Federer slammed by Swiss

by CAS Thu 01 Nov 2012, 1:43 pm

First topic message reminder :

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

Surprising comments

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:14 pm

BB...are you mocking the myth or the claim Wink

Yeah I know, the pedants are revolting...

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:15 pm

If anything Ferrer is much more humble...

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:15 pm

No Im not a she tiger protecting anything BB.. but I do get mildly miffed when as soon as any criticism is made of the Lord Almighty we have to compare him to Nadal. Im not the one who believes that Nadal walks on water.. but dare anyone make the mildest of unkind remarks about the Great one its like "The Kings New Clothes".. when will Federer fans admit that he has his failings along with every other player on tour. Does it occur to you that Rafa does appear to be humble and its Federer´s arrogance that makes him look probably better than he is

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:17 pm

lydian wrote:If anything Ferrer is much more humble...

Yes you are exactly right .. on that I would agree

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:18 pm

To be fair Federer doesnt take himself too seriously, how can any guy when he's appeared in an ad sporting a Saturday Night Fever white suit and platform shoes. I have to say Federer is the GOAT of cringeworthy ads and videos. He's not a bad tennis player though Wink

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:19 pm

I'm the one who pulled socal up for suggesting anyone thinks Federer is humble!

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:20 pm

lydian wrote:To be fair Federer doesnt take himself too seriously, how can any guy when he's appeared in an ad sporting a Saturday Night Fever white suit and platform shoes. I have to say Federer is the GOAT of cringeworthy ads and videos. He's not a bad tennis player though

An ad is one thing but he damn near wore that to Centre Court!

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:23 pm

Oh yes who can forget the white suit and gold handbag from a few years back...dear lord

Federer slammed by Swiss - Page 2 Roger-federer_1680675i

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:23 pm

I would agree with Lydian in that over the last couple of years in fact since Rafa´s Autobiography when he literally let the cat out of the bag with regard to his relationship with Uncle T, Rafa has become much more assertive and not before time. He has changed and I wouldn´t argue with that. However I still believe him to be a respectful young man because of his upbringing. But I dont think he will now do anything he feels he is not ready to do hence his delay in returning to the court.. He will only when HE IS READY

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:27 pm

Yes the balance of power has swung away from Toni these past couple of years.

Oh, I found this one of Fed too...I'd forgotten about THE MONOGRAMMED CARDIE complete with a white over the shoulder bag this time.

Federer slammed by Swiss - Page 2 Roger%20Federer

Federer slammed by Swiss - Page 2 Roger%20Federer

Anyone got any more cringeworthy photos of players?

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:30 pm

THE MULLET

Federer slammed by Swiss - Page 2 Andre-agassi-tennis-stars

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:35 pm

Cant find a picture but what about Rafa´s infamous brown checked shorts.

steam

by socal1976 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:35 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?

I think early in fed's reign people were sold by Nike and the media that fed was not only the greatest player but the greatest model sportsman as well. When things were going well he was exceedingly gracious and won all those Edberg awards. Then after 2008 and when he started to actually lose he wasn't that gracious anymore. I think it is fair to say that the other 3 top 4 guys are way more gracious in post match interviews towards their opponents. Fed has warts like we all do, but it doesn't match the image of what was sold to us when he was winning everything.

by User 774433 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:36 pm

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:40 pm

It Must Be Love wrote:

Oh yes thats them in all their glory... I asked him for a pair so I could make them into a table cloth.

Are they not the pits ???? What were Nike thinking of picard

by **JuliusHMarx** Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:52 pm

socal1976 wrote:Then after 2008 and when he started to actually lose he wasn't that gracious anymore. I think it is fair to say that the other 3 top 4 guys are way more gracious in post match interviews towards their opponents. Fed has warts like we all do, but it doesn't match the image of what was sold to us when he was winning everything.

