Rafael Nadal dethroned Wimbledon king Roger Federer yesterday in the longest final in tournament history, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7, to become the first man since Bjorn Borg to win the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back. Although Federer remains the No. 1 ranked player in the world on the computer, he has shockingly failed to win a major thus far in 2008 and now faces what could be the most defining challenge of his career: how to cope?
When Federer lost to Novak Djokovic in the semis of Australia, it was only one loss in one tournament. When he was embarrassed by Nadal in the final of the French Open, he was simply not good enough against the best clay-courter in the business. To lose his Wimbledon title is tantamount to losing his identity, however, and to surrender the crown to his nemesis in such dramatic fashion is pouring salt onto an open wound. Federer’s loss on grass signals a new reality. From here on out, there will be an ever-growing number of players both eager and capable of beating Roger, surface be damned. Grass was Roger’s last bastion of invincibility.
After so much indescribable excellence, it will be fascinating to see how Federer reacts to his darkest hour. The men’s field is catching up. Does the almighty Fed have an even higher level of play within him? Roger has practically been anointed the greatest player of all time already, but the hour has come for him to prove that he deserves it. When he does break Pete Sampras’s record for most major titles, the moment will be all the more sweet because of this struggle.
-Wyman Meers
on Jul 7th, 2008 at 7:49 PM
I wouldn’t say the ‘field’ is catching up to Federer. Nadal definitely has and Djokovic isn’t far behind but there is no one else who comes anywhere close to them. Federer and Nadal walked all over everyone they faced in London before the final. I think it showed how even they are and how far in front of everyone else they are at the same time. Nadal needs to be careful in the hardcourt season to make sure he doesn’t mess up his knee too badly. Don’t want to see him lose his movement like Hewitt did when he hurt his hip. Took away his biggest weapon and he was never the same calibre player after.
on Jul 8th, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Really?
Nadal had to pull out of the following tournament because his victory has taken such an exacting toll on his body.
Federer has had one extended illness in 5 years, Mono and he still made the Semi’s at the Australian.
It takes so much out of opponents to even COMPETE with Federer and yet Federer keeps ticking.
Last year Mario Ancic was COMPLETELY OUT of tennis for 7 months because of a bout of Mono. Compared to other players, Federer shouldn’t have even been competing in the first round, let alone contesting the greatest final played to date.
There are many “chicken little” wanna-bes that are calling for the falling of Roger’s skies. He showed what a resilient champion by resolving NOT to go down in 3 sets or 4 sets. Fighting through darkness and discouragement and naysayers he contested a brilliant final and THEN was a wonderful champion by complimenting Nadal’s excellent play and admitted he missed his chances.
The darkness is more of a factor than most know. Federer in a Tennis Weekly interview was asked his greatest weapon: Forehand, Serve, Movement: His answer.. none of the above. HIS SIGHT. He feels he sees the ball so much earlier than his opponents and the ball is so big for him, it makes his other weapons work…
Goodness, let the great champion that he is have some peace and quit inadvertently calling for his retirement and see how the rest of the year pans out.
Do I sound like Chris Crocker yet?
on Jul 8th, 2008 at 11:21 PM
“From here on out, there will be an ever-growing number of players both eager and capable of beating Roger, surface be damned. Grass was Roger’s last bastion of invincibility”.
Huh ?
I’m not sure how the #2 ranked player in the world defeating Roger 9-7 in the fifth set is going to make other players more capable of beating Roger. More eager perhaps, but more capable ? Someone is going to have to explain this one to me. Are they going to have Nadal on the court with them ?
on Jul 9th, 2008 at 8:21 AM
They played one of the greatest finals ever.I dont think that every tom and dick can play like nadal to beat federer.Other players can take satisfaction from the fact that this loss proved that he is human but he is a superhuman and players who can match federer are only top 2 and 3 players.Others can just enjoy the show.