Rightu vidunga !!.
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Rightu vidunga !!.
I am sure you guys know that it is only Agassi & Roger who have won all Grand Slams in 3 different surfaces. All majors other than French Open were played in grass earlier (all men who won career GS other these two won in 2 surfaces).
Omega
I knew that the slams (US and Aus) surfaces were changed between clay to hard or grass to hard or the other combination but I was not aware of this fact. Thanks about that. Don't you think even in hard court surfaces US Open is much faster compared to Australian??. Does that mean they are different type of hardcourts??.
Australian Open is rubber court, neither clay like French nor hard like US Open! :P
http://australian.open-tennis.com/te...t-surfaces.php
idhellam ippo neenga adhigam solradhe illayo!?Quote:
Originally Posted by ajithfederer
:yes:Quote:
Originally Posted by ajithfederer
I am of the opinion that even if it had been Nadal in the final, Federer would have probably won and his serving was one of the main factors.
naan avLollam yosikkaradhillai - 100 varushathkku appuram vara pogum madaiyargaLukku idhellam theriyav pogiradhu. varalaaru miga mukkiyam, amaichare!Quote:
Originally Posted by CR
http://i41.tinypic.com/nnv5g7.jpg
PR, Can you upload this image in the first post of this thread?, Thanks.
DoneQuote:
Originally Posted by ajithfederer
So its Rod Laver, Agassi and now Federer is it.
Next enna London Olympics ?
Also Fred Perry, Don Budge and Roy Emerson
Oho ivvaLavu pEru irukkAingaLA :oops:Quote:
Originally Posted by crajkumar_be
Has anyone won all four and the Olympics apart from Agassi ?
Monica seles prime time opponent in ladies in 1988. Not anybody in mens i recollect other than Agassi.
Tennis was not an Olympic sport from 1928 through 1984 (except as a demonstration sport in 1968 and 1984); therefore, many top tennis players from the past never had the chance to complete a Golden Slam. Nevertheless, even with tennis on the Olympics, a Calendar Year Golden Slam could not have been accomplished by any player except Maria Bueno (1960) and Martina Navratilova/Pam Shriver (1984).
Says wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Slam_(tennis)#Calendar_Year_Golden_Slam
Sollanum dhan but most of the time appadiyae loose-la vittudurein :). Thanks for the comment though, Neenga eppo irundhu indha finals match paaka arambicheenga??
Quote:
Originally Posted by crajkumar_be
PR,
One more imsai for the day or for tomorrow. Could you please upload this pic
http://i40.tinypic.com/fwj9lu.jpg
"14 Grandslams and counting".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxXDBDRfIA4
An old interview from Roger Federer from 2001 as he starts to talk about his career prospects.
"Neenga eppo irundhu indha finals match paaka arambicheenga??"
- From the second set onwards
ATP - GERRY WEBER OPEN, HALLE
Dear fans
I am sorry to announce that I have decided to withdraw from this week's Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany.
I sincerely apologize to the tournament organizers, my competitors, and my fans in Germany. I only hope they will understand that I still feel emotionally overwhelmed and exhausted by the incredible events of the past few days. It is hard for me to admit, but I simply cannot imagine giving my best effort in another tournament right away and I don't want to risk injury if I am not 100% prepared. I need to rest and recuperate.
I look forward to returning to Halle in 2010 to go for my sixth title. It is one of my favorite events on the ATP World Tour.
I also want to thank all of you for your unbelievable support these past two weeks. You are the best, and you helped me make a dream come true.
Roger
Bala,
okok. The first set was very impressive of the three actually. You missed it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NAh3_UTZUY
:clap:
All 14 grandslam winning points of Roger federer. The background music at the end of the video is absolutely great.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7861373.stm
No 1: Wimbledon 2003
bt Mark Philippoussis 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 7-6 (7-3)
Roger Federer began Wimbledon 2003 with a big question mark hanging over him. Would he ever find the consistency to win the Grand Slam title his myriad talents deserved?
The pony-tailed Swiss answered in magnificent fashion, crushing Andy Roddick in the semi-finals before ending the surprise resurgence of Mark Philippoussis in the final. After lifting the trophy, he famously sobbed as he was interviewed on Centre Court by the BBC's Sue Barker.
No 2: Australian Open 2004
bt Marat Safin 7-6 6-4 6-2
A semi-final win over Juan Carlos Ferrero saw Roger Federer topple Andy Roddick and become world number one for the first time. It was the start of a record 237-week reign which ended on 18 August 2008.
He fully justified his status as the world's best player with a commanding display against Safin, who had equalled the record for the number of sets played at a Grand Slam during the tournament.
"To win the Australian Open and become number one in the world is a dream come true," he said.
