If we were considering only this one match, I'd pretty much agree with you. But, I like @BeatlesFan 's logic, which is to consider how his fitness bodes well for the rest of the season. He did not run out of gas! He did not win the match, but, he's not done yet...
Yeah. I actually still felt quite confident at 40-40. When he lost the game, I expected a capitulation. Was surprised he held his next 3 service games and he even had break points at 11-11.
@acintya He's said he will play Cincy prior to the USO and skip Montreal.
Just some Belgian dude who posted it on his social media, a chance encounter. He said Roger, Mirka and the twins were laughing and eating Raclette.
He could have lost to Roddick in 09, don't forget. You win some, you lose some.
That break point at 11-11 has gone super under the radar btw. That shot haunts me too. He had a free look at a forehand with Novak up at the net (his least comfortable position). And he just kinda rolled it in cross-court, making it super easy for Novak to cut off. He should've hit it way harder and probably should've gone right at him up the middle too. Make Novak prove he can fight off a volley to the body.
Fwiw I didn't want him playing clay, not because I thought he'd get injured, but because the risk of injury wasn't worth the potential reward (he was never going to win RG).
This whole post.
thanksCincy.
Agree with your post but Fed is more than 5 years past his prime.This whole post.
Fed getting to the final, even though he lost, was a moral victory over every other player on tour who couldn't get close - and beating Nadal was just epic, throwing tons of doubt on the whole H2H arguments. If two guys who - admittedly - are near the end of their prime can't beat or can only just beat a guy who is 5 years past his prime after saving match points then it's all good imo. Fed just showed that he's got plenty left in the tank on the right day and he'll take a lot of heart from this himself.
Maybe that's because you knew at the time that Fed had many years ahead to avenge that loss and win more slams
Couldn’t agree with you more. Well said!
Not really. 28 was typically the age when players went into irreversible decline. Plus, Rafa reinforced his hold in Fed's mind. I genuinely feared he mightn't even break Sampras' record. Plus back in 2009, we didn't know everyone born post-88 is going to be a "mug". Historically, there was always a young cub who put old lions to pasture. Hasn't happened for 10 years. Despite all that I wasn't as sad as I was on Sunday. Even though I had counted this tourney as a win after beating Rafa & made up my mind the moment after Federer punched air on Friday that Djokovic is the likeliest winner on Sunday night. The manner of his loss filled me with 50% pride, 50% anger & 50% sadness. Still hurts.Maybe that's because you knew at the time that Fed had many years ahead to avenge that loss and win more slams
The first part I couldn't agree with more.
Roger was 29 years old in that 2011 FO semi, not 38. There's such a huge difference between those two ages. His mental block against Djokovic is as big as the block was against Nadal for all those years. The difference is, he's too old to solve this issue. I said 2 years ago he'd never beat Djokovic again and this may turn out to be so. He should have won the Paris semi last year, but choked in the third set TB-er.
He's lost a lot of matches holding MPs in the last 2 years or so but I fervently hoped it wouldn't happen in a GS final... Oh well.My husband said to me this morning, "how are you feeling? It's the week anniversary of Roger blowing it." I said, "no, tomorrow is the week anniversary, thanks for reminding me," then I started feeling sad again. Five hours of agonizing tension, resulting in a loss. I keep having these horrible thoughts that he'll make the final of the USO, hold Championship Points again against Novak and lose again. If that happens.... GOD!
These tiebreaks have all been downhill since he shanked that set point in the first set of Paris. I don't think he's really come close to winning one since. Seems like he goes down a mini-break early and the hole is too big to dig out of because Novak will offer literally no free points in big spots.
My favorite Andre quote came during the USO match with Roddick that he guest commentated on:
I can't take Andre Agassi completely seriously, really.
To be honest, and I have plenty of time to think about it. I think Fed has always struggled in key moments, but his skill and level of play would figure it out (similar to AO17 final game), but as he ages, he struggles more to overcome these mental struggles.
It's just frustrating to me because over the course of a long match, he should be plenty confident. If he's playing well enough to keep reaching tiebreakers and not get broken by the greatest returner ever, he should be feeling good about his game and ready to ball out.
Things are positive in Rafa land April-June. The chances are pretty high he will either be "injured" or sit out some of the rest of the year, as he often does. I seriously doubt he'll be a factor until the AO 2021. That's his usual pattern, though 2013 and 2017 were notable exceptions.
Well, to be fair, this is the worst moment in fed's almost 20 year career. I think it is fair to say it's tough for everyone in here.
Yeah I mean I totally get why people are taking the loss brutally.
Yep, yep, yep. Only way to continue watching and coming here is by basically forgetting that match. I mean I see this WC as he beat rafa at 38 in a slam SF and lost to a dominant Djoker in the finals.
Why bother watching Fed matches at all if it's immaterial if he wins or loses? I agree with much of what you're saying, but wouldn't question the fandom of others or think it's unhealthy that some take the loss so hard. Let's face it, it was the worst lost ever for a Fed fan to digest. Holding Championship points in a Wimbledon final (on his serve) and losing it is brutal. And if some people are taking it harder than others, that's OK. I'm happy for this moment and try to focus on that instead of the final outcome.
Happiest moment of the tennis season for me, that semi.Why bother watching Fed matches at all if it's immaterial if he wins or loses? I agree with much of what you're saying, but wouldn't question the fandom of others or think it's unhealthy that some take the loss so hard. Let's face it, it was the worst lost ever for a Fed fan to digest. Holding Championship points in a Wimbledon final (on his serve) and losing it is brutal. And if some people are taking it harder than others, that's OK. I'm happy for this moment and try to focus on that instead of the final outcome.
Me too!!! By far!! Dubai final would be next, then Miami final, then beating Coric on the clay.
It does matter. But it doesn’t matter to the point I will let myself be bogged down by it after a week. That in my eyes, it just not a healthy level of fandom.Why bother watching Fed matches at all if it's immaterial if he wins or loses? I agree with much of what you're saying, but wouldn't question the fandom of others or think it's unhealthy that some take the loss so hard. Let's face it, it was the worst lost ever for a Fed fan to digest. Holding Championship points in a Wimbledon final (on his serve) and losing it is brutal. And if some people are taking it harder than others, that's OK. I'm happy for this moment and try to focus on that instead of the final outcome.
Yeah me too, although I have Miami above Dubai just bc he hadn't won a big title for a long time. Then again, Dubai was the 100th title, so it was pretty special.
True, but for me it took a lot longer than a few hours as you said. My life was fine, but I also chose not to talk, think, or post about tennis for a week. Nothing wrong with getting emotional about a hobby.
This. It's precisely why I regard AO17 final as the greatest experience I have ever had as a fan of sport.Not just the result, but the whole journey of thinking he was done in 2016 to watching him lift the trophy.
I hope I can get to the point where I can enjoy re-living that match. It's still kinda hard for me to enjoy watching highlights of his 2015 SF masterclass because I can't help but think of the final.Why bother watching Fed matches at all if it's immaterial if he wins or loses? I agree with much of what you're saying, but wouldn't question the fandom of others or think it's unhealthy that some take the loss so hard. Let's face it, it was the worst lost ever for a Fed fan to digest. Holding Championship points in a Wimbledon final (on his serve) and losing it is brutal. And if some people are taking it harder than others, that's OK. I'm happy for this moment and try to focus on that instead of the final outcome.
It hasn't even been a week...
Now this is true. I love watching his great matches over again, but these two are attached, so it will be a while till I can. I could be wrong, but I feel like if I rewatch it, I will see that Fed truly dominated Rafa. I could be wrong though.