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What should federer improve during off season that would most help him for 2012 AO?

What does federer need to work on before AO 2012 to maximize slam chance?

6K views 70 replies 57 participants last post by  masterclass 
#1 ·
Lets hear it folks. If you were in team fed what would your advice be for fed to work on for his best chance to win this slam in the current state of tennis?
 
#2 ·
I would make him work on his backhand. ;) And play aggressive and not shy away from being aggressive on the second serve return.

Most importantly, I would tell him to fight against all odds to freaking maintain his focus throughout an entire match and not just a set or two.
 
#17 · (Edited)
Ya French Open SF didn't happen last year. Federer at his best can still compete with anyone at their best and that is a fact. He may not be physically the same player, but he can still hit winners past anyone. Djokovic can do wahtever he wants, it won't matter if he gets aced or has a 100 MPH forehand struck past him. Don't be a fool.

You're really bringing Andy into the equation? Aside from beating Nadal twice out of what, eight (?) meetings, Murray hasn't done shit against the big 3. Then, in terms of Australia and Nadal, it is his least successful slam, so suddenly Nadal at the this stage and from what we know is going to be a favorite for the title over Federer/Djokovic?

The only thing Federer needs to do is be ready mentally. He has struggled to peak at the right time, for the right matches. And in many of his recent Grand Slam matches, he has changed his tactics at the strangest moments. For example, in the second set of Australia last year against Novak, he was playing much more patient and took his time which allowed him to break Novak's rhythm and nearly take the set. However, after he got the lead, he went back to how he played the first set and it was then Novak who was taking his time and allowed Federer to make poor decisions in their rallies.

Either way, if you look in the past during Federer's prime, he didn't particularly play amazing in the first week of slam events, he would do just enough, or as they say, he would play as Soliderer. I've felt that the past few years he would reach his peak performance in the first week of slams and then when the second week would come, he would be spraying errors quite a bit. At the French Open this year, he did very well to peak for the second week, but at some of the other tournaments, I think he peaked very poorly. Of course it is easier said than done and you risk losing early if you just play bare minimum, but that balance does need to be maintained. Many tournament winners start out their runs shaky. Just look at Novak. At the US Open 2010, he played that really questionable match against Troicki and went on to reach the final. Then in Australia, he lost a set against Dodig and things were not looking too promising, yet he ended up winning the title. Similarly for Federer, at the Australian Open 2010, he didn't play lights out tennis from his first round match against Andreev all the way to Davydenko, but he certainly turned up the heat for his SF/F matches.

He should take a nice break after London and come back to Doha playing lackadaisical if he honestly wants any chance in Australia. Just compare the starts of 2011 and 2010. He started Doha in 2010 somewhat poor and got his ass handed to him by Davydenko, but ended up playing some of his best tennis ever in Australia. Then in 2011, he played absolutely perfect in Doha, returned the favor to Davydenko in the final but played quite poorly in Australia. It doesn't mean he shouldn't win Doha, but he shouldn't play all his cards at that event. A great example is Halle 2006. All his matches were literally tight 3 setters and he even had to save 4 match points against Rochus. But after winning Halle, he came into Wimbledon on amazing form and only dropped one set which was in the final.
 
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#6 ·
Definitely hope Nole is not 100 percent..They have met twice and I don't think Roger has won a set has he? Murray should be no issue.. Tsonga may be an issue As could Berdych.. Will have to wait and if see Nadal is ready since hes playing Davis Cup before.


Really Fed shouldn't need to do anything Outside of Nole, no one should be an issue.. Just play his game and either:

A: Hope to Avoid Nole
B: Hope Nole isn't 100 percent
C: A long shot.. Hope 2009 AO Nadal doesn't show up.
 
#27 ·
It depends on how bad the injury is. I had a shoulder problem that lasted 2 years. It only got better when i totally let it rest for 5 months. That is a thing het cant/will not do so i think that is why he has some strange losses.
 
#9 ·
I think the mental focus gets blown out of proportion a bit. I think he got a bit unlucky in the tsonga and novak matches bc they played great when it mattered.

I like what fed has been doing on the ROS lately getting many more 6-1 or 6-2 sets by mixing up things returning and I think that will be key to his success.
 
