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Roger Federer’s terrible run of form continued at the 2013 US Open, defeated by 19th seed Tommy Robredo in straight sets, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, 6-4.
It is the first time since 2003 that the five-time US Open winner has lost before the quarter finals at Flushing Meadows, raising the never-ending questions about his future in the game.
Federer showed only glimpses of his very best over the 2 hours and 24 minutes contest. Robredo, with his consistent serving and ability to convert four of his seven break point opportunities (compared with Federer’s two from sixteen) easily defeated the winner of 17 Grand Slam titles.
Federer, as I wrote for The Roar after his second round loss at Wimbledon, has a great family with his wife Mirka and his two children, twins Myla Rose and Charlene Riva.
They, along with his parents Robert and Lynette, have supported Federer throughout his distinguished career, during the great highs and the rare lows.
The time has come, however, for arguably the greatest player in history to consider his future in the game which he has given so much to, and has given so much to him in return.
Yet there is no youngster, or relative youngster, coming through right now who can take the game of tennis to the future as Federer did a decade ago.
I have earmarked Bernard Tomic to be that player for quite a while. Problems off the court, and inconsistent form on it, has put this on the back burner for now.
If I was the coach or trainer of Tomic, I would work very hard with him on improving his ‘heart’.
Interpret that as you may like, but his training needs to meet and exceed the demands of the very elite level of the game to ensure someone of his technical ability and tactical nous makes it as a professional tennis player.
At the moment, Tomic – and all of the other young players in the game for that matter – don’t have much ‘heart’, a problem exacerbated by the ‘soft’ nature of society.
This has to change for the integrity and best interests of the game of tennis worldwide – and fast!
Meanwhile, the end is ever closer for one of the game’s greatest, while the quest to fill his void continues.
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