No 'Backing' for Federer

2012 was a fairytale year for Federer: he collected his 17th career Slam at Wimbledon, made an emphatic return to world number 1 and hold on to the spot to pass the 300 week mark. However, the Swiss didn't back up the sensational first half of the season, looking out of sorts and uncomfortable in the latter part of the year.

He showed the first signs of rust during the US Open where he lost in the quarterfinals to Tomas Berdych. The poor form continued, and he did not win a title since, eventually losing the year-end No.1 ranking and the ATP Masters crown to Novak Djokovic. In the early stages of 2013, the all-time great played a sensational match Down Under to dismiss Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. He again did not follow it up, losing an epic battle to US Open champion, Andy Murray in the semis. Since then, he failed to successfully defend titles in Rotterdam and Dubai, as well as Indian Wells, where he succumbed to his nemesis, Rafael Nadal.

To be honest, I am not really worried about the fact that he lost to a rejuvenated Nadal. However, the back problems and his inability to close out matches (e.g. the Dubai semifinal against Berdych) are rather disconcerting. At almost 32, the Swiss has recently stressed the importance of a wise schedule, something he has maneuvered extremely well throughout his career. In an attempt to stretch his career as much as possible, he will limit this year to only a few selected tournaments, where he can score the big points. Hoping to properly prepare for the French Open, Roger will take an eight-week break, his next tournament being the Madrid Masters, where he is the defending champion.

Federer has come back swinging so many times, that I don't want to announce the end of his era just yet. If he stays healthy and he is motivated to put in the effort, I am sure he can win at least one more Slam in the coming years. Even so, I cannot but feel that Roger is past his golden age. I mean he should be, right? It would be crazy to assume otherwise and to keep expecting him to win every tournament he enters. It would be inhuman and unfair. And after his stunning Wimbledon victory I feel he has given us more than his fair share of winning. Let's just enjoy him as much as possible from now on. Of course, his big goal is the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, but it remains to be seen how his ageing body will cope with the physical intensity of the tour. You go, Roger!

Troubled by a nasty back problem, Roger was clearly below par in the much anticipated clash with his nemesis, Rafael Nadal, at Indian Wells. He ended up losing the match 6-4,6-2, and will now take a 8-month break to heal and regroup before the French Open.

photos (top-down): GETTY IMAGES, Reuters, GETTY IMAGES