made the ball sing.

Trust the poet to feel it.

congrats mr roger

thanks for the tennis

Agree, IW was the best he played all year.

He has now pulled out of Paris. Good call. He would have killed himself trying to chase #1 and most likely would not have gotten it anyway. Better to rest, play London, and then try to win #20 next year.

noleisthebest wrote:

luvsports! wrote:Nah, he was better in Indian Wells.

Nah, not as free and wild as in Basel.
He made the ball sing.

Trust the poet to feel it.

He didn't drop a set! 
His demolition of Rafa was unreal.

summerblues wrote:Agree, IW was the best he played all year.

He has now pulled out of Paris. Good call.  He would  have killed himself trying to chase #1 and most likely would not have gotten it anyway.  Better to rest, play London, and then try to win #20 next year.

Agree.

I always hated when people referred to him as “the old man”, but this is the first time I felt it could pass.
It was moving to hear the longing tone of his voice when he told Delpo he wished he could olay week by week like him...

He gave us such a wonderful week of tennis, such magic, passion, carved out some unforgettable shots...the proverbial -he left his heart on the court of his hometown.

It was special.

luvsports! wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:

luvsports! wrote:Nah, he was better in Indian Wells.

Nah, not as free and wild as in Basel.
He made the ball sing.

Trust the poet to feel it.

He didn't drop a set! 
His demolition of Rafa was unreal.

Who cares about Rafa any more...that chapter was closed in that fifth set of AO.

Here in Basel he was playing against his own self. The emotion and freedom of his flight was not to die but to sigh for...

I wish Fed had played Paris. I am sure he would have if he could have. So I don't think it is a smart decision. It would have been also smarter to play Paris instead. He would have had double points for same effort and a chance at least to be number 1 one last time.

Holy shit, just saw highlights (sorry guys for missing out my legendary knowledgeable comments today on Live match, had to go to airport 

Good to see Fed pulled from Paris too, fuck No1 and burn his body for WTF, I rather he takes the WTF beating Nadal in final, than end No1.

Well done to Delpo, if he would beat Fed today, than seriously I was gonna start not loving him so much 

Tenez wrote:He would have had double points for same effort and a chance at least to be number 1 one last time.

Even if Fed played and won all of Basel, Paris and WTF (a big if), he was unlikely to catch Nadal - Nadal just needed a couple of ordinary performances in Paris and London to clinch #1.

It is far more important to get enough rest and not kill himself before 2018. The way he is currently playing he has a realistic shot at slam #20.

And if Rafa has a weaker year next year, Fed still has a chance to reach #1 during clay court season (possibly even without playing, and fairly likely if he does play). Certainly better chance then than now.

luvsports! wrote:

49–4 (92.45%) - Federer's 2017 season

I'd say that 'll be 54-4 (93.10%), which makes 2017 his second best season ever 
Damn those losses against Haas and Donkoy  (he had mp's didn't he?)

summerblues wrote:

Tenez wrote:He would have had double points for same effort and a chance at least to be number 1 one last time.

Even if Fed played and won all of Basel, Paris and WTF (a big if), he was unlikely to catch Nadal - Nadal just needed a couple of ordinary performances in Paris and London to clinch #1.

It is far more important to get enough rest and not kill himself before 2018.  The way he is currently playing he has a realistic shot at slam #20.

Agreed. I guess he'd be better off skipping even a few more tourneys (Miami, Stuttgart) next year. Everything he does next year should be for the purpose of getting topfit at Wimbledon, the best chance to get #20.

gallery play wrote:

luvsports! wrote:

49–4 (92.45%) - Federer's 2017 season

I'd say that 'll be 54-4 (93.10%), which makes 2017 his second best season ever 
Damn those losses against Haas and Donkoy  (he had mp's didn't he?)

Yup!

Tenez wrote:I wish Fed had played Paris. I am sure he would have if he could have. So I don't think it is a smart decision.  It would have been also  smarter to play Paris instead. He would have had double points for same effort and a chance at least to be number 1 one last time.

But he loves Basel and for him that's more important.

gallery play wrote:

luvsports! wrote:

49–4 (92.45%) - Federer's 2017 season

I'd say that 'll be 54-4 (93.10%), which makes 2017 his second best season ever 
Damn those losses against Haas and Donkoy  (he had mp's didn't he?)

Damn that back before Canada, he'd be #1 already by now but for that. I knew from the first game he was crocked.

Do you think he loves Basel more than being number 1...or having a chance to be? I seriously doubt it. I'm pretty sure he wanted to play Paris too... But I could see his serve was poor in his last 2 matches as his back probably started to ache. Hence pulling out of Paris was wiser.

