A change of the guard? - Wimbledon 2008

I must admit I have usually cringed at this statement this year as Roger Federer has had an incredibly difficult year battling with mononucleus (aka Glandular fever). People started writing him off months ago when Novak Djokovic beat him in the Australian open semi's, and after which having some shock losses. I couldn't believe this because this is Roger Federer, who has been (and still is for that matter) world no.1 since January 2004! Yes his year has not been up to his usual impeccable standards but even after that, the rest of the pack still haven't caught up.

This is reflected in the fact the Rafael Nadal won Wimbledon yesterday, and now owns 2 of the 4 grand slams in comparison to Federer's one, and is still behind him in the rankings! However, after Nadal beating Federer at Wimbledon (Federer's favourite surface where he had a 64 match unbeaten run), it would be difficult to argue now that Rafa is indeed the best player in the world at the moment. It leaves Federer needing to retain his US Open title in September, and have a great end-of-season run to have any hope of holding on to his no.1 spot, and perhaps more importantly for him, a chance of equalling Pete Sampras' record of 14 career grand slams to be considered the best player ever (Federer is on 12).

Yesterdays final was amazing, probably one of the best tennis matches I've watched ever, and I watch a lot of tennis! I am traditionally a Nadal fan, but I was won over by Federer's incredible heart to come back from 2 sets down, and facing championship points. Two of the best points you will ever see was Nadal's pass to get championship point in the 4th set tiebreak from an almost perfect approach shot from federer. Then only to have Federer save it with an equally as amazing pass from practically in the spectator stands (see video below). It was heart breaking to see him lose after such a fightback, and I felt so sorry for him when I saw his face at the prize-giving. I do hope he doesn't lose motivation like Borg did after such a demoralising defeat.



I think the match was more lost by Federer than won by Nadal, that is no disrespect to Nadal for he too played extremely well. Coming into the net is grass court tennis 101 and as the kind of grass, Federer should know that only too well, but he seemed reluctant to do this. In fact the whole first two sets he seemed scared to play his best shots. This is because Nadal is in his head and has been ever since that 5 set comeback in Rome 2006. Perhaps this rivalry would have a completely different look if Federer had won that. I said before the beginning of the match that Federer's serve would be key and I was proved right, for when he served well, Nadal could not get close to his service games, but in each of the 1st, 2nd and 5th set Federer lost his focus and played some mindless points which cost him the sets. What did work for Federer was playing the dangerous yet if done right, successful tactic of playing wide to Nadals's forehand to open up a show at the backhand wing. Perhaps this will be a feature in a future Federer comeback?

I myself had the luxury of going to wimbledon this year for the second and third round. I got to see Federer, Nadal, Serena play Mauresmo, David Ferrer and Mario Ancic, Chris Eaton and Maria Sharapova. Speaking of Sharapova, she played absolutely rubbish, practically every point was an error, and it was terrible to watch. In fact (without trying to sound sexist) I found most of the womens matches error-strewn this year. The best match I saw was Ferrer vs Ancic. It was high quality tennis throughout with long rallies and by the end the crowd were really into it.

The new brit - Chris Eaton was a surprise package. He serves and volleys very well and is a bit like Tim Henman in that respect. I don't think he will quite reach the heights of Henman/Murray but I do think he can beat the rest of the british men into the top 50. Which is good news for all round for British tennis as the women are coming on much stronger now with outstanding perfomances from Anne Keothvathong and the Junior champion, Laura Robson.

I would recommend Wimbledon to anyone, it's worth trying at least once as it's great fun (even the queuing overnight!) and the quality of tennis can only be appreciated fully watched live. In saying that next year I think I will be up for something different and head the the dirt of Roland Garros! Check out my photo's on bebo