1. Coming into 2013, as Aged 31....
It was at Doha last year, where Roger federer had pulled out of a the semifinals just second time in his entire career citing back injury. It is well known fact now that Roger federer's age would be a hindrance in the masters performance in the coming year. He has been playing in 20 Tour level Tournaments every year and defending the points in each and every tournament means he has to better his performances year by year in these tournaments.
It would be very pivotal for his career that Federer has an exigency plan for his nagging back injuries. But Roger gave a glimpse that he is still a contender for Grand Slams as he won the Wimbledon last year. He had won a Grand Slam after a gap of almost 2 years as the last slam he won was the Australian Open in 2010.
It would be very pivotal for his career that Federer has an exigency plan for his nagging back injuries. But Roger gave a glimpse that he is still a contender for Grand Slams as he won the Wimbledon last year. He had won a Grand Slam after a gap of almost 2 years as the last slam he won was the Australian Open in 2010.
His paramount achievement of 2012, would be winning the Silver Stone at Olympics and attaining a place where he belongs to be is the No. 1 position on ATP Rankings including a feat that no one has ever achieved of being a Player with highest number of weeks at Numero Uno Position.
Federer would have to plan his 2013 schedule in a way that would not aggravate his back injury, considering this it would not surprise me that he would drop out from some tournaments that he played last year. Taking into account the above said, Roger would loose few points rather gain from his ATP tally,unless he would better his appearances in some Major Slams and 1000 Masters.
It would be very intriguing to watch how Federer capitalises on the opportunities next year and authorises his legacy for being the Greatest player Of All Time.2. The Rise of Novak, Rafael and Andy...
Federer would not have dreamt in his wildest of dreams of that he would continue to be playing from the era of Sampras, Agassi to Roddick, Hewitt up to Rafael, Novak and Andy Murray.
It is his agility and perseverance that has made him attain high laurels and accolades consistently for so many years.
The upsurge of Rafa, Nole and Andy has been quite monumental in posing a threat to the position which Roger held for since 2004.
The Roger Rafa rivalry had reached its pinnacle in 2008 after Rafa beat Roger in The Championships regarded as the Greatest Match Of All Time.There are no doubts about Rafael Nadal being the Most dominated player on Clay posed a hindrance for Federer in achieving his feat of French Open.It was off late in 2009 that Federer won the Roland Garros title.But Federer's this feat came along the lines of Rafael being out in Semifinals in 2009 RG. In view of this, it would be very difficult for Federer to break the Nadal jinx specially in the clay season.
The Encounter between Federer and Djokovic has been a see saw battle with both players proving their dominance over the other at many times.In 2011, Djokovic defeated Federer in 4 out of 5 meetings. Djokovic has been in great form since the start of 2011 season and has proved to be a bump for federer at Major slams. Going by the records, Djokovic defeated Federer at US open 2010 and 2011 in semis with Federer having Match points in both the matches. Also Nole being the only player to have defeated Federer in straight sets atleast 3 times in Grand slams, indicates us of the threat that Djokovic could pose for Federer in 2013.
Whenever Roger Federer has crossed swords with Murray, it has been a a great battle of grit and determination for the Brit to overpower Federer. But as the saying goes " Fortune knocks once at every man's door " , Andy had given an impression of his mental ability to at least give a commanding fight to Federer's on court persona at The Championships this year. Barely a month later, we saw the Brit lifting the Olympics Gold at the Centre Court, a dream had turned into a reality for Andy. The Olympic Gold proved to be the driving force for Andy as he won his First ever Slam at Flushing Medows later in the year. It needs no justification, that Andy could prove to be a great competitor in the coming year.3. 5 set Statstics...
Reflecting on the data by ATP, Federer is 20-16 in 5 set match records, which is just 55.56% whereas Rafael leads the statistics having won 15 out of 20 5 set matches ( 75% ), and Djokovic is distant second with 17-6 ( 73.91% ) and Murray with 13-6 ( 68.42 % ).
Endurance is the one of the vital elements that players need to concentrate. The 2012 Australian Open Final is the Longest Grand Slam Final in the Open era Records,lasting 5 hours and 53 minutes.
Federer has lost to Djokovic in 2010 and 2011 US open Finals with each a 5 set match. We are now witnessing an era with players having stamina to play matches lasting more than 5 hours.
But Federer has to his Records for having played a Longest 3 Set match at Olypmics this year against Juan Martin Delpotro which lasted almost 4 hours 26 minutes.
Federer needs to up his ante and have the physical strength and power to overcome other players.
Having a broad view of this, it could be very important for Federer to keep his performances to his very best in 2013. Roger Federer is considered to be the All Time Great and he has ample of records to his name till date but for his Legacy to be remembered on a high, I am very curious to watch Federer play his best next year.