Actually I saw the back problem in his 1/4F and F. I did not watch the semi and he looked OK there according to score.

bogbrush wrote:

Tenez wrote:I wish Fed had played Paris. I am sure he would have if he could have. So I don't think it is a smart decision.  It would have been also  smarter to play Paris instead. He would have had double points for same effort and a chance at least to be number 1 one last time.

But he loves Basel and for him that's more important.

I agree.

I don’t think Paris was ever on the cards...to play 10 matches in two weeks.

His number one ship sailed when his back flared up pre USO.

In a way I am glad he isn’t playing there...they can have their beloved Babolat and Nadal.

Tenez wrote:Do you think he loves Basel more than being number 1...or having a chance to be? I seriously doubt it. I'm pretty sure he wanted to play Paris too... But I could see his serve was poor in his last 2 matches as his back probably started to ache. Hence pulling out of Paris was wiser.

Yes, I think he loves Basel more than thrashing around to push a slim chance of #1 (Nadal would still have only had to make the late stages at Paris and get a win or two at the O2 to secure it anyway, things Federer could not control). His actions suggest this too.

bogbrush wrote:

Tenez wrote:Do you think he loves Basel more than being number 1...or having a chance to be? I seriously doubt it. I'm pretty sure he wanted to play Paris too... But I could see his serve was poor in his last 2 matches as his back probably started to ache. Hence pulling out of Paris was wiser.

Yes, I think he loves Basel more than thrashing around to push a slim chance of #1 (Nadal would still have only had to make the late stages at Paris and get a win or two at the O2 to secure it anyway, things Federer could not control). His actions suggest this too.

1500pts différence with 2500 available.  It's not that easy to earn 1000 points in 2 tournaments. Of course it would have been harder for Fed to win both but I would have fancied him to, especially if Nadal is still hurt.

Tenez wrote:

bogbrush wrote:

Tenez wrote:Do you think he loves Basel more than being number 1...or having a chance to be? I seriously doubt it. I'm pretty sure he wanted to play Paris too... But I could see his serve was poor in his last 2 matches as his back probably started to ache. Hence pulling out of Paris was wiser.

Yes, I think he loves Basel more than thrashing around to push a slim chance of #1 (Nadal would still have only had to make the late stages at Paris and get a win or two at the O2 to secure it anyway, things Federer could not control). His actions suggest this too.

1500pts différence with 2500 available.  It's not that easy to earn 1000 points in 2 tournaments. Of course it would have been harder for Fed to win both but I would have fancied him to, especially if Nadal is still hurt.

No, had he missed Basel it would have been 2000 points. Finding 500 points in those two events would be relatively easy.

If the calendar gave an extra week between Basel and Paris then sure he would play in Paris. On the other hand, no point in putting back at risk with the finals coming soon.

Even you said that Fed would fight till the end for number 1. The fact he does not is weird. I don't think it is wise to rest for a 7th WTF "only"....unless his body simply can't bear it (which might certainly be the case). Being number 1 at 36 and ending up the year as #1 is as good as another slam to me..and will not compromise in any way another slam in 2018.

I do not follow the logic of some here, nor of Fed unless he is indeed feeling knackered.

Tenez wrote:Even you said that Fed would fight till the end for number 1. The fact he does not is weird. I don't think it is wise to rest for a 7th WTF "only"....unless his body simply can't bear it (which might certainly be the case). Being number 1 at 36 and ending up the year as #1 is as good as another slam to me..and will not compromise in any way another slam in 2018.

I do not follow the logic of some here, nor of Fed unless he is indeed feeling knackered.

Yes, I wanted him to fight for it but if he's feeling it then he's fought as far as he judges he can and he should be smart, which he is.

The only bit in all this that doesn't make any sense is you saying he should have skipped Basel and played Paris in order to have a real chance at #1 and thinking that would have left Nadal needing 1000 points. It wouldn't have.

AceofDeath wrote:If the calendar gave an extra week between Basel and Paris then sure he would play in Paris. On the other hand, no point in putting back at risk with the finals coming soon.

imagine Nadal loses in his 1/4F in Paris or even scond round due to knee flared up...or even pressure of retaining number 1. Fed would be annoyed. Shouldn't he?

bogbrush wrote:

Tenez wrote:Even you said that Fed would fight till the end for number 1. The fact he does not is weird. I don't think it is wise to rest for a 7th WTF "only"....unless his body simply can't bear it (which might certainly be the case). Being number 1 at 36 and ending up the year as #1 is as good as another slam to me..and will not compromise in any way another slam in 2018.

