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156 Comments
- BowieInSpace, on 02/01/2009, -52/+207Damn I was hoping Federer would win.
- darkchild82, on 02/01/2009, -4/+124I feel sad for Federer but what can you do, Nadal is an amazing player. They both are!
- inactive, on 02/01/2009, -0/+98
"Nadal, the first Spaniard to win the Australian title, accepted the trophy from Rod Laver and said: "Roger, I know exactly how you feel.
"Just remember you're a great champion and you're one of the best in history and for sure you're going to match Sampras. To receive this trophy from Rod Laver is a dream for me.""
I hope this becomes a Borg/McEnroe or Sampras/Agassi-style rivalry. In a world filled with in-your-face douchebaggery in sports, Nadal's sportsmanship is a breath of fresh air. I'm a fan! - inactive, on 02/01/2009, -8/+86As expected from world rank no1. Great job Nadal!
- fakeplasticsnow, on 02/01/2009, -2/+67
Wow, Federer really just beat himself in the final set. It was really sad to see him crying afterward. Great match, but not as great as the Wimbledon final. I am guessing that this match was closer than the Super Bowl will be though. - raklos, on 02/01/2009, -3/+63I hope Federer bounces back from this loss.
- LUCCHINA, on 02/01/2009, -0/+54It was Epic, yes!
- jasonjcrawford, on 02/01/2009, -1/+47After the Nadal - Verdasco match I wouldn't think Nadal would have the energy to beat Federer (especially being rested from whooping Roddick in straight sets the day before), but major props to Nadal for pulling that out.
- brandita, on 02/01/2009, -0/+38One of the greatest rivalries ever.
- neilk85, on 02/01/2009, -2/+34It's time Fed took a step back and re-evaluated his whole approach to the game if he wants to be able challenge Nadal and surpass Sampras's Record. If Federer is satisfied with hanging in at the No 2 or 3 ranking in the world, then yes he can continue doing what he's doing and will mostly watch as Nadal does something Roger never could, winning the career grand slam and maybe even the calendar year grand slam (FYI Nadal is far ahead of Roger pace for Grand Slam titles as his age).
However, if he wants to have a shot at breaking Sampras's record or reclaiming the No. 1 ranking, Federer will have to take a hard look at his game, his preparation and his playing style just as Sampras did at the end of his career. When Sampras was no longer challenging for the Wimbledon crown, he changed his style from prototypical serve and volleying to developing his backhand to greatly improve his ground game. This allowed him to maintain his superiority on the hardcourts he made it to 3 straight US Open finals (his only Grand Slam finals appearances after 2000 Wimbledon) and finally winning in the US Open in 2002.
For Roger this means taking pre-match strategic preparation more. He has not had a full time coach since 2003 but is so talented that it did not matter until now. Fed is known for his ability to make in match adjustments and so it was often noted how little or no prematch scouting was done on his opponents. He would just practice his own game, show up and adjust to the playing style of his opponents since he could play any style of tennis while also having a great serve and shotmaking ability. This worked well until he got a little older and met Nadal. Every other top player has a coach, and that coach's main role is not only playing advice but scouting. Just as football or basketball players watch game film, tennis players and their coach scrutinize and develop a playing strategy and adjustments for the opponent they're going to face in the next round. Fed, never needed to do that since he could adjust on the fly but now its time to hire a full time coach to do just that. Come into a match with the adjustments made and fully prepared to counter your opponents playing style from the beginning of the match rather than losing the first set or two while you make adjustments and having to dig yourself out.
Also, Federer has not had a full time trainer (altho he's had part time workout coaches) work for him for years. Its clear that Nadal is a freaking machine, never tiring, never wavering always speeding up the game and despite Nadals 5 hour semifinal match, he was still fitter for this match than Federer. Hire a full time trainer and nutritionist to get yourself in better shape to improve your speed. That is the only way to close the gap between Federer and the fastest, fittest man on tour. Look at what proper physical training did for Andy Roddick, he hadn't made a single Grand Slam Semi in 2 years (and often not making out of the round of 16). So over the off season he got a new coach and trainer and put in the work to lose 15-20 pounds and in the process become much much quicker. He also re adjusted his game to come to the net more often to use his newfound speed and BAM, he's back in the semis down under. If Roger got in better shape, he could use his increased speed to pressure Nadal significantly more at the net and he could also match Nadals defensive style, thus keeping himself in more rallies and points.
Couple that with Federers natural shot making ability and serving accuracy and we could see Roger actually challenge for that number 1 ranking. Adjusting one's playing style worked wonders for Sampras (adding a backhand to make 3 US Open Final and win 1 title) and could for Federer as well.
