CHECK THIS OUT!!!!! Aussie Open final
discussed on the Laura Ingraham show with Wimbledon
semifinalist David Wheaton. Listen to Feb. 3rd's rerun
at 7pm EST on
WSAR 1480. See Laura's website for
additional affiliates and podcasts.
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#1. CAREER SUICIDE:
I've now taken a full day to gather some of my thoughts
regarding the men's AO final. At this point we've all
read/watched the analysis by many of the game's leading
journalists, as well as from many retired professionals.
I will not waste your time here repeating what you
already know and/or have heard somewhere else. Topics
such as break points, Rafa's evolving game, Federer
crying and the other topics included in each and every
article I've read. I've had a few strong opinions
regarding this 'rivalry' for some time and understood
the consequences should I reveal them without choosing
my words carefully. I'm sure they will upset a few fans
and possibly damage my credibility (if I have any) with
some, but that's the price you pay for speaking your
mind. Here are my themes: Respect, Pressure, The
Better Player, Get a Coach, Stubbornness and
Congratulations |
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#2 RESPECT: The year was 1985, maybe 1986. I
was 11-12 years old and attending the annual cookout
organized by the Baseball Little League I participated
in. All the teams, parents, coaches and friends gathered
at our local park to enjoy some food, some baseball,
some laughs and whatever else might have been going on.
With all this happening, I spent my afternoon with a few
other kids from my baseball league playing tennis on the
park's tennis courts. Many other kids were tossing each
other BP (batting practice) trying to hit homeruns on
the adjacent baseball field, but a couple of us were
wrapped up in a game we were never formally introduced
to. I remember getting the best of my friends that day
and also remember being in love with the sport. Why? I'm
not completely sure to be honest, but if I had to
guess....I'd say it was a passion dormant since
conception (like many of you I'm sure), surfaced by the
theatrics of Wimbledon 1985 and its teenage German
champion. Why did I tell this story? Because if a
complete unknown, residing in a small German town flying
a different flag than my own can create a lifelong
Tennis Nut out of a non tennis playing kid, I hope that
these two established giants of the sport have
exposed its greatness worldwide and are creating batches
of new Tennis Nuts around the globe. In what was their
record tying 7th slam final meeting, the #1 & #2
produced thrilling tennis for the 6th time. Although
Rafa owns a commanding lead in this 'rivalry', the
talent and class (most important to me) of these two
champions can not be denied. I was reminded of their
unmatched class again only a few hours later that day as
I watched the mother of all American sporting events
play out in Tampa with all too often classless
participants.
I will now ruffle some feathers, but I wanted to start
with paying my respect to these two champions and hope,
as a result of this great rivalry, there are 10 year
olds around the globe realizing their Tennis 'Nut-ness'
as they hit the courts for the first time.
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#3 PRESSURE: I
stated on Day One of my Daily Dose of Down Under that I
think Federer should be more accepting of Andy Murray as
one of the Top 4 guys. Yes Murray has 3 straight wins
against Federer (2 this year), but maybe his 3rd/4th
round AO exit hurts my argument. Anyways, here is
another thing I believe some should accept. I believe
Nadal's camp should fully accept his number one status
and all the pressure/expectations that come
with it. The following is from coach Toni Nadal after
the final:
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"The greatest of all is Rod Laver, after that
the best is Federer. Federer is better than Rafa,
better than any player. Rafa is a good player,
winning this trophy and five other [Slams]. But
there is still a big gap."
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As I stated above, I have the highest
level of respect for Rafael Nadal and his team (even
Coach Toni was choked up during Federer's trophy
ceremony) and believe humility is a sign of a great
champion/character, but how much longer can gracious
statements like that not appear to be even
slightly strategic and keep the weight of great
expectations on Federer's shoulders. I fully understand
that Roger is chasing history which carries its own
weight, but how many of you honestly believe that tying
Pete was more of a pressure factor than defeating Nadal?
I'm guessing not many of you. Wimbledon gone. #1 gone,
Australian gone. I guess he will finally be relieved of
his once possessed No. 1 status only after he loses in
New York. With much more tennis to be played during
their careers I'm certainly not saying we anoint Rafa
the champion of this rivalry, but the track record
speaks for itself. No? We've heard many statements such
as the one above during the past few years, but I
believe now the pressure of being the number one should
be carried by the individual who's earned that
status. Let me be clear. I by no means am stating that
Rafa and/or his team should be obligated to announce
their supremacy, but simply not to pin the pressure on
the man they all too often defeat.
