Fed in South Africa for charity instead of training for Dubai.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxwmqHgYdcM&feature=player_embedded

Instead of preparing for Dubai, he has spent 4 days in South Africa visiting schools that he funds through his foundation. I think we are definitly seeing a transition to where he is no longer motivated by these smaller tournaments.. vacation after AO and only started playing two days before Rotterdam, then immedialty flew to South African and spending most of the week before Dubai doing charity work.....

The video is actually heartwarming. He def is fully engaged with the kids any you can see by his face- the joy it brings him helping them.

"I play a bit of tennis"

One other thing I might mention-- for those of us speculating about a back injury... Doesn't Federer look stiff and kind of limping or walking side to side when he first gets out of the car?
Now later, as he's playing with the kids, hopping, bending- he seems fine, but I also notice he squats alot while watching.......
As a back pain sufferer for years and years (herniated disks, surgery, sciatic nerve damage) - I can attest- squatting is actually a pretty comfortable way to be at rest with back pain. It used to drive my wife crazy as I would squat like he does instead of standing up to watch something. I think it keeps the sciatic nerve stretched and releives pressure.
The bending he does, like bouncing the ball with racquet, etc-- that seems like he's okay-- I wouldn't be able to do that with my back acting up- so it's kind of contradictory-- but lookign carefully- I see signs of someone in the midst of what is probably minor everyday back pain, but enough to be an issue.

truffin1 wrote:One other thing I might mention-- for those of us speculating about a back injury... Doesn't Federer look stiff and kind of limping or walking side to side when he first gets out of the car?
Now later, as he's playing with the kids, hopping, bending- he seems fine, but I also notice he squats alot while watching.......
As a back pain sufferer for years and years (herniated disks, surgery, sciatic nerve damage) - I can attest- squatting is actually a pretty comfortable way to be at rest with back pain. It used to drive my wife crazy as I would squat like he does instead of standing up to watch something. I think it keeps the sciatic nerve stretched and releives pressure.
The bending he does, like bouncing the ball with racquet, etc-- that seems like he's okay-- I wouldn't be able to do that with my back acting up- so it's kind of contradictory-- but lookign carefully- I see signs of someone in the midst of what is probably minor everyday back pain, but enough to be an issue.

But did you try the hula-hoop miracle treatment

truffin1 wrote:One other thing I might mention-- for those of us speculating about a back injury... Doesn't Federer look stiff and kind of limping or walking side to side when he first gets out of the car?
Now later, as he's playing with the kids, hopping, bending- he seems fine, but I also notice he squats alot while watching.......
As a back pain sufferer for years and years (herniated disks, surgery, sciatic nerve damage) - I can attest- squatting is actually a pretty comfortable way to be at rest with back pain. It used to drive my wife crazy as I would squat like he does instead of standing up to watch something. I think it keeps the sciatic nerve stretched and releives pressure.
The bending he does, like bouncing the ball with racquet, etc-- that seems like he's okay-- I wouldn't be able to do that with my back acting up- so it's kind of contradictory-- but lookign carefully- I see signs of someone in the midst of what is probably minor everyday back pain, but enough to be an issue.

Interesting. He certainly looks a bit awkward in this clip but difficult to say for sure. I'd be surprise we could see any of it after 2 or 3 days rest..and he still manages to play tennis (maybe under anti inflam) but I think we can all agree that his back (or something) is hampering him.

Did you see the stats I posted on his serve? His DF/Ace ratio is 3 times worse now than in 2008.

noleisthebest wrote:

truffin1 wrote:One other thing I might mention-- for those of us speculating about a back injury... Doesn't Federer look stiff and kind of limping or walking side to side when he first gets out of the car?
Now later, as he's playing with the kids, hopping, bending- he seems fine, but I also notice he squats alot while watching.......
As a back pain sufferer for years and years (herniated disks, surgery, sciatic nerve damage) - I can attest- squatting is actually a pretty comfortable way to be at rest with back pain. It used to drive my wife crazy as I would squat like he does instead of standing up to watch something. I think it keeps the sciatic nerve stretched and releives pressure.
The bending he does, like bouncing the ball with racquet, etc-- that seems like he's okay-- I wouldn't be able to do that with my back acting up- so it's kind of contradictory-- but lookign carefully- I see signs of someone in the midst of what is probably minor everyday back pain, but enough to be an issue.

But did you try the hula-hoop miracle treatment

nope, but I did get doctor approved steroid injections and it DID help!

Fed was, is and will always be a great ambassador for this superb sport. The shift in priorities is normal and can be a good thing for so many people, so it's not all that bad, it's only us, selfish fans, who will miss watching him play, but hey, we can still watch him this year and who knows, maybe one more?