I said it on Twitter and I’ll say it again: If last year’s Wimbledon final was Shakespeare, this year’s was Die Hard. That’s what you get when Andy Roddick plays Rafael Nadal’s understudy. And I say understudy not out of disrespect, but because until a few weeks ago, Rafa was the favorite to make the Wimbledon final. Sometimes understudies can steal the show. And yes, it came down to sudden death.
Roger Federer defeated Andy Roddick 16-14 in the fifth set in 4 hours and 16 minutes. The stat of the match? Roger Federer hit almost double the aces: a career high of 50 vs. Roddick’s 27. They both hit 4 double faults.
Here’s the Smartest Press Conference Question of the tournament:
Q. A lot of people thought this was going to be about your big serve, Roger’s getting around the court, his ability to hit passing shots. Clearly that wasn’t really the theme there when you look at how well you played from the baseline and how well he served, did that surprise you at all?
ANDY RODDICK: You know, I don’t know. You know, he served great. I didn’t get a lot of looks at seconds. I felt like when we were in rallies for the last couple sets, I was actually doing all right and holding my own, if not more.
You know, but he just served great. He did what he had to. If he wouldn’t have served as well, I’d probably be sitting here in a better mood.
I love Andy Roddick for hating to lose. Like Roger last year and great champions before, a hard fought loss isn’t enough for the American:
Q. How would you describe what you did today?
ANDY RODDICK: I lost.
Q. Does it hurt more though when you’re that close and it’s that long, 95 minutes the last set? How does this compare to the other ones?
ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I think so. I think it’s worse.
I think we all saw how badly Roddick wanted this title, whether he was choking 4 set points in the second set tie breaker or holding tough in the fourth and fifth sets. This wasn’t a “I’m just happy to be here” kind of match.
Andy, the Classy American, acknowledged Federer’s own battle toughness:
Q. Roger is such a tough opponent. What qualities make him so outstanding?
ANDY RODDICK: I don’t know. I mean, I don’t know where to start there. You know, he just makes it real tough. You know, he was having trouble picking up my serve today for the first time ever. He just stayed the course.
You know, you didn’t even get a sense that he was even really frustrated by it. He kind of stayed the course and just toughed it out. He gets a lot of credit for a lot of things, but not a lot of the time is how many matches he kind of digs deep and toughs out. He doesn’t get a lot of credit for that because it looks easy to him a lot of the times.
But he definitely stuck in there today.
The feelings were mutual – with Roger Federer crediting Andy Roddick for pushing him to the limit and acknowledging that the final results can be “cruel”:
Q. What are your feelings for Andy now?
ROGER FEDERER: It’s hard. Sports or tennis is cruel sometimes. We know it. I went through some five‑setters in Grand Slam finals, too and ended up losing. It’s hard, you know.
But I think he did great, you know. He’s not going to let his head hang down. I think he’s gonna come back strong and play great in the States. I think it’s one of the best matches we played against each other. Of course, conditions were very quick today.
But he played well. You know, I really thought I had to play my very, very best to come through.
I’m not sure if Roger played his very best. I think Andy defused Roger’s A-game and made him play more cautiously than normal. It could have gone either way in the end, and Roger was lucky to be serving first in the final set. I’m a Fed Fan but I’m also a realist, and just like last year, it came down to the wire.
Or maybe it came down to destiny:
Q. Your first Grand Slam title was Wimbledon. Now your 15th is Wimbledon. Both titles are memorable. Do you feel destiny or anything?
ROGER FEDERER: Well, I mean, I’m happy I broke the record here in some ways, you know, because this is always the tournament that’s meant the most to me because of what we spoke about with my heroes and idols being so successful here.
So it definitely feels like it’s come full circle for me, you know, starting it here and ending it here. Of course, my career is far from over. But it’s also nice to think especially so many legends were sitting there today. You know, especially Pete, you know, who I had a great time with in Asia a short while ago.
I know how much the record meant to him and he knows how much the record means to me. In a way, I still feel like we share it, you know, just because he was such a wonderful champion. He still has one up against me here at Wimbledon. It’s nice, you know, that he shows appreciation for what I’m doing, and it’s just great seeing so many, you know, legends coming out and enjoying my tennis or our tennis today.
