Roger Federer: The next Andre Agassi?

Last night at the Canadian tennis Masters Event in Toronto, Roger Federer lost his opening round of the event to upstart Frenchmen Gilles Simon.

Federer won the first set rather easily 6-2 but Simon picked up his game in the second set, scratching it out 7-5. In the decisive third set Federer broke in the sixth game to lead 4-3, but was then broken in consecutive games to lose the set 6-4.

The match showed Federer’s rattled confidence. Following the tough Wimbledon loss, it can be shaken in a close match.

I’ve been reading and hearing in the media about how Federer is done as a top quality player. These assertions are ridiculous.

I have also heard questions about Federer’s work ethic—that he is satisfied to maintain status quo.

Before you write off Roger Federer, let me remind you all of a name you may know—Andre Agassi.

It was mid 1997 when Agassi's marriage to Hollywood starlet Brooke Shields had crumbled and Agassi was at the end of his “Playboy” stage. His ranking had plummeted to 125^th in the world, resorting to playing challengers.

Agassi would rebound to win five of his eight majors following this stumble.

Agassi was known as a rebel early in his career, and for fashion and hairstyle. Federer in recent years, particularly at Wimbledon has been known for sporting Cashmere jackets and gold trimmed tennis shoes, something he would never have done early in his career.

Like Agassi this is Federer’s low point of his career, yet he is still the world’s top ranked player. High expectations? I think so.

Like Agassi, Federer WILL make another charge. I think Gilles Simon awoke a sleeping giant. BEWARE OF FEDERER!