AlexdeParis said:

I actually thought she was higher than that - or is that ranking for men's & women's titles?

I was happy to see her win. A tighter match would have been nice, but a completely dominating performance like that has a certain artistry to it.

Moonbeam said:

Are you attending the matches?
[Edited 1/31/09 2:48am]

That might be the most disappointing match Federer has ever played. It's one thing to lose, but he just completely gave the 5th set away. I mean, I realize he has a very low margin for error against Nadal, but you'd think he'd at least try to keep the ball in play when he's not feeling the range. Error after error after error...

AlexdeParis said:

there's no crying in tennis

That might be the most disappointing match Federer has ever played. It's one thing to lose, but he just completely gave the 5th set away. I mean, I realize he has a very low margin for error against Nadal, but you'd think he'd at least try to keep the ball in play when he's not feeling the range. Error after error after error...

Fury said:

Of course there is! Fed cried here a few years ago when Rod Laver presented him the trophy. Nadal cried a couple of years ago when he lost the Wimbledon final.

AlexdeParis said:

I think there is a difference between crying and then sobbing to where Federer could barely finish the awards ceremony. And then Rafa had to nearly apologize for winning!

I was really shocked and disappointed Roger behaved in such a way. It wasn't as if Rafa embarrassed Roger. I really think Roger's sobbing to the point where the whole awards ceremony became about him was a little melodramatic. It's not as if he is never coming back, right?

My goodness, Roger has dominated for so long it seems, but he cannot take losing? I really lost a little respect for Roger. I could not believe it. He had demolished other players like Andy Roddick, for example, but Roger sobs over losing to Rafa in a Grand Slam Final? I thought Roger was very ungracious, and this was shocking to me.

lascantas said:

Um, he was disappointed because he lost. I swear, it's amazing to me how critical of Roger the general is. They complain about the guy being too stoic and robotic. Then he shows how much it means to him and people complain about that. Complain, complain, complain. It's ridiculous.

This match is different in a number of ways. First of all, it was Federer's first opportunity to tie Pete Sampras's record of 14 slam titles, so there was added emotion there (as an aside, I think that may have contributed to his performance at the end). Second, I think this is the first final against Nadal where he really gave it away. He fought like hell to even the match at Wimbledon last year, but Nadal came up with some great play to win it. The 3 French finals were bad, but he played well in '06 and '07 in a losing effort while Rafa was just way too much last year. Still, Roger fought hard in all of those matches (even the French '08 blowout) and just came up short. This match, though... he was on fire in the 4th set and then didn't even make Nadal have to do anything in the 5th.

That being said, he was gracious as ever to Nadal. It's clearly a friendly rivalry, Nadal's hug being just one of many examples. The one thing I really like about Nadal is how he always tries to play the underdog (even now when he's #1). It's ridiculous, but a master stroke. I'm sure he'll find some way to spin himself as the underdog at Roland Garros. Anyway, once Federer regained his composure while Nadal was announced, he made sure to say, "I can't have the last word, [Nadal] really deserves it." He was clearly disappointed, but gracious and respectful as always IMO.

AlexdeParis said:

I am rolling my eyes right back at you. I said, I understand crying, but what Roger did was a breakdown. You can defend him all you want, but I still think it was a little dramatic. Yes, Rafa did deserve the last word. In fact, Rafa put his arm around Roger to try to comfort him, and then Roger said he deserved the last word. By the way, don't act like I do not know about tennis at all. I am a tennis fan.. I am a sports fan in general, so I have watched a lot of events. I have never seen this sort of breakdown after losing. Now, I have seen athletes cry after losing and winning, but not like Roger.

If you have read about Rafa at all, he takes one match at a time. He is very humble, but also realistic. He knows that any of the top players on any given day can beat him. So, I don't know if it's an "act" or what he really believes. He is always trying to improve his game. He never thinks he is the best. In fact, in his post-match interview, he concedes Roger is still the best, given their records--which I think is realistic. Rafa is only 22 years old, so until he has the longevity of Roger then he cannot claim anymore than what he is at the moment: #1 in the world.

