Has Federer Peaked?
Rafael Nadal is on a roll. Plain and simple. Winning three consecutive Grand Slam titles to assert himself atop the tennis ranks. Unfortunately for Federer fans, Nadals success has a direct correlation with Federer’s struggles each player has historically served as the major roadblock for the other’s succes. Now with Federer falling early in major tournaments, the ying to his yang has taken advantage, beating Federer head to head and lasting longer when other opponents got to him first.Currently, Federer has dropped to 3 in the world, after losing in the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open. However, he did win the Australian Open at the year’s onset, the fourth Aussie crown on his extensive resume. Mired in his current title drought, hardly a drought though by his terms it is indeed, is it time to write off the 29-year old Fed Express?Absolutely not, Federer is still under 30, and with tennis far less demanding than contact sports around the world, athletes can not only survive but thrive well into their third decade. Tennis is cyclical, in Federer’s string of dominance from 2005 to 2008, the same analysts wrote of Nadal, saying he wouldn’t return to peak form. Nadal will have his day in the sun, but like all sunny days, the clouds will once again come out. Bad luck, savvy adjustments by opponents, the reason for Federer’s recent fall from grace isn’t easily apparent, but don’t bet it’s because he simply doesn’t have the talent anymore. At some in the next 2 to 3 years, Federer will re-stake his claim as the top tennis player in the world. At the very least expect the same flip-a -coin competitive intrigue he had only a year or so ago with Nadal.