No 3: Wimbledon 2004
bt Andy Roddick 4-6 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 6-4
Roger Federer successfully defended his Wimbledon title but not without a fight as Andy Roddick attempted to avenge his semi-final defeat of the previous year.
The Swiss benefited from two rain delays after falling a break behind at one set all, coming out to break back and dominate the tie-break.
Roddick forced six more break points in the fourth set but could not covert and Federer took the win to maintain his 100% record in Grand Slams final. More tears followed as he told the BBC's Sue Barker, "I got lucky today for sure."
No 4: US Open 2004
bt Lleyton Hewitt 6-0 7-6 (7-3) 6-0
A magnificent year for Roger Federer was capped with a first US Open title at Flushing Meadows in New York, making him the first man since Mats Wilander in 1988 to win three Grand Slam titles in a year.
Former champion Hewitt arrived in the final on a 16-match winning streak but was blown away by Federer at his absolute best.
The world number one swept through a magnificent opening set to love in just 18 minutes and, after a valiant effort from Hewitt in the second, Federer repeated the trick in the third set.
No 5: Wimbledon 2005
bt Andy Roddick 6-2 7-6 (7-2) 6-4
After seeing his Grand Slam winning streak end at the hands of Marat Safin at the Australian Open and Rafael Nadal at the French Open, Roger Federer was keen to get back to winning ways at Wimbledon.
Unlike the previous year, Andy Roddick could not get close to the Swiss in the final and Federer was rarely troubled as he joined Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg as the only players in the open era to win three Wimbledon titles in a row.
"I came here with huge expectations and to be standing here with the trophy is almost a dream," he said.
No 6: US Open 2005
bt Andre Agassi 6-3 2-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-1
Roger Federer took on a legend and the hopes of a nation when he faced Andre Agassi in his second US Open final.
And the 35-year-old American gave Federer one of his sternest tests to date, leading by a break in the third set before the Swiss hit back to win in four.
"He's the best I've ever played against," Agassi said as Federer became the first man in the open era to win Wimbledon and the US Open back-to-back in consecutive years.
No 7: Australian Open 2006
bt Marcos Baghdatis 5-7 7-5 6-0 6-2
Roger Federer regained the Australian title he had lost the year before but was given a huge scare by outsider Marcos Baghdatis in the final.
The 20-year-old Cypriot led by a set and a break as Federer failed to find his rhythm in the early stages and a shock looked on the cards.
But the world number one clicked into gear to reel off 11 straight games, and when a tearful Federer was handed the trophy by Rod Laver he told the crowd: "I hope you know how much this means to me."
No 8: Wimbledon 2006
bt Rafael Nadal 6-0 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (2-7) 6-3
The emergence of Rafael Nadal had confounded Roger Federer's hopes of winning a first French Open title, and now the Spaniard threatened on the grass of Wimbledon.
Federer went into the final having lost five straight matches against Nadal and looked keen to make amends when he won the first set to love.
Nadal found his feet to edge the third on a tie-break but the champion broke twice in the fourth to secure a fourth straight Wimbledon title.
No 9: US Open 2006
bt Andy Roddick 6-2 4-6 7-5 6-1
Roger Federer went into his third successive US Open final with an overwhelming 10-1 record against home favourite Andy Roddick.
However, the 2003 champion put up a determined display and had his chances with break points in the third set before Federer got the crucial break in game 12 and raced through the fourth.
Victory saw him become the first man since Ivan Lendl in 1987 to win three straight US Opens, and the first man in the open era to win three straight Wimbledon and US Open titles in successive years.
No 10: Australian Open 2007
bt Fernando Gonzalez 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-4
Fernando Gonzalez made an impressive start to his first Grand Slam final, dominating early on with his big serve and huge forehand.
The Chilean looked set to take the first set at 5-4 and 40-15 but he failed to convert and his chance was gone.
Federer stormed back to take the opening tie-break and rolled on to his 10th Grand Slam title and third in Melbourne.
No 11: Wimbledon 2007
bt Nadal 7-6 (9-7) 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 2-6 6-2
Roger Federer had to overcome his fiercest rival to emulate Bjorn Borg and win a fifth straight Wimbledon crown, but it was closer than ever.
With the Swedish legend watching from the Royal Box, Federer held off a determined effort from Nadal, who had break points in the fifth set.
A tearful Federer said: "Each one is special but to play a champion like Rafa, it means a lot, and equalling Bjorn's record as well..."
No 12: US Open 2007
bt Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-2) 6-4
Having seen off Rafael Nadal to win Wimbledon, Roger Federer faced another pretender to his throne in Novak Djokovic at the US Open.
The 21-year-old Serb made a worthy opponent in his first Grand Slam final and led by a break in all three sets, missing a total of seven points.
But Federer proved too strong in each and came through to become the first man ever to win both Wimbledon and the US Open for four years in a row.