It just seems you are not a fan of Rafa's which is fine with me. I am a fan of Rafa's though. I also am a fan of Roger's, too, but I was really shocked he just brokedown like that. If anyone should breakdown, it should be somebody like Andy Roddick, no? Roger has had a lot of success. And will continue to have a lot of success, too. I am sure of it.

I sincerely doubt he believes that for a second. He matches up extraordinarily well against Federer. The first time they played (when Rafa was a teen), Federer had to come back from 2 sets to love to win in 5 on a hard court! Until Roger can reliably and consistently hit winners from his backhand, he should never be considered the favorite against Nadal. He's done it a few times, but not nearly enough. Nadal struggles against people who can hit him off the court from both sides.

AlexdeParis said:

Federer's straight down the line backhand almost always works flawlessly against other players but Nadal never lets him stand still long enough to get that in very often. I don't know if it's the way Nadal hits the ball on the forehand, but he gets angles on his hits that I've never seen before apart from Agassi when he was at his best and that was only on the serve returns.

I think that Federer simply needs mental training, I believe this breakdown can be essential for his future career - he needs to realise that there ARE players who can beat him, he seems to believe in his own legend a bit too much. Such a breakdown I can only see as coming from somebody who already in his mind had raised the cup and that's way too amateurish for such an experienced player. Ego is a good thing but it'll only take you that far.

Nadal HAD to apologise for winning and that's f'ed up.

Serena will never touch somebody like Steffi Graf though, ever.

Well, I certainly hope a deranged fan of hers won't run onto the court and stab the person who's been beating her like a drum. Of course, no one's been doing that, so I guess we're safe.

AlexdeParis said:

You do know that happened to Monica Seles though right? Not Steffi.

AlexdeParis said:

Federer's straight down the line backhand almost always works flawlessly against other players but Nadal never lets him stand still long enough to get that in very often. I don't know if it's the way Nadal hits the ball on the forehand, but he gets angles on his hits that I've never seen before apart from Agassi when he was at his best and that was only on the serve returns.
I think that Federer simply needs mental training, I believe this breakdown can be essential for his future career - he needs to realise that there ARE players who can beat him, he seems to believe in his own legend a bit too much. Such a breakdown I can only see as coming from somebody who already in his mind had raised the cup and that's way too amateurish for such an experienced player. Ego is a good thing but it'll only take you that far. Nadal has something like 13-7 or 13-8 against Federer so there is no need for such a breakdown right at this point cause it's not a surprise.Nadal HAD to apologise for winning and that's f'ed up.

Teacher said:

Indeed. Monica Seles had replaced Graf as the dominant player in women's tennis, so one of Graf's deranged fans stabbed her. Up to that point, Monica had won 7 of the 8 grand slam tournaments she entered and had beaten Graf in 3 of 4 finals (the only loss being the infamous Wimbledon final where Seles did not grunt). With Seles out for 2 years, Graf won the next 4 slam tournaments in a row and then the French Open in '95. My point is that Graf's legacy seems even more impressive than it really was (and it was impressive no doubt) because some lunatic took out her biggest competitor.

Teacher said:

For me, it was a surprise because Roger is Roger.

However, I do agree that I expect more from Roger. Yes, I agree Roger might believe a little too much his own hype... like he thought he won already since Rafa had such a difficult semi-final match.

I definitely think Roger will be back; in fact, wouldn't it be ironic(?) if Roger broke Sampras' record by beating Rafa at the French. However, I have a felling if this would happen, Rafa has so much respect for Roger, he would be happy for him even though Rafa might lose. From what I read.. Rafa has a very even personality and seems to be able to take the bad with the good. I do not think Rafa is the type of player to breakdown, sobbying into tears like Roger did. Now yes Rafa has cried after winning and losing, but not in a manner that has taken away from Roger's win.

I guess we will just have to see what the future holds, but to me for a 22-year old player, Rafa is like this old soul. He showed a lot of compassion for Roger today, probably more than Roger would ever show him. That's just the way Rafa seems to be.

This is why he is my favorite player. It is too bad so many do not really seem to like Rafa I guess because of his style of play. I like his style of play in that he just does not give up. And I just like him as a sportsman and champion.

AlexdeParis said:

Disagree completely - she could've come back after the injury and played as good as ever but she didn't.

I would've stabbed her too, the way she grunted when she played.

Disagree completely - she could've come back after the injury and played as good as ever but she didn't. I would've stabbed her too, the way she grunted when she played. She started it all and now every damn player does it. There's absolutely no reason for it, players of old managed just fine without sounding like they're in the middle of sex. It should be banned, the players should be warned for it. The crowd should be all quiet but the players get to scream? Hell no.

Federer still the greatest but how I love to win, says Nadal

HUMBLE champion Rafael Nadal refuses to believe he has Roger Federer's number despite continuing his grand slam dominance over the so-called greatest player ever.

Nadal's gripping 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-2 Australian Open final triumph on Sunday night not only denied Federer a record-equalling 14th career major - but also took the 22-year-old's own tally to six.

The Spaniard has taken just 20 tournaments to accrue his half-dozen, with only Bjorn Borg - who needed 18 events - stacking up his first six slams in quicker fashion.

Nadal also joined Andre Agassi as the only other man in the 41-year open era to land majors on three different surfaces - clay, grass and hard courts - after posting his fifth consecutive victory over his demoralised Swiss rival.

Still, on Monday the modest Mallorcan was perhaps the only man in Melbourne not wondering whether he - not Federer - was the player treading the path to tennis immortality.

"Right now he has 56 titles, something like this. I have 32," Nadal said.

"So it's a lot different. He has 13 grand slams. I have six.

"The Masters Cup, he has won four. I have not won one. So there's no discussion.

"I say right now Roger is the best because he has all these titles. Maybe later (I can be).

"The rankings show I was the best player in the last year. That's the truth. But I am not the best player, ok."

Almost embarrassed to be rated in the Swiss's esteemed company, Nadal attributes his winning streak over Federer - including victories in the French, Wimbledon and now the Australian Open finals - to little more than good fortune on the day.

"Matches between (the numbers) one and two players in the world always must be close, no?" he said.

"The last few times I beat him - but he beat me two years ago in the Masters Cup in Shanghai 6-4 6-0, something like this - but all the matches are decided by a few things.

"I don't know if it's mental, but I think he is a winner. He has shown the world he is one of the tougher players mentally."

With only a US Open missing from his CV, Nadal also disputes Mats Wilander's assertion that he is closer to completing the career grand slam before Federer, who must somehow find a way to end the Spaniard's utterly dominant four-year reign in Paris.

"Roger played the last three years in the final at Roland Garros and the semi-finals in 2005, so for sure he's going to be one of the big favourites to win that," Nadal said, surely bluffing now.

"For sure it's easier to win one title like Roland Garros for Roger than me winning the grand slam.
That's no competition."

Nadal said although reigning in New York was now a major season goal, he said it would be far more difficult than winning on the Australian Open hard courts.

"The conditions are a little bit worse for my game than here in Australia," he said.

"Here, the ball is jumping a little bit more. The US Open ball is more flat (New York). Here, you can play with a little bit more topspin."

Admitting to have been "dizzy" with excitement after becoming the first Spaniard to win the Open, Nadal said he owed Federer a lot for always improving his already brilliant game.

"That's a good model for us and I try to imitate that," he said. "You have to be humble to try to continue to improve."

In a frightening prospect for his challengers, Nadal believed he didn't normally hit his straps until about three months into a new season and that he also planned to significantly improve his serve, backhand, volley and all-round aggression.

"If you lose your illusion to improve, you are over, no? If one day I lose the illusion to improve, I'm going to go back home and have a boat and fish," he said.