I don’t know how to say. I used to get nervous when a friend would come watch me play as a kid, and then it was my parents, and then it was legends and people I really ‑‑ who meant something. Today it’s okay. Today anybody can come and watch me play. I don’t get nervous anymore. Today with Pete it was a bit special, you know. When he walked in and I saw him for the first time, I did get more nervous actually.
Q. He got here late actually.
ROGER FEDERER: I said hello to him, too, which is unusual. But I thought, I don’t want to be rude, you know (laughter)
The final image many of us have from the finals is Roger standing with the All Time Greats – Pete Sampras, Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg. Yes, Roger’s made it to the summit – surpassing Pete’s all-time record of 14 majors. Fed Fans, enjoy your celebrations! But really, do we need to look at numbers and record books to prove a player’s greatness? Just think of Andy Roddick – still a “one slam wonder” but obviously much more than that. Like Roger said, tennis is cruel, especially when destiny hinges on just a couple of points. It’s too bad that Andy Roddick couldn’t have been in the photo, too.
In the end, this final is a repeat of last year’s in one important way: Tennis wins. An epic battle between two well matched, noble opponents. Transcendence in victory and dignity in defeat, however crushing defeat may be. I’ll close the same way I started – with an under 140 character bromide: High five tennis fans. We picked the best sport.
Tags: Federer, Nadal, Roddick, Sampras, tennis, Wimbledon, Wimbledon final
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A winning finals wrap-up! Thank-you!
As always, you are welcome Ana! And thank you for reading
…As it always is a pleasure!
No ground report from me as I was not fortunate enough to be there today – but how fortunate for us to witness this match – and as you said rightly, not only because Roger won, the way he fought, the way he dug deep and hang in there – but also the way A-Rod had fought as well, how he improved his game, how he fought his heart out. It was truly admirable.
I didn’t use to feel much for this guy but he really deserved so much respect. Everyone will say how hard Rafa works and adjusts his game etc – so does A Rod. I couldn’t quite believe I feel so happy for him when he beat Murray and I couldn’t quite believe I also feel so much sadness today despite Roger’s win. I really really feel sad for him – but if he continues to play like this, he has every chance at the USO.
I am now watching the BBC ‘Today at Wimbledon” programme and reliving those moments… how ironic it is for Roger to beak Andy only once, and that is in the final game. I honestly think Roger’s chance was gone when Roddick had it at 40-30… the Tennis Gods have different ideas!
Personally I think Andy is the better player today – he has a plan, he plays offensive, and was mostly successful (though Roger almost won in every stats department) but just wasn’t cool enough at the key moments… i guess that is what makes a great champion.
And my thoughts with Mirka – poor lady to have to endure all this with the big tummy!!!!!
Oh well, too bad you couldn’t have been there! But you caught so many great matches already, so I guess that’s some consolation, right!
Interesting – I had a similar impression that Andy was dominating the points. This was definitely a “champions” style of win. Andy Roddick agrees with us, I think, based on his comments re: Roger toughing it out.
Andy’s a good player and an astute analyst as well!
I was on the edge of my seat and having palpitations the whole game, I almost gave up on the middle of the fifth set when Roger almost got broken, same time as last year, when the commentators where saying, Well here is the part where Roger got broken last year. Heart shattering game. Thank you for not picking Roger.
You are welcome! It’s all about the jinx reduction here at GTT.
I thought Roger had lost it, too. Andy seemed to be the stronger until the very end. I wonder if Roger was thinking about last year at all during that final set? I’m sure he had to be even if he wouldn’t admit it.
What a great final!!!
I am in full agreement that Rog serving first was a HUGE advantage. All credit to Rog- he has nerves of steel. I also think the shadow really bugged Andy- and that was a shame.
I hope there are some good matches between these two on the hardcourts during the US Open series.
Yeah Tennis!
I hope Roddick can keep it going! I’m thinking Roger might be distracted with BabyFed.
Everybody wins…I doubt Roddick see it that way- kind of an insult for Roger to say – after losing a final here last year, he knows what Andy feels- I loved that Andy shot back at him ‘You already had 5…’ absolutley no comparsion- Andy might never get one here- (hope he does, but I hoped Seles would, too) Roger can never know what that feels like.
