Category: Federer

Novak Djokovic Booed by Paris Masters Crowd After Controversial Moment against Roger Federer

Roger Federer is in the twilight of his career, and no one can deny that the glory and the success that this prodigy has experienced over his career. Since there is suspicion over when he would retire, fans want to see the most of him before he actually leaves the sport.

Federer is currently sitting at 99 career titles and was very nearly about to make it to 100,but a fiery Novak Djokovic came in his way during the semi-final of the Paris Masters.

In the 47th meeting between the greats, a stubborn Djokovic didn’t budge and stood between Federer and the finals. Novak eventually did edge over him after a three hour encounter and won by 7-6(6) 5-7 7-6(3).

However, despite the Serb’s prolific winning streak of 22 matches, the event that happened in the third-set created a controversy within the match.

At 4-4 in the third set, Djokovic got an opportunity for a second break point, but he couldn’t work past a brilliant shot by Federer. Djokovic immediately pointed out that Federer had touched the ball twice with his racket and the shot shouldn’t count. When the umpire decided against his plea, Novak got visibly disappointed and flung his racket to the ground. He then paused the game to go and change his damaged racket, during which he got a loud roar of boos from the audience.

Novak is quite animated on the field and does try to cheer the crowd up, but he really should have known better while playing against the crowd’s darling, Federer. The crowd wasn’t happy with the actions and even gave Djokovic a piece of their mind when he eventually won. Instead of cheering for the Serb, the arena again erupted with loud booing once the game finished in favor of Djokovic.

Federer downplayed the controversy later and accredited Novak for his great run and the spirited performance. Djokovic has since apologized and mentioned that he flung his racket out of frustration over the missed break points.

The ITF has also cleared doubts regarding Federer’s shot to deny the break point by mentioning that it was completely legal. The ball did touch the racket twice, but it happened in one movement. Had Federer done two specific and separate movements to play the ball twice, then it would have been considered illegal.

This is the second match in a row that Djokovic has flung and damaged his racket in frustration.

YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TehQctrglaA

Todd Woodbridge and His Mockery of a Claim of How Federer and Nadal Transcend the Sporting World

Nadal and Federer

According to Todd Woodbridge, the former Australian tennis star, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are the perfect role models for all sportsmen to follow. Woodbridge suggests that the two stars are still topping the ATP rankings, in spite of being in the latter years of their illustrious careers. While it is true that Federer has moved past his peak days, what made the former Australian tennis star make such a claim about Nadal—aged 31—is shocking for all. Sure, Nadal is not at his peak anymore, but it would be foolish to suggest that he is at the end of his career as well.

Woodbridge’s statement would have been completely justified, had it been about tennis, as a sport only. However, when you consider how Woodbridge has claimed that both, Federer and Nadal, transcend all sports, you cannot help view the statement as a cheap publicity stunt. On top of that, Todd Woodbridge also decided to go all Shakespeare with his statement by saying that you need to lay your soul bare in the pursuit of being as good as you possibly can. He, then, went on to comment on how Federer lays his sole bare with his emotions and how Nadal does with same with his physicality.

However, to act as if these two are the only sporting superstars who lay their soul bare would be nothing short of a joke, especially when you consider the other sporting giants—such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo—who have been known by people, all around the world, to inspire greatness, awe and magic. On top of that, regardless of which sport you talk about, it is a fact that no sportsman will ever match the legacy left by the greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali. It is good to live in today—as Woodbridge does—but then you have got to remember not to make such erroneous claim or else you will making a fool out of yourself—which Woodbridge did.

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW_8_U3JxeE

Why Do Serena and Roger Have A Problem With The Dope Tests?

Serena Williams is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, regardless of the mention of gender. It is impossible for a fan of tennis to not have heard the name of Serena Williams!

After all, Serena Williams has been the champion of Wimbledon seven times throughout her illustrious career. However, what Serena Williams needs to learn and understand is that her status might be able to win her favor among the fans but that will certainly not be the case when it comes to the tennis authorities.

Serena Williams has recently raised concerns on the manner in which the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) treated her. According to her, the department is nothing short of a nuisance, forcing players to take out-of-competition tests. However, what caused Serena to truly become enraged was the fact that the anti-doping official arrived slightly earlier at her house than the time that had been decided. While it might not appear to be as big of an issue on paper, it appears as if the official should really send an apology Serena’s way, considering the hoo-ha she has created about the event ever since.

The Swiss superstar, Roger Federer, surprisingly appears to agree with Serena on the matter. According to him, Federer has already been tested five times this year while some of his American counterparts have not been tested at all. On top of that, Federer is of the opinion that Serena’s frustration is justified.

Regardless of what opinion you might hold, the fact of the matter is that the anti-doping officials target above average performers on purpose, to ensure that their dominance is well-deserved. When you consider Federer and his reign at the top, it is only natural for him to be tested more often. Perks of hogging the entire spotlight, I guess!

Federer Needs to Learn a Lesson or Two from Nadal

Nadal

We all know how Roger Federer recently decided to bow out of the clay court season, hoping to make up at the Wimbledon, right? The step would have been understandable if Federer had an injury scare, but when you consider how Federer is only ditching the clay court for the sake of “self-preservation”, it has got to raise a few eye-brows, especially when you consider his age. What Roger Federer needs to realize is that he is not getting any younger, meaning that he needs to win as many titles as possible, before his illustrious career comes to a close.

Federer, in this regard, needs to learn a trick or two from Rafael Nadal. Nadal recently participated in the Monte Carlo Masters, which is a tournament that he has already won ten times. Nadal has, freshly, recovered from an injury, yet he is determined to win the Monte Carlo Masters for the eleventh time. It would have been much easier for Nadal to sit this one out and target the Wimbledon, similar to Federer, but he refrained from doing it, regardless of how lacking in glamor his possible win at the Monte Carlo Masters might be.

It is true that Rafael Nadal has had to deal with a fair share of injuries, throughout his career, but the fact remains that Nadal is nothing short of an example when it comes to self-motivation, determination and heart. Federer, especially at the twilight of his career, needs to borrow a little heart from his adversary if he is to make his last years on the tennis count memorable for not only himself but his entire fan base, around the world, as well. The world wants MORE of Roger Federer!

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97AIaeE1WAQ

Federer Starts Failing During Crunch Time… Perhaps One Last Time

Roger Federer

Who doesn’t remember all of the hoo-ha in the tennis world, back in 2014, after Roger Federer lost consecutive matches? Federer, who was 32 back then, was closely scrutinized for his performance, as pundits called him a “has been” superstar. Afterwards, however, Federer did what Federer does bes;: go on a spree of world domination to shut all of the “self-proclaimed” pundits up. However, after Federer recently lost two matches in a row, after an unbelievable start to 2018, questions are being raised once again.

Federer’s recent loss to Thanasi Kokkinakis, an Australian who is ranked 175th in the world, has raised an eyebrow or two on where his illustrious career might be heading. On top of that, this was second defeat in a row for Federer, causing him to lose his position at the top of the world, which he had worked so hard to accomplish at the age of 36. However, the question arises; will Federer be able to come back from this hole that he finds himself in?

To say that he will be able to manage it, just as he did in 2014, would be nothing short of a fool’s dream, especially when you consider how 2014 was four years ago. Federer had much more strength, resilience and time to come back from any predicament he might have found himself in, as opposed to now when he is at the twilight of his career. Federer returns to the court next for the Wimbledon—after missing the whole of the clay court season, including the French Open. If he is unable to leave a mark on that competition, at least, and fail just like he did in Miami, the curtains might drop on his career sooner than his fans might expect!