[FedvsNole]

Lets not forget the surface speed was faster back in 2003-2005 and has just gotten slower everywhere. Fed had such great movement when the surface was much faster and he had better defense so people really forget how great it was given the speed of the courts during his prime.

If the courts were the same speed as they were back in 2003; i think people would see the difference much more prominently. Fast and big hitters were unable to bother federer even on faster courts because his movement and defense were that great.

As far as his forehand, I think today the fact that the courts have slowed down may be a bit why it looks like he has lost a touch of speed on it. Its not as consistent as in the past but im not sure exactly how much less pace it has than in his prime due to the courts, balls, etc being slowed down over the last 10 years.

[Ajk822]

Federer-Agassi is fun. I'd never seen that before.

[heya]

agassi was robbed in indian wells 2004 on a so-called faster court. fed trolls didn't complain.

federer was nothing special in outdoor hardcourts but it didn't bother him the last 5 years.
even fraud clown roddick also made qfs and finals since 2008 in indian wells and miami, and beat federer, nadal and berdych in 2008 & 2010.

[Everko]

The Federer decline began when he first saw Rafa Nadal on the other side of the net. He has been scared since

[sexybeast]

Watch from 5:50 in this match between Roddick and Federer in Toronto an incredible game you are unlikely to ever see from both again, Roddick trying to hold his serve and beeing ultra aggressive (real quality tennis from Andy and still beeing broken here) and Federer with Nadal-like defense and passing shots:

[sylacauga]

Originally Posted by sexybeast

Watch from 5:50 in this match between Roddick and Federer in Toronto an incredible game you are unlikely to ever see from both again, Roddick trying to hold his serve and beeing ultra aggressive (real quality tennis from Andy and still beeing broken here) and Federer with Nadal-like defense and passing shots:

Comparing this court to Toronto of today is like night and day. Just like Roddick's game.

[sexybeast]

Originally Posted by sylacauga

Comparing this court to Toronto of today is like night and day. Just like Roddick's game.

Roddick's change in his game after 05 is one of the strangest happenings I have seen in tennis, from beeing boomboom Roddick to beeing a strange hybrid of part big server and part pusher.

It is not often players try to be more defensive as they grow older, they often try to compensate aging with playing more aggressive and shorter rallies, so I have seen players transform the other way around (even Sampras was a baseliner who turned pure serve and volley), but Roddick might be the only one I can think off who played more and more defensive tennis as he aged.

[Slice Winner]

Originally Posted by sexybeast

Watch from 5:50 in this match between Roddick and Federer in Toronto an incredible game you are unlikely to ever see from both again, Roddick trying to hold his serve and beeing ultra aggressive (real quality tennis from Andy and still beeing broken here) and Federer with Nadal-like defense and passing shots:

People forget how insanely quick Feds was, and thus don't realise any decline.

[sylacauga]

Originally Posted by sexybeast

Roddick's change in his game after 05 is one of the strangest happenings I have seen in tennis, from beeing boomboom Roddick to beeing a strange hybrid of part big server and part pusher.

It is not often players try to be more defensive as they grow older, they often try to compensate aging with playing more aggressive and shorter rallies, so I have seen players transform the other way around (even Sampras was a baseliner who turned pure serve and volley), but Roddick might be the only one I can think off who played more and more defensive tennis as he aged.

I think Roddick's coaches advised him to become more defensive to help counteract Fed's aggression. However, Roddick took this too far and ended up suppressing his natural aggressive game too much. The very game that got him to number one to begin with. Roddick was/is never going to be a great defensive player. His speed and footwork are not good enough.

[mark73]

Originally Posted by Everko

The Federer decline began when he first saw Rafa Nadal on the other side of the net. He has been scared since

You predicted he would be number 5 or 6 at the end of 2010. And everybody declines eventually.

[Alex999]

Originally Posted by mark73

You predicted he would be number 5 or 6 at the end of 2010. And everybody declines eventually.

again and again.... Nole will decline too... I'm not sure what's the big fuss. I mean, did you guys really expect Rog to keep winning slams forever?

[EddieNero]

31-years old Declinerer is continually included in Slam deliberations and it tells pretty much about the depth and strengh of current era.
I'd like to remind some clowns around here so-called former GOAT Sampras was wandering outside Top 10 at Fed's age in those weak times.

[paseo]

Originally Posted by Everko

The Federer decline began when he first saw Rafa Nadal on the other side of the net. He has been scared since

Okay. How about Nadal? When did his decline begin?

[masterclass]

I guess I'll chime in here.

The OP of this article was just after the 2008 Australian Open.
So in terms of majors, in the 4 years since that time Mr. Federer has:

In 16 appearances post 2008 AO (age 26-30):
4 wins
5 finals
4 semifinals
3 quarterfinals

16 QF or better
13 SF or better

In the 16 appearances prior to the 2008 Australian Open (age 22-25):

11 wins
2 finals
2 semifinals
1 3rd round exit

15 semifinals or better

Conclusion 1:
He has not been as successful in terms of winning or reaching finals since AO 2008 as he was previously.
But, he has still been right there, and the difference is probably attributal to a combination of 3 things.

1. Playing conditions have become slower/higher bouncing
2. Other top players improvement and consistency (notably Djokovic, Nadal) with 1 helping them more than Federer.
3. Federer's slow fade, mostly in terms of ability to consistently focus and finish, even when conditions generally favor him (US Open).

Conclusion 2:
Still, Mr. Federer is being judged against himself and the greatest record of the Open Era.
To put it in perspective, I think most players would love to have his post 2008 AO slam record from age 26-30 yrs.

Djokovic's last 16 majors post 2008 AO from age 20-24:

4 wins
1 final
5 semifinals
4 quarterfinals
1 3rd round exit
1 2nd round exit

14 quarterfinals or better
10 semifinals or better

Nadal's last 15 majors (1 Wim. withdrawal) post 2008 AO from age 21-25:

7 wins
3 finals
2 semifinals
2 quarterfinals
1 4th round exit

14 quarterfinals or better
12 semifinals or better

They all have a chance to add to their records. It will be interesting to look at them in 10 years time.

Respectfully,
masterclass

[EliSter]

Originally Posted by scarecrows

2012

quote me in 3 years time

Funny if this come true.