Federer's Schedule for 2017

[isabelle]

With his massively improved backhand there's really no reason to think Roger will feel the need to not face Novak or Rafa...the only issue will be potential and probably likely rust from 2 months off.

it's not Nole or Rafa who beat him in RG but Gulbis, Tsonga, Stan....he hasn't met the 2 others for ages, a lot of guys can beat him on clay, better backhand ot not...clay isn't his surface at all especially at the age of 35

 

[Frode789]

Could Federer skip RG? Mahut thinks that Fed is going to skip all of the clay events, including RG.
https://au.sports.yahoo.com/tennis/a/34932985/nicolas-mahut-says-roger-federer-will-not-play-french-open-tennis/#page1

 

[isabelle]

Mahut seems to know something we don't know....last year the Swiss already skipped RG so why not in 2017 ? it's obvious that clay is a demanding surface, let's see what happens

 

[DarthFed]

^ Bad comparison because last year he was clearly injured and hardly in any decent match form. I seriously doubt he skips RG.

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

Roger shouldn't invest a lot in winning RG. It's hardly his cup of tea and especially at this age. Even after having put a lot of effort into the tournament, he might not win. And that might not work well for Wimbly. He either skips preparatory tourneys on grass or plays through them in a lacklustre fashion. I don't think he should really put a lot into RG.

 

[Front242]

Mahut seems to know something we don't know....last year the Swiss already skipped RG so why not in 2017 ? it's obvious that clay is a demanding surface, let's see what happens

Seems so full of errors...so I'd take it all with a pinch of salt.

"I'm not 34 any more, things have to change in a big way. I need a rest and time to prepare. You will probably see me at the French again." LOL at I'm not 34 anymore. As if there's much difference between 34 and 35. He said I'm not 24 anymore. Here's a link with proper quotes http://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/roger-federers-remarkable-revival-could-see-him-end-2017-as-world-number-one_sto6116397/story.shtml

"Mahut, a clay-court specialist" ? WTF? So not true. Mahut is a grass court specialist. Basically that article is full of mistakes. Anyway, Roger would be mad not to play the French Open. Anything could happen there. Federer has been in more RG finals than anyone on tour not named Nadal so skipping it would not be clever. If you're not in, you can't win.

The link below is not proof read at all.

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/tennis/a/34932985/nicolas-mahut-says-roger-federer-will-not-play-french-open-tennis/#page1

 

[GameSetAndMath]

It may also depend upon how Rafa and Novak are doing, in terms of whether he plays RG or not. If one or both are killing it during clay season, he may gracefully bow out. Not because he lacks the confidence to beat them on clay, but because he realizes it would take monumental effort and focus, and is a longshot - and he wouldn't want to imperil Wimbledon.

On the other hand, if one or both are still struggling and he bows out before the tournament begins, and then they are both upset earlyish, he's going to be kicking himself as he sees a Wawrinka-Thiem final.

You are assuming that the only goal of Fed in playing RG is to win it. But, given that he is in the running for YE #1, RG gives a lot of points towards that even if he does not win it. Assuming Roger's #4 ranking holds at RG, then he can reach QF without even facing a top 12 player. Reaching QF at a Grandslam fetches you 360 points which is actually greater than what you get for outright winning an ATP 250 event.

So, my guess is that independent of what actually happens in the clay season before RG, Roger would play RG. However, he will take it easy in the early rounds (i.e., will not go all out to win his matches). However, if and when he reaches QF, he will start putting effort to actually win the matches, especially if one or both of Rafa/Novak have already been shown the door.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I am expecting Fed to play Davis cup after the USO (especially, if the venue is close to home). No, Federer does not care about winning DC title once again. But, I am sure he is interested in playing in 2020 Olympics. They have tightened the rules of participation. I guess he needs to play (or make himself available) for at least four ties in the four years since the previous Olympics. So, roughly speaking he should play at least one tie every year, I suppose.

p.s. Needless to say that being after USO, it won't mess his chances at GSs.

 

[El Dude]

It may also depend upon how Rafa and Novak are doing, in terms of whether he plays RG or not. If one or both are killing it during clay season, he may gracefully bow out. Not because he lacks the confidence to beat them on clay, but because he realizes it would take monumental effort and focus, and is a longshot - and he wouldn't want to imperil Wimbledon.

On the other hand, if one or both are still struggling and he bows out before the tournament begins, and then they are both upset earlyish, he's going to be kicking himself as he sees a Wawrinka-Thiem final.

You are assuming that the only goal of Fed in playing RG is to win it. But, given that he is in the running for YE #1, RG gives a lot of points towards that even if he does not win it. Assuming Roger's #4 ranking holds at RG, then he can reach QF without even facing a top 12 player. Reaching QF at a Grandslam fetches you 360 points which is actually greater than what you get for outright winning an ATP 250 event.

So, my guess is that independent of what actually happens in the clay season before RG, Roger would play RG. However, he will take it easy in the early rounds (i.e., will not go all out to win his matches). However, if and when he reaches QF, he will start putting effort to actually win the matches, especially if one or both of Rafa/Novak have already been shown the door.

