Did Roger Federer's critics speak to soon?

So Roger Federer is still pretty good then. He didn't just beat Andy Murray in last night's US Open final - he demolished him. And it wasn't Murray's fault.

The Scot conceded that he "came up against the best player to play the game today" after his 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 defeat at Flushing Meadows, and who could argue?

This win takes Federer's haul of grand-slam titles to 13, just one behind the legendary Pete Sampras. The Swiss star is only 27 so time is on his side. Indeed, Federer sent out a warning to the rest of the world afterwards, when he claimed: "I'm not going to stop at 13 am I, that would be terrible."

His emphatic performance more than the result rammed the snipers' words back down their throats. Many had written off Federer before the start of the tournament as he had endured - by his standards - a poor season. (Although, winning twice in 2008 before appearing at Flushing Meadows would not be viewed as shabby by most other players).

Rafael Nadal has wrenched the world No 1 ranking from him, having beaten Federer in the Wimbledon and French Open finals as well as claiming Olympic gold, and Federer has had more than his fair share of early-round exits during the ATP tour.

But as the US Open progressed into the second week, we began to see flashes of the Federer who has dominated the men's game for the best part of five years, culminating in last night's wonder-show.

Now the question is: is he back? Can he maintain this level or did he just have the extra incentive to prove his critics wrong? Will Federer go on to overtake Sampras's grand-slam record or have we really seen the changing of the guard with Nadal now the main man?

Have your say in the comment box below.

Comments

[abharrisson]

Like all long term no1's the question isn't has Federer still got the tennis capacity to win more grand slams and maybe regain his NO1 slot... at 27 of course he has. The real question is his motivation, if he had spent the last five years duking it out with an even challenger and sharing the spoils there would be no questions being asked. The point is having been knocked off his perch does he have the motivation to still do his best. If so he'll win 14, 15, 18? grandslams and could regain the no1 slot.

[Paweł]

He's back!!!

[Maddoc]

He wasn't over. Media is fickle and swings around a little too much and that's what forms general public's opinion. Media decided he was over and that's what everybody said but I think we can have some great tennis moments in future because Federer ain't over yet!

[Iacopo]

I think Roger will become the best player of ever. Nadal is the best on the red and a strong no 2 but never more. For example I believe Rafa's wimbledon win is so difficult to repeat for him, just a possibility on a hundred. Federer it's a really all around player then he can go up on this road (his old road) and come back to win three many slam's tournament.

[Rich]

Is he back??? He never even left! Federers game is built on skill and shot selection, and has more longevity than one of just power.

[J]

He has been in the final of 3 of the 4 grand slams, lost in the semis of the other to the winner whilst suffering from mild glandular fever and won an olympic gold medal. One of his 'minor' tournament wins happens to be his favourite tournament warm-up for Wimbledon, which he has competed in most years that I care to remember. Why should he enter Queens instead, what point does he have to prove?

After every loss, his age is banded around as a problem, but now after he has won another grand slam, he is 'only 27'?

It's not that the critics spoke too soon, it's that they spoke at all

[Vlad]

If you looked closely, there was never a doubt Roger would be back.
For starters, people did not sufficiently acknowledge the medium-term debilitating effect of his glandular fever. For over six months, the man was not fit!
Then, Roger has something extra, and that was never going to disappear over night: whatever else is going on, he is always out there to enjoy himself, he knows the tennis ball is his best friend and on a decent day more than happy to do his bidding. Even the ball knows that that's more fun than to be beaten about by that brute Rafa or some other journeyman.

[Lucy]

I think Roger will definetly win 14 Grand slams or more now that he already has 13. I think it will happen in next year itself. Given his power play or dominance in the game as witnessed in the US Open final yesterday he can do it for sure. He is sure to become the most respectable player with a lot of humility in the history of the sport

[Stephen]

Some of the media were indeed far too quick to judge after Wimbledon, to the effect that Federer would copy Borg's decline. There is no doubt that the Wimbledon loss affected his self-confidence to a degree and thereby his execution. But he showed no signs at all of being tired of tennis. Recovery to full form was only a matter of time. Wimbledon 2009 is going to be an epic.

[johnh]

Federer had glandular fever at the beginning of the year. As anyone who's had it knows if you try to exert yourself any time in the following few months you're completely wiped out. The fact that he's been able to play at all is a minor miracle. I simply can't understand why the debate about his loss of form doesnt start and end here.