No 13: US Open 2008
bt Andy Murray 6-2 7-5 6-2
Roger Federer's bid a for a fifth straight US Open title had extra interest for British fans as Andy Murray attempted to end the nation's 72-year wait for a male Grand Slam winner.
The Scot had beaten Rafael Nadal in the semis and had a 2-1 career lead over Federer, but it made little difference.
After a difficult year without a Grand Slam title, Federer was back to his best as he swept to victory in just one hour 51 minutes to join Pete joins Sampras and Jimmy Connors as a five-time winner of the US title in the open era.
No 14: French Open 2009
bt Robin Soderling 6-1 7-6 (7-1) 6-4
Roger Federer has a chance to equal Pete Sampras's record of 14 Grand Slam titles and complete his own career Slam when he faces Robin Soderling in the French Open final.
The Swiss has a huge advantage in terms of titles and experience, but Soderling is a threat after ending Rafael Nadal's four-year unbeaten run at Roland Garros.
Federer proves his class once again with a totally dominant display and finally gets his hands on the Coupe des Mousquetaires, which is presented by Andre Agassi, the last man to complete the career Grand Slam.
Great news coverage and timeline provided by BBC :clap:
Federer's numbers speak volumes
By winning the French Open, Roger Federer tied the Grand Slam record and completed the career Slam at the same time, a storybook event that made him the greatest of all time in the eyes of many, including some of the greats themselves.
What's remarkable is not just the degree and duration of his dominance, but the artistry with which it was achieved, and the grace and humanity that accompanied it.
Still, the numbers remain staggering in their own right. We run down some of the reasons why Federer is being called the greatest:
1: His ranking for 237 straight weeks
An all-time record in tennis. Federer held the top spot without interruption between February 2004 and August 2008. The next-longest streak is Steffi Graf with 186 consecutive weeks between August 1987 and March 1991.
2: Second man in history to win the career Grand Slam plus an Olympic gold medal
Federer won the doubles at the Beijing Games with Stanislas Wawrinka to add a gold medal to his various Australian, French, Wimbledon and U.S. Open crowns.
Andre Agassi was able to record a career Golden Slam by winning the singles gold at Atlanta in 1996.
3: Australian Open titles
Tied with Mats Wilander for second most in the Open era, behind Agassi's four.
4: Different Grand Slam tournaments won, a complete set
Federer's French Open victory made him just the sixth man to complete the career Grand Slam. Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson and Agassi are the others.
Only Federer and Agassi have done it on three different surfaces: grass, clay and hard courts. Only Federer has made at least four finals at each of the four majors.
5: Consecutive U.S. Open victories
The most in the Open era. Bill Tilden won six from 1920-25.
6: Years without losing a match on grass
Between his first-round loss at Wimbledon 2002 and his loss in the 2008 Wimbledon final, Federer won 65 matches in a row on grass.
That includes five straight Wimbledon titles (2003-07), tying Bjorn Borg's Open-era record (1976-80).
7: Seasons it took to reach 14 Grand Slams
Pete Sampras needed 12 seasons to win the same number.
8: Seasons it took to reach 15 Masters Series titles
Federer has also won the year-end Masters Cup four times, bringing his full total to 19. It took Agassi 15 seasons to win 17 Masters Series titles and one Masters Cup.
9: Titles on clay, his weakest surface
That includes one Grand Slam and five Masters Series crowns.
10: Consecutive Grand Slam finals
An all-time record. Federer reached the final Sunday of each major from Wimbledon in 2005 to the U.S. Open in 2007, and has currently reached the final in 15 of the past 16 Slams.
He has also made 20 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals, never losing before the final four since going out in the third round of the French Open in 2004.
The previous record for consecutive finals was Laver with six straight, and the previous record for consecutive semifinals was Ivan Lendl with 10 straight.
11: Seasons as a pro, a record $47 million in prize money won
Federer, who turned pro in 1998, surpassed Sampras' prize money record of $43 million at the end of last year.
12: Best-of-five matches lost since becoming No. 1
Eight of those losses (and seven of the past eight) have been to Rafael Nadal.
13: Percentage of matches lost between his first and 14th Slam victories
An 87 percent match-winning record sandwiches Federer's victories at Wimbledon in 2003 and the French Open on Sunday. His annual win-loss percentage peaked at 95 percent in 2006 (81-4), and remained above 90 percent for three seasons (2005-07).
14: Grand Slams won
Tied with Sampras for the most in men's tennis history, arguably the most prestigious record in the game.
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/ten...shi&id=4240712
A Funny Article On Federer
Federer's dominance has become a joke.
A buddy of mine and I were talking about changing those Chuck Norris jokes that were floating around into Roger Federer jokes. These were our top 10:
1. Roger Federer is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his forehand and backhand respectively.
2. If paper beats rock, rock beats scissors, and scissors beats paper, what beats all 3 at the same time? Answer: Roger Federer.
