[payporanymn]

For whatever reason, I can't post this on ESPN.

Federer Denies Nadal His Due

While Nadal showed great honour and sportsmanship in downplaying his victory and his accomplishment in the face of Federer's inability to control his emotions, Federer himself failed the test of his own sportsmanship. That calls for losing with dignity and according the victor his just rewards. Federer's remarkable record will be marred, sadly forever, by the image of his tear-stained face in the aftermath of defeat.

Of course passion denied is heartbreaking. And when played out on a world stage, it has to be devastating - to a degree only the very few can truly sympathize with. Nevertheless, it takes enormous courage and the mark of a true leader and role model, when the moment calls for it, to set such intense personal disappointment to the side and allow the rightful victor a celebration unfettered by such selfish distraction. It would have been a commendable victory, and perhaps a better one, for Federer to have conquered his inner turmoil instead of etching it for all time on his own face before the public eye.

I can imagine what was going through the minds of the "Legends of 1969", and it isn't flattering to Federer. Regardless, this fragility, albeit human, is a chink in his armor. Unless he is able to move past his own needful wants, Federer will be consumed by them, and pitifully so.

Number 14 never looked so unattainable for Federer as today, or so attainable by Nadal

[zlopikanikanz]

I'd be the first to jump on the Anti-Fed wagon, but I truly think that it just happens. We're not robots. Sure Nadal's thunder was stolen and he was denied the chance to REALLY celebrate, but still... I just can't really come down on Federer for this one time.

Now, if he's going to sourpuss every final he loses against Rafa, I might change my mind.

[boleroman]

See the AO Order of Play Sunday 2/1/2009 Day 14 thread for more on THIS hot topic. But, I must thoroughly and respectfully (I hope ) disagree. He CRIED. Big deal. AND- now his legacy is "marred, sadly forever"?!?!? Oh, please. (Yep, respectfully just went out the window. ) If you want to go as far as marring Roger's record forever, then allow me to go just as far in the other direction to go on some diatribe about how, for too many men, the likes of men who lose with dignity by bottling everything up explains why so many men are so constriced and emotinally stunted and die of heart attacks and are violent and......OR, an alternate theory just might be that SOME men are quiet with defeat because this matches their personalities hopefully (the Aussie code, for example), while others have to let it out.

As one of many examples I can come up with (and posted on the Order of Play thread)- please do let me know how Arthur Ashe's legacy was tarnished when he cried after losing to Nastase after the 1972 US Open final.

[boleroman]

I'd be the first to jump on the Anti-Fed wagon, but I truly think that it just happens. We're not robots. Sure Nadal's thunder was stolen and he was denied the chance to REALLY celebrate, but still... I just can't really come down on Federer for this one time.

Now, if he's going to sourpuss every final he loses against Rafa, I might change my mind.

P.S. I don't think we need to worry about that Rafa is gonna be able to REALLY celebrate. Just sayin'.

[formobilagsw]

Oh Fed!

I really don't think this tarnishes Federer's image or...denies Rafael his due.

I think that...this is probably the most heartbreaking of all of Roger's losses and ....the dam just broke. I don't think it is like....Roger decided to cry like a baby because he lost. I don't think Roger, being the ambassador to the sport that he is, the gentleman that he is.... wants this match to go down as something that ended the way it did.

I think that the tears reveal Roger as a passionate human being with so much inside of him....and he just couldn't hold it in any more.

This loss is either going to start Roger on the road to recognizing what he has to do...or...it is the end of an era and Roger is headed to retirement. Forget that 14th slam.

Methinks this is a bit too harsh for Roger.

[MaickiP]

... then allow me to go just as far in the other direction to go on some diatribe about how, for too many men, the likes of men who lose with dignity by bottling everything up explains why so many men are so constriced and emotinally stunted and die of heart attacks and are violent and.....

Well that would be the more stereotypically "adult" thing to do. I thought you thought that was more healthy.

[boleroman]

Well that would be the more stereotypically "adult" thing to do. I thought you thought that was more healthy.

Apparently, society has an issue with Charlie (not to mention that taboo thing) for good reason.

