Federer slammed by Swiss

by CAS Thu 01 Nov 2012, 1:43 pm

http://www.iol.co.za/sport/tennis/federer-slammed-by-swiss-1.1415695#.UJJ7omjab-Y

Surprising comments

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 2:10 pm

Interesting article and internal dynamics going on within the Swiss team/situation. You can see both sides of the argument...it must be a blessing and a curse to have a large tennis tournament in your home town. You're kind of expected to play. The DC situation is not new, Stan has felt put out by Fed's DC position a few times.

by CAS Thu 01 Nov 2012, 2:16 pm

Federer seems to make out him and Stan are very close, but I always get the feeling its a prickly relationship at times

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 2:20 pm

Probably not helped by Fed's Olympic 2008 comments of how he "carried Stan" to the final!

by CAS Thu 01 Nov 2012, 2:28 pm

do you have a link for that Lydian? I've heard about it, just can't imagine it

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 2:38 pm

It'll be out there somewhere via Google. It was a fairly innocuously intended comment at the time but Federer can be prone to the odd dash of narcissism at times!

by barrystar Thu 01 Nov 2012, 2:38 pm

It's not really any surprise - competing interests lead to disappointments. Federer is just as human as the rest of us.

I have just looked at the 2013 Calendar, and it's the same nightmare scenario of Basel/Paris/WTF three weeks in a row.

There's no way Fed can sensibly do that (assuming he's up to the WTF), so he's got to give up Paris to play Basel meaning that he's got little or no room for manoeuvre with TMS tournaments elsewhere in the season.

He's not been out of the top 5 for 500 weeks, and one of the reasons for that is how carefully he manages his schedule, looking to his interests first, including not playing DC when it doesn't suit.

I think were I a Swiss tennis supporter the pluses outweigh the minuses.

by barrystar Thu 01 Nov 2012, 2:41 pm

lydian wrote:It'll be out there somewhere via Google. It was a fairly innocuously intended comment at the time but Federer can be prone to the odd dash of narcissism at times!

It's here http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=51909

Q. The two matches you've had this week have been some of your more comfortable wins over the summer. Winning the gold medal in Beijing in the doubles, even though it's a different discipline, is that confidence you've been able to take into your singles game moving forward?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, maybe wasn't confidence. It was fun. It was good for -- it inspired me. It was an unbelievable couple of weeks for me, and I left it with good spirits instead of leaving, you know, on a quarterfinals that I lost.
So from that perspective it helped. I really thought I played, you know, great in doubles throughout the tournament. I really carried Stan through a few matches, you know, and then after that he really started to play well.
I was just happy that I was finally playing good doubles again, because I never really did that well anymore in doubles, which was really disappointing for me.

by Josiah Maiestas Thu 01 Nov 2012, 2:56 pm

Federer hardly plays Davis Cup? Statistics say otherwise....

I've come to agree with him being a bit nervous playing in Switzerland though, Federer is very much a gipsy traveler Laugh

by CAS Thu 01 Nov 2012, 3:11 pm

Thanks Barrystar, its not too bad he's just too honest for his own good sometimes. I've seen Stan play doubles and he is a very patchy doubles player, can be great for a few games then shocking for another few

by **laverfan** Thu 01 Nov 2012, 3:55 pm

Federer has stepped in during relegation playoffs many a time. He played in Australia right after USO. Played Italy right after USO. He played against Netherlands this year.

If SUI does not have a good overall team for DC, why is Federer being blamed?

I will get a lot of flak for this statement, but Nadal also skips DC and Ferrer/Verdasco/Lopez/Granollers carry Spain through.

Stan tried that against USA in Austin and it did not work.

If he is asking for more money, it can be negotiated between the two parties. He is not getting any younger. The Basel, Paris, WTF scheduling is really sad.

Federer -

First year played 1999
Ties played 22
Singles (W/L) 32/7
Doubles (W/L) 11/8
Total (W/L) 43/15

Wawrinka -

First year played 2004
Ties played 17
Singles (W/L) 15/11
Doubles (W/L) 2/9
Total (W/L) 17/20

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 5:11 pm

Those stats dont tell the whole story though Laverfan. Federer was AWOL during years when they sometimes had their best chance of winning - IIRC.

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 5:20 pm

I suspect Federer has a guarded attitude to the Davis Cup.

I don't; I've always thought it an irrelevance.

I can't see the problem, everyone thinks they are owed things. Federer could triple his money in Asia. Basel may as well start preparing for life after Fed anyway.

