Is Federer's consistency underrated?

Question

Despite Federer's recent "inconsistency", he is definitely still the most consistent player out there. (Men and women taken into account).

Because of his consistency, I don't think people appreciate just how consistent he is!

Because of his consistency, any small inconsistency is considered a disaster!

I do appreciate other players (especially Nadal), but you can't deny that Federer is the greatest, most consistent player playing today.

Answer 1

I dont think his consistency is under rated at all. Neither do many sportscasters, for they say the same thing, and despite his recent showings, "struggles", is always the player to beat. The level of talent has increased immensely, and its just not as easy for him to get the wins in semis and finals anymore, but still clearly is number one, until losing that spot and even then, might still be the best in the game at the time. You wont see Roger bowing out early in majors as other top 10 players do.

Answer 2

lol. yup. Relativity does contribute a great deal to his current "vulnerable" status, but I guess most people would say that he's past his peak since other players such as nadal are arguably getting close to if not eclipsing him. Fed has always been great(not the greatest yet in my book), but it has gotten to the point that most people who aren't his fans actually want him to lose, which is kinda sad.

VAMOS RAFA!!! WOOT

My prediction: Rafa wins the championship in four sets!

Answer 3

I'd have to say yes assuming I understand the question you're asking.  When you look at Federer there was a year when he only lost like 4 times in a year, and all 4 of those times were to Nadal. Then there was him getting to the final of every grand slam for more than two years straight, and the fact that he would probably have not just one but two CALENDAR YEAR grand slams IN A ROW if it weren't for Nadal's prowess on clay!

Then the guy gets Mononucleosis or whatever and it throws off his energy level and he loses in the Semi finals of the Austrialian... That's when I started to see all these people start to talk. "Oh Federer is getting old and losing his dominance"  The semi finals is a good showing!  Then he got to the finals again at the French, and won Halle again.  If anyone else has the year that Federer has had they would be thrilled with themselves and its only half over!

I think in terms of consistency he's had some trouble this year but is still in the semi's and finals of grand slams as we've seen.  He's still winning just fine.  I think that all his detractors are jumping the gun quite a bit and need to wait to see how the rest of the year plays out before you write him off.  Its easy to freak out when someone has won as much as federer has and then doesn't win a grand slam or two.  

Just keep this in mind.  When the rest of the field is having an "inconsistent" year, they are dropping out in the first week of grand slams.  Take Djokovic for example.  And the average tennis player is lucky to qualify for a grand slam.  When Federer has an inconsistent year he loses in the semi's and the Finals of grand slams and possibly still wins a couple.  We'll see.  Is that truly inconsistent?

Answer 4

No one really ever mentions his consistency. Nadal is way more consistent than Federer. That's basically his game. Federer is very offensive, as Nadal is very defensive. Federer can be pretty consistent off of both the backhand and the forehand. I like his style, but Nadal is more consistent. Fed's consistency is not underrated.

Answer 5

I completely agree with you. Federer may have occasional losses in less important tournaments, but he has not lost before the semifinals in a Grand Slam since the 2004 French Open. After all, the Grand Slams are the tournaments that matter in the end. All things considered, that is a ridiculously amazing statistic that no one else on tour (or probably anyone in the history of mens' tennis) has even come close to (note Nadal's lost in last year's US Open Quarters and Roddick and Djokovics' recent losses in the 2nd round of the Wimbledon). So anyone arguing that Federer is inconsistent plainly must be in denial.