[Elelaytet]

I'd be the first to jump on the Anti-Fed wagon, but I truly think that it just happens. We're not robots. Sure Nadal's thunder was stolen and he was denied the chance to REALLY celebrate, but still... I just can't really come down on Federer for this one time.

Now, if he's going to sourpuss every final he loses against Rafa, I might change my mind.

Co-sign.


I will agree with Peterskan that this stoic front that Fed puts on that then breaks down at first sign of serious pressure is a big weakness for him.

[Henldyhl]

If the crowd had given Federer polite applause as he stepped up to the podium, the crying would not have happened. He was reacting to their loud and continued cheers and support, and it was very touching to him. Add to that the disappointment of the fifth set, and he just lost it at that very public moment.

[Injurnerona]

For whatever reason, I can't post this on ESPN.

Federer Denies Nadal His Due

While Nadal showed great honour and sportsmanship in downplaying his victory and his accomplishment in the face of Federer's inability to control his emotions, Federer himself failed the test of his own sportsmanship. That calls for losing with dignity and according the victor his just rewards. Federer's remarkable record will be marred, sadly forever, by the image of his tear-stained face in the aftermath of defeat.

Of course passion denied is heartbreaking. And when played out on a world stage, it has to be devastating - to a degree only the very few can truly sympathize with. Nevertheless, it takes enormous courage and the mark of a true leader and role model, when the moment calls for it, to set such intense personal disappointment to the side and allow the rightful victor a celebration unfettered by such selfish distraction. It would have been a commendable victory, and perhaps a better one, for Federer to have conquered his inner turmoil instead of etching it for all time on his own face before the public eye.

I can imagine what was going through the minds of the "Legends of 1969", and it isn't flattering to Federer. Regardless, this fragility, albeit human, is a chink in his armor. Unless he is able to move past his own needful wants, Federer will be consumed by them, and pitifully so.

Number 14 never looked so unattainable for Federer as today, or so attainable by Nadal

I'm a shameless Federer supporter so I'll acknowledge my bias. I generally try to be understanding of the opinions of others. I realize not everyone loves Roger and lots of people have very good points. I also love Rafa. He's my second favorite player.

But .... to suggest that Roger's emotions coming to the surface somehow takes away from his greatness is ridiculous. This did not in any way lessen the glory of Nadal nor the glory of Federer. I'm certain this was not a ploy nor was it intended in any way to take anything from Rafa.

Our expectations of how Federer, Nadal etc. handle pressure and deal with the intense scrutiny sometimes makes us forget. They're basically kids in their 20s who are not going to act perfectly at times.

Roger has nothing to be ashamed of in front of the legends. He has more slams than any of them and nothing to prove.

I personally love that he showed his emotions.

[Dyslermergerb]

As I mentioned before, if it was any other player I'd be surprised, but I'm used to seeing Roger cry.

I don't think it takes a thing away from Rafa, and he has to feel great that he has reduced Roger to tears...(joke)

[QQQQQ-Trek]

Co-sign with nelslus, missin, Lynn and garp...

Am just now watching the trophy ceremony...I think Fed's certainly upset by his loss but the crowd support is moving him even more. And how adorable is Nadal putting his arm around him. Wow. Both guys really lovely during the ceremony.

I don't think it's a chink in the armor at all. He cried when he won Wimbledon and when Laver presented him the AO trophy in '06. It just means a lot to him and ain't nothing wrong with that.

Editing this...to say that that I think the only chink in Fed's armor is Rafael Nadal.

[boleroman]

Co-sign with nelslus, missin, Lynn and garp...

Am just now watching the trophy ceremony...I think Fed's certainly upset by his loss but the crowd support is moving him even more. And how adorable is Nadal putting his arm around him. Wow. Both guys really lovely during the ceremony.

I don't think it's a chink in the armor at all. He cried when he won Wimbledon and when Laver presented him the AO trophy in '06. It just means a lot to him and ain't nothing wrong with that.

Editing this...to say that that I think the only chink in Fed's armor is Rafael Nadal.

And Andy Murray......and possibly Novak still (at least at times).....

[LINETFAD]

Not the Djoker, not if you watched last years US Open. Murray...yes, sometimes.