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 5:35 pm

Federer is pretty patriotic as evidenced by this 2009 post-DC toe-curler...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6mrZjPTLCM

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:00 pm

Lol!

I made it halfway through. I think I did quite well......

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:07 pm

Well he keeps repeating how he wants to play in Rio .. is the gold for himself or is it for Switzerland ??? wont he have to play for the DC if he wishes to grabs the gold for himself ????

by Josiah Maiestas Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:13 pm

What's Murray # of Davis Cup appearances/withdraws? And Djokovic? Anyone know?

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:15 pm

They both had to play before they could enter the Olympics JM.
So the question remains did they do it for their country or themselves ???

by User 774433 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:19 pm

He's doing it for the Swiss army HN drumroll

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:25 pm

mmmm he IS the Swiss army Whistle

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:42 pm

They do it for themselves. All of them.

And quite right too, anyone thinking otherwise is being naive.

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:45 pm

Tennis is a very singular pursuit.

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:46 pm

Then let him play the DC like a good boy should BB. if he wants to represent his country... but then maybe they will change the rules before Rio just to suit the GOAT

by socal1976 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:49 pm

CAS wrote:Thanks Barrystar, its not too bad he's just too honest for his own good sometimes. I've seen Stan play doubles and he is a very patchy doubles player, can be great for a few games then shocking for another few

Wrong on this point I am afraid CAS. Fed can be honest and brutal with his criticisms in post match interviews, he can also be delusional. After losing to Melzer I believe in straights in 2011 he claimed when asked about the reasons he lost, one of the reasons he gave:"my opponent shanked a lot of balls that went in". What? I watched that match Melzer played out of his mind and out hit and out fought fed on clay albeit. Frankly one of the most shockingly unsportsman like comments I have ever heard in tennis. Does that make him a bad guy, no not really but this type of stuff certainly takes some of the fire out of the federer humble sportsman line that has been sold to us.

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:51 pm

Haddie-nuff wrote:Then let him play the DC like a good boy should BB. if he wants to represent his country... but then maybe they will change the rules before Rio just to suit the GOAT

Course they will, in their own interest. If it wasn't, they wouldn't.

There are no ethical standards at play here, just good decisions that benefit people.

by User 774433 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:52 pm

Wawrinka carried Federer in the Olympics 2008 drumroll

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:53 pm

Federer a humble sportsman???!!! God knows where you have been Socal..quite the contrary for me is one of the reasons I dislike him as a person (his tennis goes without saying) he is the most arrogant player on tour. He would not know how to spell humility

by User 774433 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:54 pm

Haddie-nuff wrote:He would not know how to spell humility

Maybe he would pay closer attention to Socal's posts though Whistle

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:54 pm

bogbrush wrote:
Haddie-nuff wrote:Then let him play the DC like a good boy should BB. if he wants to represent his country... but then maybe they will change the rules before Rio just to suit the GOAT
Course they will, in their own interest. If it wasn't, they wouldn't.

There are no ethical standards at play here, just good decisions that benefit people.

Yes well thats how YOU interpret it BB... but then we are talking Federer here arn´t we ???

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:55 pm

socal1976 wrote:
CAS wrote:Thanks Barrystar, its not too bad he's just too honest for his own good sometimes. I've seen Stan play doubles and he is a very patchy doubles player, can be great for a few games then shocking for another few

Wrong on this point I am afraid CAS. Fed can be honest and brutal with his criticisms in post match interviews, he can also be delusional. After losing to Melzer I believe in straights in 2011 he claimed when asked about the reasons he lost, one of the reasons he gave:"my opponent shanked a lot of balls that went in". What? I watched that match Melzer played out of his mind and out hit and out fought fed on clay albeit. Frankly one of the most shockingly unsportsman like comments I have ever heard in tennis. Does that make him a bad guy, no not really but this type of stuff certainly takes some of the fire out of the federer humble sportsman line that has been sold to us.

I have never heard Federer described as humble, not even by his biggest fans. Everyone knows he says what he thinks. He's very often right too, but not always.

It's actually more Rafa and Novak that this particular bit of nonsense gets thrown around about.

by User 774433 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:56 pm

Anyway joking aside, Haddie I think you are being too harsh on Federer.

After matches emotions run high, and I am sure everyone has said things they regret. Federer is no different.

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:56 pm

Haddie-nuff wrote:
bogbrush wrote:
Haddie-nuff wrote:Then let him play the DC like a good boy should BB. if he wants to represent his country... but then maybe they will change the rules before Rio just to suit the GOAT
Course they will, in their own interest. If it wasn't, they wouldn't.

There are no ethical standards at play here, just good decisions that benefit people.

