Final: The Official Federer vs Nadal Live Match Thread

[sportsfan92]

In a way he did. I don't think he expected to come this far. He should be proud of his achievement. I'm sure he'll definitely have a different mindset next year coming in.

i think you are right. in a way he won. i mean what better way to learn on grass than from playing the best, right? Nadal said before the tournament began that one of the hardest things for him to learn was that losing can be good because it teaches you how to play better the next time. i think it could be seen in the tough matches that he played over the last two weeks. he learned from them, and even though he did not win the title, he was not defeated. it was a surprise that he got to the finals, even for him i think. what do you do when your dream arrives early and you are not completely ready for it..... I mean, I think he would even agree that he could have used a few more grass matches before meeting Fed (or anyone) in the final. So, to sum it up. He went farther than anyone expected him to go. That's reaching /exceeding potential - that's a win in my book!

Congrats to Fed! Great and classy champion. And so good with the interview.

I look forward to this rivalry being a long and competitive one.

 

[Kartasco]

I enjoyed watching the match, it was a bit of fresh air from the last couple Wimbledon finals between Roger and Andy that, to say the least, have not been exciting

Exactly

 

[whealben]

Agree with everything sportsfan has said.

Are we lucky? We get John Lloyd and Jimmy Connors talking, joined by Jonny Mac at times.

We only ever see Bud Collins as a sort of figure of gentle, not malicious, fun. Is he that bad?

I must admit I'd hardly heard of him until a few years ago.

Kudos to Rog. A classy win. Though he must be really worried about equalling Bork's 5 consecutive titles.

Rafa has been a revelation this Wimby. You could literally see the improvement and the learning absorbed, with each match.

A fascinating rivalry I hope.

And now I have to shut my gob as the husband watched Wimby on the strict instructions that I'd shut up during the World Cup Finals. He has money on France winning.

 

[North]

It was only close because the surface was much slower. Nadal was able to adjust to it and give Federer some actually high bouncing balls. It's funny because I see Wimbledon's grass closely to the Australian Open surface now, because the ball is fast and it actually bounces (Although not as high, you can still get it up pretty high). If the grass was like it was before, Roger would have crushed Nadal (such as the way the grass was when Federer played against Sampras).


Although I will agree the match was close and Nadal played well, I really think the only reason why he got there was because of his overseeding (which was complete bs) and the fact that the grass pretty much played like a slow hardcourt (U.S. Open hardcourts are EXTREMELY fast and brutal).

Yeah, I kept thinking through the whole two weeeks that things would turn out something like this. Spot on assessment of the match.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Can we all agreed that Johny Mac is a poser, does anyone know if he picked Nadal to win the match?I thought he was very pro-Nadal from watching the match!

 

[edberg505]

Can we all agreed that Johny Mac is a poser, does anyone know if he picked Nadal to win the match?I thought he was very pro-Nadal from watching the match!

I can't really tell you if he picked him or not. But it sure as hell sounded like he did.

 

[BiGGieStuFF]

I'm gonna admit that I'm wrong but the slices looked like they eventually took their toll on Nadal's legs. At the french the slice would sit up for him but here it would cause him to get down so low to the ball. At first Federer was on the defensive when hitting the slice but eventually Nadal's shots were losing their sting.

 

[sportsfan92]

I can't really tell you if he picked him or not. But it sure as hell sounded like he did.

i'm pretty sure he picked roger. he even had his jacket on on one of the late night updates. he loves the guy and his tennis. but he also knows there can be more than one good player out there (even more than 2!). i think he realizes Nadal is good for the game. anyone that can challenge roger on any surface is good for the game....

didn't rafa beat federer on hardcourt meeting? or is it 1-1 on hardcourt already?

I just enjoy the fact that it's not a given when they go out on the court as to who is going to win. You have to admit, there was some question. At Wimbledon AND the French. Competition - it's good!

 

[edberg505]

i'm pretty sure he picked roger. he even had his jacket on on one of the late night updates. he loves the guy and his tennis. but he also knows there can be more than one good player out there (even more than 2!). i think he realizes Nadal is good for the game. anyone that can challenge roger on any surface is good for the game....

didn't rafa beat federer on hardcourt meeting? or is it 1-1 on hardcourt already?

I just enjoy the fact that it's not a given when they go out on the court as to who is going to win. You have to admit, there was some question. At Wimbledon AND the French. Competition - it's good!

2-1, Nadal beat him in Miami

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

bravo roger... you make me happy with that 8th GS !!!
pfiou... what a relievement to see the light side of tennis triumph !


i will be able to sleep better now...... at last

 

[Docalex007]

I'm a Federer fan, but let me extend you my congratulations. Nadal has progressed FAR BEYOND my wildest dreams...and even though Federer has pulled this one out I have to say my heart was in my mouth a couple times. And if he progresses at this rate he has a chance.

That said, you have to admit that the grass is no longer wat it was 10 years ago.

Why congratulate him? He didn't do anything.

 

[Docalex007]

Nadal won in 4 sets on clay and he nlost in 4 sets on grass. He did his part to show he wasn't just a clay court player like the classy Fed fans say.

Let me just say this to show my class....

In your face!!!!! Fed spanked your Nadal. In your face!!! bu-yah!