@PeterSkan:
I can't see how him breaking down during the trophy ceremony would ruin his record or whatever. Seriously, dude, theres a limit to overstating the importance of things - if you had said even something along the lines of "Federer's washed up and is going to go down the tubes" it would have been ok since theres actual facts and results to back that up, but something like this - really? I'm not able to see any credible evidence to back the claim. That, and you positing what was in the minds of Laver, Newcombe, Rosewall, and Roche is probably out of line, because I doubt that one could ever really guess at what they were thinking.

[boleroman]

Not the Djoker, not if you watched last years US Open. Murray...yes, sometimes.

@PeterSkan:
I can't see how him breaking down during the trophy ceremony would ruin his record or whatever. Seriously, dude, theres a limit to overstating the importance of things - if you had said even something along the lines of "Federer's washed up and is going to go down the tubes" it would have been ok since theres actual facts and results to back that up, but something like this - really? I'm not able to see any credible evidence to back the claim. That, and you positing what was in the minds of Laver, Newcombe, Rosewall, and Roche is probably out of line, because I doubt that one could ever really guess at what they were thinking.

Rog can still return to having his heebie-jeebie moments against players who had previously scared-him-to-death. So, not sure Rog is over the Novak Curse just yet (albeit obviously these days with the way he's playin', Christophe Rochus ain't afraid of Novak.)

It just infuriates me when Rog gets so timid against some players. He SHOULD be able to figure out how to beat players on grass and hard courts- at least faster hard courts. Not to diminish Rafa's greatness at all- but, if Rog isn't careful, his "rivalry" with Rafa will turn into what the "rivalry" between Rog and Roddick looks like. 'Cause, as Roddick has pointed out- ya gotta beat someone now and then for it to be a rivalry.

[LINETFAD]

I don't know....I mean, not to diminish the feat of defeating Rafa, but the strategy to beat him doesn't seem to be rocket science...between the 09 semi with Verdasco and the 08 semi against Tsonga, the general strategy (at least on hard courts) should just be to 1. jump like hell on that second serve every time you see it, and 2. hit through the ball cleanly with pace like Tsonga does. Murray did that very well against him at the US Open last year.

Federer has the added thing of 3. try, please for the love of god, try not to lose your head just because its Rafa Nadal.

[Mowselelex]

Okay, I'll admit to being lily-livered. After staying up all night, I took one look at Roger walking off the court and knew I couldn't handle watching him go through the trophy presentation. Turned off the set and went to bed.

[soprofaxelbis]

Maybe now these ridiculous comparisons to Tiger Woods will cease.

[DoterForeva]

For whatever reason, I can't post this on ESPN.

Federer Denies Nadal His Due

While Nadal showed great honour and sportsmanship in downplaying his victory and his accomplishment in the face of Federer's inability to control his emotions, Federer himself failed the test of his own sportsmanship. That calls for losing with dignity and according the victor his just rewards. Federer's remarkable record will be marred, sadly forever, by the image of his tear-stained face in the aftermath of defeat.

Of course passion denied is heartbreaking. And when played out on a world stage, it has to be devastating - to a degree only the very few can truly sympathize with. Nevertheless, it takes enormous courage and the mark of a true leader and role model, when the moment calls for it, to set such intense personal disappointment to the side and allow the rightful victor a celebration unfettered by such selfish distraction. It would have been a commendable victory, and perhaps a better one, for Federer to have conquered his inner turmoil instead of etching it for all time on his own face before the public eye.

I can imagine what was going through the minds of the "Legends of 1969", and it isn't flattering to Federer. Regardless, this fragility, albeit human, is a chink in his armor. Unless he is able to move past his own needful wants, Federer will be consumed by them, and pitifully so.

Number 14 never looked so unattainable for Federer as today, or so attainable by Nadal

I respectfully disagree.

I thought it made Fed more human and added to the occasion.

And Rafa's reaction made it more special.

And then Fed getting control of himself in time to realize Rafa, as champion, should speak last, stepped up and handled himself beautifully.

[boleroman]

Maybe now these ridiculous comparisons to Tiger Woods will cease.

Nope. Tiger's also had his struggles, and periods (1998, 2003-2004) where he didn't win any majors in a given year- while Rog has won a major every year since 2003. And there ain't any Rafa-level golfer on HIS tour.