3. If, by some incredible space-time paradox, Roger Federer would ever play himself in a best of 5 set match at Wimbledon, he'd win. Period.
4. Roger Federer is not capable of hitting a target on the broad side of a barn with his forehand. Every time he tries, the whole damn barn falls down.
5. Roger Federer is the only man to ever defeat a brick wall in a game of tennis.
6. When Roger Federer sends in his tax return, he sends blank forms and includes only a picture of himself, ready to hit a forehand. Roger Federer has not had to pay taxes, ever.
7. Someone once tried to tell Roger Federer that his forehand wasn't the best shot in the history of tennis. This has been recorded by historians as the worst mistake anyone has ever made.
8. There are no steroids in tennis, just players Roger Federer has breathed on.
9. If tapped, the power generated by a Roger Federer forehand could power the country of Switzerland for 44 minutes.
10. The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed... unless it meets Roger Federer on the tennis court.
11. Roger Federer is so fast, he can run around the world and still hit his own forehand back to himself.
12. Roger Federer’s forehand is the only hand that can beat a Royal Flush.
13. Scientists have estimated that the energy given off during the Big Bang is roughly equal to 1RFF (Roger Federer Forehand)
14. Newton's Third Law is wrong: Although it states that for each action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, there is no force equal in reaction to a Roger Federer forehand.
15. The other night in Time's Square, Roger Federer ordered a Big Mac at Burger King. He got one.
16. It is scientifically impossible for Roger Federer to have had a mortal father. The most popular theory is that he went back in time and fathered himself.
17. There’s an order to the universe: (1) space, (2) time, (3) Roger Federer.... Heh-heh. Just kidding. Roger Federer is first.
18. The air around Roger Federer is always a balmy 78 degrees.
19. Roger Federer can get Blackjack with just one card.
20. Bigfoot takes pictures of Roger Federer.
21. Roger Federer once hit a forehand so hard that the tennis ball broke the speed of light, went back in time, and struck Amelia Earhart's plane while she was flying over the Pacific Ocean. Mystery solved.
22. Roger Federer doesn't churn butter. He hits forehands at the cows and the butter comes straight out.
23. Faster than a speeding bullet ... more powerful than a locomotive ... able to leap tall buildings in a single bound... yes, these are some of Roger Federer's warm-up exercises.
24. Superman once watched a replay of the 2005 Wimbledon Final. He then cried himself to sleep.
25. As President Roosevelt once said: "We have nothing to fear but fear itself. And playing Roger Federer."
26. He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword. He who lives by Roger Federer, dies by the forehand.
27. There are two types of people in the world... people that suck, and Roger Federer.
28. I'm not saying Roger Federer's speed is underrated, but he once qualified with a top speed of 324 mph at the Daytona 500. Without a car.
29. Roger Federer doesn't daydream. He's too busy giving the other ATP players nightmares.
30. Roger Federer is not Politically Correct. He is just Correct. Always.
31. Roger Federer isn't afraid of Urban Legends. He IS an Urban Legend.
32. One night, Andy Roddick dreamed he beat Roger Federer in straight sets to win Wimbledon. The next morning he called Roger Federer up to apologize.
33. Roger Federer once played 18 holes of golf using a 12 inch strip of rebar and a sun dried tomato. He shot a 54.
34. On the Asian market, Roger Federer' urine is worth $400 per fluid ounce.
35. Roger Federer once jumped off the Empire State Building. He sprained his ankle. It was a mild sprain.
36. The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Even the worst-laid plans of Roger Federer come off without a hitch.
37. When you say "no one's perfect", Roger Federer takes this as a personal insult.
38. The Manhattan Project was not intended to create nuclear weapons, it was meant to recreate the destructive power in a Roger Federer forehand. They didn't even come close.
39. There are now five cup sizes at Starbucks: Short, Tall, Grande, Venti, and Roger Federer.
40. Roger Federer can hold his breath for nine years.
41. Roger Federer invented a language that's composed of forehands and backhands. So the next time Roger Federer is kicking your butt, don’t be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
42. Superman only has two weaknesses. The first is Kryptonite. And the second, Roger Federer's forehand.
43. The sound of Roger Federer missing a forehand can cure cancer. Too bad he's never missed.
44. Roger Federer can divide by zero with his slice. The result? Pain.
45. Mr. T pities everyone except Roger Federer
46. What happens when you go faster than the speed of light? Scientists theorize that you may catch up to a Roger Federer forehand.
47. It's rumored that Rod Laver has a poster of Roger Federer over HIS bed.
48. If you Google search "Roger Federer getting his a** kicked on a tennis court" you will generate zero results. It just doesn't happen.
49. Roger Federer went bowling once. He was only able to bowl one frame. He knocked down one pin after hitting the bowling ball (forehand) with his tennis racquet. The other nine pins fainted. His ball refused to come back through the return machine. Now that's intimidation.