I didn’t think it was an insult for Federer to try to console his opponent. I believe he genuinely identified with Roddick’s pain and wanted to say something to make him feel better. At that point, both players were so emotional that ANYTHING Fed said was going to come across as patronising.
Hi, Dootsiez! I agree with you, I don’t think it was an insult what Federer said to try to console Roddick. Federer knows what it feels to lose Grand Slam finals after working hard to earn an opportunity at winning the tournament. These finals, or any final for that matter, are NOT to spread among the professional tennis players in an attempt that no one ends up having more than the other. Everyone gets a fair chance when competing, it is absolutely an individual sport, where one is rewarded according to the commitment of the individual towards playing really well to have a chance at winning.
Rafael Nadal didn’t concede any French Open final to Federer just because he had won several before, nor that he should. It is about survival of the best in that tournament.
Roddick played a magnificent final, and if he should have won, he would have definitely deserved it, but so does Federer, and he did.
i think that it came out a lot more insulting than roger really intended or realized. but andy’s comeback was hilarious. i can’t believe that after playing a 4.5 hour match he can still be quick and witty and not completely in tears
That’s totally Roddick’s style. He always gives Roger sh*t – it’s part of their friendly relationship. And definitely part of Roddick’s personality.
It’s like in 2005 when Roger said something like “I’m sorry I had to win” and Roddick rolled his eyes to the crowd. Or when Roddick said “I’d love to hate you because you’re really nice.”
I think people who aren’t big fans of Roger and his personality tend to see these comments a certain way. A-Rod likes Roger and I’m sure he could care less about it, either way.
But Doug – I think you’re right in terms of Andy not thinking he “wins” in this situation. I meant everybody as in mere mortals like us. Of course, Andy’s stock has risen CONSIDERABLY since a few days ago. He definitely comes out of this tournament as a Top Dog and not that big serving American who’s supposed to lose in the semis. That’s a victory, if more of a consolation prize.
Really? I guess it doesn’t matter that Roger lost to the same man four times in the French Open. Three of those times in the Final. Then that same man came and beat him at Wimbledon last year. I think Roger has a pretty good idea about how Andy is feeling.
Wow, yes! I didn’t even think of it that way.
and having a ‘15′ jacket was a bit in bad taste
says you…rollseyes!
I’m with Doug on this one! The 15 on the jacket was weird. But I like the number though – 15! It really is an amazing record.
Honestly Nike is paying him like a whole heck of a lot of money. They made it for him, I doubt he asked for it. Nike has had this huge 15th campaign with the website, facebook and adverts etc. Sporting manufacturers do it for all their “talent”, you probably see it more in team sports. So I don’t see what the problem is. It wasn’t like he was the one who drew attention to it. We would have know if the interviewer hadn’t pointed it out.
*rolls in here and waves* HI FF!
Yes, by some miracle I am indeed still alive.
Roger looked a bit like his Aus Open zombie alter-ego. Bizarrely losing serve when he should’ve held. Missing numerous break point chances. Not to take anything away from Andy Roddick – you’d have to be downright heartless not feel anything for the guy. He played an almost perfect match, and STILL Federer got away with it. No wonder he felt bitter about Federer’s consolation.
I am not complaining though. I am just happy to be alive.
totally agree doots.. Roger looked oddly shakin and not in his steely sharp final condition like he normally would. Especially against an opponent he has a 18-2 record over. Again not taking anything away from Andy. He took TOTAL advantage of this and capitalized early on and brought his A-game. It was a nerve wrecking final, but at least it was truly an epic final. Not a blowout that most people expected from Roger v Roddick.
I would have been totally happy if andy had won actually. Not sure about Frites though.
Although Frites DID doubt Rog in the 5th set. She was thoroughly convinced that Rog was going to lose!
Doubt is all part of my grand de-jinxing process. And it worked!
Heeheehee I was so totally convinced Roger was going to lose the fifth set too. He hadn’t broken Roddick ONCE going into the fifth.
It’s kinda nice this way though – to see Federer so tested, and reach 15 in a more humbling fashion rather than a complete blow-out. Better for tennis too that we’ve had more EPIC grand slam finals than routine ones. But I can say this now, even though I wasn’t so cool with it last night.
Oh yeah thanks for the fab Wimbly coverage, the tennis party etc … didn’t pop in last night coz I was obviously half dead!