[Lawrence O'Donoghue]

It's like the old saying "form is temporay, class is permanent" and Federar is the classiest player of all time!! His bad year consisted of not winning all the slams, but only 1 and runner up in 2, that's not to bad with a player like Nadal around who is up there with the best to have played the game himself and happans to be in the form of his life.

[tony]

He never left. His fitness and movement have been suspect all season with good reason. Will we see a column from Simon Barnes retracting some of his pre-Wimbledon thoughts - that Federer was in decline.
He could easily have won Wimbledon; the final was a tale of two rain breaks - the first aided Federer, the second Nadal. Next season he'll be more determined than ever to win grand slams as he targets Sampras' record and strives to reclaim his Wimbledon crown. I imagine he'll train harder than ever, without illness, in the off-season and will prove his greatness again next season.

[SJS]

Readers would do well to note J's comment below. Spot on.

[KImmy]

Roger is the best! He was ill and now he is better. He is the best of all time and he has plenty more grand slam titles left in him. Let's just watch the master at work. He is pure class. Congratulations to him for fighting so hard.

[R.Orr]

Very classy play from Federer. He is back! The number one slot should still be his. It is the media, not his fellow players that have written him off!

[marianne]

I think it's a testament to the quality of the man and his tennis that there is such consistency in the responses here. I've despaired of the sniping and mean-spirited comments about Roger being past his best, not training hard enough, putting on weight, spending too much time with celebs, and other insulting nonsense. The revelation of glandular fever early this year explained entirely his dip in performance and the uncharacteristic loss of confidence, and was exacerbated by the nay-sayers and the uninformed.
If there is a silver lining to his struggles, it may be that he's discovered even greater joy in the tennis itself and and challenge of getting himself where he belongs - the number one ranking. And the losses this year will make the accumulation of points next season that much faster.
I can't wait!

[Sanjay]

Why does Federer always celebrate a grand slam victory as if he's just been stung by a wasp

[sengh]

if Sampras is "legendary", then Federer deserves an accolade as well. note that Federer is more versatile than Sampras; Federer has advanced further in the French Open much more consistently. yet news reports have to use the French Open championship as one definitive factor to evaluate Federer. Moreover, the nature and level of competition during Sampras' time were different. Federer may not have found a very effective way to combat Nadal's power game; but Federer has been sticking to his principles and style of play - something admirable.

sportsmen are also human and have their ups and downs. there is a tendency for the news media to report on 'decline','downturn' and 'downfall' - i guess it's something that cannot be avoided. the dry spell in 2008 for Federer may also be a fertile period for him to build on his game mentally - sometimes, Federer can get 'complacent'; and i hope Federer will fight hard consistently. i believe this is crucial if Federer wants to regain his sheen and magic, uniquely his.

but to be fair, there are also news reports on comeback kings and queens - and the opportunity to speak out in a platform like this one.

[Sam]

Listening to the commentary in the early stages last night it was almost as if Federer was the underdog. Even if he is 2nd in the world I hardly think that justifies some of the rubbish spouted about him.

Nadal has gotten to the top, the hard part is staying there and I will wager Federer is world number 1 by the time Wimbledon comes round again.

[Fred Caprivi]

If you had a child who wanted to play tennis - who would you point to as the role model? That's right, Federer. Whether he wins or not is immaterial. What matters is that he plays his complete tennis. He is beatable and all that, but he still plays the most complete tennis I have ever seen. That's where the illness comes in: it hindered him in his movement, which in turn dictated the game plan, which in turn affected his shot selection. So without illness, I am looking forward to many more games by Fed not to see him win, but to watch him play the game. His variety, his shot selection, his forehand winners - they are a thing of beauty. Why? Because us amateurs can actually relate - he looks like your average athlete, not superhuman at all, yet he does these most amazing things. He sometimes struggles on the backhand, misses easy shots and still goes for it all - just we would all like to play.

[somasree chandran]

roger federer happens to be 1 of the most classiest tennis players of all time... i personally feel tht the critics wrote him off too soon nt realising tht he has afterall been number 1 for 5 years in a row..... he had a rough patch ths year.. but thn its gr8 to noe tht he is back in form n has won da US open.... an amazing way to answer all those articles n critics.... way to go fedex!!!