#10 ·
He doesn't need to work on his backhand, he's fixed after getting his rear end spanked at the previous AO. But this USO we saw how he fixed it.

The main thing is his stamina/endurance. Since he can' work on this (since he's too old). The only thing he must do is the following:

1. Keep rallies short (no more than 7-8 shot rallies).
2. Stay away from constant deuce points (the more he's trapped in deuce, the more he gets drained).

He'll be fine once he implements point 1 and 2. This is all assuming just like this year's 2011 USO: his serve is reliable, his backhand is clicking, and his footwork is solid.
 
#70 ·
I agree that Fed's biggest weakness these days in the 5 set format is his stamina/endurance, particularly when he comes up against one of the guys in the top 10.

Take the US Open SF this year. Federer put so much into the first two sets to win them, you could visibly see him relax and take it slightly easier in the 3rd and 4th set. This fall in physicallity allowed Djokovic back into the match, and for him to push it into a 5th. Why is this significant? It is because Djokovic stepped up his endurance to an unbelievable level in 2011, and the only way Federer could beat him was to match that level of endurance in the rallies. Only problem for Federer was that he couldn't maintain it. It was telling in the final set how Federer suddenly put a lot more effort into it, and should've pulled through to win.

So for me, if Federer wants to win another slam, and the courts are tortuously slow, he needs to match Djokovic's level of endurance. If he doesn't, and Djokovic is fully fit, then Fed will need to put it all out for the first 3 sets, or I think he'll lose again.

There is also mental weaknesses coming into federer's game. But he just needs some belief and confidence and I'm sure he'll be fine.
 
#15 ·
I remember how fit andre agassi was when he was 32,33 let alone playing 3 five settters in a row at the open when he was 35. I think federer can improve his endurance. He probably needs to mix up his training. I think he has that pierra pagnani guy but it would be good to spend time with someone else or at least switch it up some.
 
#16 ·
Not too much, he is kind of dominating right now. Working on his backhand could help since the courts will be significantly slower and higher bouncing. But if the top 4 players remain as weak as they are at the moment, there is no reason Federer should not win the AO next year. It is crazy but it will soon be 2012 and Federer won't have too many threats (if Novak's level remains where it is now).
 
#30 ·
Nothing, Federer's done. Therefore pointless poll since the option "nothing" is not there.

Lets see the other options though:

-movement/reflexes - Not possible as you grow slower and more passive the older you get
-endurance - same as above
-mental focus. That would have been interesting if he found a way to improve it. It's obvious over the years that he can't. Perhaps ease of pressure of not being favourite any more can give him more focus? Debatable.
-Backhand - didn't improve over the years and it's not going to improve now, sadly
-Return of serve . That is related to awareness/reflexes, therefore it goes back to questions 1 and 2. it's also a talent, either you have it or you don't.
-Lose weight/gain muscle. It will mess up his game even if possible. Federer never relied upon that to beat opponents.
-Get rid of Annacone. And hire who? it's obvious that the change of coaches can do nothing for him at this stage, he's his own best coach.
-Get more aces on serve. How many more, is that even possible?


Bottom line: Federer can't improve.
 
#32 ·
Great display of mental focus and not giving up after being so close to closing out the 2nd set for federer in the 3rd set. Will help him with a win like this for future matches for sure.


And damn federer was getting back multiple 134-137mph serves in that crucial break game in the 3rd. That's one area that will help him tons next year.
 
#35 · (Edited)
He just needs to work on closing out matches. He's riding on a 17 win streak now and the last lost he suffered so far, he held 2 match points! Problem with Federer, he's used to winning matches on a huge margin but when opponent gets too close for comfort, he mentally collapses. He just needs to be tough it out at pressure points and not keep letting match points get away from him.

With the game, there's really not much he can improve that won't require a time traveling machine. For a 30 year old he's as good as he can be, Nadal is still the only one who I will probably bet on 80-20 at grandslams for him. With Djokovic it's still 50-50 except maybe on AO where Djokovic has the edge.
 
#36 ·
If he wants to have Agassi like success after thirty, he'll need an Agassi like fitness commitment- bigger up body, no little belly, stronger legs.
 
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