Thank you for all of your posts through-out Wimbledon.
I’ve been trying to find a transcript of the post-match, center court interviews. Anyone know where that might be? Roger made a comment about Mirka having to sit through such a long match.
hey girl from michigan. Did you look here at the Wimbledon transcripts?
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2009-07-05/200907051246792657171.html
Or maybe you wanted the video?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8135326.stm
LongLiveKingRog linked it below
Tennis forever!
Of course I wanted Roger to win, but by the end of the fourth set I thought: Andy, if you win I’ll be happy. Dude, you impressed me big time. Shake this off and take the US Open!
Yeah, Roger had that fifth gear today. That’s what makes him a GOAT.
Thanks, Freaky, for a great fortnight’s coverage.
Yeah, I’m rooting for Roddick in the US Open! Can’t wait!
I’m sorry, but I must say something about this so-called insult.
I’m really surprised at all the fuss about this. I’ve seen people blowing up on numerous message boards, even the Wimbledon fan board.
I think Andy was out of line when he interrupted Roger’s speech. I’m willing to give him a pass on it, because he played so great, and he was obviously feeling an exquisite pain that i believe only McEnroe & Federer truly understand. But it was definitely a lapse in manners and taste to speak with such petulance — during the trophy presentation, no less!
It made the whole situation feel awkward. I mean, what’s Roger supposed to say? “I’m sorry Andy, getting your 2nd GS title is obviously more important than breaking the All-Time-Record”
Besides, I think Roger knows exactly how it feels to get your heart ripped out.
Roger suffered more than his fair share of heart-break in the past year +. He had to watch Rafa win in Paris (again), then watch him take Wimbledon in the heart-breaker of all heart breakers. And then Rafa got him in Australia in 5 sets! The man was crying like a baby in full view of millions!!
It seems a little silly to suggest that Roger doesn’t know what it feels like to lose an EPIC GS final, and then have to suffer the disappointment and humiliation of having to talk and smile to thousands and millions on TV all while holding the little 2nd place trophy.
Roger was trying to say that all hope isn’t lost! That Roddick can come back in the US Open and make a run if he continues playing like that!
Man! That’s what Roger gets for trying to show a little empathy and compassion.
I don’t understand it either.
If you ever watch NFL or NBA championship matches, even when there are hard fought games with buzzer beaters or last second field goals, corporate sponsors are ready with world championship hats, disney world commercials, etc. Tiger Woods has his own monogram (logo) and let me tell you, the rest of the golfers love him because if it wasn’t for him, they wouldn’t be playing for such large purses, and their caddies certainly wouldn’t be making that much. Besides, his “15″ logo was way in the corner, it wasn’t like a hat that he was trying to show off…. the BBC announcer actually pointed it out. I’m not a fan of mixing the corporate world with professional sports, but its a necessary evil and every player is subject to it.
Furthermore, its clear Roger isn’t the best at expressing himself in English, but he has been nothing but laudatory of Roddick these past few weeks. In fact every time he was asked about Murray, he mentioned Roddick or players in HIS draw. I think it would be fair to say that he was dismissive of Murray, but to say he was disrespectful to Roddick is not accurate. He said he had to play his very very best to win, and conceded that he got lucky.
It would also be nice if people held both Roddick and Federer to a similar standard in terms of piss poor judgment. I thought what Roddick did during the French Open 4th round match with Gael Monfils was in very poor taste. He was openly hostile to the tournament officials and complained about the darkness, even though both players were playing in the same exact conditions. If you can’t handle the way people celebrate that’s one thing, but i think for players to be hostile to judges and tournament officials and speak with them in a disrespectful tone is in poor taste, but that is just my opinion.
The funny thing is that Roger has won 5 consecutive sportsmen of the year awards and is one of the most popular players on the tour amongst players. The award is actually voted on by the players. I’m sure they don’t see his deference to corporate culture or his confidence in himself as arrogance or disrespect.
He Brendan and Slicearooni!
Wow, thanks for these comments. I actually had no idea people were that worked up about the speeches. Talk about much ado about nothing. I think you both had great perspective (And you guys also made me feel better about the jacket! Team sports tend to be much more self-congratulatory – the losers get off the floor fast when someone wins the NBA finals!)