50. Roger Federer once shot down a fighter plane. He did so by pantomiming a forehand and yelling, "Bang!"
51. The Bermuda Triangle used to be the Bermuda Square, until a Roger Federer forehand knocked one of the corners off.
52. Fear is not the only emotion Roger Federer can detect. He can also detect hope, as in "I hope I don't have to play Roger Federer."
53. Roger Federer can hold serve at love. He can do so only serving three times.
54. Love does not hurt. Playing Roger Federer does.
55. The moon is actually a comet that was once on course to hit Earth... then a Roger Federer forehand knocked it into orbit.
56. Roger Federer's smile once brought a puppy back to life.
57. The Hubble Space Telescope was misaligned off the bounce of a Roger Federer kickserve.
58. When Roger Federer plays tennis, he only hits with 1% of his full power. At 2%, the ball would explode on impact with his racquet. At 3%, people die. At 100% Chuck Norris would lose all 6 testicles.
59. A forehand delivered by Roger Federer is the preferred method of execution in 17 states and 3 countries.
60. Every time Roger Federer drills a forehand, he finds oil.
61. When Ivan Lendl hits you with his forehand, you get knocked down. When Roger Federer hits you with his forehand, you actually won't get knocked down... but as you look down at your chest, you will notice a hole the size of a tennis ball.
62. Nothing can escape the gravity of a black hole, except Roger Federer. Roger Federer can serve and volley out of anything.
63. Every time you return a forehand from Roger Federer, you lose one full year of life expectancy.
64. Contrary to popular belief, hurricanes are not caused by heat energy from the ocean, but by Roger Federer practicing his strokes.
65. The events that were portrayed in the movie Armageddon were fictional. What really happened was Roger Federer hit the asteroid away with his topspin forehand to save the world.
66. Bush and Blair had it all wrong when they attacked Iraq. Roger Federer has all the weapons of mass destruction.
67. Billions upon billions of US Dollars were spent on the development of an anti-ballistic missile defense shield when all they needed was Roger Federer.
68. Roger Federer is so ice-cold that when he eats ice cream, his body temperature rises.
69. Roger Federer hits a forehand so clean you can eat off of it.
70. Since 1981, the year Roger Federer was born, topspin forehand related deaths have increased 13,000%.
71. Roger Federer went back in time to stop the JFK assassination by using his faster than light forehand. As Oswald shot, Federer volleyed all three bullets away. JFK's head exploded out of sheer amazement.
72. Darth Sideous could never turn Roger Federer to the Darkside. Roger Federer is just too good.
73. When Roger Federer is really short on time for lunch, he usually orders pizza. He can always get his slices in.
74. McDonald's has served billions and billions. Roger Federer can out-serve McDonald's.
75. In war, nobody wins... unless you're Roger Federer on any given Sunday.
76. The saddest part of an ATP pro's life is not when he learns that Santa isn't real, but when he finds out Roger Federer is.
77.It was once thought that Roger Federer lost a match to an ATP pro, but that was a rumor created by Roger Federer to lure more ATP pros to him
78. If John McEnroe and Rod Laver were to play each other in their primes, you know who would win? Roger Federer. Playing left-handed.
79. Roger Federer invented the drop shot.
80. 'Icy-Hot' is too weak for Roger Federer. After a workout, he sprays himself with liquid nitrogen. He waits a few moments and then rubs his muscles with liquid-hot magma.
81. Whenever you see a great shot during a tennis match not involving Roger Federer, just remember this. Federer could have hit it even better.
82. Roger Federer doesn't do push-ups. He pushes the world down.
83. If you're an ATP player, the only sure things in life are death, taxes, and that you'll lose to Roger Federer.
84. Most people fear the Reaper. Roger Federer considers him "a promising junior player".
85. There are only two things that can cut diamonds: other diamonds; and a Roger Federer forehand.
86. President Teddy Roosevelt once rode his horse 100 miles. A Roger Federer forehand once propelled a clydesdale twice that distance.
87. I acknowledge that there might be two perfect beings in existence. I know about Roger Federer and I believe in the possibility of God.
88. Aliens DO indeed exist. It's just that they play tennis, and know better than to visit a planet that Roger Federer is on.
89. Roger Federer CAN in fact 'raise the roof'. And he can do it with one forehand.
90. When Federer hits a hard forehand, it is not Federer groaning. It is the earth groaning.
91. Federer once hit a shot so beautiful everyone on the planet orgasmed at once.
92. When playing a tournament in the U.S., Roger Federer must register his serve and groundstrokes as lethal weapons.
93. Roger Federer's at rest heart rate was recently measured at 52 beats. . .per day.
http://www.orkut.com/Main#CommMsgs.a...336&na=1&nst=1
:lol2:
:rotfl3:Quote:
One night, Andy Roddick dreamed he beat Roger Federer in straight sets to win Wimbledon. The next morning he called Roger Federer up to apologize.
