New Delhi: “I guess he would need to win the US Open to put himself there,'' were Swiss maestro Roger Federer's words after winning his third round match at Flushing Meadows against Paul-Henri Mathieu of France. He was commenting on his friend and long time rival Rafael Nadal's bid to win his maiden US Open title.
The five times US Open champion may well have a valid point but what has probably slipped Fedex's mind is the fact that the French Open which eluded him for quite a while was won by him only last year. He would probably also not like to be reminded that Rafa was not fully fit during his fourth round loss to Swede Robin Soderling at Roland Garros in 2009.
Federer, arguably the greatest ever in the game's history has never been one to miss an opportunity to have a go at his opponents.
Quite a contrast to the affable Nadal who more often than not has a word of encouragement for fellow players.
The perfect and most recent example that comes to mind is the way Scotsman Andy Murray's failure to win a major was dealt with by the two tennis greats.
"I know that he'd like to win the first title in British tennis in, what is it 150,000 years?" was Federer's patronizing and cocky attitude towards Murray before the two clashed at the Australian Open finals earlier this year.
Whereas when Rafa was asked whether Murray would ever win a grand slam title, he very sweetly remarked 'very soon'. This was after the Spaniard proved to be too good for the Scot at this year's Wimbledon.
The Swiss ace once even had a jibe at the legendary Andre Agassi claiming that he could beat the American even if he (Federer) played badly.
Last year when things were not going his way, he talked loosely about Jelena Jankovic's number one ranking on the women's tour.
After being outplayed by Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych at 'The Championships' in June he complained of a bad back and a troublesome leg.
Who can forget the memorable Australian Open final in 2009 when, yet another loss to Nadal reduced the Swiss ace to tears. Federer was one away from Sampras' record of fourteen grand slam titles and was still to win the French Open.
Rafa on that occasion made it a point to acknowledge his rival as one of the all time tennis greats and also said that he would go past Sampras.
Aged 24 Nadal has eight majors to his name, aged 29 Federer has 16 slams to his name. Who is to say that Nadal won't overtake Federer's tally of grand slam titles?
The Spaniard also enjoys a 14-7 head to head advantage against Fedex even though a lot of their meetings have been on clay which definitely favours Rafa.
Both are champions in their own right and it's too close a call to pick one over the other, but one thing is for sure, Nadal is the one who is gracious, even though Federer is grace personified.
Comments
0 comment