[Bazooka]

After four years of completely unprecedented domination of the Tour, there are signs of Roger becoming more vulnerable than ever. In 2005 and 2006, only Nadal was a threat to him, and he was the only possible favourite in every fast court slam because of that. Now, we have players like Nalbaldian, Djokovic with a decent chance of defeating him, not to mention his punctual problems with players like Cañas.

He will end the year with an advantage of 505 to 855 points over Nadal, and will have to defend 1.300 points in AO and Dubai, while Rafa just needs to defend 400 points.

Question is... will he lose #1 in 2008?

 

[megadeth]

Canas is still a threat here? :haha:

 

[Duncan]

Roger will NOT lose his number 1 ranking next year

 

[Johnny Groove]

Nadal will need to do it before IW next year. If not, he has to defend all clay and Wimbledon and wont get another shot until post Wimbledon

 

[scarecrows]

there are many other rivals for Federer now but these are also rivals to Nadal and to each-other

Federer will not win as much as he's been winning these 4 years but will still retain the no.1 spot but with smaller gaps in the ranking

 

[l_mac]

I think he'll end 2008 ranked #1.

I'm on the fence about whether he'll lose the ranking at some point during the year.

 

[adee-gee]

Rafa needs to win the Aussie Open to have a chance.

 

[MisterQ]

I am pretty excited that hegemony has made it into a thread title. :lol:

I find it hard to guess whether Federer will lose No. 1 next year. The result of this Masters Cup could actually be critical to this outcome.

 

[Dusk Soldier]

I love how every year people talk about Rafa getting number by winning the aussie open, and every year the kid goes out by the round of 16. lol. Those knees of his are going to buckle over sometime, and my money's on it happening before the end of Federer's reign.

 

[rofe]

I think there is a very good chance that he will lose #1 next year. However, it is too early to predict whether he will be year end #1.

 

[connectolove]

Unless Nadal learns the tricks of hard floors soon, I don´t see federer losing his #1 position soon or in 2008. He could get injured... who knows, but if he is ok he´ll survive 2008.

 

[rofe]

Unless Nadal learns the tricks of hard floors soon, I don´t see federer losing his #1 position soon or in 2008. He could get injured... who knows, but if he is ok he´ll survive 2008.

He doesn't need to if Fed starts losing earlier in HC tournaments.

 

[guga2120]

It would be good to see somebody besides Roger #1, but considering Nadal has never got past the QF of any HC slam, I don't see it happening for a while.

 

[HeretiC]

The same people that are threatening Federer will be threat for Nadal too. I dont think that either of them might lose their current ranking but they will loose a quite ranking points comparing to this year. And there might be some changes in 2008 Race standings.

 

[Sunset of Age]

Might wel happen, but I'm sure Rogi will manage to get that #1 position back ASAP.

 

[EagleWatch]

Nope =)

 

[RagingLamb]

I think it's up to Roger. So far, I believe he's dominated without having to give his absolute best.

If he's challenged enough, the question is, would he be able to raise his game, or gut it out, when it gets down to it, to hold on?

Again, it will depend on whether he wants to hold on.
One thing I've always believed about Roger, is that he's actually got more than what we've seen of him. I think we'll truely see the best of him when he's fighting for dear life, because I think he's got what it takes (guts, will) to come out on top.

But he's never had to fight to the death so to speak (maybe because he's been too good, or maybe because others haven't been good enough, doesn't really matter). I think we will really see how great he is when he starts to decline a bit, and has to rely on guts, heart and determination, rather than genius.

I think he's got what it takes to stay on top (i.e. no 1) for as long as he wants.

 

[rosamunda]

I think it's up to Roger. So far, I believe he's dominated without having to give his absolute best.

Now that he's challenged, the question is, would he be able to raise his game, or gut it out, when it gets down to it, to hold on?

Again, it will depend on whether he wants to hold on.
One thing I've always believed about Roger, is that he's actually got more than what we've seen of him. I think we'll truely see the best of him when he's fighting for dear life, because I think he's got what it takes (guts, spirit) to come out on top.

But he's never had to fight to the death so to speak (maybe because he's been too good, or maybe because others haven't been good enough, doesn't really matter). I think we will really see how great he is when he starts to decline a bit, and has to rely on guts, heart and determination, rather than genius.

I think he's got what it takes to stay on top (i.e. no 1) for as long as he wants.

What you said.

 

[George Graham]

A lot could depend on where Nalbandian lands in the AO draw. Rafa's record against him is 1-6 2-6 4-6 0-6. If Nadal comes up against Fit Dave early on, it could be game over for him. On the other hand, Roger looks like he's going downhill fast at the moment.

 

[Metis]

I am pretty excited that hegemony has made it into a thread title. :lol:

I find it hard to guess whether Federer will lose No. 1 next year. The result of this Masters Cup could actually be critical to this outcome.

That was my first thought too. Don't you just love those Greek words? :lol:

I agree with you. It's hard to predict at this point. Nadal will get really close if he wins the TMC but he's got to step it up in Australia . Actually I find it very likely that Federer will keep his ...hegemony for another year.

I think it's up to Roger. So far, I believe he's dominated without having to give his absolute best.

If he's challenged enough, the question is, would he be able to raise his game, or gut it out, when it gets down to it, to hold on?

Again, it will depend on whether he wants to hold on.
One thing I've always believed about Roger, is that he's actually got more than what we've seen of him. I think we'll truely see the best of him when he's fighting for dear life, because I think he's got what it takes (guts, will) to come out on top.

But he's never had to fight to the death so to speak (maybe because he's been too good, or maybe because others haven't been good enough, doesn't really matter). I think we will really see how great he is when he starts to decline a bit, and has to rely on guts, heart and determination, rather than genius.

I think he's got what it takes to stay on top (i.e. no 1) for as long as he wants.

Yes, it all depends on Roger's level of boredom.