(Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
London, England—Wimbledon
Die the way you live, don't drag it out. That's the way to go.
—John Dillinger
Perhaps never has a tennis match meant more than today. With a late arrival from the former King himself; Roger Federer and Andy Roddick contested one of the most memorable matches in grand slam history.
To the credit of each player, this was a tennis match by every definition of the word. There were no over-done fist pumps, or unusual mannerisms, no consent glances of approval towards the players box, and certainly no room for error.
When encapsulating such an event, it is first relevant to suggest the way in which each player imposed themselves on each other.
For the most part, Federer and Roddick could have mirrored two factory workers, on the same page of life, going through the motions, during a drawn out week full of nothing but headaches and smoking breaks.
There was never really a time during today's event when each player displayed any sort of connection towards one another. If anything, the two combatants could have bumped into one another and murmured, ya I know... it's hot in here today, can't wait for the week to end. But that is the utter beauty of what transpired on Center Court today, this cherished Sunday.
Never was there a time where Federer was playing against Roddick, or Andy was worried about a Federer forehand; it was more about trying to deal with history, and in some instances prevent it.
From the onset of the match, it was vivid what Roddick's tactics would be. Today would not be the run of the mill, ordinary Andy Roddick versus Roger Federer matchup: One full of sound shattering serves by Roddick, only to have them placed back with the effortless follow-through of the Swiss.
Today would be centered around sheer tactics, mano y mano, and it didn't need to be pretty.
Okay, let's admit it, there was some darn nice looking tennis out there today.
With Andy storming through the first set, on the strength of spin placed serving, Federer was surprisingly down one-set-to-love—come back mode. No more praying for 15 aces to win a set for Roddick.
The evident words of coach Stefanki were resonating through the hook forehands and compact backhands of Roddick—Andy has never hit his backhand as well.
With the second set destined for a shoot-out tie-breaker, Federer's aura of calmness had evaporated. Credit goes to Roddick for spontaneously deciding to play with precision rather than power.
Then the unthinkable happened. Just when it seemed like Roddick was ready to take a two-sets-to-love lead and put his stamp on his first ever Wimbledon crown, an errant high backhand miss not only cost him the set, but perhaps many insomnia driven nights.
They always said that high backhand volley was a tough one.
At one set a piece, Federer and Roddick remained coerced in the demise of potential history—two more sets would have to be one by each.
Although the second set was a once in a lifetime for Andy, the proceedings of set three still had him holding the mental edge. Simply put, he had not lost his serve at all; with Federer looking surprising flat off of the ground.
The magnitude of a gamut of grand slam Champions in the Royal box was beginning to pick away at the sweatless brow of the mighty Swiss. Not only was Roddick serving smart, but Pete, Bjorn and Rod were watching. The demand was for greatness.
For one reason or another, Roger could not pick up anything off of the Roddick delivery. Was it a technical change by the American, or tactical resign? Federer was befuddled to say the least.
The key to Roddick's success on serve today was encouraged by his commitment to staying the course. He was not concerned with out-acing Federer; if history had taught Andy anything, it was that Roger owned that department hands down. Getting Federer into a tie-breaker format would be more than welcomed by the American.
Another descriptive and enhanced addition into Roddick's success today, which was dismal in the past, was his ability not to be reeled into the net as often as Roger would have liked. Many instances throughout the encounter saw Roger would hit his mischievous chip backhand short, in order to bring Andy into the net. To Roddick's credit, he would often times hit an inside-out forehand and barrel back to the baseline. If this were the NBA finals, Roddick would have scored high points for the pump fake. In your face Fed.
With tumbling confusion and mistrust creeping into Federer's return game, the Roddick window of opportunity opened ever so slightly in the third set 'breaker—a now or never moment was in order.
To Federer's credit, his genius kicked in just in time, with the Swiss dropping his synchronized serves in every desired corner—Roddick was left to ponder: two-sets-t0-one-down, and not losing his serve once?
Shadows of Stefan Edberg losing to Michael Stich during the '91 Championships were ever present—could Roddick lose to Federer, without ever losing his serve?
Unlike the great Swede Edberg, Roddick would not go down without Federer having to come up with one brake of serve. Preferably a four set win would have been desired by Roddick, but an uncharacteristic flaky game by the Swiss during the 2-1 game in set four, saw Roddick poised to take Wimbledon into his third straight 5th set final.
Did we all know what we were in for, when the final set of this year fortnight began?
A show of hands for all you tarot card readers out there?
With a serving display like no other, the dynasty which was the final set alone had begun. Aces a plenty were to be followed by either a nod of approval, or a bewildered return to compensate. This thing was going the distance.
The first point of each service game would become the landmark for how each game would be won; each player was fully engaged in the task of service mechanics, and not ability to make inroads on the other's delivery. Uncertainly, regarding how this thing was actually going to end, was not only puzzling the millions watching, but also the two generous participants.
A few break points were offered here and there, with Federer serving, yes folks, a record 50 aces to fend off any American adversity. Let it be known that even though Federer had a record serving day, at 14-all in the fifth set, Roddick, not Federer, was the man who had never conceded a single service.
With score holding Federer with a slight 15-14 edge, the bright sunlight was shining down, with only a frown from the newly designed roof. Clouds which never bled once throughout the fortnight where on standby—the final game commenced.
A ready Swiss was willing to give the return thing another shot. The seemingly wiry American stepped up to the line to do what he had done so well for four plus hours—never lose serve.
With the first two points gone ala a missed backhand in the net, and a shank forehand, Federer was given as good a shot as he had during the contest to break serve. Roddick's first serve had suddenly deserted him—not a feeling one wants to have during the 30th game of the final set.
Another missed first serve set up history—a tight and tense second serve was on the way. Federer would be content to put the ball back any which way he could—it was of course history in his way and not Roddick on his plate.
An unfortunate miss-timed forehand by Andy was all it took; one final shot which supplanted the greatness which composed the front row in the Royal box to an acknowledgment one member to be slightly higher.
Final score: 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 16-14.
When sporting events such as the one which took place today occur, all parties involved are left to wonder: How in the world was that even possible?
The numerical score, which indicates the winner and loser, is often easily digested, but when one takes into account the sheer athleticism and mental fortitude it took for these two great players to showcase their abilities in the grandest and perhaps most meaningful tennis match to date—no loser was left on court today.
In many ways it was really a shame that Andy Roddick did not pull this match out. Not to spoil Federer's coronation as the GOAT in anyway—I mean, that was pretty cool to see.
But when looking at tennis as a whole, it's always nice to have as many well equipped hungry soldiers as possible in the mix at the top. Roddick is certainly now floating very high in the mix, after his splendid fortnight.
It is not to say that having Federer become the highest holder of grand slam hardware is a bad thing. If more people do not become tennis fans after the Wimbledon finals of the past three seasons, then maybe sports are not their thing.
At any rate, after 171 winners in total (it doesn't matter, who hit how many), the premonition of Wimbledon becoming the breeding ground for tennis' grandest Champion, has finally come to fruition.
Look closely however, and you will find that Roger Federer was not the only one who left his mark on Center Court today. There was also this Gentleman from Texas who without question gained the respect of each and everyone who had ever raised a doubt.
No matter what people tell you, don't ever forget for a second that two married guys played one of the greatest matches to ever grace any tennis on the planet today, period.
Dedication and focus, begins and ends, in all walks and stages of life.
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