Why Roger Federer Will Continue to Be a Miserable Failure
It's time to accept that the torch has been passed a long time ago, and that Roger Federer just can't win anything that matters anymore.
The 2011 season showed us signs that the best days of Federer had indeed passed, and any good that comes from the court would need to be savored.
This is a big year for Federer who continues his drive to add another Grand Slam to his trophy case that is adorned with them. There is also the added Summer Olympics to think about.
A full plate of expectations becomes overflowing for an aging star that may in fact be over the hill. Consider that Federer continues to have issues with conditioning when the schedule really begins to heat up, but now it will be worse.
The Swiss master will head into the Australian Open with a back injury that will serve to derail him from the start. This is a man that hasn't won a Grand Slam since 2010's Australian Open. That is two years of getting older and more creaky in the legs.
Ravi Ubha of ESPN investigates the chances of Federer and Rafa Nadal usurping the rising Novak Djokovic. He has some grim news for Federer, who although finished 2011 in fine fashion, is being hit hard by injury and age at the moment.
"...a tender back, Federer said, hampered him at Wimbledon in 2010 (when he lost to Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals).
Federer has competed at the Australian Open with less than 100 percent strength, too. Unknown to him then, he had a mild case of mono in 2008. Djokovic beat him in the semis that year.
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Federer has to be fit to compete with the youth in this tournament, and that is sadly not the case. His amazing finish at indoor venues towards the end of 2011 cannot be used for confidence.
It will be a far different at the hard court event that will most definitely see another crowned champion. From there, his fitness will be tested by a full slate that gets the added Summer Games.
This is not the time to put tremendous confidence in Roger Federer slaying the competition.
