Roger Federer: Why Fed-Ex Has No Shot to Win a Grand Slam in 2012

Before dropping out at Qatar earlier this month, Roger Federer was starting to look like the Fed-Ex from two or three years ago. 

He was delivering. 

Unfortunately for Fed, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic look like the Fed-Ex from five or six years ago. 

That's why the 16-time Grand Slam champion shouldn't count on adding any more titles to that list. At least not this year.

First up is Australia. And probably his best shot all year.

Fed has been at his best in Australia over the past two years, winning in 2010 and making it to the semis last year.

He lost to Djoker in straight sets last year and will struggle if he has to face him again. Djokovic is just too good right now. 

What's more, you have to wonder how healthy his back is. He reportedly dropped out of Qatar simply as a precautionary measure, but we'll see how he holds up after playing four or five matches.

I just don't think he has enough to get through a whole tournament right now.

Next up is the French Open.

And if you say he's going to get past Rafa Nadal on a clay court, I might just say you're crazy. 

Nadal is 45-1 in the French Open. 45-1. That's a 98-percent winning percentage. Good luck.

Then you've got Wimbledon, which historically has been Federer's best tournament. However, he's been at his worst there in the past two years, failing to reach the semis both times.

He fell to Tomas Berdych and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, by far two of the worst Grand Slam losses of his career. Fed-Ex just doesn't seem to have it at Wimbledon anymore.

Last chance is in the States. The US Open, however, is where Federer has his longest losing streak (three years).

Nadal and Djoker have owned that tournament the last two years, and it would be extremely difficult for Federer to get past both of them. 

Roger Federer is still an extremely talented tennis player. He just isn't No. 1 or No. 2 anymore.