I think most of the criticism comes from 1. People who don’t like Roger and will find any excuse to diss him. That’s just sports, I guess. 2. People who don’t know Andy Roddick. As I stated in another comment, Andy’s given Roger sh*t before in the post match comments. He’s a prickly character – unsentimental and blunt.
I think these two guys understand each other very well and neither will care a thing about what was said on the trophy stand. It’s a spectacle for us fans to enjoy/obsess over/pick apart like a presidential debate. They’re just looking to get into the locker room and go home.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comments!
For fun you can check Craig Hickman’s tennis blog: http://craighickmanontennis.blogspot.com/
Some of those people think Federer is the devil incarnate. It’s a little scary. As a Federer fan myself, your blog is more pleasant, but it’s interesting to see the other side too.
I think Federer haters have simply lost a little perspective – in any other sport, Federer would be considered humble to the point of deadly boredom, and with ho-hum marketing. (Check Chad Jennings or Lebron James for true arrogance and self-promotion, without having actually won anything) Yet Fed has quantifiably racked up more accomplishments than any athlete of his generation, including Tiger Woods. He has walked the walk to unprecedented heights, and in my opinion he’s earned the right to talk any talk he wants.
Frankly i think tennis would be spiced up a bit with some good old fashioned trash talking, but everyone’s too nice.
I know! I guess we have to leave the trash talking to Serena. Just think of how it used to be with McEnroe and Connors. Even Sampras and Agassi were less than 100% cordial all the time. Now Roger’s sponsor puts a number on his jacket and he’s the biggest jerk in the world? Geeze.
I guess it’s healthy for the sport to pick sides and root for one guy over the other. But I tend to identify with these players as individuals, which makes it harder for me to hate on them (I try my best with Murray and Djokovic sometimes, but then I feel bad!) Unlike, say, the Lakers or the Dallas Cowboys who have safety in numbers.
Funny thing is, of course, that Andy, Roger and Rafa all respect one another and could care less about the stuff that these people are obsessing over. It takes away from the match, in my opinion.
Don’t get why people hate Fed – he’s made our sport better. As has Rafa coming along and giving him a run for his money.
Gosh, I’m annoyingly uncontroversial! Fed RULEZ!!!!
Thanks for visiting, qwezar!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/8135326.stm
BBC on court interview…
Oh, and the stuff about his jacket is just dumb. Every playoff team in every sport in the world prints up championship gear for their teams before big games. If they lose, they send the surplus clothing to 3rd world countries where it will never be seen.
Besides, hasn’t Roger has been doing this stuff with his wardrobe for a while now. Why the fuss now?
I’m probably the biggest Roger fan in my country. During his difficult times when Rafa was dismantling him, I stood there for him, cheered for him, argued with people and reminded everyone who cared to listen about Roger’s greatness, even before Paris. I was so happy for weeks when he won in Paris. I love Roger so much that people call my unborn baby Roger.
Strangely, I found myself rooting for Roddick in the Final. I wanted Roddick to fight, and when he did so consistently, I thought he was going to win because he seemed to want it more. When Roger won, I was not as happy for Roger than I was sad for Roddick.
I’m surprised by my reaction. Anybody feel this way too?
Yes, I totally get that. I had sort of the same feeling but to a lesser degree. I was really happy for Roger but very sad for Roddick. I think it’s because after the drama of the French Open when roger got the career grand slam, I’m still emotionally drained from that. If there was more elapsed time between the French and Wimbledon, I think I would have been more ready for the record-breaking 15. But nothing tops the blood and guts of the French for me.
I just feel like Roddick can win Wimbledon. He needs a bit of help like Roger needed at the French. He needs his own “Sodeling” to take Roger out before the final and then he has to make sure he’s in the final, if you know what I mean. I think Roddick played as well as Roger did today whuich I don’t think I could ever say before on grass.
Roddick laid it all down and I guess I felt that he deserved to win just as much as Roger. I felt that way about last year’s final between Roger and Nadal too. At that time I thought maybe it was a bit of Roger bias on my part, but now I realize that when tow great champions throw it all down in matches like this, tennis does seem such a cruel sport. One is the winner and one is the runner up and no one remembers the runner up.
