The decline of the Swiss Maestro, a.k.a Roger Federer?

His defeat in the semifinals at the 2011 Australian Open to eventual champion, Novak Djokovic, marked the first time since Wimbledon 2003 that Roger Federer is not the current holder on any major championship.  Federer has had an amazing career - 67 total ATP titles, 16 of which are Slams, more titles at major than any other player in the game, two more slams than the great 'Pistol' Pete Sampras.  He also won a doubles gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics with compatriot, Stanislas Wawrinka.  

Federer (left), Stanislas Wawrinka (right) at Beijing Games

He claimed the number one ranking spot on February 2, 2004, and he held that position for a record 237 consecutive weeks (a little over 4 1/2 years).  Early July 2010 was the first time Roger dropped down to the number three ranking position since November 10, 2003.  He was able to end 2010 ranked number two, but his loss to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals at Indian Wells (in straight sets) brought him back down to number three.   

Federer crying at '09 Aussie Open as trophy is presented to Nadal

He began his slam domination in 2003 with his first major win at Wimbledon.  2004 saw him win three majors - the first player to do so since Mats Wilander in 1988.  He went on to win at least two majors until 2008 when he only won the US Open - he was defeated by Rafael Nadal in finals of the French Open and Wimbledon.  In 2007 he reached the finals of all four majors, only losing to Nadal at the French Open.  2009 he lost to Nadal in the Australian Open final (and cried during trophy presentation), but regrouped by winning both the French and Wimbledon (with the help of Nadal who lost in the quarters of the French & didn't play Wimbledon due to an injury).  He lost in the finals of the 2009 US Open to Juan Martin Del Potro.  2010 he won the Australian Open, but lost in the quarters of the French Open to Robin Soderling.  This was the first time since the '04 French Open that he failed to reach the semifinals of a major, and the first time he lost to anyone other than the eventual champion.  Then later in 2010, Roger lost in the quarters of Wimbledon to Tomas Berdych, causing him to fall to the number three position for the first time in almost seven years.  Four months into 2011, The maestro has one ATP title, in Doha.  

Admittedly, his only loses this year have been to Novak Djokovic - Roger still leads their head-to-head 13 to 9, and Rafael Nadal, but it's the way he has been losing that causing talk of the end of Federer era, as well as the fact that he will turn 30 later this year - that's 6 years older than Nadal & 7 years older than Djokovic, his two biggest rivals.  Also, Djokovic is playing better now than he has at any other point in his career, while Roger is clearly on the decline (at least momentarily).  His once steely eyed determination has turned into self doubt and mental lapses (at least so far this year).  The once laser like forehands & backhands have turned into liabilities.   He's been missing shots he would have made in his sleep a few years ago, and he lacks the confidence he once had in his strokes.  The fear factor he used to have is long gone, players stand across the court from him now & see a man who is nowhere near as sharp or sure of himself as he was in years past.  Too often Roger looks out of sorts in his matches once a guy gives him a bit of a battle, which brings on shots of desperation.  Roger has gone from being the dominator to be dominated.  In the finals of the Dubai Duty Free Championships, Roger lost in straight sets to Nole 3-6, 3-6.  At Indian Wells, playing Nole again, this time in the semifinals, Roger lost in three sets 3-6, 6-3, 2-6.  At the Sony Ericsson Open, Nadal beat 'The Fed' 6-3, 6-2.  

In the past whenever he has had slip in his form or focus, he has proven all the naysayers wrong, but will he this time?  As stated, he will be 30 later this year, seven years older than his two biggest rivals.  Mind you, Rafa has had some physical issues, but Nole is in his prime and best shape of his career.  Roger has spent so much time at the top, that he almost refuses to try to win rallies early, and when he does go for the kill shot, he wildly misses his mark - off both wings.  His serve doesn't have the sting that it once had, and he can no longer depend on the weapons he once possessed.  He's on court body language says more than anything.  Long gone is the swagger of yesteryear, and in comes the hanging of the head, or arguing with chair umpires.  Too many young players coming into their own for Roger to even come close to the success he once had.  Much of it is his own doing in a way, he was so good that players had no choice but to hone their games to get near his level.  Now many of the players have caught up, and some have surpassed him.  How much longer can he be a factor on a big scale?  That question is yet to be answered, I just hope when he finally bows out, he can do it gracefully and with dignity.