:rotfl3: :rotfl3: :rotfl3: :rotfl3:Quote:
Originally Posted by crajkumar_be
PR, Thangal gavanathirku :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by ajithfederer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjpyJc-67TI
The math behind the achievement. With his 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4 win over Robin Soderling at Sundays French Open final, Roger Federer is now tied with Pete Sampras for the most-ever Grand Slam titles at 14.
This video was posted by Roger in his facebook account.
WSJ BlogsSearch
Federer Overcomes His Recent Vulnerability
June 8, 2009, 11:46 AM ET
Judging Federer’s Place in the Tennis Pantheon
By David Roth
Roger Federer entered last weekend with 13 Grand Slam titles to his name and a permanent saved seat at the best table in the tennis pantheon’s VIP-only area, but without a victory at the French Open. Following his straight-set demolition of Robin Soderling in Sunday’s French Open final, the biggest question facing him from the flattering tennis media is a much less irksome one for him — is he the greatest ever, or just one of the greatest?
Reuters
Roger Federer becomes yet another foreigner to offer an egregious public display of affection in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Federer has the support of WSJ guest blogger Tom Perrotta, who liveblogged Federer’s 6-1, 7-6, 6-4 victory. “The ‘greatest of all time’ debate goes on endlessly in every sport,” Perrotta writes, “but in tennis, the debate is over. One can’t compare players of previous generations, and there’s no doubt that a player like Federer owes a lot to the greats who came before him (they served as his models). There’s no argument about this, however: No tennis player has dominated the game as convincingly (and with such artistry) as Federer. We might never see anyone do it again.”
Federer had done essentially everything in tennis except win the French Open, which made the victory doubly sweet, Barry Flatman writes in the Times of London. “Finally he has the full set of Grand Slam titles,” Flatman exults. “What a wondrous time for the man so many dared to write off as a spent force just a few weeks ago. What a truly awesome achievement by a player who is supremely gifted but nevertheless repeatedly demonstrates that there can be no short cuts from continuous hard work and true dedication.”
While sports naturally condition an underdog-friendly response in viewers, something about Federer claiming his (actually rather predictable) win managed to deliver the emotional goods nonetheless. In the Daily Telegraph of London, Ian Chadband argues this as proof of Federer’s greatness. “Yes, people are in awe of Tiger Woods’s wizardry and resilience, they laugh open-mouthed at Usain Bolt’s athleticism and marvel at Michael Phelps’s greedy annexation of titles,” Chadband writes. “But yesterday, it was possible to sense from the reaction of everyone here something extra for an athlete who showcased all those trio’s qualities so effortlessly again; that is, a deep affection bordering on adoration for a man who demonstrates, more conclusively than almost anyone, that nice guys can be winners. Supreme winners.”
In the New York Times, Harvey Araton notes that the tennis world agrees not just on Federer’s greatness, but also his goodness. “Count on the sport continuing to root for Federer to climb higher up the mountain of immortality, as it has championed him since he rocketed to the top with the beautiful game and the embraceable persona,” Araton writes. “Even Soderling, who by reputation shuns discourse with most players, became a humble charmer during the awards ceremony, paying his respects. ‘You really gave me a lesson on how to play tennis,’ he told Federer.”
http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2009/0...nnis-pantheon/
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/...imme-More.html
To Roger Federer, what’s important is not only that he finally won the French Open. It’s how he did it. “I didn’t think I played the greatest tennis of my life throughout this tournament. But I definitely played the right way: I was smart. I was strong. I had to show fighting spirit and all those things,” Federer said yesterday. “It’s different for me to come through this way, instead of just dominating everybody.”
A day after beating Robin Soderling 6-1 7-6 (1) 6-4 to complete a career Grand Slam and earn a record-tying 14th major championship, Federer met with reporters at a hotel in central Paris. It’s where he slept the past few weeks — and where he drank champagne and celebrated until the wee hours Monday morning with a group of about 60 people.
“I’m just mentally drained and exhausted — and just so happy and thrilled,” Federer said, his new trophy in tow.
Of the 19 times he has reached the final of a Grand Slam tournament, equalling Ivan Lendl’s mark, this was the first time Federer played two five-set matches along the way. He dropped the first two sets of his fourth-round match against Tommy Haas before coming back, then trailed against Juan Martin del Potro in the quarterfinals before coming through in five sets.
More of a Man now
“I feel I’ve definitely become more (of) a man now, the last few years, where I’m not scared of five-setters anymore,” Federer said. “I can handle the pressure.”
