Indulge me for a second: Roger Federer beat Rafael Nadal today in straight sets, on clay, in Spain! He won his first title since October, 2008 and his first Masters shield since Cincinnati, 2007! YES! YES! and YESSSSSSS!
Phew! Now that my Fedophile freak-out is over, here are some musings on Sunday’s Federer vs. Nadal final at the Madrid Open.
1. The win means much more to Federer than the loss does to Nadal. Prior to this match, Nadal enjoyed a 13-6 head-to-head against Federer and had beaten Roger in their last three Grand Slam finals. The last time Roger beat Nadal on any surface was in the semifinals of the 2007 Masters Cup. After this year’s Australian Open melt-down, even the most hard-core Fedophiles had to admit that Rafael Nadal was dominating Roger on every surface and on every occasion.
Federer’s take: “I thought I took all the right decisions today. In the end it was a perfect game for me. . .(You) stay positive and I did. I got the win I needed badly.”
2. Nadal’s shedding no tears over this loss. He was coming off of Saturday’s epic semifinal against Novak Djokovic, not to mention a spectacular clay court season. He’s been complaining about Madrid’s conditions all week, saying the altitude and fast court surface favored his competition. Rafa was also on a 33 match winning streak on clay and wanted to take some pressure off of himself before the French. He might as well have worn a t-shirt with the words: LOWERED EXPECTATIONS stretching across his rock hard pecs.
Nadal’s take: “To me, this tournament has nothing to do with Paris. This tournament is practically another surface compared to Paris. . .The conditions favored him more than me.”
3. Here’s some visual trash talk:
Roger, giving doubters the finger. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
4. Don’t worry, be happy, Nadal fans! Losing to Roger every now and again is good for Rafa. That way, no one can call his dominance “boring.” And do you really want Rafa’s biggest rival to be Novak Djokovic? (Nole fans, feel free to speak up – if you’re out there.)
Question #1: Isn’t it crazy that Federer and Nadal have now played against each other twenty times? Click here for the ATP’s match-by-match breakdown of their rivalry.
5. Coach Roger’s game plan: Choose to receive, rather than serve. It will rattle Rafa, who hates serving first. Be ready to play from the first point. Attack Rafa’s second serves. Test Rafa’s forehand. Use controlled aggression on your forehand up the line, serve well (and go out wide), and surprise Rafa with deadly drop shots and some S&V.
Question #2: does anyone else think that Roger’s backhand was looking better in Madrid?
6. The “no fear” statistic: Today, Roger converted both of his breakpoint opportunities against Nadal. Rafa was 0 for 4. For the first time in a long time, Roger was the braver of the two. What a change from the Australian Open, when Roger wore that terrified, glazed-over look on his face from the very first point.
Question #3: How did Roger hold his nerve, anyway? I’m betting hypnotherapy.
7. Trophy ceremony = cluster f*ck. What the hell was that? Hilary Swank dealing fake car keys, Dinara Safina in skin-tight denim, Ion Tiriac glowering like a cartoon villain in the background. . .The confetti explosion nearly gave Roger a heart attack. It smacked of “5th Slam” desperation – sometimes less is more, Ion.
Question #4: A new rival for Roger? Hilary Swank’s hair approaches perfection:
“Mousse or gel?” (Photo by AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
8. More great moments in hair: when Rafa picked confetti out of Roger’s curls like a mama monkey grooming her baby. Rafa just can’t hide his Roger crush:
“Roger’s sooo dreamy!” (Photo by PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)
Question #5: What’s Roger beef with the Prince of Asturias? First he disses his award (click here) and in the trophy ceremony he says something like “thanks for giving tennis proper respect.” Maybe it came out wrong?
“Who’s the princeliest of them all?” (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
9. Word to the wise: Fed fans, enjoy this moment! If the trials and tribulations of this season have taught us anything, it’s that we shouldn’t take any of Federer’s victories for granted.
Question #6: Which side of the draw will Novak Djokovic be in at Roland Garros? (Because real Fedophiles never stop worrying.)
10. Go ROGER!
Quotes via tennis.com
Thumbnail: Roger to Rafa: “I’m back!” Photo by REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN SPORT TENNIS)
All photos via Daylife
Tags: ATP, Djokovic, Federer, Fedophile, Mutua Madrilena Masters Madrid, Nadal, tennis
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To everything you said there, I would like to say a hearty WORD.
