Nadal is a great player. Seeing him coming back from injury is awesome. I am a big fan. Murray, I am not so much a great fan of, but he is a pretty good player.
But, Nadal's injury this year and Murray's exit in the 4th round of the US Open as well as Safina and Venus' exits in the women's version prove just how easy it is for the top players to either have a bad day, or some sort of physical complaint. It is not that they aren't world class, it is just what happens at the very top level.
Which is what makes the march of the Fed that much more remarkable. If he wins against Robin 'No one beats me 12 times in a row' Soderling for the 12th time in a row, he will have made 22 semi finals in a row.
21 is already remarkable. 15 slams too.
But long may the magic continue.
Showing posts with label Tennis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tennis. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Sunday, July 05, 2009
When the magic deserts you
Another Epic Wimbledon Final.
Federer made it through despite everything Roddick could throw at him. It was another of those finals where you can't help but feel that Federer's magic had deserted him. Two mini-breaks down in the second set tie-breaker and already a set down... he was almost down and out for the count. Like last year, he somehow managed to claw his way back.
The amazing thing with tennis is you can be one point away from winning having smashed your opponent and still lose and vice versa. The big points count.
Federer had a few chances to break Roddick's serve but just couldn't do it. Eventually they just slugged it out and slugged it out, until eventually it seems Roddick's only hope was getting his serve in. His body gave up first. Fair enough for someone who had had to really fight his way through a lot more tennis to get to the final.
There were a few magic shots from Federer... but in the end I think his guts got him this one.
Roddick must be pretty broken... he left absolutely everything out on the court and had a number of really close chances that he just couldn't finish off.
These Epic encounters are pretty inspirational. I sit there with my stomach in absolute knots and I am not even playing. To be able to perform and remain calm for the pressure points takes something amazing.
Woods. Federer. Armstrong.
The world needs heroes.
Federer made it through despite everything Roddick could throw at him. It was another of those finals where you can't help but feel that Federer's magic had deserted him. Two mini-breaks down in the second set tie-breaker and already a set down... he was almost down and out for the count. Like last year, he somehow managed to claw his way back.
The amazing thing with tennis is you can be one point away from winning having smashed your opponent and still lose and vice versa. The big points count.
Federer had a few chances to break Roddick's serve but just couldn't do it. Eventually they just slugged it out and slugged it out, until eventually it seems Roddick's only hope was getting his serve in. His body gave up first. Fair enough for someone who had had to really fight his way through a lot more tennis to get to the final.
There were a few magic shots from Federer... but in the end I think his guts got him this one.
Roddick must be pretty broken... he left absolutely everything out on the court and had a number of really close chances that he just couldn't finish off.
These Epic encounters are pretty inspirational. I sit there with my stomach in absolute knots and I am not even playing. To be able to perform and remain calm for the pressure points takes something amazing.
Woods. Federer. Armstrong.
The world needs heroes.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
The Fed
Is asking whether he is the greatest ever now rhetorical?
Results since 2003 (Australian, French, Wimbledon, US)
A (4,W,SF,W,W,SF,F)
F (1,3,SF,F,F,F,W)
W (W,W,W,W,W,F)
U (4,W,W,W,W,W)
So since his first major title in 2003.
He has made it to the semi-finals 22 out of 24 times.
He has made it to the finals 19 out of 24 times.
In those 19 finals, he has won 14 and lost to only one man... Nadal, 5 times.
He was in 10 finals in a row, lost in the semis in Aus, and has been in the last 5.
So, he has been in 15 of the last 16 finals.
He has made it to the semi-finals of the last 20 Grand Slams.
It would have been great for him to have beaten Nadal in this French Open Final. He did beat him in the last clay court game they played. That said, there is no doubt that Nadal is arguably the best ever clay court player despite being in his era... Fed's record at the French Open is far from shabby.
I am no tennis fundi. In fact I only ever used to watch Wimbledon... but one crazed if somewhat cynical supporter and the magnetism of Nadal v Federer clashes has led to many heart palpitations as I have watched Rodger extend his record over the last 3 years.
I do sometimes wish I had been watching from earlier to see some of the easy victories, to make up for the suffering as he 'goes walkabout' during some of the later matches. When he turns it on, he is magic. When he suddenly gives up like in the last set of the Australian Open, it is painful.
How ever you describe it, Federer has contributed to some of the most painful and most memorable sporting memories I have had.
Go you good thing!
