Federer was nowhere near his high 2012 level in 2017. Brutal year for tennis in which most of the other contenders at the top of the game got hurt, though.

 

Yes, that was indeed another point I didn't mention. The level of competition in 2012 was incredibly tough and there were so many tough contenders that Federer had to deal with in 2012, such as prime Djokovic, prime Nadal, prime Murray, prime Del Potro etc. 2012 truly was among the most competitive years in the open era.

 

2017 Federer slams was Asterisk by Djokovic & Murray being injured, 2012 was legitimate season by Federer also much higher level.

 

I’m so fucking tired of this notion that seasons or titles are asterisked or invalid because certain players are injured or out of form. Federer was playing better in 2017 than Murray and Djokovic ever could. Even healthy. He defeated Nadal four times in a row who he arguably struggled most with out of the three. That alone validates his amazing season. Also being match-fit is part of the game and not always a matter of pure luck. Both overplayed the previous seasons and paid the price. Simple as that.
Also according to your argument Nadal’s season was even more asterisked since federer was absent in Paris and injured at the us open. In addition to Murray and Djokovic sidelined.

 

Let's not mix Federer Asterisk seasons 2017 with Legitimate seasons 2012 guy's.

 

If you had to choose between the 2 years, which year would you consider his form was better in; 2012 or 2017? There are some good arguments for both:

2012: He won Wimbledon beating Djokovic and Murray back to back, as well as winning 3 masters 1000 titles beating Nadal and Djokovic in 2 of them (also the most number of masters 1000 titles won in a year for him since 2006), made the final of the World Tour Finals, made the final of the Olympics and managed to secure the number 1 ranking (breaking Sampras's total weeks at number 1 record) until the end of the year when Djokovic took it back.

2017: He won the Australian Open beating Nadal in the final as well as Wimbledon (which he won without dropping a set), he swept the sunshine double and won Shanghai for a total of 3 masters 1000 titles. He pulled all this of while coming of an injury layoff in the later half of 2016.

If you had to pick between the 2 years, which option would you choose?

Since you directed this question at Federer fans, it would have been better to post it here: The Federer Express

That would have avoided the pointless arguments that have already polluted this thread.

 

Since you directed this question at Federer fans, it would have been better to post it here: The Federer Express

That would have avoided the pointless arguments that have already polluted this thread.

Yeah thanks for the heads up. I am starting to realise this just now with how this thread has been derailed into a Federer vs Nadal vs Djokovic debate. You would think though that with the countless GOAT debate threads there are, they could keep the convos there.

 

only asterisk is AO 2022 where defending champion and world no 1 was not allowed to compete.. i appeal to tennis authorities to ban all pros in next year edition so that i might have a chance to win it too..

 

2012 was a much higher level, no doubt.

Outside of the backhand he was better in every way.

 

2012 obviously.

 

2012 was for me the year Roger was artistically the most pleasing, a combination of his youthful athleticism and 2014> experience. That first set vs Novak at Cincy was his apsolute peak, beautiful and effective attacking tennis.

In 2017 I felt he benefited more from Nadal changing his style of play than his level which was still excellent

 

Perhaps 2017 was more ‘successful’, however if we are going by level of play, then it’s 2012. That said in 2017 there were glimpses were his level was just as good as 2012, if not better. AO R3 vs Berdy and one of the Nadal matches, think it’s IW, are those that come to mind.

 

The beatdown of Nadal in the 2017 Shanghai final wasn't too shabby either.

 

i think 2017 IW federer beats any version of 2012 federer..

 

That Federer was incredible but I think Cincy 2012 Fed would beat him or give him a tough fight. 2012 IW Fed was also amazing, beat dull on that slippery court even after dull took a toilet break at MP.

 

2012 was a higher level from him but what makes 2017 special is what he did after being gone for a while.

 

Beating Djokovic at Wimbledon 2012 alone outweighs his all wins against Nadal in 2017. So 2012 Federer is better.

 

2017 since he won 2 Slams.

 

2012 he was playing at a higher level. Logically, given the difference in age. 2017 was slightly more successful because of the extra slam, but 2012 had a really tough playing field with the Big 4 playing at a very high level and other playes like del Potro or Ferrer.

 

2012 because it was legitimate season for Federer clearly he beat Djokovic at Wimbledon for his slam.

 

Of course Federer was better in 2012 than in 2017.

 

2012

Could argue for IW 17>IW 12

 

Federer's 2012 average level is higher.

Federer 2017 had very high peaks.. but he is more irregular..

Donskoy Dubai... Haas Stuttgart.. Goffin YEC...

I am not quoting Montreal final and US Open here because an injury intervenes.

 

2012 was better because he played at a higher level overall. It was the final year where you can say that Federer was in his prime.

But 2017 was more special for me, because it was so unexpected, because he won an extra slam and and because he kicked Dull's ass four times in a row. Dull had no answers to Federer's brilliance that year. Federer exposed him for the limited player that he is.

 

But 2017 was more special for me, because it was so unexpected, because he won an extra slam and and because he kicked Dull's ass four times in a row. Dull had no answers to Federer's brilliance that year. Federer exposed him for the limited player that he is.

I'm confused here. Isn't Nadal supposed to be the GOAT? You say he's "limited", but surely he's... you know, er... the greatest?

 

I loved Federer's level at Wimbledon at 2012 beating Novak and Murray in SF and F.
Fed was able to play with exceptional speed and extreme aggression.

Wimbledon 2017 was a more controlled slower paced perfection against weaker opposition, but more of a miracle to win that easy close to approaching 36.

 

How is Federer ranked 30 in the world when he hasn't won a match since last July, hasn't played a match since last July??? He's one spot behind Alcaraz who is about to win a title, he's one spot ahead of Bublik who just won a title. Is there some kind of monkey business going on in the atp rankings? Is Federer pulling some strings or something? Murray is playing his heart out for two years and he's ranked 90. Federer is relaxing for a year and he's ranked 30 lol. Maybe Shapovalov was saying something in AO vs Rafa that seriously needs to be looked into.

 

2012. The competition was a much higher level than it was in 2017.

 

These "tards" and here the pejorative term is really not usurped are ashamed of nothing. ?

Gotta be able to live like that, lol ?

 

I voted for 2017. Federer was 35 then; most past greats had retired in their early 30s, therefore someone winning and playing at that level was unprecedented. He beat Nadal four times in a row and had he not been injured would have won the US Open too. That year sealed his GOAT status. Before Federer won in2017, no one thought that winning in the mid thirties was even possible.

 

I voted for 2017. Federer was 35 then; most past greats had retired in their early 30s, therefore someone winning and playing at that level was unprecedented. He beat Nadal four times in a row and had he not been injured would have won the US Open too. That year sealed his GOAT status. Before Federer won in2017, no one thought that winning in the mid thirties was even possible.

would, should, if.. face reality, the one who won USO 2017 was Rafa. I am not claming what would have happened if Nadal wasnt injured against cilic at AO2018 (when he was leading the match even 2-1 at some point), and then had to play Kyle Edmund in the semis...While Federer was never close to beating delpo at the QF of 2017 USO.. Federer won that tournament (AO2018) and that is.
Nadal has won 7 Slams after turning 30, while Federer has "only" 4.

 

Federer was fantastic in 2012

 

AO 2017 best individual performance but 2012 he played better tennis over the stretch.