But with that said, there have certainly been times when
the top ranked player in the world was indeed not the
best the game had to offer. Richard Williams was not shy
about stating that Serena was better than Venus...and
this was before Serena turned pro. So maybe Uncle Toni
is indeed telling us what he truly believes.....This
leads me to my next opinion..... |
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#4 THE BETTER PLAYER: I have no doubt after
reading this opinion, many fans will conclude that I am
an extreme closet Federer fan and am simply reaching for
excuses, but I still believe in my heart of hearts that
Roger Federer remains the best tennis player on the ATP
Tour. It is obvious that Roger feel same:
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- “Tough like many other guys. You know, in a
fifth set, anything can happen. That's the problem.
Not usually the better player always wins. Just a
matter of momentum sometimes.”
ROGER FEDERER
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I've been very open about my fondness
for the attacking game and the one handed backhand, but
I assure you I have and will continue to look at this
objectively. I have no posters hanging in my room, nor
do I lose a wink of sleep over any result. As simplistic
an excuse as it is, I do not believe the left handed vs.
right handed argument can be brushed aside.
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QUESTION: You saved 13
breakpoints. I mentioned it to Federer. He said, I
wish I was a lefty. Do you think it's an advantage
to be a lefty? Also, have you ever wished to be
right‑handed in some situations?
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RAFAEL NADAL: The first part? Well, depends against
who you play. I think for play against Roger is a
little bit easier if you are lefty, no, because if
you are righty, is very tough to play against his
forehand all the time. Well, against his backhand is
very tough, too. But, well, al menos you have the
forehand, no?
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Does Uncle Toni converting Rafa to
southpaw despite him being a natural righty not
legitimize the lefty vs. righty argument? I say yes.
Although Federer served well below his standards on
Sunday, I believe it comes down to one simple shot.
The forehand. During the first week ESPN's Darren Cahill
discussed the flat(ter) forehand Nadal was using to
drive through the court in Melbourne, but that shot was
very rarely used vs. Federer. It was back to the high
cross court kicker used so often at the French. Had Rafa
developed as a righty, this shot goes forehand to
forehand. No advantage. A great champion finds weakness
and exploits them. Credit to Rafa for executing. We
could back and forth on strategy all day and I am sure I
would agree with much said from those that disagree with
me. I'm positive I can predict any and all rebuttals and
look forward to discussing it on TLR when we return.
Even though I believe Roger to the better player, I do
not expect him to win when he plays Rafa (Maybe that
makes Rafa the better player and Roger the better
athlete). I can hear someone saying now, "Todd, I
agree with you, so why doesn't he just change his
tactics and maybe get a coach."...this leads me to my
next point.....
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#5 HE NEEDS a COACH:
I've read quotes from Patrick McEnroe, Mats Wilander,
Justin Gimblestob and many others about how Roger needs
a coach. He would be getting a coach specifically for
defeating Nadal, right. I'm not sure he needs it. For
the past two years countless individuals have debated at
length about what Roger has to do to defeat Nadal. Save
the 10% and pick up a newspaper! Let's not forget he
hired a Nadal Coach in Roche, the former left handed
Roland Garros champ. The coaching carousel hasn't
necessarily helped Roddick. Rafa is the ultimate
competitor, but if Roger converts one or two of those
3rd set break points many of these experts would be
listening a different tune. Take that to be bank. What
more could possible be said on the topic? I don't care
if it is PMac, Brad Gilbert or anyone else, Roger knows
what they know. If this was NFL where strategy and
schemes are ridiculously complex I'd talk with you about
coaching, but rocket science this ain't. To be sure PMac,
Gilbert and all
the others know more than I, but I'm convinced Roger
knows what they know. Had Rafa not become Rafa
(which is a nonsensical discussion, I concur), its
Margaret Court who would be losing a record. Forget
Pete.
I can hear that same person now saying, "Ok Todd, if he
knows they know why doesn't he utilize this secret
formula?"....Maybe because PMac was right on one
thing..... |
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#6 STUBBORN:
"He's never had to adjust to something because he's been
so talented he could go out there and figure it out. All
of sudden he's playing a guy he can't do it against.
He's so stubborn." Those words from Patrick McEnroe. I'm
not sure if I agree or disagree with PMac on this one,
but it wouldn't surprise me if Roger refused to accept
that his game of choice can't beat Rafa's. One thing I
can be certain of is...stubborn people aren't happy
unless they have things the way they want them and on
their terms. There is still a very good chance Roger
will break Pete's record of 14 slams, but if he can't
right the ship vs. Nadal I'm not so sure he will be
content as the all-time leader knowing some will say he
wasn't the best of his era. The perfectionist mind is
not easily relaxed.
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#7 CONGRATS: Despite
what may appear to some to be unfair analysis to the
world #1, I say congratulations Rafa. I'll always be a
fan of a man who pushes it to the edge and does it with
class. Second to none. Tennis is truly lucky to have
you. |
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#8 THANKS: I could have gone on and on
with this post, but there will be plenty of time to do
that on Tennis Live Radio in 2009. I want to thank
everyone for reading and sending in their own opinions.
I look forward to speaking soon.
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