I'm not assuming that at all. Actually, as I said in this very thread, he might also want to get the relatively easy points of reaching the QF.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Looks like all speculation is over. I hear from multiple (but not highly reliable) sources that Federer has officially withdrawn from both Madrid and Rome Masters Tourneys . But, he plans on playing RG. He will start practicing on clay two weeks before the start of RG, but only on practice courts; no warm up tourneys.

I am sure it will get confirmed (by more reliable sources) in the next day or two.

 

[Fiero425]

Looks like all speculation is over. I hear from multiple (but not highly reliable) sources that Federer has officially withdrawn from both Madrid and Rome Masters Tourneys . But, he plans on playing RG. He will start practicing on clay two weeks before the start of RG, but only on practice courts; no warm up tourneys.

I am sure it will get confirmed (by more reliable sources) in the next day or two.

That would make sense I guess! Maybe a farewell to RG before skipping altogether for the rest of his career! :angel:

 

[GameSetAndMath]

One positive aspect to skipping warm-ups is that his current "aura" will remain intact and so more players would be willing to bow down to Maestero at RG.

 

[Shivashish Sarkar]

Good decision finally. He knew best.

 

[Frode789]

Looks like all speculation is over. I hear from multiple (but not highly reliable) sources that Federer has officially withdrawn from both Madrid and Rome Masters Tourneys . But, he plans on playing RG. He will start practicing on clay two weeks before the start of RG, but only on practice courts; no warm up tourneys.

I am sure it will get confirmed (by more reliable sources) in the next day or two.

He knows his body best, so this is okay news I guess. As long as he plays in RG I am happy.

 

[Puppet Master]

Fed's statement "My knee felt weird on clay in 2016" , clearly signed the death warrant for participation in clay masters tourneys, but such a long break in the middle of the season might cost him dearly. That, and it is truly an honour to participate in a grand slam. Besides, if he won it, it would be of much greater magnitude than another Wimbledon or US Open win.
Now I don't know how the betting market for RG stands, but the contenders for RG before watching the Euro clay season are something like this (in this order as well) :
1. Nadal
2. Wawrinka - he is due his big win after a more than decent start to the season, and I think he will be gunning for this one
3. Djokovic/Murray
4. Federer/Thiem
5. Nishikori
The rest are hopeless.
Now, if they decide to use the faster balls that they did in 2011, or perhaps even find some faster ones, Roger goes from position 4 to position 2 if he manages to shake off the rust.

 

[Kieran]

Fed's statement "My knee felt weird on clay in 2016" , clearly signed the death warrant for participation in clay masters tourneys, but such a long break in the middle of the season might cost him dearly. That, and it is truly an honour to participate in a grand slam. Besides, if he won it, it would be of much greater magnitude than another Wimbledon or US Open win.
Now I don't know how the betting market for RG stands, but the contenders for RG before watching the Euro clay season are something like this (in this order as well) :
1. Nadal
2. Wawrinka - he is due his big win after a more than decent start to the season, and I think he will be gunning for this one
3. Djokovic/Murray
4. Federer/Thiem
5. Nishikori
The rest are hopeless.
Now, if they decide to use the faster balls that they did in 2011, or perhaps even find some faster ones, Roger goes from position 4 to position 2 if he manages to shake off the rust.

What rust?

 

[Front242]

He's taking nearly 2 months off. There will be rust like a 120 year old paint can.

 

[Kieran]

He's taking nearly 2 months off. There will be rust like a 120 year old paint can.

He took seven months off and won Australia. :lolz:

Trust me, there's no rust.

 

[Fiero425]

He's taking nearly 2 months off. There will be rust like a 120 year old paint can.

He took seven months off and won Australia. :lolz:

Trust me, there's no rust.

That says a lot about the gutlessness of the tour to allow "Gramps" to come and go as he pleases and still win! Rafa and Roger have done this now; Nadal more so obviously! What's with the players to not even put up much of a fight to make a name for themselves besides being the doormats and meaningless obstacles to the ATG's of this era? uzzled :nono :angel: :dodgy: :cover - - - - http://fiero4251.blogspot.com/2016/08/fan-page-novak-nole-djokovic.html - - - -

 

[Puppet Master]

He's taking nearly 2 months off. There will be rust like a 120 year old paint can.

He took seven months off and won Australia. :lolz:

Trust me, there's no rust.

That says a lot about the gutlessness of the tour to allow "Gramps" to come and go as he pleases and still win! Rafa and Roger have done this now; Nadal more so obviously! What's with the players to not even put up much of a fight to make a name for themselves besides being the doormats and meaningless obstacles to the ATG's of this era? uzzled :nono :angel: :dodgy: :cover - - - - http://fiero4251.blogspot.com/2016/08/fan-page-novak-nole-djokovic.html - - - -

Yeah, how gutless of them to let the most talented man who stepped on a tennis court win. Insane. Clearly, Roger had no say in it whatsoever.
Meanwhile, No2e winning 18 masters titles per season and no one bats an eye. ( I know his record is 6, which is still insane) That 2015 season, I swear guys were playing like castrated dogs. Despicable.
When Stan beat him at the French they should have given him a cartwheel to carry his balls, just to highlight how bad the others were.
How you can turn on someone like that, is beyond me. Your favourite player damn it.