I hope Roddick gets his day in the sun at Wimbledon before he ends his career.
Nicely said, alista, on all points! I hadn’t thought about it, but I am in total agreement about the French Open being the bigger emotional experience as a Fed Fan. And also having this incredible five-set match put last year’s final into perspective, in terms of just how close it really was.
This has to have been the most intense 6 weeks of tennis in recent history! What storylines we’ve had. . .
I agree! The last month and a half have been the most intense! And as a Roger fan, it has been the most vindicating. I’ve lost my voice telling people just how great Roger is (how his “bad year” is great for most other players), when all they could say is how great Rafa is.
I think in the two weeks of Wimbledon, I felt so confident about Roger’s game, I felt I could share the love with other players who needed silent cheering. Like Roddick.
Anyway, after that epic, I can still say that in the end, my man Roger made! So that should be good…
Hi, Rhea! In my opinion, obviously, Roger wanted it more, since he hung in there, in spite of not being able to break Roddik’s serve. He didn’t let go at all, but that’s just my opinion…
You’re right. Roger wanted it more. He doesn’t show his feelings, but he lets his game do the talking. Because Roger is so calm and stoic, it’s easy to say he doesn’t want to win or what not.
Roger is truly a champion because he wins the points that matter most. He digs deep and stays focused when it truly matters. I think Roddick had a momentary–but fatal–lapse in that last game. So there lies all the difference.
Hi Rhea! I Feel the same way, I have mixed emotions. I was happy for Rog, but then I was heartbroken for Andy. Andy has been written off so many times and this is the first Grand Slam final since 2006 and he was so close to getting it. I just hope with his improved form, new coach, and superb play we witnessed that he will win the US Open this year!! He can’t give up now, not when he was THIS close!
@Rhea: I felt the exact same way. I am a Rafa fan, but Federer comes a close second. But on Sunday, I was cheering for Roddick all the way. Strange, because I’ve never really thought much of him earlier. But the way he’s improved and changed his game is evident. And after his performance against Hewitt and Murray, I wanted him to win. I was absolutely gutted when he lost. I hope he comes back with a vengeance at the USO. And yes, sport is cruel, and only winners are remembered, but let’s spare a thought for Andy, who gave it his all….a great fighter, and I hope he comes back stronger.
@freakyfrites: Great blog!
Cheers,
Quirky Indian
http://quirkyindian.wordpress.com
during the final set i thought i was going to have a heart attack. i was so nervous that roger was going to be broken and it was going to all be over.
that said i feel so sorry for roddick. i think he was the better player out there. he was going for the shots, coming up with incredible winners, and just pummeling the ball out there. roger was running all over the court. i think that is the best i have ever seen andy play. he was composed and didn’t let the second set tiebreaker bother him one bit.
roger was lucky that he served first in the fifth set because if he hadn’t i don’t think he would have won number 15. both of them were serving phenomenally. i don’t think roger broke andy until that final game in the fifth set.
sports are cruel and i really felt for roddick. i’m glad that roger won but i feel for roddick. i can’t wait to see what andy has to bring to the court in the future.
oh and brooklyn’s reaction after andy had lost…heartbreaking. and i seriously thought that mirka was going to have her baby during that final set; she looked so stressed.
If I’m going to be honest with myself, I can’t say I was rooting for Andy in the slightest. I’m too big of a fan. Ha, I didn’t even move out of the position I was sitting in during the final 8 or 9 games of the 5th set — too afraid of the butterfly effect causing Roger to finally break!
But of course, I felt really, really bad for Andy after…
I mean, when they gave Roddick the standing-O, I stood up on my couch and clapped for like 30 seconds. He was simply amazing. His movement was out of this world, and his two-handed backhand on the run reminded me a little of Rafa. It was seriously the best I’ve ever seen him play.
And yes, I almost teared up when I saw Andy sitting there — looking just like Roger did last year BTW — sitting on his chair after the match looking like he wanted to crawl in a hole and die (or cry). Especially when it showed his wife fighting back tears.
The one thing I don’t understand is all of the comments I’ve read, not here for the most part, that Roddick played the better game.
Whaaa?
Roger’s numbers are off the freakin’ charts!! 50 aces? Over 100 winners?
I think the statistical number that Roddick has the edge is breaks. TWO to ONE!!