Yes well thats how YOU interpret it BB... but then we are talking Federer here arn´t we ???

Can you give me another reason why people do things, other than its in their own interest?

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:57 pm

Becker was always the best after being interviewed following a loss..."Look, no-one died out there".

Hard to come back on that one.

by User 774433 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:58 pm

bogbrush wrote:
I have never heard Federer described as humble, not even by his biggest fans.

No, that's not true.
I once saw someone on you-tube say he was the most humble person alive. I can' remember the username I think it was something like 'Rogerisgod'

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 6:59 pm

Hmmm, not sure about that one BB.
I'm always doing things for my kids that are most not in my interest! Like driving my son 30 miles to a soccer league match he's playing in at 8,30 on a Saturday morning!

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:00 pm

bogbrush wrote:
socal1976 wrote:
CAS wrote:Thanks Barrystar, its not too bad he's just too honest for his own good sometimes. I've seen Stan play doubles and he is a very patchy doubles player, can be great for a few games then shocking for another few

Wrong on this point I am afraid CAS. Fed can be honest and brutal with his criticisms in post match interviews, he can also be delusional. After losing to Melzer I believe in straights in 2011 he claimed when asked about the reasons he lost, one of the reasons he gave:"my opponent shanked a lot of balls that went in". What? I watched that match Melzer played out of his mind and out hit and out fought fed on clay albeit. Frankly one of the most shockingly unsportsman like comments I have ever heard in tennis. Does that make him a bad guy, no not really but this type of stuff certainly takes some of the fire out of the federer humble sportsman line that has been sold to us.
I have never heard Federer described as humble, not even by his biggest fans. Everyone knows he says what he thinks. He's very often right too, but not always.

It's actually more Rafa and Novak that this particular bit of nonsense gets thrown around about.

Well now then why didn´t I not expect Nadal´s name to creep into the debate... getting desperate me thinks BB.really I thought you might come up with something a bit more original..tsk tsk

by User 774433 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:00 pm

lydian wrote:Hmmm, not sure about that one BB.
I'm always doing things for my kids that are most not in my interest! Like driving my son 30 miles to a soccer league match he's playing in at 8,30 on a Saturday morning!

I think he was talking about tennis players participating in tournaments Federer slammed by Swiss 1347041234

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:01 pm

lydian wrote:Hmmm, not sure about that one BB.
I'm always doing things for my kids that are most not in my interest! Like driving my son 30 miles to a soccer league match he's playing in at 8,30 on a Saturday morning!

It makes you feel good doesn't it? A good Dad. If you told him to make his own way you'd feel like a $h1t wouldn't you?

So you do it to feel better.

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:01 pm

It Must Be Love wrote:Anyway joking aside, Haddie I think you are being too harsh on Federer.

After matches emotions run high, and I am sure everyone has said things they regret. Federer is no different.

Yeah yeah yeah !!!!!

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:02 pm

Nadal = humble
Federer = nimble
Murray = grumble
Del Potro = mumble

Tomic = crumble

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:03 pm

Haddie-nuff wrote:
bogbrush wrote:
socal1976 wrote:
CAS wrote:Thanks Barrystar, its not too bad he's just too honest for his own good sometimes. I've seen Stan play doubles and he is a very patchy doubles player, can be great for a few games then shocking for another few

Wrong on this point I am afraid CAS. Fed can be honest and brutal with his criticisms in post match interviews, he can also be delusional. After losing to Melzer I believe in straights in 2011 he claimed when asked about the reasons he lost, one of the reasons he gave:"my opponent shanked a lot of balls that went in". What? I watched that match Melzer played out of his mind and out hit and out fought fed on clay albeit. Frankly one of the most shockingly unsportsman like comments I have ever heard in tennis. Does that make him a bad guy, no not really but this type of stuff certainly takes some of the fire out of the federer humble sportsman line that has been sold to us.
I have never heard Federer described as humble, not even by his biggest fans. Everyone knows he says what he thinks. He's very often right too, but not always.

It's actually more Rafa and Novak that this particular bit of nonsense gets thrown around about.

Well now then why didn´t I not expect Nadal´s name to creep into the debate... getting desperate me thinks BB.really I thought you might come up with something a bit more original..tsk tsk

You don't think "Nadal" and "humble" go together like apple pie and custard?

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:03 pm

lydian wrote:Nadal = humble
Federer = nimble
Murray = grumble
Del Potro = mumble

Tomic = crumble

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:04 pm

Aye aye BB...the things we do for them though.