Especially the bits about GO ROGER!
That’s right! a GOOD Fedophile never stops worrying. *worried already*
Nah, still enjoying the moment. Did anyone almost DIE when Rafa had all those breakpoints at 54 in the second set? *pheeeewwww*
Go Roger!
This win is better than Hamburg. Very good plan from Roger. Down the line forehands, drop shots, net game and he finally started hoping around the serve to use his forehand. It really kept Nadal off balance.
I like what I saw; a thinking game plan Roger. What does this change. A lot. It means Roger is admitting he needs to up his game and analize the previous losses. Of course anything can happen from here on…yada yada yada.
One more thing. If you play four hours (3 hours real time w/o personal ticks) in your previous match it is your problem.
Go Roger! Go GotoTennisBlog!
“If you play four hours (3 hours real time w/o personal ticks) in your previous match it is your problem.” LOL!!!!! Hilarious!
Was his backhand looking better? HELL YES!
Along with his serve and his surpise play of the week for me: the drop shot. (Please tell me you remember that drop shot return of serve against Del Potro – the turning point of the week for me)
Couldn’t agree more about the trophy ceremony – I thought a joint ceremony was a good idea at first before it turned into total carnage.
And what on earth was Hilary Swank doing there? I didn’t even recognise her at first
Roger really does save the insulting shots for poor del Potro! Not sure what he has against the poor guy
he really did school Del Potro again, especially with the droppers…ughh…i felt bad for Del Poopy Pants! That really messes with a guy mentally
Yes i loved his new tactics against Rafa. He kept rafa honest. Mixed things up quite a bit, forehand down the line, didn’t panic mentally in any way…he seemed to be quite calm, cool, and collected like he used to be. Albeit against a worn out Rafa, but even when Rafa’s tired, he’s still the most dangerous player out there. Just recall this year’s AO final and rafa’s condition after playing his EPIC EPIC match against Verdasco. (which is still my favorite match of the year)…
Roger’s back! And, he called it before the tournament, saying the conditions would be favorable for his game and he was hoping to win it. It’s got to be a confidence boost to live up to that forecast. I hope he can keep his game on this level in Paris.
Meanwhile, he owes Djokovic a case of balls — or maybe a case of champagne — for his epic effort on Saturday. That semi-final was an incredible match.
Allez Roger!
I agree! It’s all about the confidence, starting with the early week declaration and following through with the victory.
I meant to put this in my post but didn’t: The most significant thing to me about this match is that the conditions DID favor Roger and that he won the way he was supposed to win – in straight sets. This is just the kind of match he was losing even a couple weeks ago. A very, very good sign!
oh yeah, it was definitely 50% novak’s effort lol. the two should share the trophy
NICE!
NAHHHHHHICE!
NIIIICCCCCEEEEEEEeeeeeeeee!!! Sup sauce!
What a dream come true. Fed’s gotta be feeling good right now. Maybe like his old self again.
WOW WOW WOW! and, NICEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
LOL! This post was so full of WIN from top to bottom. I am still giggling from the Rafa’ grooming Roger like a mama monkey’ comment. That picture says it all and I really love Rafa because of his love of the Rahjah. But, truth be told, that battle against Nole definitely took something out of Nadal, so maybe he wasn’t at his usual level of tough today? Still, we’ll take a win for Roger however we can get it. Funny, I love Rafa unless he’s playing Roger and root vigorously for him against everyone else. Maybe not against Verdasco. That’s a toss up….
I liked seeing Verdasco today at the match – in his UCLA tshirt!
I LOVELOVELOVE Rafa’s googly Federer crush. He acts just like I would (if I was a six time Grand Slam champion. . .)
I could hear the cheers from LA to Chicago. Yay! Terrific win for Roger. Straight sets: awesome.
And I think that Rafa might be exactly what he seems to be: a good guy.
(Grrr. The Blackhawks lost to the Redwings but I’ll find a hockey site for that. Freaky? A hockey site?
?
Sorry! I was too busy swearing about the Celtics.
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!We want a repeat of that in the FO!
Right on….LOl!It’s his fault for not dispatching Nole a little early in the first place!grumpy grumpy grumpy…LOL!
What a great victory.
I stayed away from any media the whole day to see the match delayed at 23.15, and I got yelled at by the “misses” when I screamed out when that beautiful ace went down the line but it was all worth it.
