CAMELOT FANTASIES

General hercules, Lady TT, I have no idea how Roger Federer will play at Roland Garros. 

Physically he is probably fine, but he is probably undercooked a bit in match play which leaves him susceptible to upsets if he is rusty early against the wrong player. 

Mentally, who knows what planet he is on after the birth of his twin sons?  It might take hims some time to find his mental equilibrium again, maybe not. 

I would hope for him to make it at least to the QF at Roland Garros, and then play well in Halle, perhaps a final, and be ready for a full assault at Wimbledon with enough match play, and being relatively rested, he should be tough to beat there.  But again, who knows? 

Anything more he does is gravy on his plate.  He's probably playing more for the fun of it at this point, though he has done some serious conditioning, so it's obviously not without effort to be fit enough to do well.  Doesn't seem to be taking his losses in the finals too hard, though I thought he didn't look so happy after his upset to Chardy in Rome.  We'll see what happens. 

It's a major life change to add two more children to the family, but if anyone can handle it, it is multitasking Roger Federer, with the great help of his wife, family, and friends of course.    He could retire this year, and I wouldn't be surprised, or he could go on till 40 and I wouldn't be surprised either.

Respectfully,
masterclass

While all that is true, masterclass, one thing we know about Roger is that he likes to make a statement. It's when people give up on him that he comes back to settle the score. Fed is in the best position possible. He still has major game and the pressure is off of him, so to speak.

I think he'll know when to quit. It may be abruptly or he may ease out of the game, but we don't know for sure what motivates him and it's entirely possible that he can still have a swan song.

Yes, general hercules, Federer has a big game.  Question is with the birth of his twins, will he be ready?

It seems he went to Roland Garros early this year after his early loss in Rome. 

Here is Federer in game practice with the talented Grigor Dimitrov - "Dynamitrov"



Looks like Grigor has some work to do.

Respectfully,
masterclass

awesome stuff general masterclass the magnificent.




thanks for posting it and sharing it with us.



dynamitrov is a rising star but I think his best surface is going to end up being the faster courts. he will do his best work on the hard courts in the long run scheme of things.

he is great on clay but not great enough for the top guns.


he moves well for a big guy but he is not consistent enough for the red clay.

Full Men's main draw in Post #1

Projected QF's
Nadal vs. Ferrer

Wawrinka vs. Murray

Federer vs. Berdych

Djokovic vs. Raonic

Respectfully,
masterclass

Could have been worse for Rafa, but not much. 

Pitfalls:

2nd round - the rising Thiem might make it tough, or could be easy pickings if overwhelmed by the occasion.
4th round - Almagro if he makes it past Haas who is still nursing a shoulder issue
QF - Ferrer -  possible 3rd round with Giraldo, and 4th with Dimitrov, should make it through
SF - Wawrinka - can be there if he makes it past GGL in a tough 1st round match, Fognini in the 4th round and Murray in the QF

Rafa could face 3 players that have beaten him this year.  Chance for redemption I guess, but certainly not easy.

Murray has it tough.

1st round Golubev if he is on can be dangerous, though he is probably better on hard court.
3rd round Kohli destroyed Murray the only time they met at Monte Carlo.
If he makes it to the 4th round, likely Verdasco or any of Berlocq,  Gasquet (but he might withdraw), Hewitt (doubt it)
QF - potentially Wawrinka who is unbeaten on clay vs. Murray in 3 attempts. The last time in 2013 Monte Carlo was not pretty

Respectfully,
masterclass

Quote from: masterclass on May 23, 2014, 07:22:05 am

Could have been worse for Rafa, but not much. 

Pitfalls:

2nd round - the rising Thiem might make it tough, or could be easy pickings if overwhelmed by the occasion.
4th round - Almagro if he makes it past Haas who is still nursing a shoulder issue
QF - Ferrer -  possible 3rd round with Giraldo, and 4th with Dimitrov, should make it through
SF - Wawrinka - can be there if he makes it past GGL in a tough 1st round match, Fognini in the 4th round and Murray in the QF

Rafa could face 3 players that have beaten him this year.  Chance for redemption I guess, but certainly not easy.

Murray has it tough.

1st round Golubev if he is on can be dangerous, though he is probably better on hard court.
3rd round Kohli destroyed Murray the only time they met at Monte Carlo.
If he makes it to the 4th round, likely Verdasco or any of Berlocq,  Gasquet (but he might withdraw), Hewitt (doubt it)
QF - potentially Wawrinka who is unbeaten on clay vs. Murray in 3 attempts. The last time in 2013 Monte Carlo was not pretty

Respectfully,
masterclass

I am not happy with the draw because I wanted andy murray in nole's 1/2. I wanted to see a 5 set battle between andy and nole.



other than that, the tough draw for rafa might work out. he has to cast out his demons.

he needs the work. tougher draw will prepare him best for the final.


he has to roll up his sleeves and dig deep for this one.

I think Rafa will be ready. He has a lot on the line at this year's RG, and he usually rises to the challenge. This is what I wish for.

Order of Play for Sunday Day 1 - Bottom half first

Respectfully,
masterclass

Order of Play for Sunday Day 1 - Bottom half first

Respectfully,
masterclass

great stuff general.

roger will get his campaign started tomorrow. he should not have any issues at all tomorrow.



best of luck to roger and his fans.

This is unbelievably funny! People!