Results since 2003 (Australian, French, Wimbledon, US)
A (4,W,SF,W,W,SF,F)
F (1,3,SF,F,F,F,W)
W (W,W,W,W,W,F)
U (4,W,W,W,W,W)
So since his first major title in 2003.
He has made it to the semi-finals 22 out of 24 times.
He has made it to the finals 19 out of 24 times.
In those 19 finals, he has won 14 and lost to only one man... Nadal, 5 times.
He was in 10 finals in a row, lost in the semis in Aus, and has been in the last 5.
So, he has been in 15 of the last 16 finals.
He has made it to the semi-finals of the last 20 Grand Slams.
It would have been great for him to have beaten Nadal in this French Open Final. He did beat him in the last clay court game they played. That said, there is no doubt that Nadal is arguably the best ever clay court player despite being in his era... Fed's record at the French Open is far from shabby.
I am no tennis fundi. In fact I only ever used to watch Wimbledon... but one crazed if somewhat cynical supporter and the magnetism of Nadal v Federer clashes has led to many heart palpitations as I have watched Rodger extend his record over the last 3 years.
I do sometimes wish I had been watching from earlier to see some of the easy victories, to make up for the suffering as he 'goes walkabout' during some of the later matches. When he turns it on, he is magic. When he suddenly gives up like in the last set of the Australian Open, it is painful.
How ever you describe it, Federer has contributed to some of the most painful and most memorable sporting memories I have had.
Go you good thing!
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
You Beauty!
After last years final where he won but played attrociously, this final was brilliant to watch to finish what is a disappointing year for an amazing sportsman.
It would have been great to watch an epic Nadal-Federer 5 set clash... but not sure my nerves could have taken it. With Fed 6-2, 2-0 up and then losing the next 3 games in a row, I was a little worried that I was going to watch him throw it away. But no, the magician was on form and swept the man with the dodgy facial growth off the court.
It was Rafa's year... but it was great to see Rodger play so amazingly.
The next few years are going to be great to watch.
In my dream world... Rodger wins the Aussie Open '09 to take back number 1 slot and equal Pete Sampras all time record of 14 majors. And then in one of those amazing never to be forgotten moments has an epic 5 setter against Rafa to win his first French open capping a full house of majors and becoming the undisputed best player ever with 15 Grand Slam victories!
Come on Rodger... You can do it!
Then the pretty boy can have his day. Cause yes... even I admit that Rafa is the prettiest :-)
It would have been great to watch an epic Nadal-Federer 5 set clash... but not sure my nerves could have taken it. With Fed 6-2, 2-0 up and then losing the next 3 games in a row, I was a little worried that I was going to watch him throw it away. But no, the magician was on form and swept the man with the dodgy facial growth off the court.
It was Rafa's year... but it was great to see Rodger play so amazingly.
The next few years are going to be great to watch.
In my dream world... Rodger wins the Aussie Open '09 to take back number 1 slot and equal Pete Sampras all time record of 14 majors. And then in one of those amazing never to be forgotten moments has an epic 5 setter against Rafa to win his first French open capping a full house of majors and becoming the undisputed best player ever with 15 Grand Slam victories!
Come on Rodger... You can do it!
Then the pretty boy can have his day. Cause yes... even I admit that Rafa is the prettiest :-)
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Not Rodger. Not Tiger. Not Lance.
I am a Rodger fan, and I am a Rafa fan... but I just want Rodger to somehow get a French Open win....
But how the hell is that possible when Rafa is playing as well as this. Frightening.
Watching the final was actually quite painful. What it does point out though is that even the best player in the world, arguably the best ever, makes mistakes. Not only does he make mistakes but he can be made to look very very ordinary.
In order to win, he needs to do things that actually give him a bigger chance of losing against others. Just one guy has stopped him from getting that title, and he is not used to losing. One phenomenal guy... probably the best ever clay court player.
No matter how good you are, there will be someone better. No one can win all the time. Not Rodger. Not Tiger. Not Lance.
But how the hell is that possible when Rafa is playing as well as this. Frightening.
Watching the final was actually quite painful. What it does point out though is that even the best player in the world, arguably the best ever, makes mistakes. Not only does he make mistakes but he can be made to look very very ordinary.
In order to win, he needs to do things that actually give him a bigger chance of losing against others. Just one guy has stopped him from getting that title, and he is not used to losing. One phenomenal guy... probably the best ever clay court player.
No matter how good you are, there will be someone better. No one can win all the time. Not Rodger. Not Tiger. Not Lance.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)