[FedvsNole]

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?

[tripwires]

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.

[turkjey5]

...his age.

[guga2120]

Hope that Rafa, Andy and especially Novak are not 100%. Only way he could win. If Novak gets rested and healthy on that court, Federer can do whatever he wants, it will not matter.

[pray-for-palestine-and-israel]

ummm- just play like he is right now

[SetSampras]

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.

[FedvsNole]

Shoulder injuries are a bitch to recover from what I've heard and Nole's been dealing with this since Cinci if I recall. Is it safe to assume it should be better by January?? Someone who knows more about those kinda issues care to share..

[viruzzz]

If he plays like he played this week vs Nadal... Best 2008 Rafa and Best 2011 Nole together playing vs him...


Roger in 3.

So, I think it's in his mental focus... If he gets a good W/UE rate, he's good.

[FedvsNole]

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.

[shiaben]

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.

[venky91]

He needs to get younger.

[tripwires]

Originally Posted by venky91

He needs to get younger.

Thanks for the constructive suggestion.

Yeah, his backhand as a whole has been at least good, but it was woeful in the Ferrer match last night.

[bayvalle]

Originally Posted by turkjey5

...his age.

Nobody negotiates with Father Time.

[venky91]

Originally Posted by tripwires

Thanks for the constructive suggestion.

Yeah, his backhand as a whole has been at least good, but it was woeful in the Ferrer match last night.

I voted endurance. You can't really work on that when you get up in age. Though I suppose you can improve it in some ways, like watching what you eat, more practice, staying fresher by taking less days off, doing endurance training.

[FedvsNole]

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.