[David]

Federer is the best of all time. He was amazing this year keeping on 2nd while suffering mononocleosis. Amazing! Rafa really did his best winning Wimbledon taking advantage of Roger's disease. He won on London's court at least once 'cause (With all respect) I think it won't happen again. Next year for Federer? At least 3 Slams (And maybe 4). Congrats Roger! Larga vida al Rey!

[Adarsh]

Come on......can god ever be beaten............????????NEVER!!!!!!

Whenever there is an arrogant human being who dares o challenge the gods the answer is the same......he is hit by a bolt from the heavens.............

Roger is back and here to stay

[Julio]

I fear that like Sampras Federer will never be able to win at Rolland Garros , at least as long as Nadal is fit.

He could have made excuses for himself with the virus he caught but he didn't.
He's class and the best thing around for tennis these days .

Well done Champ !

[Vaseem]

Federer - world number 2? That does not sound right at all! Nadal is a fantastic player, but his game is built around his power and fitness (both outstanding) - Roger at his best is in a different league. By the way, does anyone know why he uses the towels - has anyone actually seen him break sweat on a tennis court? The master, the rest are merely disciples.

[David]

Amazing, you have to see the new center for Roland Garros:
virenke.virtual-city.es

[R]

Borg gave an interesting interview at Wimbledon this summer. He commented that, in his fifth final, he was down against McEnroe but wanted desperately to win - which he did. In the sixth final, he was in the same position but didn't care - and lost. I'd always wondered why he gave up pro tennis so suddenly but if his heart was no longer in it, then time to move on.

Federer's heart is obviously still in it. Looking forward to seeing him play in 2009.

[calgary painters]

With the mono behind him, I'm sure Federer will work his way back up to number 1 on the planet. But I'm not sure if the pressure has increased or decreased for Federer not being the top seed anymore.

[Dan]

Federer is the Mozart of tennis. It was wonderful to see his genius displayed again on a tennis court. He completely picked Murray apart, even in the second set (which was a bit tight only because he was still playing assertively while Murray raised his level a bit). Other players like Nadal and Djokovic have weapons which they employ in fits and starts. Federer integrates his weapons into a beautiful, perfect, orchestral cocktail. With other players, you hear each instrument. With Fed, only the combined symphony - synchronized, beautiful, perfect, yet ruthlessly efficient. I have been watching tennis for a long time. And I will go to my grave insisting that Roger Federer is the greatest tennis player I have ever seen.

[Assad]

I believe it was once said, or related to Muhammed Ali after his victory over George Foreman, ""The true measure of a champion is not how he reacts to victory, but how he manages defeat."

And I think it's a true measure of this man, Roger Federer, that he refused to bow to his pre-mature tennis obituary, and let his game do the the talking. Now, we can talk what, if's and buts; about Murray's less than 24 hours rest period; or that suspect line call, but at the end of the day, what was meant to be, was meant to be.

Typically, as in the Iraq war, the pens, that pre-maturely wrote of Federer's demise are now busy hailing this as his greatest ever victory. How fickle indeed are the sporting press.

Fate and destiny are now firmly back in Roger's hands, and I for one hope he exceed Pete's record of 14 slams, purely because I believe he is worthy of that crown.

The guy is a living sporting legend. Well Done Roger

[Renata]

Roger is a different league comperring with Nadal. Congratulations for fighting so hard.

[Patrick Treacy]

Men's tennis is in great nick at the moment. I'm a huge fan of both Federer and Nadal - they are both great role models as athletes, technicians and as champions who know how to win and lose.

[Bob Kociolek]

tennis is indeed lucky to have so many great male players. Federer and Nadal are not just all-time greats, but true sportsmen. They are confident, humble and appreciative. I think, when all is said and done, Roger will have set a standard so high that it will be difficult to match. And Nadal has many more wins in him, though I think his power style will leave him prone to injury. Hats off to Roger Federer - the once and future king!

[TennisMasta]

As Lawrence O'Donoghue says, The fact that he's been able to play at all (with mono and its effects) is a minor (major for me) miracle.

I also have never understood "why the debate about his loss of form doesnt start and end here."

As Boris Becker pointed out Roger is half a step slower on some days. If he's not injured the only explanation would be the effects of mono.

