As his backhand hits the ball, and it flies off the left of the baseline, Ernests Gulbis celebrates with delight, claiming a major scalp at the French Open.
The victim? None other than one of the greatest of all time, Roger Federer.
This has been the scene since 2010 where, apart from his Australian Open that year and Wimbledon in 2012, Roger Federer has failed in his golden quest to silence the critics. After the loss to Gulbis he revealed his disappointment.
“I’m personally very disappointed as I felt I could have won it today, because everything has been going fine in the build-up to this,” he said.
Fatherhood has played a major part in his fall from grace on court, without a doubt. Having to juggle between family and work, with two pairs of twins, has taken a toll on his mind. Opponents that used to be beaten easily are now rubbing their hands with glee, looking at every opportunity to exact revenge.
Federer has nothing much left to achieve on court, apart from proving his critics wrong. For a player that is so used to winning the number of early exits has not gone down well, not only for him, but for those around him. Does he have another Grand Slam in him? Certainly, if he doesn’t have another off day at a Grand Slam.
Now, with Wimbledon approaching, this is Federer’s best chance to silence the critics who wrote him off after last year’s second round exit. It’s also a chance to overtake Pete Sampras to eight Wimbledon titles. Make no mistake, Wimbledon will always present Federer his chance to grab an outstanding 18th Grand Slam, but there must not be an off day in those seven matches.
He must be prepared mentally, and physically in order to lift his beloved Wimbledon. He will be needing to bring back the form of 2006-07 season in order to lift the trophy in 2014.
This may be Federer’s last genuine chance to lift Wimbledon. He will be 34 next year and the younger players will only be getting stronger against him. A bloody battle awaits, but Federer knows that he just needs seven perfect games. If he can do that, his quest for another Grand Slam is within his sights.
Beny Iniesta
Guest
Fair point. I'd argue he only needs 3, perhaps 4, perfect matches anyway.
Beny Iniesta
Guest
Most Majors (Male) - Tennis/ Golf 18 - Jack Nicklaus (GOLF) 17 - Roger Federer (TENNIS) 14 - Pete Samprs (TENNIS) 14 - Rafael Nadal (TENNIS) 14 - Tiger Woods (GOLF) 12 - Roy Emerson (TENNIS) 11 - Rod Laver (TENNIS) 11 - Bjorn Borg (TENNIS) 11 - Walter Hagen (GOLF) - when there was no US Masters mind you. So only competing in three of those that are now recognised majors. Something similar for Borg given how sparsely he came to the Southern Hemisphere! Yep - dominated by Tennis players, and yet at the Apex is the best ever golfer of all time. I'm sure he'd like to tie Nicklaus on 18. (If not beat him - though that certainly looks beyond him).
Allen
Guest
Maybe......because he said he's going to retire soon, being the next couple years
Lol Please
Guest
Yeah, you would wager no. Like most of the people that doubted he could win another Wimby. But he did, in 2012. Love prisoners of the moment - Roger has a subpar year due to injury and everyone seems to think he's going to retire soon. HA.
Shaun
Guest
All the GOAT needs is somebody to take out Djokovic or Nadal at Wimbledon and US open and that is certainly a possibility. There are a few capable of beating them and then he can beat everybody else. The reason he loses to lesser players earlier is that he probably looks to see if Nafal and Djokovic are still remaining then that's too much for him back to back.
Shaun
Guest
I think he will consider retirement after the next Wimbledon, but sitting behind the commentary desk at Tennis channel or ESPN is a disgrace for someone like him. He's way above and beyond that kind of work. He should just go live like the King he is.
Carl casian
Guest
You have to ask yourself at some point, how does he stay motivated? What's left for him at this point? I have followed fed since he was a junior. Even if your not a fan I recommend seeing him play in person. It's true what every sportswriter says....he floats. I always find myself watching his footwork more than anything else. Let's just enjoy what we have left for this guy. I have.a feeling he's got one more year in him before he calls it quits. Four kids now changes a lot of things. Tennis will never be the same when he leaves....and then nadal. Jeez.....we have to look forward to berdych playing Raonic.....great
sam
Guest
He won't have to face all 4,just two of them and don't forget,fed is playing on his favorite surface,going for beating sampras.It's a sentimental reason and legacy for him to shoot for the gold in england this year, proabbly will be his last and never forget the great ones go out and do bring back their past greatness for one shot.It happened when sampras exacted revenge on Safin and beat him like a baby.I have a feeling if the conditions are good and rafa isn't hurt, he may blow away novak tomorrow in 3 or 4 sets.
Abhishek
Guest
Fedex has always silenced his critics. if I can remember, he defeated Djoker some time back. so, do your research. he still has the best techniques on the field.
ishaan
Guest
I was a big fan of roger but this time I do not have any hope that he will win this wimbeldon he is old for the game and will reach the quaters or semis if he faces murray or ferrer in the quaters he may win or he may get knocked out in the early rounds like in 2013 he has a chance if nadal loses in the early rounds and djokovic is in bad form thats the only chance he has I hope he wins as he will get full support and he is always the favourite at wimbeldon
Allen
Guest
How much has his movement honestly changed in the past 5 years? he's maybe half a step slower at most, but he has always had great conditioning, rarely do you see him cramp up or ever look very fatigued. I wouldn't solely point to fatherhood, but it's another distraction on top of everything else, no one is invincible from variables from the outside. 32 is not an old age anymore in sports, there are plenty of elite athletes that continue to perform at the highest level till they are 36, in all ranges of sports, because of the way they take care of their bodies and medical technology, so no, being 32 is hardly the underlying factor
ohtani's jacket
Guest
He still beat him, din't he?
Priscilla
Guest
That is so true. When he plays against Nadal, his confidence just goes out the window. He doesn't even try to put up a fight. I believe he can beat anybody (except Nadal in his current state of mind.) And in my mind Djokovic is currently the best player in the world, and Federer seems to handle him just fine, but when it comes to Nadal. eish, I don't know
Priscilla
Guest
totally agree with you
Priscilla
Guest
Hallelujah. finally somebody is talking some sense. Federer is well capable of winning another slam. I hope it is upcoming Wimbledon. But I do think that he lacks a bit of confidence.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Nice of you to pick an event where Murray was just returning from back surgery...
Jennifer
Guest
I don't think fatherhood is to blame for his losses. I think its the fact that he's 32.
Amir
Guest
Rodger is unique. Greatest living legend of Tennis. Great sportsman, great champion, great family man who loves the game, so he plays on. He does not need to for any other reason than his love for the game. But he is human and will weaken with time. Inevitable. But to be in the top 5 for almost 15 years, thats special. I love watching him play. May God grant him more success in the future.
Ams
Guest
Or......maybe he can exit the game gracefully and focus on his family. He's achieved greatness - no shame in stepping out now. He'll be sitting at the Tennis Channel desk broadcasting with Mary Carillo and Bill Macatee before you know it.
Ginny
Guest
Roger would have won the French Open if his momentum hadn't been stopped for 7-1/2 minutes while his opponent took a weird leave that was supposed to be medical but had no medicinal cause or effect. It was a political move on his opponent's side to rain on Fed's parade, and it worked! I personally think Fed is consistently getting better this year and that is the momentum I'm following, all the way to Wimbleton!