That may be some time away, though, judging by the fascinating response Nadal provided when asked what made him tick.

"I love to win," he said.

"I love the competition. Not only in tennis, I love the competition in all aspects of life.

"When I compete, I love to be there and fight for win. Maybe I love more the fight to win, than (to) win."

Nadal's toughest moment comes after match

TENNIS super hero Rafael Nadal says the sight of arch rival Roger Federer in tears after their Australian Open epic was hard to watch.

"It was tough situation, tough moments for him more than me, for sure, but for me, too," Nadal said.

"We have a great relationship and it was tough moments. Too much emotion there yesterday.

"Probably in the future when we saw that moment on the TV, it gonna be nice.

"But when you live that moment it's gonna be tough.

"It's tough because I can't enjoy 100 per cent the victory because I saw him cry - it's really tough.

"I think he's a winner, he's showed the world he's tough."

The Spanish star said he had doubts before the final after the pounding his body took taken in a dramatic semi-final against Fernando Verdasco.

"Before the match, there were tough moments. I didn't know when I went on court that I gonna be able to compete with Roger," Nadal said.

"But I talk with (coach) Toni (Nadal) before the match and he told me: 'You have to be there. You have to be there. Believe on the victory for the whole time. Repeat to yourself the whole time the same - you have to win, you have to win'."

Nadal finally got back to his hotel room at 3.45am and celebrated by watching Spanish soccer on TV.

Despite building a 13-6 record over Federer, Nadal refused to accept he is the superior player.

"Right now he has 56 titles or something like this. I have a little (32)," he said.

"He has 13 grand slams, I have six.

"One of the best things of Roger is that he always improves. If you saw my match against him in 2004 in Miami and you watched his game last year, or two years ago or right now, in my opinion he improves a lot.

"That's a good model for us. I try to imitate that. He was the best and continues to improve all the time."

Nadal said the moment he lost the desire to improve he would "go back home and have boat to fish".

Apart from defending the French Open and Wimbledon titles, Nadal's most pressing goal is breakthrough US Open success.

"For sure, I try to win the US Open so I won the four while I am 22 years old," Nadal said.

"I know it's going to be difficult because the conditions are always a little bit different and more difficult for my game. Here, you can play with a little more top spin."

Told Mats Wilander believes Nadal has a better chance of winning all four majors in the same year than Federer, the Spaniard said: "Not agree with that."

AlexdeParis said:

I think there is a difference between crying and then sobbing to where Federer could barely finish the awards ceremony. And then Rafa had to nearly apologize for winning!

I was really shocked and disappointed Roger behaved in such a way. It wasn't as if Rafa embarrassed Roger. I really think Roger's sobbing to the point where the whole awards ceremony became about him was a little melodramatic. It's not as if he is never coming back, right?

My goodness, Roger has dominated for so long it seems, but he cannot take losing? I really lost a little respect for Roger. I could not believe it. He had demolished other players like Andy Roddick, for example, but Roger sobs over losing to Rafa in a Grand Slam Final? I thought Roger was very ungracious, and this was shocking to me.

Anyway, I am glad Rafa won. I did not think he even had a chance, but Rafa is a fighter. He might not be the greatest tennis player of all time, but he never gives up. Nobody even gave him a chance after that 5 set match he played, but somehow Rafa managed to win--even if it meant intimidating Roger so he would make mistakes. Plus, he has won grand slam titles on all surfaces now, right? So at least Rafa will have his place in history.

Teacher said:

I can't believe U actually said that....Wow.

Secondly, grunting relates to screaming in that an athlete will start to grunt when they are really pushing themselves. They are trying to maintain the determination to win. But also they are pushing themselves so hard and are in a state of agony.

PanthaGirl said:

So, no other athletes really push themselves? That's a great analysis.

Teacher said:

Says Teacher the potential crim!

Sure athletes push themselves, in saying that, not all sports are like tennis.

Besides there is much grunting by athletes in other categories of sports that includes rugby, aussie rules, baseball and soccer.