With his exquisite offense/defense game relying so much on precise movement and timing, a half-step slower movement ruins it all. Still he battles to five sets and has chances to win even on off days. That's simply incredible that his C game is still good enough to win matches against many and have chances against Nadal and the top players.

[George]

Roger's win at the US Open showcases why he's a different kind of tennis player than the others at the top. No one else matches his combination of power, shot selection, footwork and point development. His serve, forehand, backhand, volleying ability and placement are all among the best; together, they are other-worldly. How about his overhead lob return of Djokovic's attempted overhead smash in the semis? Only Federer can make that shot!

The only questionmark about his game is whether he can overcome whatever mental weakness he has against Nadal, which was clearly evident against him at the French, Wimbledon as well as the two clay court finals they played in this year. If he can sort that out, the French Open is his, and history will surely record him as the greatest ever, without question.

[Phoebe Riley]

Federer was never gone he was ill and his 'bad year' is pretty good if truth be told:
us open
olympic doubles gold
french runner up
wimbledon runner up
halle title
etc
he has built up his strength and momentum, and people talk about his mental strength, his comeback proves he has the mentality as well! He will surely beat Sampras's record now!
MEDIA- HUMBLE PIE
THE KING HAS BEEN REINSTATED!

[Fooby]

In comparing Federer to Sampras, don't forget they have slowed down the Wimbledon courts and balls since Sampras's time - I doubt his serve volley game would have been so unbeatable in current conditions. This is also why Nadal won this year - the balls were bouncing much higher than last year, above Federer's hitting zone.

[Spoon]

I'm so pleased that Roger didn't allow all the negative hype of his downfall to get to him.
He is clearly a fighter
and I'm confident that Federer fans won't have to wait long until he is back to #1
If it was anybody else a
semi final, 2 finals would've been praised and not critisised.
Well done to Murray for getting to the final, he has been impressive.
But Federer was flawless.

[MANO]

what i really fell is coz of media he lost his last grand slam, wimbeldon.why some of media is against him?but fed-x gave a quite good answer for them.
i wondered even the entire world was with federer,some media never stoped writing against him.fed-x was always no 1,is no 1 n will no 1 for many years in atp series(temporarilly 2,but no one will agree haha).but he will always remain as a no 1 in millions of heart.now the most awaited grand slam is french open.if he wins french open and makes equal to sampras,then i think he will no more roger federer,he will be regarded as GOD!!!!!!!!!!!
n by the way here in NEPAL media never write against fed-x.coz here people know only fed-x.they don't know nadal hahahahaha.
FED-X rocks.

[Thor]

Roger went out and swept Murray of the court yesterday and it is certain, of course, that he did so with typical majesty. However, one wonders what the result would have been had Nadal made it to the final. Of course we will never know but I reckon he would have not have found the going so easy. Its fantastic that he did win because we now have a rejuvinated Federer and a Nadal not short of a bit of belief either. So next seasons prologue is already written...

[patricia]

Is it at all possible to get respect for each player's talents and accomplishments??? Without putting down another player in the process??? To judge players against one another because of either their appearance or the clothes they wear, or their physicality is really not valid. And to think that no one will knock Federer off of #1 for good is simply ludicrious. Every #1 in each sport is replaced, but their individual records remain as a #1. To count Nadal as a passing thing is also ludicrious!

[patricia]

P.S. Each time we have a long-term #1, it is as if no one can ever take their place. But it happens every time. I remember when Agassi was just the wild looking upstart!!! Then . . . It never takes away from the record of a long term champion to be replaced by another. That is life and the history of sports.

[Arif]

In John McEnroe I thought we had seen the greatest player ever. However, Roger Federer deserves this title. This is the first post I have ever made on an site and I think it is a sign of this man's sporting greatest that a lazy, fat man like me is typing the plaudit:). The Fed Xpress I hope surpasses every record!

[Natarajan]

1 Federer an all time great is alive and kicking.Difficult to say if he still remains at his incredible personal peak but definitely thereabouts.
2 Nadal is right now the best player - most of this year he has been unbeatable by anyone including Federer.
3 Murray is clearly close to the top. 2009 he will be a grand slam contender.