He said he’s not too concerned about regaining the No 1 ranking he lost to Rafael Nadal in August. No, Federer’s priority is winning more Grand Slam titles. The first chance to get No 15 and surpass Pete Sampras comes at Wimbledon, which begins June 22.
Federer’s run of five consecutive Wimbledon titles ended with a five-set loss to Nadal in last year’s final.
The 27-year-old Swiss star considers himself the man to beat this time.
“I do think I’m the favourite, actually, with all the success I’ve had,” Federer said.
Nadal’s 31-match French Open winning streak ended with a loss to Soderling in the fourth round. Five days later, Nadal pulled out of this week’s grass-court tournament at Queen’s Club, citing knee problems.
Referring to Wimbledon, Nadal said: “I hope I can be ready to compete by then.”
Federer expects to see his nemesis at the All England Club. “It seems like it’s not 100 percent serious, his knee injury. I only wish him the best and I hope it’s not true that he will miss Wimbledon. I think it’s a lot of speculation at the moment,” Federer said. “He wasn’t taping his knees here in Paris. He seemed fine, (from) what I saw, anyway. I’ve played him so many times, I can tell when he’s in pain and when he’s not.”
Back’s fine
Federer said his back feels OK — he took a six-week break this year because it was bothering him — but he also said he was considering withdrawing from the grass-court tournament in Halle, Germany, that began Monday.
As for his game, Federer figures he can keep improving, particularly on grass and hard courts, “When I can go for my shots more.”
He already has won five championships at Wimbledon, five at the US Open and three at the Australian Open. Now — after having lost to Nadal in the three previous French Open finals — Federer looks forward to being the defending champion at Roland Garros for the first time.
“I’m sure I’m going to enjoy Paris even more in the future,” he said, “because the pressure is off.”
• I feel I’ve definitely become more (of) a man now, the last few years, where I’m not scared of five-setters anymore
— Roger federer
Hailing the Greatest
What he’s done over the past five years has never, ever been done — and probably will never, ever happen again.
Regardless if he won there or not, he goes down as the greatest ever. This just confirms it
— Pete Sampras
Now that he’s won in Paris, I think it just more solidifies his place in history as the greatest player that played the game.
If it hadn’t been for the freak from Mallorca, Federer would have won all the slams a few times
— Andre Agassi
Federer is the greatest player in his era. He’s a great champion and a credit to the game with the way he competes on and off the court
— Rod Laver
His win tying Pete Sampas’s record firmly places him in a special place as the greatest player of all time. He has earned his place and he has proven he belongs.
Roger is a champion for the ages
— Billie Jean King
Sampras was a phenomenal player and his record speaks for itself but you always felt there were aspects of his game that you could target.
Winning in Paris just emphasises that Federer is the ultimate all-court player
— Tim Henman
It is hard court, bay.
Quote:
Originally Posted by m_23_bayarea
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...bag/?eref=sihp
Federer's poise, security concerns, improving the sport and more
As much as we all want to forget about the unfortunate intruder incident in the French Open final in order to deprive said intruder of the satisfaction of accomplishing his goal of getting attention, I feel it is worth noting how this showed us more deeply the side of Roger Federer off the tennis court. When they showed the replay from a different angle, Federer saw the guy and visibly jumped backward in fear. I have never seen Federer as scared as he was or out of sorts like that. It just goes to show that off the court he is a harmless, non-violent guy (I would've smashed the idiot with my racket). The fact that he shook it off after a couple of games is another testament to his extreme mental focus. After the Monica Seles incident, he had a valid right to fear for his life for a moment there.
-- Robert B., Melbourne, Fla.
• Couldn't agree more. This was such a scary, bizarre, unpleasant -- and not even remotely amusing -- moment. But, yes, an unintended consequence was that it enabled us to get a glimpse of Federer's internal wiring. We talk about "fight or flight," but his reaction was really neither. It was abject fear followed by something approaching sympathy. Total non-confrontation. He later put it thusly: "It seemed like he wanted to give me something. So I was actually OK, because I saw he wasn't pulling for anything stupid. It definitely felt uncomfortable once he came close to me. ... Normally, they always kind of look at me and go, 'I'm so sorry I have to do this,' because they have some sort of a reason for it, you know. I remember the English guy [at Wimbledon in 2006] was actually quite funny. He looked at me and goes, 'I'm so sorry I have to do this.' I was like, OK, just don't touch me, you know."
Consider this: How many of us would have reacted with such restraint? How many other athletes -- macho, locked in combat -- would have reacted so demurely? How many other athletes, armed with a racket, would have resisted using it? Guy is lucky he picked on Federer. Otherwise, I suspect he'd meet the same fate as this clown.
What specific steps need to be taken to prevent maniacs from running onto the court?
-- Wendy, Portland, Ore.
• Obviously, there needs to be improved security. But what about the "punishment" phase? After the guards did their Detroit Lions imitation and missed a series of tackles, they finally got the guy and ... then what? No one is advocating anything too cruel or unusual here, but the best deterrent is to stiffen the penalties.
