Roger Federer has lost his aura
Roar Guru
By Alan Nicolea, 2 Aug 2008 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Federer, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer
Roger Federer leaves the Cincinnati Masters early after losing to Ivo Karlovic in three sets, leaving Rafael Nadal with everything in his hands to clinch the world no.1 ranking.
After losing in the third round of the Cincinnati Masters, Federer’s will to win an amazing fourteen Grand Slam titles has deserted him.
For Nadal, this is an opportunity four years in the making.
Federer is just not the same now.
Everyone looks forward to playing against him. All feel enthused with their chances of disposing the twelve time Grand Slam champion.
In the end, men’s Tennis finally feels on par with the Swiss maestro.
Croatian Ivo Karlovic certainly felt confident. Despite having never beaten Federer in six outings, he felt this was his chance to dethrone the great man.
And he did, playing with no fear, and denting Federer’s aura with 22 aces.
Federer has yet to win a Grand Slam in 2008 when many predicted he would emerge with all four with ease.
Everything is now in Nadal’s corner.
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Captain Carnage said | August 2nd 2008 @ 12:49am | Report comment
Ok Alan Nicolea. For starters “everyone looks forward to playing him”…like Nadal, Karlovic, Djokovic…who else? I can’t think of many guys who’d be stoked to see Federer in their draw. Secondly, I have to call you out on your comment that many thought Federer “would win all four Grand Slams with ease”. Do you even watch tennis? No-one in their right mind would think that Federer would win the French Open with ease. And on the 2007 Wimbledon final, could you say that you thought Federer would win the 2008 final with ease? Has it occured to you that Federer’s previous 6-0 record against Karlovic wus plumped by 9 tie break sets and that eventually Karlovic might find luck on his side in a 7-6 4-6 7-6 win? He is 6’10″ after all! Yes, Federer has lost his aura, probably because he has no coach, but I find it hard to stomach that someone like yourself, with so little knowledge of the game can tell the world that Federer is done.
ohtani's jacket said | August 2nd 2008 @ 1:27am | Report comment
Federer’s rolled over so meekly.
Fastest capitulation of a champion player ever?
Captain Carnage said | August 2nd 2008 @ 2:14pm | Report comment
A bit premature to be calling it a capitulation…So he’s lost a few matches, big deal. What I will say is every dog has his day and Nadal is now the indisputable no. 1 player in the world. That said, Federer is still easily better than everyone else in the world other than Nadal and Djokovic. You lose one Wimbledon final and everyone’s on your case…
dasilva said | August 2nd 2008 @ 2:22pm | Report comment
Federer is not losing his touch it is more like Nadal and djokavic rising to Federer levels. If he was losing his touch then he wouldn’t be making at least semi finals of three grand slams.
ohtani's jacket said | August 2nd 2008 @ 2:24pm | Report comment
Federer hasn’t looked good since the Australian Open.
I’m a huge Federer fan, but he’s lost far too many first or second round matches this year to guys he’s never lost to before or would never lose to in the past.
He hasn’t just lost a few matches. He hasn’t won anything outside two minor tournaments.
The hard court season has been an unmitigated disaster for him so far.
I dunno if I’d label Nadal a dog having his day. Nadal is the best player in the world.
Captain Carnage said | August 2nd 2008 @ 2:27pm | Report comment
Hear hear dasilva…lost his invincible aura maybe, but that doesn’t mean that “everyone looks forward to playing him”. What rubbish! I bet Lleyton doesn’t look forward to playing him. Or Roddick. Nope, don’t think there’s many takers on that one…
Captain Carnage said | August 2nd 2008 @ 2:33pm | Report comment
ohtani’s jacket,
I was using an old saying, and I believe I did mention he was now “the indisputable no.1 player”. Nobody likes a nit-picker now.
Federer did still make the finals at Wimbledon and Roland Garros…wherer he lost to the best player in the world. Not bad.
The long and the short of it is that it’s been pure arrogance not having a coach for so long. Surely he must realise this now.
Rory said | August 2nd 2008 @ 5:51pm | Report comment
Federer’s reign at the top has been incredible, he dominated like nobody really has before. I think people sometimes think that was easy for him, but that must have been difficult mentally, rising to such a supreme level match after match for four, five years. His opponents have not been easy.
This almost had to happen – who could keep it up? He seems to be burnt out at the moment. The Wimbledon final was obviously the final straw but the illness at the beginning of the year probably didn’t help.
The olympics and the U.S Open are going to be interesting, Is he going to be able to pull himself up quickly enough? He’s looking to extend his record winning streak at the U.S. to five in a row.
Nadal has pegged Federer now and is playing brilliantly but at the same time Federer’s not playing his best. If he can get back to his best I’d still back him against Nadal on grass and hardcourt. Djokovic is not up to Federer’s best but the way things are now who would you make the favourite if they meet at the olympics or U.S.? I reckon Djokovic is looking forward to U.S.
I agree captain he needs a coach. Probably needs to chill out and get his mojo back, too. A bit of perspective before he’s able to reassert himself. And he needs to start playing tactically instead of relying on the pure power of his will.