And I have said it since Rome that his game and mind was looking much better. And what a gameplan with forehands down the line and attacking on Nadals second serve and Roger has clearly changed his mind about the dropshot, which he ment once was a panicshot.
And to those who will say Nadal was tired, Roger did also have a gear or two more.
And let Djokovic be in Nadal´s half because I would like to see Roger beat Murray in the semi.
This day is beautiful
Hi Mark!
Glad you had the fun of watching the match (as-if) it were live. I’m impressed that you could wait that long without peeking at the results. I also watched on tape, but I had a good idea who won when my husband (who watched it live) ran into the bedroom and woke me up, saying: ‘You HAVE to watch this match!”
Djokovic is definitely the “dangerous” floater here, but I don’t doubt that Roger can take him in best of 5 in a Major. Now that he’s beaten Rafa.
Hi freakyfrites.
It was very very hard not to take a sneak peak, but I managed to control my self,and the reward for that was just amazing.
Yearh in a best of 5 sets Roger can take Djokovic but he is also in peak fitness right now. I just cant wait for Roland Garros to start. That victory over Nadal must have given Roger a boom of confidence
Firstly I love Rafael Nadal besides his obvious talent, he has great composure and he is a humble champion……Much Respect…I wish him well.
Now having said that I guess I’m kind of glad Rafael lost, now the other guy can see what a real man looks like when he loses….in case you are too slow to comprehend let me break it down. Instead of letting out the water works AT EVERY Flipping Tournament you smile and congratulate the other player brush the loss off and get on with it…BUT NOOOOOOOOOO! Not roger fedderfag….(lol) He is an arrogant,pompous, cry baby…..what a combo…I mean every game he loses bring out the tissue…it is getting quite Pathetic! I understood at Wimbledon but my G_D man where are your Balls?(oh in his wifes purse) It pisses me off to see him cry, I dont feel sorry for him at all, I hope you people are sensible as well and don’t either, He is manipulative and a phony…what he’s doing isn’t fair to Rafael; he tries to take away from his victory…to actually make someone feel bad about losing..yeah your federer a real class act(sarcsim)…..(Hey roger take it from the women Serena,Venus,Maria etc. they havent shed so many tears collectively get over yourself)
Good Day!
Pity you can’t see what makes Federer great. Unlike other players he does not play mind games on court (including Rafa – who has quite an irritating routine!)that should actually get them warnings and point deductions from the referees.
Federer tries to stay cool during the match, and sometimes the emotions come out after long, exhausting finals – SO WHAT? Safin and others smash their rackets to pieces, plenty of players berate the refs, others mumble four-letter words at their opponents, and it’s all understandable and acceptable to the macho world. But God beware – a guy who behaves like a model saint getting overwhelmed by his emotions sometimes and failing to show the proverbial stiff upper lip and he is a ?phony?.
And, pleaaaase, don’t take the ladies as an example, their tantrums and diva-style behavious are well enough documented.
Party Pooper!What a pity because your ranting changed nothing!Your asspicker of a DOG LOST BIG TIME….in his own country/people and in his favorite surface….DOUBLE SLAP in the FACE wouldnt you say?OH wait..who is the crybaby?oh wait….its because of the AO right?now that’s what i call a REAL MAN…wearing his emotions on his sleeves rather than putting up a MACHO/brave???or should i say a FAKE FRONT!!!!and wait…guess what, ive replayed the closing ceremony (MADRID OPEN) and i saw NADAL put up a FAKE SMILE, the kind where it didnt reach his eyes….Booooooo!!!!!!!SHAME ShAME…maybe he couldnt accept the fact that he was blown away by the 27 year old FED??now whose being arrogant?maybe he was too arrogant to notice that sometimes the world is round and you cant always have what you want….so please stop SOUR GRAPING cause it’s very irritating!
It sounds like you´re a tough guy No.B.S with maybe a slight bit of a problem with your sexuality,good luck with that.
I came late to the party — had to DVR it! It was worth the wait!
Win or lose, Rafa is a good sport, but maybe not some of his fans?
Of course, Rafa’s GREAT – but the way he slows down matches can be irritating to his opponents. But absolutely, he is a nice, cool, attractive and likeable guy.
Hi fedfan!