Several of you also noted that the reason the clowns charge the court is for attention and we're playing into their hands by holding extended discussions and, of course, replaying the video clips. Fair point. But I think it's naive to ignore this trend in hopes it will go away. Sadly, this has become as much a part of Grand Slam tradition as awkward awards ceremony. And the tournaments need to address it before it gets further out of hand, or worse.
Concerning comparable upsets of the Rafael Nadal-Robin Soderling magnitude, I didn't find anyone who mentioned this (fairly recent) one: Wimbledon 2007 semifinal, Marion Bartoli def. Justin Henin 1-6, 7-5, 6-1. Blew me away, anyway.
-- Shawn, Long Beach, Calif.
• That was a biggie. But Henin hadn't won Wimbledon once, much less four years in a row! Many of you also referenced Lori McNeil's first-round defeat of Steffi Graf at Wimbledon in 1994. Still, I vote Soderling. As one of you put it to me, Nadal losing on clay is like Michael Phelps losing in water.
About your "ocean of empty seats in Paris" story: Years ago I lived in Paris for a while. I tried and tried to get tickets to Roland Garros. It seemed to me like the whole system was corrupt. You couldn't just go somewhere and buy tickets. The alternatives were to be a member of an exclusive tennis club, know somebody who worked for the "Administration" or pay a scalper. Eventually, I paid a scalper and loved attending the tournament.
-- Mitch Gart, Bedford, Mass.
• Interesting. Here's an anonymous e-mail I got on the same topic:
"You've touched on the empty seats at the majors before, but I have to agree that it's particularly glaring at Roland Garros this year. I am employed by [a main sponsor] and work closely with one of the people who organizes the institutional client seminars that are often planned around the fortnight (as an excuse for our big foreign institutions to send a few people to see a little world-class tennis). Due to the crisis, however, attendance at these seminars is WAY down this year -- probably because these pension funds (rightfully) have tightened the reins a bit on discretionary spending and are requiring that any travel demands get pre-approval as being both compliant and necessary (go figure). So a lot more of those prime seats have gone unused this year than normal. Not a good excuse, I know, but it probably has something to do with it."
I have three quick things. First, Tommy Haas is good-looking and injured a lot, but at least he did not star in The Age of Love Part 2. Second, my father and I took some empty box seats at Cincinnati in 2006. We picked a blacktopping company because we figured our attire would be least questioned. People might be able to creatively fill empty seats. Finally, my daughter is seven months old and 97th percentile in height. If the U.S. needs a crazy tennis parent, I can start replacing her mobile animals with tennis balls. Just say the word.
-- Dan Martin, Dayton, Ohio
French Open
Federer targets 2012 London Olympics
June 9, 2009 -- Updated 1301 GMT (2101 HKT)
By Paul Gittings
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Roger Federer says he has no intention of hanging up his tennis racket any time soon and has targeted the 2012 London Olympics which will be held on the grass of Wimbledon.
The Swiss maestro completed a career grand slam when he beat Robin Soderling in the final of the French Open on Sunday.
It also took him level with the all-time record of 14 grand slams held by American great Pete Sampras.
With Federer set to become a father for the first time later this summer, it led some to speculate that Federer might consider retirement over the next few years.
But he told CNN in an exclusive interview that his motivation was still as strong as ever.
"I love the game too much to walk away from it," he said.
"My wife wants me to play on for many more years so our child can see me play, that has been a big dream.
"Definitely until the 2012 Olympics in London, which will be held at Wimbledon," he added.
Federer has won the Wimbledon title five times and was beaten in an epic five-set final last year by world number one Rafael Nadal.
His record at the All England Club will be added incentive for the 27-year-old to extend his career until 2012 in search of elusive first gold in singles at the Olympics.
He was knocked out in the semifinals at the 2000 Sydney Games, the second round in Athens in 2004 and quarterfinals in Beijing last year to James Blake.
But Federer did pair with Stanislav Wawrinka to win gold for Switzerland in doubles at the 2008 Games.
Federer Video spoke to CNN after his three-set victory over Soderling at Stade Roland Garros. .
He said he was relieved to have won a grand slam again after losing the world number one slot to Nadal and giving up his Wimbledon and Australian Open titles to the Spaniard.
"It's been a fantastic day -- to get the elusive French title in the end was unbelievable. I always believed I was good enough to get it - but holding the trophy, after all I've been through was just unbelievable. I'm so proud right now you can't believe it."
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Soderling, who put out Nadal on the way to the final, also praised his Swiss conqueror.
"For me he is the best ever and I should know as I've player him many times," the world-ranked number 12 told CNN.
Feddy - The great! :notworthy:
AF maams, congrats!! :thumbsup: