And So, Rojah Made History...

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Paul Gilham/Getty Images"][/caption]

Did we think there was gonna be a different ending to the day?

Congratulations on breaking the record, Roger. It'll stay unbroken for quite some time yet. So rest easy, and enjoy playing Daddy for a while.

And please Mirka, on your next pregnancy stay home. You got me so worried just looking at you the whole match. And do not bring that greasy haired man again. Just don't. The tennis world will thank you for it.

Sgt Pepper Isdatchu???

Roger Federer Sgt Pepper (tm skyejaden) opened play on center court today, and it was a very memorable event. As we tennis enthusiast may know, Roger + Wimbledon = usually unforgettable fashion choices, and this year the man hailed as GOAT in tennis did not disappoint.

Pepper walked on court today wearing a military style jacket and a white/gold duffel bag. Emphasis on gold.

You'd think that's enough fashion statement for Roger and Nike, but hang on a minute! He took off his jacket and we were presented with another layer:

Ooooh Roja. I'm not too sure about the waistcoat/vest thing. I'm not too sure about the whole thing. I understood the mandigan last year, and the jacket 2 years ago was quite smart, but I think you've gone a little too off my comfort this time.

What say you, readers?

P.S: A glimpse of the beautifully pregnant Mirka for the fans:

Nike Commercial: "Men VS Women"

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.2242933&w=425&h=350&fv=clip_id%3D3747108%26server%3Dvimeo.com%26autoplay%3D0%26fullscreen%3D1%26md5%3D0%26show_portrait%3D0%26show_title%3D0%26show_byline%3D0%26context%3Duser%3A1420293%26context_id%3D%26force_embed%3D0%26multimoog%3D%26color%3D00ADEF%26force_info%3Dundefined]

There's no Rafa in it and what a shame. It would, however, boggle my Rafanatic mind to see him in an elevator full of women, and not getting mauled! Freakyfrites from GoToTennis is reacting with indignation and then some, since it is Roger. But even with no Rafa, the ad is too good to pass up.

A few famous athletes are in it, including Paula Radcliffe, Sofia Boutella, Roger Federer, Fernando Torres, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Tony Parker.

But really Nike. No Rafa??!?! Inexplicable.

*video found at GoToTennis

Roger & Mirka Are Expecting!

From Roger's official site:

O. M. G.

Congrats you guys!!! 

Thanks to neil in toronto for the tip!

 

*To Rafanatics: yes, I know, two Roger posts in a day. Sorry. Too exciting not to share. Rafaservice will resume shortly.

Roger On His Rafa Problem

"I don't have a problem on clay," he says. "I have a Rafa problem on clay."

Roger Federer, in an interview with LA Times.

Ain't that the truth. Big of him to admit as much.

Naggy Girlfriend (WADA) Is Hurt By The Complaints

Bitch, please.

WADA boss "disappointed" by criticism from Nadal, Murray

Madrid - John Fahey, chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), admitted he was 'surprised' and 'disappointed' by the criticism he got recently from top tennis players Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray concerning new rules to locate sportsmen for testing.

Wow. Like, really? You're surprised that players are retaliating to the complete lack of privacy WADA is demanding from them? And the unreasonable 3 strikes and you're out rule, blown tires notwithstanding?

"So it's a little disappointing to see this sort of comment, after the knowledge of this change has been around now since the decision was taken in Madrid in November 2007. And I can only presume, as I said, that the players who are saying these things do not have all the information,' the Australian said.

I think the fact that WADA officials insists to watch players pee in the cup is quite a lot of information. What's that you say? The players are outraged by something they don't have the full information of? Why of course. Because they're athletes, they don't even bother to find complete and comprehensive info about something as invasive and important as this. So when they do read the pamphletes/memo/vellum, they're most certainly, 100% will agree to this rule? Ugh. *clutches head*

Fahey advised Nadal and Murray to listen to their colleague Roger Federer, who supports the new rule 'wholeheartedly and has said so publicly.'

Patronizing much?

'It's interesting that it's those people who are at the elite level sometimes who complaint about it being a bit difficult. It's not the athletes in sports that don't pay much money, where they can't afford to have managers and secretaries and other people to make arrangements for them, including to notify their whereabouts,' Fahey said.

Oh god. Just read the article. It's hell to my blood pressure.

Roger Follows Rafa, Misses Dubai (and Davis Cup)

From Roger's official site:

Dear Fans,

Today I am disappointed to announce that I am withdrawing from both Dubai and the Davis Cup tie in the United States. This was a hard decision to make as I am missing not only one of my favorite events on tour in Dubai but I am also missing out on an opportunity to help my country try and move on to the next round of Davis Cup. After injuring my back last fall, I did not have enough time to strengthen it completely. As a precautionary measure, I will use the next few weeks to make sure the back injury is fully rehabilitated and I am ready for the rest of the 2009 season.

As always, thanks for your continued support.
Roger

I'm thinking it's a legit injury. If he does not want to meet Rafa, the point is moot because Rafa's missing Dubai anyways right?

I'm also thinking karma's a bitch. Dubai just lost the two top ATP stars. That's gonna hurt. I hope the tournament will be very, very boring because the not-granting-visa thing?  Is petty and outrageous and so damned backward. What a steaming load of $#*%.

Oh, and they also just lost Wall Street Journal as sponsors. Toldja she's a bitch.

They Say Roger Can't Win Against Rafa Anymore

From Joe Posnanski's Viewpoint on SI.com:

... 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.

Let's Hope For...

A cracking final, no matter which way it goes. History will be made today, one way or another.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="457" caption="I know, I'm so mean. "][/caption]

I know a lot of people are up tonight. Comments for the match here, if you  please.

Quite A Dillemma

Tennis legends are picking Roger for Sunday's final.

Between them, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, John Newcombe and Tony Roche won 27 grand slam titles.

"If I had to pick someone, I'd pick Federer. Certainly after that big match, long match Nadal had," Laver said at special lunch at Melbourne Park on Saturday to mark the 40th anniversary of his 1969 grand slam sweep.

 

Rosewall said he was picking Nadal at the start of the tournament to land his maiden hardcourt slam but has since changed his mind.

 

"Having watched Roger play in the last two matches, I think his game has really lifted a lot," Rosewall said.

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="425" caption="Like this?"][/caption]

 

 

But Roger himself doesn't agree.

The Nadal-Verdasco epic, lasting five hours and 14 minutes, was the longest in tournament history. 

But Federer insisted it would have no real adverse affect on the super-fit Nadal, who had not dropped a set in his previous five matches. 

“Rafa has had very easy matches going into this semi-final,'' the Swiss maestro said. 

“OK, he has a day less. 

“But you've got to be fit and recover from this kind of a match and I think he will, even though he took a while. 

“His matches usually take longer than other matches because he takes his time out on the court. 

“I don't think he will be really affected on Sunday.'' 

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="433" caption="Or this?"][/caption]

 

 

Rafa, understandably, is lying low and making small of his chances.

 

'It is amazing to play another final of a Grand Slam,' said Nadal, 21-4 in Melbourne to the 47-6 of the Swiss, from whom he seized the number one ranking last August.

   'It's special to play against Federer in any match, but the first one for me in Australia is even more so,' he added. 'For sure, Roger will be in much better performance physically than me for the final, but at the same time, I'll try to be recover and play my best.'

Even bookmakers have a say.

 

Oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com are among the best Tennis analysts in the world. Thus, it is only fit that the Australian Open 2009 Finals Prediction Sports Odds are provided by one of the elite providers in the business. Here’s what the experts say: Roger Federer [-165] will beat Rafael Nadal [+135] in the Australian Open 2009 Finals Predictions.

If the Sports Odds are indeed correct, Roger Federer would tie the legendary Pete Sampras for the most career Grand Slam wins in the history of the sport at 14. Nadal, who has become the only real threat to Federer over the years will attempt to keep second-ranked Roger Federer from tying Pete Sampras' record on Sunday. Who will win the first set? According to the experts, Roger Federer [-155] has better odds than Rafael Nadal [+125].

But of course, the most important opinion is... from all of you RAFANATICS!

Penny for your thoughts.