Rafa can drive his opponents crazy! Remember his match against Soderling two Wimbledons ago? I think Soderling was speaking for a lot of players in his dislike of Rafa’s tactics!
I do think that Rafa is a good guy. My comment was really more about the comment to which you were responding. It’s OK for someone not to like Roger, but some people seem to take it a little too seriously! Rafa seems to like Roger, so why can’t they take a cue from their hero?
Hi Liz!
Thanks for making that clear (again). Nice to find someone online with whom I can agree.
What’s that with his timing ? I was only aware of his interval between serves and now I read from Fed’s interview that he takes 20′ from the locker room to the court and Soderling was mad with “rafa’s tactics”? what’s all this ?
Hi nosuic! My comment about Soderling was in reference to the 2007 Wimbledon match between Nadal and Sodering. It took five days to complete because of rain delays. Soderling made fun of Rafa by tugging on his shorts during the match, pulling up his socks, bouncing the ball for a long time, and so on. Rafa did NOT like this. This was before Djokovic came along and made Rafa’s ball bouncing look tame by comparison!
Hey Liz! Thanks for making that clear! Nole takes his time idd..It’s no surprise their best-of-3 semi lasted 4 hours.
right on!
Hey y’all! Everyone still feeling rosey? I am!
Absolutely. This one will last for days! I also agree with fedfan and Liz: if Roger and Rafa can get along without badmouthing each other, their fans should be able to do it, too. I WOULD like so see some enforcement of the 25-second rule. But, I’ve sort of gotten used to Rafa’s other tics.
To comment on this post and what was written about the match:
The number 1 signal Federer made to his box was so interesting because it was a humble celebration, yet a strong gesture showing that he still believes in his championship quality.
About Nadal’s down-playing statements and Lowered Expectations:
I’m kind of getting tired of that from Rafa. I know he’s a humble, good-guy, but he’s a professional and has to take stock in his status. Even though I’m bias (a clear Fedophile), as a admirer of Nadal and his accomplishments, I’d like him to take the responsibility of number 1 and admit (or even insinuate) that he is the one to beat. Or maybe he actually plays mind-tactics before any match. Or if he is the type to let his game do the talking, then don’t down-play yourself, Rafa.
About the rivalry:
Its too bad they arent at least two years closer in age. Rafael Nadal needs Roger Federer as much as Roger needs beat Nadal in slams to reach 14+ career slams. It will only plant their legendary status and make those future titles great stories to tell rather than a number to count.
If Federer can beat him again in one of the next two matchup, then I think the rivalry is more than back on, and should be considered the Greatest Rivalry. Federer has a strong chance now to cement his GOAT status but it will probably have to be against Rafael Nadal. And at the same time, Nadal has made himself a sure Great in tennis history and has will probably have another great chapter to write once Federer is completely out.
Very nicely put, adivivelerock!
I also noticed how subdued Roger’s celebration was – compared to when he beat Roger in Hamburg and ran to get a kiss from Mirka. . .but that No. 1 finger was really interesting. Do you think he’s really trying to get the no. 1 ranking back? What the heck did it mean?
FF, maybe he meant he has his first won of the season?
win i mean….
Maybe! Hadn’t thought of that. . .
What a GREAT match by Rog. I agree totally with your take that this was much less important to Rafa than Roger. But as much as Rafa may have been at his second best, there was simply no answer anyone could have given to Rog on many of the points on his service game.
The tactics were great, but they worked to a large degree because Rog’s serve was on. The fact that Roger’s serve seems to have come back to him after months on vacation is HUGE.
Here’s a Fed Fantasy:
All year Federer has been telling us nothing has been wrong, that no drastic changes were needed, while all of us called him an ostrich with his head in the sand. Could he have been right?
Fed has said that his whole ‘08 was ruined by illness and injury, and that he is only coming back into form now. Could he have been right?
Could we be on the verge of the Second Era of Roger??
{Head explodes from excitement}
ACK! Keep your head on! We want you to come back and read GTT
Seriously, though, I know what you’re saying. I’m so excited now. And I think Roger is, too. And in a funny way, maybe Rafa. He mentioned after the Australian that he felt strangely empty after conquering Roger – maybe he misses the drama, too.
It was good to see Roger’s serve back “on” – seriously, how could such a great server just lose it like that? The past few weeks have been painful (until now.)
dats rite. rafa cant hide his roger crush!!!!!!!!!!!