Although he did win the Edberg award again in 2009 and 2011. Perhaps the other players like him after all.

by User 774433 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 7:55 pm

JuliusHMarx wrote:
socal1976 wrote:Then after 2008 and when he started to actually lose he wasn't that gracious anymore. I think it is fair to say that the other 3 top 4 guys are way more gracious in post match interviews towards their opponents. Fed has warts like we all do, but it doesn't match the image of what was sold to us when he was winning everything.

Although he did win the Edberg award again in 2009 and 2011. Perhaps the other players like him after all.

Yes, but perhaps it's because of who he is and his achievements rather than his behaviour? Or maybe not.

Anyway when he wins it this year I am planning to write a thread on it

btw Julius I know you are a big Federer fan, don't be angry at me Sad

by **JuliusHMarx** Thu 01 Nov 2012, 8:02 pm

I'm not that big a Fed fan. I've said before, he's not in my top three favourite players (Connors, Agassi, Henman), and that I prefer Rafa to win the FO because I'm always in Majorca for the 2nd week of the FO, and that I'd prefer Murray to win Wimby.

But the Edberg award is for sportsmanship - look at the previous winners. That's what the players vote for.

by User 774433 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 8:07 pm

JuliusHMarx wrote:I'm not that big a Fed fan.

Oh apologies, I'm pretty sure someone last year told me differently though??
I think it was Simple_Analyst.
Anywa, must have been a misunderstanding.

JuliusHMarx wrote:
But the Edberg award is for sportsmanship - look at the previous winners. That's what the players vote for.

Yes it is, but once again they might vote for him because of who he is rather than what he actually does. Anyway when he wins it this year I'll write a thread on it, we can debate it then.

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 8:17 pm

lydian wrote:Yes the balance of power has swung away from Toni these past couple of years.

Oh, I found this one of Fed too...I'd forgotten about THE MONOGRAMMED CARDIE complete with a white over the shoulder bag this time.

Anyone got any more cringeworthy photos of players?

Hey! Hands off the cardie!! - I thought that was class.

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 8:35 pm

Well admittedly the Cardie is better than the Gandalf suit.

IMBL/HN, those shorts are true shockers. They are dreadful.

There are some eye openers on here... http://www.intertopspintour.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=145191&sid=669768c8d12a9067fe4b332e1e58cc16
How did Federer agree to that get-up halfway down the page? Shocked

by HM Murdock Thu 01 Nov 2012, 8:36 pm

Federer slammed by Swiss - Page 2 Djokovic-undies-nude-3

I'd be grateful if a cardie could be added to this one...

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 8:37 pm

Lol HM, that's just too camp for words! Haha

by The Special Juan Thu 01 Nov 2012, 8:42 pm

HM Murdoch wrote:
I'd be grateful if a cardie could be added to this one...

Never seen that before. Hilarious!!

Who would be the most awkward tennis player to be sharing a pose with those 2? Del Potro? Isner?

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 8:46 pm

No it would have to be Karlovic.... oh my wicked imagination Yahoo

by HM Murdock Thu 01 Nov 2012, 8:47 pm

The Special Juan wrote:
HM Murdoch wrote:
I'd be grateful if a cardie could be added to this one...

Never seen that before. Hilarious!!

Who would be the most awkward tennis player to be sharing a pose with those 2? Del Potro? Isner?

I reckon Murray. He would rather work down the mines for a month than be a part of that photo!

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 8:48 pm

bogbrush wrote:
lydian wrote:Yes the balance of power has swung away from Toni these past couple of years.

Oh, I found this one of Fed too...I'd forgotten about THE MONOGRAMMED CARDIE complete with a white over the shoulder bag this time.

Anyone got any more cringeworthy photos of players?
Hey! Hands off the cardie!! - I thought that was class.

I still have the pattern BB would you like me to knit you one Wink

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 8:51 pm

Haha...knit one, pearl one...

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 8:56 pm

...which reminds me of this clip my kids used to almost literally laugh their heads off too...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21jMR55stHo#t=2m18s

The one before at 1m00s had them in stitches too.

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:02 pm

lydian wrote:Well admittedly the Cardie is better than the Gandalf suit.

IMBL/HN, those shorts are true shockers. They are dreadful.

There are some eye openers on here... http://www.intertopspintour.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=145191&sid=669768c8d12a9067fe4b332e1e58cc16
How did Federer agree to that get-up halfway down the page?

I can handle the waistcoat, it looks a bit William Renshaw, but at least it's fun.

Surely nothing tops Agassi?

by LuvSports! Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:06 pm

It Must Be Love wrote:
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'

sampras has said it many times about fed.

by The Special Juan Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:07 pm

lydian wrote:...which reminds me of this clip my kids used to almost literally laugh their heads off too...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21jMR55stHo#t=2m18s

The one before at 1m00s had them in stitches too.

What's he getting showered in just before 1m00s????

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:09 pm

Haddie-nuff wrote:
bogbrush wrote:
lydian wrote:Yes the balance of power has swung away from Toni these past couple of years.

Oh, I found this one of Fed too...I'd forgotten about THE MONOGRAMMED CARDIE complete with a white over the shoulder bag this time.

Anyone got any more cringeworthy photos of players?
Hey! Hands off the cardie!! - I thought that was class.

I still have the pattern BB would you like me to knit you one

As the nights draw in and a chill takes to the air, my cardies come out.

Everyone at work says they look great........ Wink

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:12 pm

Yes they tend to suit old codgers .. go well with the pipe and slippers Whistle

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:12 pm

Check this vid for Agassi's crimes against Lycra!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PF1kfJSia4

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:15 pm

Oh isnt he just the greatest.. I love that man.. Pink suits him so well Wink

I had he priviledge of standing outside his Academy in Las Vegas last Christmas I just regret that I didnt have the courage to walk in ..still I have a photo.

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:18 pm

The Special Juan wrote:
lydian wrote:...which reminds me of this clip my kids used to almost literally laugh their heads off too...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21jMR55stHo#t=2m18s

The one before at 1m00s had them in stitches too.

What's he getting showered in just before 1m00s????

Bird $h1t. Lots of it.

by bogbrush Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:19 pm

Haddie-nuff wrote:Yes they tend to suit old codgers .. go well with the pipe and slippers

Fashion comes and goes but true style is timeless.

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:31 pm

Agassi is a tennis legend already...Borg got me into tennis as a kid but it was Agassi I wanted to play like, flashing shots all over the court, even had a Donnay then Head Radical racquet. Perhaps had he been more focused on his tennis than image early on he might have been on 12+ slams, etc.

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:35 pm

Bjorn was my favourite but close behind was Andre.. what a character and having read his Autobiography made me love him more. Just had to visit his Academy because of his reasons for building it. He should be so proud of what he has achieved for those kids.

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:39 pm

He's achieved so much for a guy who seemingly hates tennis.
Can you just imagine how good his and Steffi's kids would be at the game?

Hasn't American tennis dipped now that Pete, Andre and now Andy (to a lesser degree) have retired. They've had great iconic players like since forever...and now nothing.

by socal1976 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:42 pm

HM Murdoch wrote:
I'd be grateful if a cardie could be added to this one...

I prefer fed's stylish cream suit, I don't know why people criticize him for looking important, he is important.

by socal1976 Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:45 pm

lydian wrote:He's achieved so much for a guy who seemingly hates tennis.
Can you just imagine how good his and Steffi's kids would be at the game?

Hasn't American tennis dipped now that Pete, Andre and now Andy (to a lesser degree) have retired. They've had great iconic players like since forever...and now nothing.

