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Federer Gunning For ATP No. 1 in Rotterdam
69 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Scoop
By Scoop Malinowski
Roger Federer has the chance to be ATP World No. 1 again and he wants to take his shot at making tennis history as the oldest world no. 1 in history. Roger will take a wild card into next week’s ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, where he can reclaim the No. 1 ATP Ranking for the first time in more than five years if he advances to the semifinals.
Federer last held the top ranking on October 4, 2012. From his No. 1 ranking, Federer closed the gap to within 155 points of Rafael Nadal after winning his 20th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. Nadal is not playing next week so Federer will obtain enough points to overtake Nadal if he can reach at least the semi.
36 year old Federer has previously played Rotterdam Tour 500 tournament eight times, winning twice, in 2005 and 2012.
Federer first became the ATP No. 1 fourteen years ago on February 2, 2004. He still holds the all time record for most weeks spent at No. 1 (302). If Federer achieves his objective next week of reaching at least the semifinal he will erase the record of Andre Agassi who currently holds the honor of being the oldest World No. 1 which he achieved at the age of 33.
Nadal is not scheduled to return to action until the final week of February when he will play Acapulco. Sam Querrey defeated Nadal at Acapulco last year.
Rotterdam Tournament Director Richard Krajicek was obviously thrilled about Federer joining his draw: “We are thrilled that Roger has chosen to come to the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament last minute. After his fantastic result at the Australian Open, it is tremendous news that he will be joining us in Rotterdam. It is a crown to the celebration of the history of our tournament.”
Roger Federer comments: “The tournament is special for me. I remember playing for the first time in 1999 as it was one of the first events where I got the chance to play at the highest level. It feels good to join in the celebrations of the 45th edition.”
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1 2 Next »Duke Carnoustie · February 7, 2018 at 11:33 pm
Congrats to the great Fed on reaching No. 1. He deserves it. He makes all of look like bufoons. Perhaps the greatest athlete of all time.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2018 at 8:29 am
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Duke, Federer is the greatest champion in sports history IMO. And achieving no. 1 at age 36 is another record that will never be broken.
Chazz · February 8, 2018 at 9:00 am
I’ll agree with that. I’ll even add that we have never seen anything like this before and will never again. I’m still not sure he’s human, but he did cry after winning the AO so maybe.
Nadal goat2 · February 8, 2018 at 9:02 am
Well its going be hard for anyone to beat Federer oldest 1no but it can happen. Players like Djokovic, Andy Murray ,Nadal could bet it.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2018 at 9:04 am
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Chazz, the crying could have been a smokescreen to make us think he's human 🙂 No, he's always been super sensitive and has cried throughout his career after special wins. He cried after winning two singles matches vs USA in Davis Cup when he was still a teen. He cried after winning his first Masters in Hamburg. So it's normal for Fed to cry after special wins or even losses. Sensitive man and it means the world to him.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2018 at 9:06 am
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Bryden Klein's agony continues. In Launceston Challenger Klein lost 64 46 76 (7-5) to Matosevic. Another heartbreaking close loss for Klein. How many of these can a man suffer through and endure? He loses so many of these kinds of heartbreakers.
Nadal goat2 · February 8, 2018 at 9:10 am
Well its ik
Well its OK then Federer cry then he wins, but then does it then he losses it make Federer look like a cry baby.lol AO 09 Federer is not a good loser
britbox · February 8, 2018 at 9:12 am
I had a gut feeling Federer wouldn't be able to resist the opportunity. Let's hope it doesn't turn out like the off-the-cuff trip to Canada last year… which was basically the only reason he went… and ended up sabotaging his chances at Cinci at the US Open.
britbox · February 8, 2018 at 9:12 am
Nadal goat2 said:
↑
A good loser… is a loser.
Nadal goat2 · February 8, 2018 at 9:17 am
True does not mean Federer should cry like little baby every time he loses to Nadal, djokovic.
britbox · February 8, 2018 at 9:23 am
Nadal goat2 said:
↑
Yep, and that's why he doesn't.
Federberg · February 8, 2018 at 9:24 am
has he ever cried after losing to Novak??
Nadal goat2 · February 8, 2018 at 9:27 am
Federberg said:
↑
well he has not done that crying vs djokovic
britbox · February 8, 2018 at 9:28 am
^Sorry, I can't really be bothered in engaging in an infantile conversation on who Federer has cried the most against.
Chazz · February 8, 2018 at 9:59 am
I would say the vast majority of pro tennis players are gracious losers. One instance 8 years ago does not make someone a sore loser. It’s actually incredible to me that there aren’t more sore losers in such a mentally and physically exhausing sport. If I lose a gut wrenching club match it’s hard to mask how pissed off I am. These guys are remarkably cool given the circumstances and how much time and energy they put into it.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2018 at 10:07 am
Scoop Malinowski writes:
I know a lot of players who have cried after losses, pro and even Gene Scott after losing a practice match to Butch Seewagen as an adult! Gotta respect Federer for having such emotional passion and power that he could not hide it after some of his tough losses and wins. Special person. and nothing to be ashamed of.
GameSetAndMath · February 8, 2018 at 10:11 am
To be honest, despite being Fed fan, I did not like Fed crying in 2009 after AO loss. I felt it took the limelight away from Rafa.
However, Fed did not do it intentionally and it was just that he was genuinely overcame by strong emotions. Nowadays, I am used
to his crying.
p.s. Funny, they call Stan the cry baby who has never cried even when people insult his GF.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2018 at 10:12 am
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Chazz, they, not all but a fair number, hide the pain from the public and wait till they get to the locker room to vent or express their rage or frustration after a heartbreaking loss. I used to be able to get into the US Open locker room for over a decade until the ITF changed policy about five years ago. I saw a lot and heard a lot of stories. Most players hide it when they do the handshakes and leave the court and they suppress it for a few minutes. Of course some can handle it better.
catherine · February 8, 2018 at 11:52 am
Hartt – what happened to Felix in Budapest? Just saw the score.
Hartt · February 8, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Catherine, I watched that match and have never seen Felix play so poorly. I hope it was just a bad day and that there isn’t something wrong. But have to admit his opponent played extremely well, probably the match of his career.
GameSetAndMath · February 8, 2018 at 2:49 pm
Actually, In tennis it is really tough situation. They expect the loser to stay around and give a speech on top of that.
In most other sports, the losers leave the court immediately and only the winners stay for the trophy presentation.
The advantage in that is that the losers have a few days time to digest the situation and come to perspective before
meeting the press.
Perhaps, they should get rid of dinner plates in tennis.
If the winner cries, it is ok. If the loser cries, it kind of looks bad.
Federberg · February 8, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Lol! He did cry last year at Indian Wells I think. Called Roger an a-hole for laughing if I remember correctly
catherine · February 8, 2018 at 3:02 pm
In tennis it’s only after the final that the loser stays on court, not in previous rounds.
I’d agree with you that it’s an unnecessary cruelty. But TV doesn’t care about feelings.
Used to be, at Wimbledon at least, no one made any speeches after matches or at the trophy presentation. That was nice.
Losers don’t always look bad crying – Jana Novotna didn’t. Instead she sealed her place in history.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2018 at 3:20 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
I think the loser crying shows how much these players care and it illustrates just how much they have sacrificed in their lives to make some of these matches so traumatic sometimes. Seeing Michelle Larcher De Brito crying on the court while and then after blowing the 61 50 lead to Svitolina at US Open qualies about six years ago was painful to see such suffering. Seeing Djokovic cry after losing in the Olympics to Del Potro in Rio was unforgettable. I lose no respect for any player that cries after a loss. Sampras cried on court after losing to Bastl, Jim Courier noticed it and said it on TNT. It's a sport of ecstasy and agony.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2018 at 3:23 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Federer cried in 2009 when the crowd roared for him if I remember correctly during his consolation speech, combined with the presence of Rod Laver, he just was overcome by all the emotions. It did not take any glory away from Nadal. I would say it made the triumph even more special and more memorable for the fans. Special moment in tennis history. Signature moment, sort of like Guga drawing the heart on clay on Chatrier.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2018 at 3:25 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Catherine, I wonder why or who changed that and initiated the finalist and champion to make their speeches? Do you remember when this change was instituted? I think it's a good idea and it shows a different view of the players. It makes the grand occasion even more grand.
Busted · February 8, 2018 at 3:27 pm
Unless those 3 guys make some changes to their games and play shorter points – they'll be retired long before 36 1/2.
Duke Carnoustie · February 8, 2018 at 3:31 pm
Meanwhile great Tomic interview..
“I know the only way Australia will win the Davis Cup is with me and Nick playing. They know it too.”
“I didn’t care what Lleyton said, I never lost to him.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUYB64RYxRY
Busted · February 8, 2018 at 3:40 pm
I'm kind of surprised to see Roger take a wildcard into Rotterdamn, but his Dubai contract is up – and Rotterdamn is a lot closer to his home in Switzerland. I think it's a good idea to play Rotterdamn and then if he doesn't get enough points he can always play Dubai the last week of Feb. Nadal's going to lose 300 points and needs to make the final just to retain those points. The good news is that if Roger wins Rotterdamn, even if Nadal wins Acapulco – he can't take back the #1 slot until IW. And then he's got about 4680 clay points to defend…
catherine · February 8, 2018 at 3:47 pm
Scoop – I don’t know when the on-court interviews started at Wimbledon – later than the USO I think. Probably after the 90s, when I wasn’t watching much tennis.
I always liked the dignity of the W’don presentation but it seemed to lose something when the Duchess of Kent no longer presented the trophy, and I suppose time moves on and fans like all the talk and interviews. I don’t think they add much myself but that’s just a personal view.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2018 at 3:48 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Busted, Fed did not have an overly taxing Aus Open. He has a rare opening to actually be No. 1, he has to take it and it's no surprise that he is going for it. Anything can happen, any injury can happen at any time. Any chance to be no. 1 you have to take it. Surely there are huge bonuses involved I would reckon with Nike, Wilson and maybe more of his sponsors. I know Rios earned $2.5m bonuses from both Nike and Yonex when he beat Agassi in Miami to be no. 1 in 1998. I would guess Fed's bonuses are far greater.
Busted · February 8, 2018 at 3:49 pm
Wow, you Nadal fans are so stuck on that. Roger cried because he was playing for history – to tie Pete Sampras at 14 Slams. Some people were touched by how much it meant to him to make history and that he showed that side of himself on such a big occasion. Andy Murray cried at the 2010 ceremony after he lost to Roger and you Nadal fans aren't still shitting on him about that. It's at the 2:40 mark…
Federberg · February 8, 2018 at 3:59 pm
The AO finals speech thing is brutal. It takes so long, and you're forced to stand out there and stew in front of the entire world. I don't fault any player for crying. I would rather give props to the ones who can hold themselves together like Rafa. That's proper man stuff right there 😀
Busted · February 8, 2018 at 4:02 pm
I agree that he has to go for it. I just assumed he would play Dubai since Nadal has 300 points to defend that same week. But, this way if he at least makes the semis he'll be #1 for a few weeks. Nadal will have to win Acapulco to get back to #1 so he could still be #1 when IW starts.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2018 at 4:03 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Federberger; One of the most touching emotional moments I ever saw in sports was Buster Douglas being interviewed by Larry Merchant after he knocked out Mike Tyson in Tokyo in 1990, giving Tyson his first professional loss. And Douglas was overcome by the emotions of the moment when Merchant mentioned the inspiration of his mother who had recently passed away. Buster suddenly broke down and cried but it did not tarnish the beautiful moment at all. Made it far more special.
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2018 at 4:08 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Duke, incredible interview. Tomic is very smart, very bright, well spoken, intelligent and he has his head on straight. He is not mentally off like Hewitt suggested. Tomic also clearly has the dirt on Tennis Australia and the corrupt figures involved that need to be removed. Stunning to hear him insinuate that Tennis Australia is corrupt like FIFA with their match fixing. Clearly Tomic has leverage and evidence of corruption of corruption and he plans on using it as leverage to get back into the good graces of the Davis Cup team. He might even use that leverage to force TA to remove Hewitt. The tone and certainty and defiance of Tomic's voice regarding TA corruption does not sound like a bluff at all. This situation is very interesting and I applaud and support Tomic on his way back to reaching the top 15 and 5 of tennis. The media is going to try to smear and slander him so he will need to be strong to take on the TA establishment.
Federberg · February 8, 2018 at 4:10 pm
Yes I remember that. Don’t get me wrong I hold nothing against the guys who cry. In fact I find it touching, I warmed up to Murray after his 2012 loss to Roger in Wimbledon for example. But I’m even more impressed by the guys who hold it together like Roddick in 2009. He cried in the privacy of the dressing room, somehow that feels more poignant to me
Scoop Malinowski · February 8, 2018 at 4:41 pm
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Nobody, no man wants to cry in public ever. But it happens on rare occasions and you have to understand and accept there was a pretty poignant reason for a man to breakdown and cry in public. No shame in doing it by any man. Emotions are too strong to control sometimes.
GameSetAndMath · February 8, 2018 at 5:21 pm
Kyrgios is one player who could potentially stop Roger before Roger reaches SF (as he needs to get to #1), especially as Kyrgios is not a top 8 seed in Rotterdam. However, Kyrgios withdrew from Rotterdam today due to Elbow injury.
GameSetAndMath · February 8, 2018 at 5:24 pm
I can take crying by winner by and large. I can understand and sympathize with the crying of loser (my only problem is that it
may spoil the mood for the winner and his team) and I agree that it shows how much they care.
