Nadal attacks Federer's record

When Roger Federer was once on the long way in the direction of Tennis was still the number 12 is the measure of all things. So many Grand Slam titles, had won the Australian Roy Emerson in his career, the last of which in the year 1967. The record should hold for 32 years before him, Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 1999, capitalized no matter, a year later, exceeded in 2002 and on 14 screwed before he resigned.

The seven-times Wimbledon champion from California seemed to have set the bar high. What happened, however, shortly thereafter, surpassing the wildest imagination. Only Roger Federer started in 2003, to write the tennis history at a breathtaking pace, and soon two new all-time appeared sizes.

in 2005, began five years younger, Rafael Nadal, his Empire on Sand build up, three years later, Novak Djokovic, a year joined the disciples, and the third man, to the circle of the Major winner. The domination, the playing, the Trio has since been unparalleled. Since Wimbledon 2003, it has won 51 of 62 Grand Slam titles. Today, the 52. come to that, if Nadal and Djokovic Federer's successor at the Australian Open (from 9.30 am).

2010 seemed Federer uncatchable

In the Phalanx of the trio escaped to could since Wimbledon 2003, only seven players break: first of all, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka with three Grand Slam titles, Andy Roddick, Gaston Gaudio, Marat Safin, Juan Martin Del Potro and Marin Cilic. The tennis tour is not a social place.

Federer once seemed almost uncatchable will get ahead of. To Melbourne in 2010, 16 Major trophies in his showcase, ten more than in that of Nadal's, while Djokovic still had only one. However, while for the Swiss to 7. Wimbledon victory in 2012, began a four and a half year dry spell, cleaned up his main rivals most of the trophies and moved closer to him.

As Federer was after his time-out and a fantastic Comeback at the beginning of 2018 the all-time record of 20 screws, breathed his Fans again, the lead on Nadal (16), and Djokovic (12), seemed reassuring. Seemed to – but snapshots can be deceiving. If Nadal in Melbourne should make after ten years of interruption today, his second Triumph, he would have reached 18 and could be the beginning of June with a 12. French Open trophy, Federer for the first time to a title approach.

But Djokovic is hot again: After he had for two years at Grand Slam tournaments, beat leave, he won 2018 Wimbledon and the US Open, and today could be his 15. Major trophy to get. And in contrast to Nadal, for the longer injury breaks are a constant companion, to feel of the Serb physically in top shape again after his elbow problems are in the past.

Federer himself, however, had to take yet never to claim, as the most successful tennis player in history. Accordingly, in a relaxed manner, he takes the successes of Djokovic's and Nadal's note. Who is not employed on most Major titles, it big, says Severin Lüthi. "About things we don't talk at all. Roger said: I need to win to keep Rafa at a distance. Or: Sch..., now Djokovic is already at 14." He himself did not know exactly how many Grand Slam tournaments, Nadal will have to 17 have won, says Luthi, "?".

While no player seats in a jubilant celebration at home and open a bottle of champagne, if he has a record of acceptance, says Lüthi. "More important, Roger is that he can experience this phenomenal feeling of a great title and enjoy." Also, the Thun, the statistics used to be more interested, and considered more the big picture. Who was ultimately the most successful, is not so important, he says. "What has been achieved by Roger, he has achieved." The discussion of who is the greatest player in the history, seems to interest the Public more than Federer himself.

Although this reached to his last three Grand Slam tournaments, only one-quarter and two quarter-finals, he remains in the eyes of most experts to be a candidate for another major title. He would have recovered against Stefanos Tsitsipas in Melbourne, one of his four set balls for the 2:0 Set lead, he would be eliminated against the Greeks, and would have been able to play against Nadal, against whom he has the last five duels, all won (total 15:23).

Lüthi: "I don't know when he stops"

Against Tsitsipas just did it "never click", says Lüthi. That Federer was able to him in the middle, but in spite of twelve opportunities never might have been the consequence of the fact that he had played such points to be controlled. "In the normal case, the works. But as a 19-Year-old, he would have risked all, as Tsitsipas everything. This light-heartedness he tried again to find it."

And yet to beat Nadal and Djokovic in top form in Melbourne, and now seems to be for the in August, the 38-Year-old is a very challenging task. "The two were a class better than the Rest," says TV expert Heinz Günthardt. "What did Djokovic with Manisaspor in the semi-final, would be in Boxing, a knockout victory."

Against the Serbs, Federer has lost the last four comparisons, back is 22:25. The most Important thing is, for Lüthi, that he feels that the fire is still burning in him. "He can tick off defeats quickly. But he was very disappointed, this is a good sign." He did not know how long Federer still games, "to be quite honest," said Lüthi, who remained after the departure of his employer four days in Australia. "I don't know when he stops. For me, it is not an immediate issue."

In Federer's age, you do not plan ahead, but also three years. He should intend this year to assign, he could make his fitness training is different, says Lüthi. So far he has not: "We still plan in the medium term." The issue of withdrawal would be discussed between them. "Because if you keep on talking about it, you are no longer with the head right at the thing." (Sunday newspaper)

Created: 27.01.2019, 00:23 PM