... last week, Nadal beat Federer on the hard courts of Australia. And there is no sanctuary left, no place for Federer to go. He seemed to understand this in the fifth set of the match in Australia. Nadal just pummeled him. Federer seemed too weak to go on. When the match ended, Federer broke down.
"God," he said into the microphone, "it's killing me."
That was a hard thing to watch. For years, Federer has dominated men's tennis like nobody since his hero Laver. Nothing seemed right about watching him reduced to tears and frustration. But this is reality: He cannot beat Nadal. Maybe Nadal's style is just perfectly suited to beat him. Maybe Nadal intimidates him in a strange way. Maybe Nadal -- who is about five years younger -- is peaking right now while Federer's game begins to fade. Maybe Nadal is simply better.
It is truly a mental problem with Roger. But most often, that is the hardest problem to beat. Mind over matter, babe. I really, really wish Roger would find a way outta the hole. Because when Roger and Rafa meets, and play their best tennis against each other? Mind blowing chemistry.
Hey! I know Joe Po!
ReplyDeleteFor that, I will forgive you the absence of a Rafa pic.
But...don't let it happen again. No Rafa pic make natch very unpleasant to be around.
*shakes fist for good measure*
Great point. I love their chemistry and it guts me that Roger is struggling like this. I want them both to be brilliant, equally and with each other because together they are the most compelling story in tennis. I do agree it's totally mind over matter with Roger. I think he's as fit as Rafa, he's got the skills to beat him physically.
ReplyDeleteIn Australia, I really thought Roger was putting himself under too much pressure to win in that last set, and that seemed to make him literally unable to play. Back before he became GOAT material, he lost lots of matches he should've won, and the reasons he gives for those demoralising losses is the same - putting too much pressure on himself.
louise,
ReplyDeletehe does seem to put a lot on himself. It's definitely a psychological issue. He's got the techniques to beat anyone, and I do mean anyone. It just frustrates me so much, but then again we do not walk in his shoes. It must be hell being him right now. His self doubt and self worth must be killing him.
And the worst thing about him playing Rafa is that Rafa seems to flourish under pleasure. I really do think he likes being the underdog - it gives him that much more to prove against everyone else.
I wish Roger would get a coach, a sports shrink, anything. But that means admitting to himself and everyone else that he has a head problem, and I don't know if he would do that.