I do not follow the logic of some here, nor of Fed unless he is indeed feeling knackered.

Yes, I wanted him to fight for it but if he's feeling it then he's fought as far as he judges he can and he should be smart, which he is.

The only bit in all this that doesn't make any sense is you saying he should have skipped Basel and played Paris in order to have a real chance at #1 and thinking that would have left Nadal needing 1000 points. It wouldn't have.

i did not say he should have skipped Basel. I was only saying that if he had known before he could not play both. I just think he could have had 2 days rest before taking his decision about Paris. The way he pulled out straight away makes me think he knew beforehand he would not play both. In that case he would have been better off playing Paris, especially not knowing then whether Naadal was going to be fit for it either.

Yes, I know you did, but what's the point given that even a win there would have left him needing to make up 1000 points at the O2 plus anything Nadal gets in Paris. He was realistically never going to get #1 unless he won all three at a minimum - this is arithmetically fairly obvious.

And the big point is he loves Basel.

Federer making the wise decision to sit out Paris. Starting now to see what longevity is going to look for the top players wishing to be able to compete at high levels later in their careers. You have to wonder how long Federer can carry on for with a schedule like this if the results similarly continue.

WTF you feel is a 2 horse race as to who will win it. Looking at Thiem, Zverev, Cillic will probably be limp. Dimi if he finds some form might be a dark horse.

2018 is intriguing as you feel Murray, Djokovic, Wawrinka, Nishikori will have to fly right out of the blocks to give themselves every opportunity for a favourable seeding at the FO.

Tenez wrote:

bogbrush wrote:

Tenez wrote:Even you said that Fed would fight till the end for number 1. The fact he does not is weird. I don't think it is wise to rest for a 7th WTF "only"....unless his body simply can't bear it (which might certainly be the case). Being number 1 at 36 and ending up the year as #1 is as good as another slam to me..and will not compromise in any way another slam in 2018.

I do not follow the logic of some here, nor of Fed unless he is indeed feeling knackered.

Yes, I wanted him to fight for it but if he's feeling it then he's fought as far as he judges he can and he should be smart, which he is.

The only bit in all this that doesn't make any sense is you saying he should have skipped Basel and played Paris in order to have a real chance at #1 and thinking that would have left Nadal needing 1000 points. It wouldn't have.

i did not say he should have skipped Basel. I was only saying that if he had known before he could not play both. I just think he could have had 2 days rest before taking his decision about Paris. The way he pulled out straight away makes me think he knew beforehand he would not play both. In that case he would have been better off playing Paris, especially not knowing then whether Naadal was going to be fit for it either.

Its just not about points, Playing Basel adn skip Paris gives Fed 2 weeks before WTF. Had he played Paris ( a dead slow Indoor court ) he would have much harder work to win it, plus only 1 week before WTF.

Fed as we all know is always serious about WTF, and so in the bigger interest, playing Basel and skipping Paris made sense.

Is Paris that slow? I remember it being amongst the fastest on the pace chart recently.

My point is that Nadal does not even have to sweat about it. Fed is surrendering and I am sure he does it solely because he is physically knackered and not because it is a smart decision.

As you say London is has a week rest beforehand but more importantly it has a day rest between matches and that would typically be enough. Just reaching 1/4 or semi may have put a bit of pressure on Nadal...and who knows maybe his knee is still injured and we know that without being 100% Nadal is beatable.

Plus Federer could have been closer had Nadal got an early exit in AO.

Paris was very quick once, when the likes of Llodra, Stepanek Soderling could do well. Since the last few years, its been made slow as a snail.

YE #1 was not Fed's priority from the time he completely skipped clay, that costed him about 2000, 2500 points assuming he would be reaching later stages of the 3 masters and RG.

He wants to keep his schedule more than chasing points and #1. He will sure be knackered he doesn't keep it. Is he knackered right now? I couldn't see anything in Basel. I would assume he is preparing to win WTF, and wants to save himself some energy.

Agree rotla, very smart from Fed.  Of course, we as fans would have liked to see him at #1, and I am sure he would have preferred it too, but as he himself said, that was kind of over after the USO.  From then on, the gap was too much.

The good thing is that even though he is almost a year older than he was in Australia, he is showing no signs of slowing down yet.  One would think it will happed soon, but as of now, there is still hope he can play well next year.  I said it before a number of times - if he managed to win a slam in 2017, that will be far better than reaching #1.