Okay, thank you Freakyfrites. ^_^
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I agree with what a feat it was that Rafa won the AO in the fashion that he did. But I think the biggest difference was that the AO was the beginning of the tennis season.

By the time Madrid rolled around, and after he participated in that epic with Djokovic, he had SO much tennis under his belt because it was the MIDDLE of the tennis season as apposed to the start of the season.

During the AO, he was fresh mentally. By the time Madrid came around, he had gone the distance in all of the tourneys leading up to it. So saying that he bounced back during a GS five setter and so he could obviously do it again, isn’t accurate.

At Madrid, he had the AO epics, Rotterdam, Indian Wells, Miami (loved his match vs Wawrinka! They both played great!),Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome AND Davis Cup under his belt. It was a lot of tennis in his legs and on his mind.

Also, it was the QUALITY of his match with Djokovic that counts too, not just the length of the match. That match was absolutely punishing! The rallies and points were downright BRUTAL. Even I was ready to pass out after that match and I was only WATCHING!

Rafa then had to step back on court the very next day. And he wasn’t in the same place he was at the AO. Much like at the beginning of the week I can spend long hours at work, hang out with friends and still have enough energy to do many things. But by the time the end of the week rolls around, I’m not the same person. Just because I could tolerate all of that action at the start of the week, doesn’t mean I could by the end of it. A lot has happened since then. Human beings are affected in that way. That is another reason why a proper off-season is necessary for athletes. Not just for physical rejuvenation, but also for MENTAL recharge.

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All that being said, the result is what it is. That was one side of the coin and the other side is that Roger played a great match and (as Rafa would be the first to point out) he deserved his victory.

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Freakyfrites, I also can not wait for another Rafa/Roger match. The two of them just take it to a whole other level! When the two of them step onto court together, it’s magic. I recall that in Paris last year, both Rafa and Roger retired in the Quarter final round right? So hopefully they both make it to the finals this year and battle it out

The only thing is, Paris is hostile territory for Rafa. I recall that they booed him after he was forced to retire vs DavyD.

I hope they are more decent to him this time around. There’s a difference between simply rooting for someone else and just being downright hostile and mean.

Then again, I read that they will be awarding Rafa with the ‘French Academy of Sport Award’. The only other two to get that award was Steffi (1988) and Roger (2005). So hopefully that a positive sign that they will be nice.

And Luthi does deserve some credit for the win! I’m sure he and Roger discussed the new tactics Roger employed prior to the match – Fed purpsoely kept Rafa waiting at the net before the match 2. he chose to recieve rather than serve, changing the usual dynamic and 3. he utilized that forehand dropshot to perfection.

I’m just hoping these two meet again – as soon as possible! Paris Masters, here we come!

That is sport. There are two sides to a story.
Like you pointed out LilyPop, on one side Nadal was no doubt beaten up and rundown due to his prior match and on the other Roger played a great match.

And seeing as Roger won, I don’t see why that truth cannot be admitted. I’m completely fine with it. *shrugs* Although, I’ve been called “traitor” and worse things by people who don’t agree that I should say that. I don’t care, I love Roger, but I have immense respect for Rafa and I’m glad it’s him whose his rival.

How much would it suck if it were Djokovic or Murray? They would gloat and rub it in any chance they could get! It would be unbearable!

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Back to main discussion:

The fact that Davidoff gave advertisements to children under the guise of being a medal is disgusting. Tobacco companies have been targeting the young since the beginning of time. It is a reflection on the TOURNAMENT, society and the ATP that they allowed such a thing. It is not Roger’s fault and if the anti-smoking group REALLY wanted to make a change, they would go after the Big Man who’s in charge of these decisions, they could address the ATP aswell. Not the individual tennis player! How cowardly.

I apologize, I just wanted to include my opinion on the matter and points Lorrie, Jean and JFK were making.

Back to discussing Roger. I’m sure all Federer fans are eager and excited to see him back on court after his break.

Good luck to him in his next match.

It is always said that, in order to beat Rafa on clay:

1- Rafa has to play terribly (not even that, the exact word they use is “injured”) and

2- You have to play a great match (out-of-this-world tennis)

And even THEN it’s not a given.

It’s funny how those saying are conveniently swept under the rug.

It’s ridiculous to say that that match, where Djokovic and Rafa were beating the stuffing out of each other, had no affect or bearing on the performance and level of resistance put up in the final.

That is not to say that Federer doesn’t get credit for being there and taking advantage of the opportunity. As he should. He played great tennis to beat Rafa. You have to if you want to have a chance to win.

After that epic between Djokovic and Rafa? When people talk about Madrid 09, that is THE match to remember.

Most definitely one of the greatest matches of this year (as well as Rafa vs Verdasco, totally epic! Both those matches STILL give me chills!)

he is part of the team that helped rog REACH GS CALENDAR FINALS
he is part of the team that helped rog WIN 1ST FO
he is part of the team that helped rog WIMBY, 15TH GS
he is part of the team that helped rog WIN MADRID ON CLAY W/RAFA
he is part of the team that helped rog CINCY BEATING NOVAK/MURRAY
he is part of the team that helped rog W/THAT NU AMAZING DROP SHOT
he is part of the team that helped rog REGAIN NO.1 RANKING