But I hear your argument...every action is for a self-reason...the selfish gene.

by User 774433 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:05 pm

Haddie-nuff wrote:
It Must Be Love wrote:Anyway joking aside, Haddie I think you are being too harsh on Federer.

After matches emotions run high, and I am sure everyone has said things they regret. Federer is no different.

Yeah yeah yeah !!!!!

lol HN, you can't 'yeah yeah yeah' me Whistle

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:06 pm

bogbrush wrote:
Haddie-nuff wrote:
bogbrush wrote:
socal1976 wrote:
CAS wrote:Thanks Barrystar, its not too bad he's just too honest for his own good sometimes. I've seen Stan play doubles and he is a very patchy doubles player, can be great for a few games then shocking for another few

Wrong on this point I am afraid CAS. Fed can be honest and brutal with his criticisms in post match interviews, he can also be delusional. After losing to Melzer I believe in straights in 2011 he claimed when asked about the reasons he lost, one of the reasons he gave:"my opponent shanked a lot of balls that went in". What? I watched that match Melzer played out of his mind and out hit and out fought fed on clay albeit. Frankly one of the most shockingly unsportsman like comments I have ever heard in tennis. Does that make him a bad guy, no not really but this type of stuff certainly takes some of the fire out of the federer humble sportsman line that has been sold to us.
I have never heard Federer described as humble, not even by his biggest fans. Everyone knows he says what he thinks. He's very often right too, but not always.

It's actually more Rafa and Novak that this particular bit of nonsense gets thrown around about.

Well now then why didn´t I not expect Nadal´s name to creep into the debate... getting desperate me thinks BB.really I thought you might come up with something a bit more original..tsk tsk
You don't think "Nadal" and "humble" go together like apple pie and custard?

Have I missed something ???? is this thread about Nadal or Federer... as I said BB you truly are a desperate person... stop firing off your back foot your in danger of shooting yourself in it.

by User 774433 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:07 pm

bogbrush wrote:
Haddie-nuff wrote:
bogbrush wrote:
socal1976 wrote:
CAS wrote:Thanks Barrystar, its not too bad he's just too honest for his own good sometimes. I've seen Stan play doubles and he is a very patchy doubles player, can be great for a few games then shocking for another few

Wrong on this point I am afraid CAS. Fed can be honest and brutal with his criticisms in post match interviews, he can also be delusional. After losing to Melzer I believe in straights in 2011 he claimed when asked about the reasons he lost, one of the reasons he gave:"my opponent shanked a lot of balls that went in". What? I watched that match Melzer played out of his mind and out hit and out fought fed on clay albeit. Frankly one of the most shockingly unsportsman like comments I have ever heard in tennis. Does that make him a bad guy, no not really but this type of stuff certainly takes some of the fire out of the federer humble sportsman line that has been sold to us.
I have never heard Federer described as humble, not even by his biggest fans. Everyone knows he says what he thinks. He's very often right too, but not always.

It's actually more Rafa and Novak that this particular bit of nonsense gets thrown around about.

Well now then why didn´t I not expect Nadal´s name to creep into the debate... getting desperate me thinks BB.really I thought you might come up with something a bit more original..tsk tsk
You don't think "Nadal" and "humble" go together like apple pie and custard?

Anyway being serious, I think you should read biographies about Nadal, you can learn a lot about him there.

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:08 pm

I'd say Nadal is very politein public, well mannered...humble is perhaps stretching it, maybe when he first came out on tour. The past couple of years he's been downright narky at times furious

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:09 pm

That is also true Lydian-... but where Federer is concerned he has a lot of catching up to do . Whistle

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:10 pm

Haddie, you're sounding like a she-tiger protecting one of her cubs! I simply mocked the idea of the humble champion myth, something raised by another.

Nothing desperate at all.

by User 774433 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:14 pm

lydian wrote:I'd say Nadal is very politein public, well mannered...humble is perhaps stretching it, maybe when he first came out on tour. The past couple of years he's been downright narky at times.

I personally have a lot of respect for Nadal, due to many different reasons.
I think his personality was moulded by strict parenting (or should I say uncle-ing!) when he was younger, I heard once when Nadal was young he threw a strop after he lost, and didn't show class after the match; so Toni punished him and made Nadal practice extra for the night.

When Nadal was a teenager in 2004 he also found out about his foot condition, which means his career was always at risk due to injury. This put massive pressure on everything he did, every game could be his last. Look at Nadal's face vs Del Potro @Wimby 2011 R4 in the first set after he feels pain on his foot. He doesn't ask the doctor what to do, his expression on his face is like he is pleading for mercy, you can tell he is scared.

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