But, one crying I cannot take is the crying during the match (like Sabine Lisciki did in Wimbledon finals). Come on, please
cry before or after the match. Please focus on playing the game during the match.
Moxie · February 8, 2018 at 7:57 pm
I was upset with Federer for that, at the time. I did think it took away from Rafa's moment. But I got over it. There was a lot of pressure on Roger to tie Pete, it was a tough loss, and Rafa handled it really well. I appreciate that you saw that, though.
Moxie · February 8, 2018 at 8:05 pm
scoop said:
↑
When Roger couldn't continue his speech, Rafa threw his arm around Roger's neck and spoke to him. Then they gave Rafa the trophy, and he didn't hold it above his head, only at shoulder level. He honored the tournament and the crowd, but he didn't show up a great champion. That's nothing you could have prepared for. I think it was one of Rafa's best moments, as a gentleman and a sportsman. It showed his character, which some do disparage.
Duke Carnoustie · February 8, 2018 at 10:58 pm
Scoop,
I wonder if Tomic has leverage to fix Tennis Australia of corruption. I don’t doubt he is correct but I don’t now if he has the leverage since it seems like the public is painting Tomic like a crazy person and won’t believe him. Yet as you say, Tomic is not at all crazy and quite level-headed. The interviewer was similarly charmed as well. But the next logical question is who wants to follow up on his claims.
Tomic is also right that Australia needs him and Nick to win the DC. That’s his leverage and he and Kyrgios should team up and use it to get Hewitt and his cronies out of the organization. Hewitt is useless as a coach anyway as you point out and not beloved anyway by Aussies.
What a win for Moutet 8-6 in the third set. Now he faces qualifier Martin next. Could we be looking at the tournament winner? I’m impressed he didn’t take the easy route and play at home in Montpelier.
Nadal goat2 · February 9, 2018 at 12:08 am
Not really Djokovic has only one major injury He's got at least 5 more years left , Murray might not make to 36 but will get close. Nadal we don't know how long he will play could be just 3 more seasons or it could be 6 So well will see in time.
Scoop Malinowski · February 9, 2018 at 8:09 am
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Roger is going to win and rename the event Roggerdam 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · February 9, 2018 at 8:11 am
Scoop Malinowski writes:
GSandM, if tears flow naturally during a match it should not be criticized. It's natural, Tennis is a game of agony and ecstasy. It's hard to watch a player cry during a match and to see that level of suffering but it's part of the sport, like violent displays of rage, you just have to accept.
Scoop Malinowski · February 9, 2018 at 8:13 am
Scoop Malinowski writes:
yes Moxie, the drama of that emotional trophy ceremony showed us new aspects of each of Rafa and Fed's characters. So it was special and we should just accept and appreciate what we saw and not condemn Roger for losing his emotional self control. There are no perfect people in the ATP top 100 as far as I know.
Scoop Malinowski · February 9, 2018 at 8:18 am
Scoop Malinowski writes:
Duke, Tomic said with rock solid concrete certainty that he stands by the nuclear bomb accusations that he unleashed on Tennis Australia and most likely Hewitt. He did not flinch. Obviously he has the information and the dirt and he intends on using it to his advantage. I'm sure he will eventually get his way, if he can regain his fitness and confidence and top 20 results. Which I believe he has made clear he is going to work hard to do. And he did it once before falling to around 150 then fighting back to top 18. So Tomic has done it and he can do it again. I think there are some major tensions between Tomic and Hewitt and from what I could detect in this interview by Tomic, Tomic is going to be a tough man for Hewitt to get rid of. Gonna get very interesting this Tomic vs Hewitt feud.
britbox · February 9, 2018 at 9:53 am
I think Hewitt wins the feud. Despite the loss to Germany (and let's not sugar-coat it – it was a bad loss), he's fostered a real team spirit in Team Australia. Tomic isn't a team player – he's totally self-absorbed.We need to put Tomic in perspective also – he's a big name without the results to back it up. He got to a QF at Wimbledon in 2011… he's hardly the titan of the game he thinks he is. It's a long trek back for Tomic to get in the Top 20 or even top 30.
Duke Carnoustie · February 9, 2018 at 10:01 am
On the topic of crying, the great Tom Brady was seen crying after the Super Bowl. Nobody is more masculine than Brady, who is a great supporter of Donald Trump and never makes excuses for losing. So in my view there is nothing wrong with crying.
I tend to think Hewitt should be on thin ice. He and Kyrgios better be close because if Nick hates him, Hewitt will definitely be out of the job. I think Hewitt doesn’t want it long-term anyway; he’s like John McEnroe.