Federer won the French. It confirms his place as the finest player in history of a wonderful game that is nearly a first love for me.
Yet did anyone else think it was a strangely sloppy and not particularly gripping match that he and Soderling played out?
Of course, it was a straight-set Federer victory -- but there have been enthralling straight-set matches before. (Edberg vs McEnroe, Wimbledon semis 1989). This match had too many errors by both players. While it was closely contested in parts -- witness one 23-stroke rally -- Soderling never persuaded me that he had the fundamental self-belief to win. And while he has an outstanding forehand with which he finds some unbelievable angles, he doesn't move all that well on court. I couldn't help thinking that Nadal or Verdasco or Gonzalez would have retrieved some Federer shots that got no answer from Soderling.
Besides, Federer himself went through a few mistake-strewn patches. What was that easy forehand volley-smash that he contrived to put way beyond the baseline? Hey, I could have put that away. I did, against this 6 year-old kid I was hitting with last Friday.
But these are really just quibbles. Federer has nothing left to prove to anyone. He has the talent, but even more so, the mental fortitude to achieve what he has -- and what's talent without that mental edge? And that's why the one thing I'd like to see Federer do now, when he has nothing left to prove, is figure out a way to beat Nadal in the Slams again.
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5 comments:
The world's best player ever is not good enough to beat Nadal!
You say:- "Besides, Federer himself went through a few mistake-strewn patches. What was that easy forehand volley-smash that he contrived to put way beyond the baseline? Hey, I could have put that away. I did, against this 6 year-old kid I was hitting with last Friday."
I think that it just shows us that Federer too is human, after all. he too cannot be perfect all the time and shall have his moments of weakness, even in a one sided contest.
And I would say that Tennis will cease to be the same when this artist retires. It shall then be reduced to a war of strength and endurance, with powerful shots to win every single point, rather than superb and smart placings, delicate touches at the net, etc.
Match was very boring and one sided with soderling not even reaching for any shots.
I pretty much lost interest once rafa was ousted. He is the only one who can beat federer on any day.
I wish rafa was in the final, it could have been a different ourcome or at least a deserving win.
I hope they meet in wimbledon, rest we will see.
Kshitij
Mayuresh:
I would say that Tennis will cease to be the same when this artist retires. It shall then be reduced to a war of strength and endurance, with powerful shots to win every single point, rather than superb and smart placings, delicate touches at the net, etc.
Which is about what people said when Connors came on the scene, when metal rackets and then others made of other materials came on the scene, when Becker arrived, when Sampras and Ivanisevic and Krajicek were dominating the game ... in short, the fear of great power taking over the game is a constant one. Yet the game keeps producing players who have the power yet still have wondrous strokes.
Examples abound: McEnroe, Edberg, Federer, Novotna, Mauresmo, Hingis, Murray, on and on.
Don't fear for tennis.
Kshitij, I think the younger players are starting to catch up to Federer. del Potro, Murray, Tsonga, Simon ... their day is coming. As it has to.
Amen! to the words you spoke about Federer i.e. He has nothing left to prove indeed.
Well, to me - F1 never remains the same after MSC left and many feel the same. Here there are Sampras fans and there will be Federer fans and yes, sport quite loses that fan following at times till the next great one comes in. To me, I have my eyes set on Verdasco!
I would love to see Federer beat Nadal btw! :)
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