What next for Roger Federer?

Roger Federer

As the tennis world gears up for the chapter XXXI of the Federer-Nadal rivalry at the Cincinnati Masters, there is one question in front of Roger Federer and his emotional fans – what next for the Swiss master?

2013 has been a year to forget for Federer. The fact that he might be World no.7 going into US Open tells you aplenty. It is not that he has played ridiculously bad, but it has been kind of an off year rather than an off day. He has tried everything to get it on track, be it the racquet change or tinkering with his usual ‘set’ schedule or withdrawing from Montreal due to a sore back.

In all, it hasn’t quite worked out well. Fans should feel good about the Halle title as it ensured that his streak of winning a title every year since 2001 is up and running.

But what next? Is there a room for redemption? Can Federer bounce back and make merry in the twilight of his career? Or will the slide continue till it hits the bottom?

Federer can certainly take heart from Nadal’s comeback; the Spaniard has been in astonishing form since returning in February and has bagged 8 titles this year till date.

One thing Federer can count on is his fitness at the age of 32. If we keep aside the minor back problems, his career has been mostly injury free. Of course playing over a thousand matches without retiring from one tells you a lot.

So now the question is longevity. One thing the fans might be reminded of at the moment is how Pete Sampras retired after winning the US Open in 2002. Guess what his age was then? Yes, 32. But Federer has insisted in the past that he is not going anywhere any soon.

So one thing that Federer needs right now is a break which he will take after the US Open. He has to relax, get back to the drawing board and come back harder.

Remember 2011? After the heart-breaking loss to Djokovic in US Open semis, Federer went on a break and came back roaring to finish the season with 3 titles at Basel, Paris Masters and Barclays World Tour Finals.

He certainly can replicate such feat. What is lacking is the confidence which has taken a hit. Every time he faces a hard hitting opponent, fans are anticipating a meltdown. In all, he still can finish the disastrous season by his standards on a high.

Tonight, most of the fans know that he will most probably lose. But what fans are looking for is a fight.

Although we all know how much emotions he shows on the court, looking at the recent performances, you feel something is lacking; the will, the hunger and the spark. It is certainly not the end of the road for the GOAT ( Greatest Player of All Time) of tennis.