[Joreen]

Personally, I never doubted that Roger would look like his old superb self again. As Pete Sampras himself told Roger, the media needs a story, and the king being supplanted by the heir is a very compelling tale indeed. Say what some really killjoy Rafa fans may, mononucleosis/glandular fever is no picnic in the park and has a painfully, notoriously difficult recovery period. I need only point to Mario Ancic, himself a Top 10 player in 2007, who was struck down by the same illness and had to endure a six-month hiatus from the sport where his ranking plummeted from Top 10 to No. 85! The fact that Roger was even competing, let alone performingly consistently well at the Slams, a mere 6 months after being diagnosed is undoubtedly a miracle. Even if he only wins one Slam every year for the next four or five years, he will already surpass Pistol Pete. I am relishing the generous helpings of humble pie going around the international tennis press corps! The man, the legend, the greatest of all time: Roger Federer.

[candy]

federer, like what most people say, is the CLASSIEST and MOST CONSISTENT player i've seen.. he surely will be the "BEST" tennis player ever - considering game play, personality, consistency.. no argument at all..

[Juan Ramos]

The King is Back!!!
No doutb that the young guns are coming strong,,(Del Potros, Murrays,etc)but for the time being, at least for the next couple of years Federer will be fit enough to be the all time King of the courts and slam finals... and what i King "merciless on court, but humble outside of it"
-The king is back-

[Jeanette]

The British public take time to warm to their fellow tennis players just like they did tiger tim. Wimbledon next year will see a difference how the crowd perceive Murray for sure. He has shown them what a great player he has developed into.
Roger is the Master and gentleman of the sport and even in the darkest moments of the savage press he rose above it. Rogers illness must have taken the energy out of him,and mentally even Roger could not over ride the physical side. He is back and back big time. 2009 -New Year and Roger will be hungry as ever for the grand slams. Keep going Roger.

[Kaye]

Every other tennis player would kill for Roger's 2008 season:

Appearance in 3 out of 4 Grand Slam Finals
Winning Olympic gold in doubles (and he worked for most of the points earned to win that medal)
Two minor titles won while recovering from a serious illness that usually takes months to conquer
Appearance in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam at the height of mononucleosis.
Winning a Grand Slam.

And people call it downfall? Juornos writing him off as history? That is just funny.

For all it's worth, he just made history and raised the bar ever higher for everybody else. A lot of athletes at their best and fittest cannot even manage to accomplish half of what Federer has so far this season, and the season is not even over yet.

The world watched a man recovering from a serious illness who battled both opponents and the press and all sorts of naysayers, and proved everybody else wrong.

I don't think that The Fed will stop at 15 grand slam titles, given that he has a 4 to 5 years ahead of him. His passion for tennis is unbelievable and he is the best ambassador out there for the sport, fulfilling his obligations even when everybody else has told him to take time off from the courts to get back into shape and maybe to the mindset that had always made him a champion. Instead, he went out there to play tennis, win or lose. You can't find a better sportsman and the result is the recent US Open trophy.

His usual best has just returned.

[xy]

There is no match for Federer's finesse or class. Period. He is going to create many more open-era records!!

[YodaSD]

Ask us again after the Master's Cup. If he can follow this up in the indoor season and make up some ground against Nadal in the points total then maybe he's back to where he was a year ago.

[Dot Wilcock]

Someone asked who we would like our tennis-mad children/grandchildren to emulate and there is, of course, only one answer for any rational human being to give: Roger Federer. He has class, talent and humility in abundance and I for one will be very pleased if my tennis-mad grandson - Jude - models himself on the greatest of all time.
His artistry and passion are always in evidence even when he is not at his supreme best: long may he reign!

[yellowoctopus]

I don't blame the media and the 'professional critics' about all the criticism around Federer this year, they are just doing their job. I think it would be interesting to revisit the comments Djokovic's parents made about Federer this year, especially the 'the king is dead' comment. A video clip of Roger telling them to shut up (can't recall the tournament where this happened) would also make the article hilarous. The US Open win could also be thought of as Roger telling all the other non-professional critics to shut it.

Roger Federer is undoubtedly the greatest player of all time. His technique, his self-belief once he's on the tennis court, his ability to play impossible shots marks him as the greatest. The king of tennis. The god of tennis.

