Roger Federer: Latest Results Prove It's Time to Lay off the Swiss Maestro

Roger Federer is too old; Roger Federer is past it; Roger Federer can't hack it.

Roger Federer is unable to match it with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

If you've heard any or all of the above statements in the past three months of international tennis, you're definitely not alone.

Criticism has come fast for the Swiss maestro ranging from his mental strength to his ground strokes since his defeat to Nadal at the 2012 Australian Open.

However, since that time, Federer has chalked up two ATP Tournaments and is looking to add a third at the Indian Wells Tournament final this weekend.

He took out the event in Rotterdam in February, dropping only one set in the process.

In Dubai, he did the same thing, but didn't even drop a set this time—chalking up huge wins over quality opposition like Andy Murray, Juan Martin Del Potro and Feliciano Lopez.

And if he can take out John Isner in the final at Indian Wells, Federer will well and truly have silenced the critics over his current form and ability.

I mean, seriously, look at who's left. Djokovic? Nadal? Murray? Tsonga?

Federer.

That's it.

You may want to say that it's just one tournament, and it doesn't prove anything, but taking a quick look at the ATP MatchFacts statistics for 2012, you'll see how dominant Federer still is.

Currently, the Swiss champion ranks top-three in the following categories: first serve points won, second serve points won, service games won and break points saved—all categories that Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic don't feature in the top 10.

In 2012, it's not Federer that needs to prove himself—his results speak volumes.

He's chalked up two tournaments already this year, which is one more than Djokovic and two more than Nadal.

It's time to lay off the Swiss maestro, especially if he lands a third ATP title in two months.

Criticize him when he's struggling, and criticize him when he's past it, but criticizing him when he's winning tournaments just doesn't make sense.

Especially when he's doing it against the best in the world.

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