I mean, everyone is talking about how Roger couldn’t break Andy, but what about how Andy couldn’t break Roger?
A total of THREE BREAKS! In 72 games!!!
Man!! Amazing tennis!
actually u are quite right. from the stats ,roger actually was the better guy in almost every department. But i just got the feeling that he was the more tentative one – he doesn’t play with the conviction that i have seen him all through the tournament, which is kinda strange. but indeed 107 winners and 50 aces is ‘crazy’ to use roger’s words. and hell, he took the most important break point!
I was telling Frites, Roger’s game is funny because he tends to do the “I’m going to beat the opponent at his own game” kind of tactics. He always seems to do so too.. 50 aces..crazy.
They practically played 2.5 sets in the 5th.
I was MORE impressed with how both guys looked SOO fresh at 14-all in the 5th set. Neither guy looked fatigued in the slightest!
I just played a long 1 setter with FreakyFrites and I’m beat already. 2 sets and im toast.
So impressed. Especially with Andy’s fitness and speed now.
I wasn’t rooting for Andy AT ALL, but I did really feel for him at the end of the match. Heartbreaking.
Honestly i was kind of rooting for Andy..don’t lynch me Roger fans…hahah..but i had the utmost confidence in Roger. I knew he would pull through.
I’m sure Van will be happy to hear that. He twittered to Frites that he couldn’t watch the rest of the 5th set. He’s a HUGE Roddick fan.
Yes…It was heartbreaking. But, chances are, if he keeps playing like that, this won’t be his only opportunity…
Nevertheless, I’m truly happy for Roger! We’ve all seen him struggle and suffering really tough losses as well. I guess, this was his time, and thank God it came!
I thought I would root for Andy during the match, or be a little more like “oh, it’s okay if Roddick wins this” but hell, I’m a Fed fan. I love my “team” just like my hometown buddies love the Cubs or the White Sox. It’s just the way I’m wired.
So as much as I like Andy and respected his game today and would root for him in this situation against almost any other opponent, I couldn’t avoid the fanatic in me kicking in!
But of course as soon as it was over and Andy was looking so upset I wished that I had been a better person!
I think Brendan makes an interesting point about comparing the quality of play. I’m one of those who felt that the stats were closer than I guess they were. In my defense, I’d say this probably has to do with how much better Roddick performed today against Roger than in the past. He almost made it 3-18!
It was a total Kipling moment:
“If you can deal with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same.”
I dunno if I could do it. The Gentlemen did well.
“I lost a tennis match, that was all,” “It was not a war; nobody died.”
Boris Becker when he lost in 2nd round in Wimbledon 1987 against Peter Doohan. Becker was supposed to win his third Wimbledon title in a row.
I was cheering for Roddick at the end. I’m happy for Roger and sad for Andy. But like Boris said, nobody died. I wanted to tell this Craig Hickman, but it’s too much of a hassle to register for his blog.
Hi Loreley! I was just reading that quote from Boris – I read an interview with Andy Murray’s father and he said that’s one of his favorite tennis mottos.
Of course I know Boris is right, but tennis a great tennis match is like great theater or literature – it’s hard not to get swept up in the story! In this case, it was a bit of a melodrama for me.
I know. It took me almost 2 weeks to recover from last years final.
it’s annoying the way the go on and on about the record…ever since Fed got within 5 titles of Sampras, that’s all you’ve heard…I don’t recall anyone commenting when Steffi hit 20, 21, 22 – closing in on Court’s total 24…women’s records- which always out strip the men’s, never seem to get mentioned- Chris blows Rafa off the court with her clay streak at 125, Martina mows Fed down with her 6 straight wins, 9 straight finals, 13 straight SF and 20 straight qrtrs at Wimbledon and Margaret is well ahead with 24 slams….I used to love Federer, but I admit apathy/etc has set in- good to see his boyfriend Gavin Rosdale at the match, though….
really ecstatic for Federer! it was truly an epic match. andy was playing his best tennis ever against Fed methinks.
I love what you said there, in the end: Tennis wins! and we all have great taste with our favourite sport!
Beautiful recap 
It was a thrilling ending match! Roddick did his best performances of tennis life but Federer was like a warrior. He didn’t stopped believing on his victory.
Alice