Monday, February 02, 2009

Tennis Elbow


Roger Federer is one of my favorite athletes ever. I've watched all of his big matches, and I've supported him despite him being kicked around by Rafael Nadal in the recent past. Fedex has always been a true champion - grace, humility, elegance, dominance et al. But not tonight. Not after what ensued once he was called to address the Rod Laver Arena after his loss to Rafa in tonight's epic final at the Australian Open.

Being emotional is one thing. Breaking down completely, is another. I honestly don't know what to make of Federer right now. Not because he cried. That's fine. But rather, what his crying clearly showed. Rafa is in Federer's head. He's frying him slowly and painfully. The 13-time grand slam winner cannot figure out what he must do to beat the sheer audacity of Nadal. And that pisses me off. A true champion has the character to keep his emotions in check, and learn from past defeat. Roger did none of those tonight. What he did do, was take away from a ceremony that Nadal truly deserved.

Maybe I'm being too harsh on Federer. It was one of the best matches ever. But breaking down in front of Laver, Rosewall, Roche, and Newcombe? No man. That should have been Rafa's moment among the legends.

Or maybe that was the problem.

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