All the iconic countries are down in terms of production. Russia, Sweden,Australia, the USA the traditional davis cup and tennis powers are all in trouble. Yet, France and Spain keep producing a wealth of tennis. Argentina has emerged as a consisitent power and the game is benefitting more from globalization as great stars are being produced in countries that had no tennis tradition as of 20 years ago.

by Haddie-nuff Thu 01 Nov 2012, 9:52 pm

lydian wrote:He's achieved so much for a guy who seemingly hates tennis.
Can you just imagine how good his and Steffi's kids would be at the game?

Hasn't American tennis dipped now that Pete, Andre and now Andy (to a lesser degree) have retired. They've had great iconic players like since forever...and now nothing.

He did hate tennis his father made him miss his schooling so he was virtually uneducated... he was made to serve 2,500 balls a day when he was a small boy ... and he had to clear them up after himself. He played the game because he knew nothing else and had no way of earning a living .. I think he was barely literate to be honest I dont know how he would have got on without his brother.. He never really enjoyed the game until he was in his late 20´s. I dont think he and Steffi hardly ever pick up a racket these days.. seems incredible really. But its true what you say US tennis was a force to be reckoned with once . and virtually nothing now.

by CaledonianCraig Thu 01 Nov 2012, 10:06 pm

On the original topic I think Roger should retire from Davis Cup tennis. Switzerland can hold nothing against him after all the success he has brought them. If they are moaning about the fees they have paid him to play then the choice seems simple - don't pay it and plan for life after Roger which they will have to do eventually anyway. And in my opinion it will increase the chance of Roger extending his career with fewer matches to play in which can only help.

by lydian Thu 01 Nov 2012, 10:10 pm

Interesting Haddie, didn't know that (haven't read his book). He comes across as a very bright guy but then aren't all the very top players, so can only imagine his bright mind must have craved knowledge. Still, he had the raw talent and made it count competitively and gets to spend the rest of his life in the kind of luxury not many of us will ever know. Yes, I bet they don't have much desire to play now...when it's been your job for so long it must be different when you don't have to clock on any more.

by **laverfan** Fri 02 Nov 2012, 3:29 am

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

There are very few occasions where SUI had a chance. Do you remember this? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A72349662

The DNPs are Feb 2006 (v AUS 2-3 1st RD), Feb 2007 (v ESP 2-3 1st RD, Chiudinelli won his 2 singles Wink

), Feb 2008 (v POL 4-1 G1), Apr 2008 (v BLR 4-1 G1), Mar 2009 (v USA 1-4 1st RD - this may be a missed opportunity), Mar 2010 (v ESP 1-4 1st RD).

2006-2007 may have been perhaps chances, but remember, he had to persuade Wawrinka to practice (which improved Stan's rankings as well to #9 on 9 Jun 2008). Stan was ranked in Top 100 in 2006-07.

by Henman Bill Fri 02 Nov 2012, 1:09 pm

On balance I would like to see top players play Davis Cup a little more, and take it a little more seriously.

Appearance money seems to be part of the game, so I think if we criticise Federer here we need to put that in context of what apperance money players get at other events.

Personally, if I were Federer, I would support my home tournament by making more modest demands.

It would be really interested if someone could produce an article on appearance money by player by event, but I don't think the info is available beyond a few bits and pieces.

by lydian Fri 02 Nov 2012, 3:33 pm

Its not like Roger is short of a bob or two is it...is he scared he might be down to his last $50million by 2030?

by **JuliusHMarx** Mon 05 Nov 2012, 3:30 pm

It Must Be Love wrote:
JuliusHMarx wrote:I'm not that big a Fed fan.

Oh apologies, I'm pretty sure someone last year told me differently though??
I think it was Simple_Analyst.
Anywa, must have been a misunderstanding.

JuliusHMarx wrote:
But the Edberg award is for sportsmanship - look at the previous winners. That's what the players vote for.
Yes it is, but once again they might vote for him because of who he is rather than what he actually does. Anyway when he wins it this year I'll write a thread on it, we can debate it then.

Well, he's won the Edberg award again - over to you IMBL

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