Roger, hire the right people, get yourself in better/quicker shape and put in the scouting and prep work on Nadal so that next time you play him you can say you gave it your all and did everything you could, no matter the outcome. - CarStan, on 02/01/2009, -1/+24great game. very emotional when Federer started to cry. He would have deserved the title, but so has Nadal. We can call ourselves lucky to be lucky to watch this historic rivalry unfold.
I have a feeling that both of them will break the 14 GS-record eventually - JuanBSU, on 02/01/2009, -0/+20I'd like to buy a vowel.
- xIrish, on 02/01/2009, -1/+18I don't know about you guys, but seeing Federer sob like that was really hard for me to watch. I'm not normally one to be affected by a player's emotions over a loss (as I've never felt any sort of sympathy when seeing an NFL or NBA player cry after a big loss), but for some reason my heart really went out to him. He's such a genuine person and a terrific tennis player, so seeing him in that state was tough.
Kudos to Nadal for being such a great winner though--the first thing he did was compliment Federer as soon as he picked up the trophy. Truly one of the greatest rivalries in sports. - Sanduu, on 02/01/2009, -6/+23It was a great game, because they both really know how to play. Nadal FTW
- vsujohn2, on 02/01/2009, -1/+17How was he supposed to know people on digg gave a ***** about tennis?
- Neolite, on 02/01/2009, -4/+18Same here. You could really see Federer was losing focus in the fifth set. Nadal played well, but damn he picks his butt a lot.
- TheThirdLevel, on 02/01/2009, -0/+14I would say it was about equal. The truly most intense game was the 2008 Wimbledon final.
- deaconyermouf, on 02/01/2009, -4/+18http://www.theonion.com/content/news/rafael_nadal_ ...
- flamesrule, on 02/01/2009, -0/+14My first thought was that Federer lost it more than Nadal won it but Nadal didn't make Roger look human, he made Roger look scared especially in the fifth. I couldn't believe Roger served so bad, 52%? Really? He should have won the first set and the third. The break chances, like at Wimbledon and the past couple of French Opens killed Roger. Nadal isn't unbeatable, Roger can certainly do it, it's just a matter of how. Next time, Roger needs to attack the forehand more. He did that in the second set when it was clear Rafa couldn't move to that side but then stopped doing that in the third.
Still it was great to see Rafa win, given how physical his game is and how bad his knees are, I want to see him win before he gets seriously hurt. - BelatedHero, on 02/01/2009, -1/+13So ignore/bury it and move on. Idiot...
- opticwind, on 02/01/2009, -6/+17I don't mean to be a hater because there's nothing I can say about Nadal to take away that he's a brilliant player. But Federer has been in a severe slump the last year and a half. He isn't playing at the same level he used to.
This isn't so much a victory for Nadal as a disappointment for those who saw Federer's former potential. - jcannonb, on 02/01/2009, -0/+11The fact that Nadal played nearly a total of 10 hours in his last two five set matches combined, tells the rest of the tour that they have some stamina and conditioning work to do. Federer is one of the purest strikers of the ball --- ever, but, Nadal is the longest lasting tennis player of all time. He basically has sent a message that you will have to do more than get the ball back. He's as solid as hitting against a tennis wall. The ball will always come back, no matter how long you try. Can you outlast a wall? Really? That's what they are all going to have to do now.
- ZeeZee2k, on 02/01/2009, -0/+11It's always epic when those 2 meet
- x1soundgarden1x, on 02/01/2009, -0/+11I've always rooted for Nadal since he was the underdog against Federer. But now that he is dominating I can't help feeling bad for Roger. I mean, did you see the photo of the award ceremony where Federer was crying? It looks like he doesn't believe he will ever tie or beat Sampras' record. Heck, he's lost 13 out of 19 matches against Nadal now.
- TheThirdLevel, on 02/01/2009, -2/+12Federer is really sloppy sometimes, especially with his backhand. I was rooting for him too but I cringed everything he did a half-assed lame swing.
- s4g4n, on 02/01/2009, -1/+11Spain is doing really well with all kinds of sports.
- tobster85, on 02/01/2009, -2/+12I miss Agassi.
- novicechap, on 02/01/2009, -1/+11Is this better than Sampras vs. Agassi game ages ago in the US open? Atleast the rivalry is something which beats that.
- Ultra42, on 02/01/2009, -2/+11Federer won 13 grand slams and you're saying he doesn't have killer instinct?
- dehlz, on 02/01/2009, -0/+8Federer's emotional speech after the match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKA-RuGmznY
- fakeplasticsnow, on 02/01/2009, -0/+8I completely disagree that it wasn't a victory for Nadal. 2 days ago he played the longest match in Australian Open history, playing for over 5 hours with fellow Spaniard Verdasco. Federer, on the other hand, breezed through both Del Potro and Roddick to get to the final. Nadal clearly was not at 100% today, yet still managed a win. While I agree that Federer is no longer in his prime, I still think Nadal faced an uphill battle today.
- IHaveCrayons, on 02/01/2009, -1/+8I watched the whole match. From 2:30am to 7:30 am or whatever, it was late. I hung in there for Federer. Federer played AMAZING. That's the truth. Those missed break chances aren't his fault... he didn't lose them Nadal ERASED them. Fed should have won the third set but Nadal stepped up, Nadal has guts like no one else (besides Federer). I really don't know how Fed can beat Nadal. Forehand vs. Forehand Federer's forehand wins out except... Nadal never gave him the chance to hit it. Nadal hit to Federer's backhand almost EVERY SHOT, even when Federer's forehand side was wide open. Nadal is the only player to hit a huge, looping, aggressive forehand to Federer's backhand EVERY TIME. I was in awe. I still have faith in Federer though, he can do it.
- Hergio, on 02/01/2009, -4/+11Dammit! I was waiting until 3pm EST to watch this and I get a spoiler on the homepage of Digg. No spoilers in the titles please!
- c010rb1indusa, on 02/02/2009, -1/+7WRONG
- MattZed, on 02/01/2009, -0/+6The dude had mono last year.
It's amazing that he won the U.S. Open with mono and is already in form only a few months after probably fully recovering. - yosempai, on 02/01/2009, -0/+6I was up WAY to late watching this. Totally worth it!
- coopaloop, on 02/01/2009, -0/+6nadal's incredible, 5 and half hours followed by 4 and half... That's the real story here, anyone else wouldn't even be able to give federer a match after playing that much the day before.
- sgtbutterscotch, on 02/01/2009, -1/+7***** you.
- macp, on 02/01/2009, -1/+7I whole heartedly agree. I was rooting for Roger, maybe because I think records are meant to be broken, so I wanted him to get 14 but also I've watched him over the years and I love the finesse he plays with. Some people are worried "he'll never recover from being dethroned on the final surface" but I think he loves tennis enough that he'll be back, you learn things from your losses too, especially the big ones.
Rogers tears were rough for sure, I think a lot of fans were very empathetic -- even Nadal. How courteous these hardcore rivals can be off the court is a nice thing to see. I think which makes me really like this rivalry all the more. - NYConcepts, on 02/01/2009, -0/+6Great game fellas!
- Jon211, on 02/01/2009, -4/+10Don't go on news sites like this one then if you don't want to know news.
- Napiertt, on 02/01/2009, -0/+5Be like you fellow countryman and display some class, will you?
- africafreak, on 02/01/2009, -1/+6Vamos Rafa! :) EPIC!!! Saw the match...one of the best finals between the two by a mile! These guys are incredible warriors!!!
At the end, the true number 1 prevailed ...
Thanks guys for these incredible moments! Keep it up!!! - Jeffler, on 02/01/2009, -0/+5Because power diggers prey on tennis and golf due to their low total digg requirements...something that is actually cool about tennis would hit the front page immediately.
- Napiertt, on 02/01/2009, -0/+5Yeah, I posted a reply above about what great ambassadors they are for tennis AND all of sport. Real champions and classy gentlemen. I salute them both.
- coopaloop, on 02/01/2009, -0/+5It really was hard to stay up and watch the match drunk at 2 in the morning. I tried but passed out and don't remember any of it.
- Bungler, on 02/01/2009, -1/+6Not in this match, he didn't. Compare Nadal's winners with Federer's winners. Federer was often returning shots to the centre. Nadal is constructing the point like a bull fight, and the final shot is a sword through the heart. Federer is playing like a gentleman.
- jpek00, on 02/01/2009, -0/+5Some of these points were unbelievable. Federer needs to his mental game back against Nadal and nowhere better to do it than the French Open.
- Napiertt, on 02/01/2009, -0/+5Rubbish. Nadal is more than just a tough bull. His shot making is incredible, as is his mental fortitude. They're both incredible champions.
@sissond, your response is even more idiotic than the original poster. Anyone trying to take anything away from these two is an idiot. - Napiertt, on 02/01/2009, -2/+6I wouuldn't call Ivanisevic, Rafter and Courier great players. IMO there's no great difference in depth in the players Sampras and Federer had to face to win their titles.
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