louiselux: (Default)
louiselux ([personal profile] louiselux) wrote2009-04-28 07:59 pm

Cake and Roger

I'm making cake of the carrot! I have to ice it and be out of the house by 8, and it's just now about to come out of the oven. Doable.

Update: cake faaaaail

Anyway, I have some thoughts on Roger. Roger's Rome interview for Tennis TV is interesting. He sounds a lot more wary than usual about his chances, aware that his confidence has taken a hit, but he also sounds like he's being realistic, and maybe a tiny bit hopeful that this is the point where he starts to get back some form. Rafaesque, he says he's not looking past the first round at the moment.

It's clear that he doesn't know really yet where his game is. He's lost it somewhere, in the last year, and from what he says I guess he doesn't think it's come back yet. He's been working on his forehand and 'working to get his serve back'. I must say I'm glad to hear that he's being so realistic and focussed about what he needs to do with his game.

Another interesting thing is that he admits that recent losses have not only dented his confidence but that they have confused him, leaving him unsure of what areas of his game to work on. I remember him saying recently, in a defiant manner, that he doesn't work on his weaknesses. But here, he suggests that his losses have propelled him to work maybe on the wrong things, strengths instead of weaknesses.

I sometimes wonder if it would help him mentally to be 'on message' about what he wants, and cut down on the contradictions. I'm guessing it's the sort of thing having a coach would help with - that process of bouncing ideas of someone else, who can say 'actually, you have to just pick one of those goals'.

"I don't necessarily need to get to No. 1; I just need to win the French Open," Federer said. "That's what my goal is.

Compared with:

"If you're not No. 1 then it's about winning titles and getting back No. 1. That's the position I'm in now."

Interview is here.

[identity profile] fedal-fangirl.livejournal.com 2009-04-28 08:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I, too, was glad to see Roger being a bit more realistic about how his game is going right now. I think if he were a bit more humbled, he wouldn't catch so much flack and criticism from the media.

[identity profile] fedal-fangirl.livejournal.com 2009-04-28 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
oh and yes, he was a bit confusing and contradictory in his interview. I'm suspecting Rafa kept him out late. You know, discussing ATP business and such.

[identity profile] i-am-zan.livejournal.com 2009-04-29 12:01 am (UTC)(link)
Oh ... sorry to hear about the cake! *hugs* I'm like that with my bread sometimes!

I hope he finds his 'game' and that it is the one he wants to be playing. Because the summer season is here and I dunno maybe he should relax a teensy weensy bit, before the stress and pressure from those hit him like a truck! It isn't just the games at these it's having the world's eyes on you 24/7 too! Ahhh you gotta feel a little for the players I think.

I hope your guys do good! ^__^

[identity profile] morebliss.livejournal.com 2009-04-29 12:43 am (UTC)(link)
That interview made me feel a lot better about where Roger's head is at. Also, he looked real purty.

[identity profile] kispexi2.livejournal.com 2009-04-29 08:17 am (UTC)(link)
I sometimes wonder if it would help him mentally to be 'on message' about what he wants, and cut down on the contradictions. I'm guessing it's the sort of thing having a coach would help with - that process of bouncing ideas of someone else, who can say 'actually, you have to just pick one of those goals'

Sound advice for all of us, not just tennis players. And probably part of why we feel the need to blog.

[identity profile] louiselux.livejournal.com 2009-04-29 08:22 am (UTC)(link)
He sounds more realistic and quite focused, doesn't he? I liked what he said a lot. And he did look *very* pretty.

[identity profile] louiselux.livejournal.com 2009-04-29 08:24 am (UTC)(link)
My cake was all soggy in the middle! It was a disaster really, but I'm going to bake it again today and see what happens.

The pressure they must be under, being under scrutiny all the time-- I shudder to think what it's like. *Pets him*

[identity profile] louiselux.livejournal.com 2009-04-29 08:25 am (UTC)(link)
Intense "discussion" is very important for two such important sports figures. Yes.

[identity profile] louiselux.livejournal.com 2009-05-11 04:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes indeed! It never fails to amaze me how much (helpful) impact a fresh voice can make on how I'm thinking or feeling about things.