Tennis Fans! How good is Roger Federer?

[joeybee12]

I agree that it's kind of ridiculous that some people are saying he's the best ever. He's too young, and has a long way to go. But he's dominating tennis like no one has in quite some time. Even when right-wing nutcase Pete Sampras was on top, it was largely because he won at Wimbledon so often, as his game was suited for that.

Besides, Roger is a breath of fresh air. Both the men's and women's games now are dominated by power players, so it's nice to see someone with such touch and expert shotmaking on top. Usually matches are serve, smash, and it's over. That's why some of the earlier rounds in the men's bracket this year--between lower-ranked players--were much more entertaining. You saw excellent shot-making, and not just overpowering serves.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. I just had this conversation yesterday

unless someone as good comes along, he will dominate as Sampras did.

[Lavender Brown]

2. Sampras was a RW nutcase?

I didn't know that.

[joeybee12]

3. He LOVES Pat Buchanan--that classifies him as a RW nutcase in

my book!

[dogtag]

4. Give young Mr. Johansson another year

and Roger will get a run for his money. The quarterfinal match against Roddick was the most fun I've had in quite awhile.

[joeybee12]

5. He's an up and commer, no doubt....

...but even Hewitt, who was playing phenomenal tennis throughut the tournament, couldn't come close to staying with Roger. I think if he wants it bad enough, Roger has 2-3 more years, maybe 4, with no one touching him.

[MuseRider]

6. I was amazed

by the result yesterday. I had to leave for rehearsal before the second set was over. Hewitt had been playing well before yesterday but Federer apparently trashed him.

I like Roger. He seems like a nice, humble guy with amazing skills on the court. He is fun to watch. Sampras, although terrific, always bored me.

[moobu2]

7. I agree, it was a great US open this year

I watched every televised game this year, I can never remember doing that in the past, I thoroughly enjoyed it this year, bad calls and all.

I did think Hewitt would have done better but Federer was relentless, he really deserved it. Johansson was incredible as well. Glad to see some great tennis for a change and not just these imposable to return service games.

Elena Dementieva was unbelievable to watch and I think if she had more time to recuperate from her previous match the day before with Jennifer C., she might have pulled it off but Svetlana Kuznetsova was just to tuff.

It was just a fantastic US open this year.

Cant believe one of the William sisters wasn't in the final though.

[joeybee12]

8. I'm starting to think we won't see either Williams sister in any more

finals, much less any Americans. Lindsey was playing great, but she gets hurt so damn often. Jennifer did better in this year's semi-final (compared to last year), but she still should have won. At the opening of the third set she needed to be more hungry, and could have put it away. She was playing not to lose, instead of playing to win.

The Williams sisters are in denial. Serena always grouses that she loses because she doesn't play well. She needs to realize that she doesn't play well because the other players have caught up and won't allow her to play her game. Until she realizes this, she'll contiue to drop.

Venus also needs to get a forehand coach--that part of her game is off totally. Tracy Austin suggested this and Richard Williams attachked Tracy's family! Hopefully, Venus' Mom will take the suggestion seriously.

With Serena the youngest of these four at 23, and no young Americans on the horizon, I think we're looking at a drought for Americans for quite some time!

[Awsi Dooger]

9. Federer makes it look like ping pong

Effortless flicks of the wrist, almost reminiscent of Laver in his prime.

He really screwed up the betting odds this year. I won't be getting 5/1 on Federer at Wimbledon any more.

[Tracer]

10. He's VERY good!

I love to watch him. He's not only an amazing player, but he doesn't make a scene on the court like that show-off, fist-pumping Andy Roddick.

However, I truly was torn during the Agassi/Federer match! I wanted BOTH of them to win!

I never knew that Sampras was a RWinger, but I always knew there was a reason I disliked him.

[shoopnyc123]

11. Federer is the best...

...and Roddick is a flash in the pan...our athletes suffer from the same sickness that our journalists suffer from; the need for "celebrity". In a recent survey, 95% of the respondents said they would prefer celebrity over wealth...we're in a strange world now, that humility and hard work will begin to win out...(can we say, Kerry)?

[joeybee12]

12. Hell, give me the wealth if they don't want it!

I do, however, think Andy will be around for a while. He's a hot-head, though, and the pressure was getting to him throughout the tournament. When he gets that under control he'll be able to win another big one, but he also has to hope that Roger isn't at the top of his game.

[happyasaclam]

13. Amazing

He is the most naturally talented tennis player I have seen, and that first set against Hewitt was the best I have ever seen anyone play.
Unless he suffers from injury, or someone improves rather dramatically, he will break Pete Sampras's record.

[joeybee12]

14. Yeah, and I'm sure he'll eventually win the French, which Pete never could

Roger has a much better all-around game--not just power--which translates better on clay. I'm actuallly surprised he didnt do better at this year's French Open--he won a clay tournament right before the French, beating some pretty good clay court players along the way.