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Federer hints at schedule change amid Nadal chase for year-end world No.1

5K views 37 replies 25 participants last post by  AskTheQuestion 
#1 ·
The Swiss – who crashed out at the quarter-finals stage in New York – is nearly 2000 points behind the world No. 1 with just four events left that he was planning to play.
After his defeat to Juan Martin del Potro at Flushing Meadows, he insisted his schedule was set, saying: ‘Now I have Laver Cup, Shanghai, Basel, Paris and London. That’s my schedule, and it won’t change.’

However, the 36-year-old has now cast doubt on those plans, with Paris potentially set to become a casualty.
‘Next weeks will be extremely important with Shanghai, Basel, maybe Paris and ATP Finals in London,’ he told Blick.
‘My goal is to get to Shanghai early, maybe on Friday. Basel will take priority over Bercy.’

Federer’s motivation to skip Paris is likely to be largely due to Nadal’s extended rankings lead.
The Masters 1000 event offers more ranking points than Basel – although the draw to return to Switzerland is always great for the world No. 2 – and should the gap for top spot be tighter, he would perhaps be less likely to skip it.
And Federer admitted the chase for world No. 1 has become a ‘secondary’ goal as he focuses on his own fitness, particularly in light of the back injury that hampered him in Montreal and forced him to skip Cincinnati.

‘It [the year-end world No. 1 ranking] became a little bit secondary for me as Nadal got far away,’ he added.
‘I will focus on myself and I will play only when I am ready.
Roger Federer hints at schedule change amid Rafael Nadal chase | Metro News
 
#2 ·
I think Fed realizes his mistake of playing Montreal to reach #1 which not only cost him #1 but also the USO. So he doesn't want to repeat that mistake by unnecessarily stressing his health and is gearing up for the next goal, the WTF.

It's a pity he can't skip Basel for Paris. The home tournament sentiment unfortunately costs him 1000 points.
 
#6 ·
If Fed's fit, and still not the favorite for Shanghai, Paris, and WTF, who is?
Don't tell me Nadal. Nadal will likely not make the semis at any of those events. I give him an outside chance in the WTF since it is round robin, so he can get away with 1 upset loss.

You tards should be thanking your lucky stars that USTA decided to revert to clay courts, and Fed messed up his back. Else defeat number 4 for the year was on the cards, and this fake #1 reign would have ended at US Open. Enjoy while it lasts.
 
#4 ·
Federer quote:
It [the year-end world No. 1 ranking] became a little bit secondary for me as Nadal got far away,’ he added.
‘I will focus on myself and I will play only when I am ready.

I think this is logical and sound reasoning. Taking care of health for the +30 year olds is most important and shouldn't be jeopardized if longevity is a priority. And for both FedEx and Nadal that is a priority according to numerous interviews.
 
#9 ·
it would be dissapionting if he didnt try and go for a second paris indoors, this could be a huge chance for him
 
#10 · (Edited)
No surprise that he is not going to overplay and risk another injury on his back just to have some more weeks at #1.

From Roger's point of view I think he really only cares about adding majors to make sure he has the record. If he gets #1 in the process the better, but he is not going to risk the chance to win another major (AO 2018) for it, especially since Nadal is so far away from his record of weeks at #1.
 
#11 ·
i don't think montreal was a mistake. It was unfortunate but not a mistake.

Man had a month between Wimbledon and Montreal to rest and prepare. And if he skipped Montreal, he'd have definitely played in Cincy - right the next week. Doesn't make sense to say Montreal was a 'greedy mistake', when he got 4 weeks rest & recovery instead of 5, in a season when apart from self-imposed exiles, one does not get a month between tourneys to rest except right after the Australian Open.

But this decision/hint makes sense.Before this season began, Federer, never in his wildest dreams, thought he'd be battling for #1 at any point this year. He's played the last 2 years or so with laser-focus on Slams and he plays because a) he likes playing and b) thinks he is good enough to 'get hot and snag another slam or two'. But #1 ? not his goal.

It sort of 'dangled' in front of him like a juicy low-hanging fruit after Wimbledon, which is why he moved Montreal into his schedule. But once he got injured, he most likely realized that a very outside shot at matching Sampras's record at year-end #1 is not worth jeopardizing winning another slam or two.


If you think about it, the off season isn't very long either.
 
#17 ·
It sort of 'dangled' in front of him like a juicy low-hanging fruit after Wimbledon, which is why he moved Montreal into his schedule.
The bottomline is that he played Montreal on a whim hoping he could bullshit his way to a MS title without proper preparation and planning and get #1 by Cincy.
Love the way all these people seem to have a direct line to Fed's innermost thoughts.
 
#12 ·
It's not really a change, since him playing in Paris was never a certainty. It was always more like maybe he'd play, if Rafa is within his reach. Despite what he said.
 
#22 ·
Good call, health goes first.

I'm guessing he's stepping out of Paris if he doesn't manage to reduce the point difference with Shangai-Basel. Which I think won't happen since Rafa is playing an extra 500.
 
#28 ·
Will depend on what result Federer gets in Shanghai. If he wins it I reckon he will go full out for No.1 if he doesn't he will skip Paris and prepare for WTF.
 
#32 ·
I think that "playing Montreal" issue is a bit overhyped.

I would understand if he played 3 or 4 weeks like Rafa always does before RG. That would be dangerous even for younger guys, not to mention 36yo player. However, this situation seems different to me. He was playing 2 grass tournaments after a long long break and he actually did not play any grueling and tiring matches. He won Halle and Wimby without any difficulties and then he had 4 weeks break. I genuinely do not understand how could possibly that cause him any harm at all. He played 4 matches (BO3) and he was obviously crippled in the final against Zverev. It means that it could happen also if he played only Cincy instead of Montreal. Or it could happen at USO even if he skipped all those tournaments.
Who knows how bad is it actually with his back. I think Fed is aware of that, therefore he skipped evrything between Miami and grass season, in order to focus on events he might actually win. He reduced his schedule as much as possible and still his back limits him. Therefore I do not think he will play all scheduled events, because of Nadal's significant lead.
 
#34 ·
Playing Montreal was a bad decision in hindsight not because of the fatigue factor but because he didn't prepare for it. He understandably went on a holiday after winning Wimbledon but he didn't train at all for Montreal until Monday, the day the event started. Then on Tuesday he went to celebrate his birthday at a cold play concert until 1 am, his match was the next day on Wednesday. So basically he just didn't prepare for Montreal. Playing Montreal wouldn't have been a bad decision if he trained and prepared for it. If you didn't prepare well then it's best to not commit at all
 
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