2011 French Open: 5 Reasons Roger Federer Won't Win at Roland Garros
Roger Federer is regarded as one of the best tennis players in the history of the game.
Recently though, he hasn't played like one of the greats.
His losses are more common, his wins are less dominating and other players are playing better right now—all are reasons why he has struggled in 2011.
If I have three choices to win the French Open, Federer still deserves to be on the list.
1. Nadal
2. Djokovic
3. Federer
These are the reasons why Federer won't win the French Open:
Note: Some of the statistics used in this list come from ESPN.com and Yahoo.com.
No. 5: Clay Isn't His Best Surface
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Although Federer is known for being great on all surfaces, his clay game is a level below.
One of the main reasons Federer doesn't dominate the surface is because of the emergence of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Nadal has dominated opponents on clay, especially Federer.
Djokovic has really come into his own this season, and he is playing exceptional tennis.
Djokovic recently defeated Nadal twice on clay.
Federer is 6-3 on clay in 2011, according to Yahoo.com
In his past three clay tournaments, Federer hasn't even been able to reach the finals.
No. 4: He's Been Struggling
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Struggling is an understatement for Federer.
According to ESPN.com he has lost 174 matches throughout his career, and 13 of those losses have been in 2011.
At the Australian Open, Federer lost to Novak Djokovic in straight sets 6-7 (3-7), 5-7, 4-6.
ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships—Lost to Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 2-6.
ATP Sony Ericsson Open—Lost to Rafael Nadal 3-6, 2-6.
ATP Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters—Lost to Jurgen Melzer 4-6, 4-6.
ATP Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open—Lost to Nadal 7-5, 1-6, 3-6
ATP Internazionali BNL d'Italia—Lost to Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 6-7 (4-7).
No. 3: He's Had Little Success at Roland Garros
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Success for Federer isn't making a final—it is winning the tournament.
He has been able to make the finals at the French regularly, but he has struggled to win the tournament.
His one and only French Open title came when he defeated Robin Soderling in 2009.
Soderling returned the favor in 2010, defeating Federer in the quarterfinals.
He is 6-3 on clay this season, which isn't very good.
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No. 2: He's Past His Prime
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Federer is 29. In tennis, that is equal to a 35-year-old basketball player.
Players can overcome age though, especially if they are one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
He can overcome his age and possibly win the French Open, but there is no doubt he's past his prime.
He has been used to being the No. 1 overall player in the world. Nadal replaced him in that sense, but now Federer isn't even second—Djokovic is.
He is losing more often than ever before, and we are only about half way through the season.
He turned pro in 1998, meaning he has been playing professional tennis for 13 years. This amount of tennis wears down players, hence the short shelf life.
No 1: He's More Capable of Being Upset
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Federer has been more capable of being upset than ever before.
You used to be able to pencil him in the finals every season, but I am not sure you can do that this year.
It will depend on certain matchups, but people are believing they can play with Federer.
It almost reminds me of Tiger Woods. People now believe they can compete with him—his mystique is gone.
Federer isn't to that point quite yet, but I think we are seeing glimpses of just that.
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