[Casper]

The wins that others have had over the time period that Roger was ill are really hollow wins. Roger is the most complete tennis player there is. The critics just looked stupid and inexperienced saying what they did without understanding the hiccup in his performance.
Roger would not use his illness as an excuse so it was quiet and kept out of the media.
Anyone who followed tennis and had a pair of eyes could see Rogers strength and movement were not the same.
Roger plays in a league of tennis which very few rarely achieve. I would say that Roger has had a fright that illness can affect his game as it did and I am sure going forward he will now put his foot on the gas to achieve what he wants too, just incase, illness can strike at any time. Roger has kept himself injury free and I see nothing stopping him now.
He is records stand and it will take an extremely good player to beat it.
Roger Federer is tennis

[norman]

this win will give him confidence for the rest of the year and going into the next season like he said he will get to number one again good luck roger on the next season win that aussie open for your fans and your self he's back and that's a fact watch out nadal cause roger is back the field should be worry.

[bogie]

What people overlook is that Roger Federer is not only an exemplary sportsman, he is an artist in the full creative, magical, mesmerizing sense of the word,
Then humble and straight to boot. Artists may have their creative down days but they create and astound for as long as they are strong.
Fed-Ex has a long way to go, to paraphrase Frost" Miles to go before he sleeps:.
We are to be thrilled and held in awe for still some time to come.
Viva Roger!! Mabuhay Ka!!! (filipino for long live)

[shivam thanvi]

Roger Federer......oops CHAMPION ROGER FEDERER is rightly a GENERATION PLAYER
many players come across ups and downs in their life but this doesnt mean that his performance is declining, rather now after winning US OPEN he will come so strongly that so called World no. 1 Rafael Nadal will get stunned
Another thing is NADAL is not a generation player and can never be as in his whole carrer he as only won FRENCH OPEN and a single Wimbledon{by luck}. IT was his good fortune that he defeated federer
well i would just say one thing to all tennis lovers YOU ALL ARE LIVING IN AGE OF FEDRER

[L]

Even Nadal himself never once underestimated Federer or thought Federer was finished this year, and he has an impressive 12-6 record against him. Critics & media definitely spoke too soon.

[EARNEST WINSTON]

I truly despise critics. They only wish they had Federer's God-given-ability. What are the qualifications for being a critic? Are they professional tennis players? But I guess when you are at the top of the mountain there will always be some loser (critic) waiting to see you fall. They provide no insight, just their negativity.

[JKM]

Fed is great and he will continue to win slams as he plays more tennis. There is not another player like him. Nadal also is very good and so is murray but I believe that Federer really wants to prove he can beat Nadal on the big stage again. He has the heart of a champion and can still dominate other players as was seen in the US Open final.

[Casper]

I think Roger has had a fright, his illness took away his ability to play tennis to the level he would normally play at. He could not change it until he got better. I feel now that he is back, knowing that it can be taken away at any time. He will come back all guns blazing. Its not titles he wants to collect, he has so many of them.

Roger wants to break records. Hs goals are RG/Wimbledon, Petes records with all that his number 1 ranking will be back where it belongs. 2012 his olympic singles gold. That to top of his career.

What he does then....husband/father/coach/charities.......the oyster is his.

Tennis changed because of Roger, not many players can say that. Rogers records will stand for a long time. I dont look forward to the day he retires as he is Tennis for me.

[sylvia savage]

I have been saying all year that if he did have glandular fever he should have rested earlier. Instead he battled on and Nadal managed to take his Wimbledon and World No. 1 crowns from him. In other words he was able to beat Roger only when Roger was ill. Glandular Fever is no easy thing to get over, it has a habit of coming back just when you think you are over it. Am sure Roger will benefit from a rest and come back even stronger.

[Wilson]

I dun think 2008 is a bad season to Federer..He got into the finals of French Open, Wimbledon, and US open..Is that bad????

[Ishita Mehta]

if federer wins the australian open and inf rench beats nadal to surpass sampras's record.....what a day it will be....

[SAHAR]

I think that Rog is human & could suffer from a period of loss of self confidence but after all he managed to regain his ability to impress the world with his magnificent tennis performance ! I think that Federer is the best tennis player EVER !! So to those who criticize him, he is back & he is going to win as he did before & even if he not ,everyone will enjoy his elegant style of tennis & his way to handle the ball, the fans & himself as the best tennis player in the whole world.