 

[sportsfan92]

Let me just say this to show my class....

In your face!!!!! Fed spanked your Nadal. In your face!!! bu-yah!

So, who are you rooting for in the World Cup?

 

[omigod]

Did you notice that Fed puts on his sponsor's watch to hold the trophy ..
I think Edberg / Graf used to do this with Rolex watches.
Quite a trooper!

 

[crazylevity]

Why congratulate him? He didn't do anything.

aye you're right actually. 2 hours of sleep in the last 48 hours is making me type weird things, haha.

But props to Count Gricksnash, he is a Nadal fan that didn't "disappear" conveniently, but I wanted to make it clear that I wasn't one of those who were going to flame him, and just say how good I think Nadal did.

 

[whealben]

Can we all agreed that Johny Mac is a poser, does anyone know if he picked Nadal to win the match?I thought he was very pro-Nadal from watching the match!

Nope. Jonny Mac picked Fed, Jimmy Connors went for Nadal. That was on the BBC's live broadcast. Dunno what Jonny Mac said on his American broadcast, obviously. (Connors is ecstatic about Nadal as he thinks he is like he was as a youngster, and as he played the game....fighting till the very last point)

What a load of pathetic posts, however. Why cant some of you enjoy the tennis instead of filling threads with hatred for either Rafa or Fed? Is it because of your inadequacy on a tennis court? I hate all the negativity. They are both phenomenal. Get over it and enjoy the Sport. :-|

 

[ACE of Hearts]

I give Count and tlm credit for being here, where is Simon Cowell and Pusher Terminator?Nowhere to be found:mrgreen: , cowards!!!!!!

 

[whealben]

Why congratulate him? He didn't do anything.

Informative, riveting comment. GROW UP!

 

[whealben]

So, who are you rooting for in the World Cup?

:mrgreen: France. The husband has money on it!! I could be in for a slap up meal.

Personally I loathe football, which is why I'm on a tennis forum.

 

[sportsfan92]

Did you notice that Fed puts on his sponsor's watch to hold the trophy ..
I think Edberg / Graf used to do this with Rolex watches.
Quite a trooper!

He also mentioned Nike and the jacket.... smart man. Those are checks that will last a long time.

 

[cuddles26]

Nadal is probably dissapointed that his best was barely enough to get into four sets with Federer's absolute worst. That is one of the weakest performances I have ever seen from Roger Federer on grass, he must be very dissapointed with himself, yet he did win the title anyway over Nadal at his best. I doubt their next match on grass would be that close.

 

[oscar_2424]

Let me just say this to show my class....

In your face!!!!! Fed spanked your Nadal. In your face!!! bu-yah!

are you satisfied now?

 

[Docalex007]

Informative, riveting comment. GROW UP!

LOL. Did you even know what I was commenting about?!?!?

Probably not what you think. Had nothing to do with either Federer or Nadal.

 

[Docalex007]

are you satisfied now?

Yes.

Fed desperately needed to get a win off Nadal. He got that AND a fourth Wimby title....pretty damn good for one day's worth of work.

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Hey Doca, no doubt man.This was just huge for Roger.I popped champagne after he won.:mrgreen:

 

[Polaris]

Yes.

Fed desperately needed to get a win off Nadal. He got that AND a fourth Wimby title....pretty damn good for one day's worth of work.

And the opportunity to serve Rafa a bagel. It was about time.

Still, I was amazed at the way Nadal served all through the match. He is clearly uncomfortable with balls landing at his feet. But that serve was awesome. As someone who detests the inelegance of his high-cost game, I was forced to concede that Nadal was better than I expected today.

 

[mileslong]

Damn, so close. I was teased. I almost would have preferred an earlier loss. The close ones hurt more.

what was so close about it? the bagel? what number 2 player in the world has ever gotten bageled in a major championship no less? this victory was never in doubt. you deserve to catch some sh** will all the trash you have talked about federer this year. he is all class, will go down as one of the best ever and all you do is run him down. grow up count...

 

[omniexist]

Nadal is probably dissapointed that his best was barely enough to get into four sets with Federer's absolute worst. That is one of the weakest performances I have ever seen from Roger Federer on grass, he must be very dissapointed with himself, yet he did win the title anyway over Nadal at his best. I doubt their next match on grass would be that close.

Your tennis analysis is astounding.

 

[sportsfan92]

Whats with that jacket? I dungetit!!!

Well - starts with N, ends with an E and has an I and a K in the middle. And Rog gets a a big ol' check from 'em. The jacket was a point of many on-air discussions. Nice, subtle billboard. In the interview on court today the woman asked him if he would be getting a new one...He said yes, he would have to get Nike to make another one with four rackets in the crest (this on only has three)

Did you see his gold champion nike shoes from last year? Nike was a big winner in this one. Both those guys are HUGE Nike PR DREAMS!!!! Did you notice both he and Nadal had watches on AFTER the match, during all the post match presentations? Roger is in it for Rolex, not sure about Nadal.

And please, note that I'm a huge Rafa fan, but maybe they need to get their Hanes on him....!

 

[helloworld]

Honestly, none of the two players were playing at their best in this match prolly due to nerve factors, but I give credits to Nadal for giving it a good fight eventhough he was having a bad day.