Mutua Madrileña Masters Madrid – Last year this tournament was tremendous! Turbulent, tempestuous and totally upending! Federer was the number one seed and Nadal was, of course, number two.
On his way to victory, the ever-elusive and always unpredictable David Nalbandian defeated Nadal in the quarterfinals, Djokovic in the semifinals and the impeccable Mr. Federer in the final.
To say this was an upset is the understatement of understatements! This year promises more surprises because in the past six years there have been six different champions—counting backwards, Nalbandian, Federer, Nadal, Safin, Ferrero and Agassi.
Madrid is the tournament where “the tennis honchos” are to honor Nadal for securing the number one ranking by wrestling it away from Federer. This was accomplished after barking at Federer’s heels for more than three years. Why now? Madrid is in Spain, after all.
No one is quite sure whether Fab Fed will show up. An announcement is expected minute to minute and all are on pins and needles dreading his decision either way!
There are those who hope he stays home to rest and get ready for 2009 and there are those who think the tournament would not be regarded as highly if Roger chooses not to play.
The website is replete with Nadal and Federer in futuristic costumes making them look somewhat warrior-like. The costumed armor, however, seems more like armadillo skin than anything else. Bizarre! Is this more ATP bad marketing?
Federer cannot be anxious to partake in the ceremonial blood-letting, aka the coronation of the new king. He has been nice long enough.
The big 4 will be present, assuming Federer joins in: Nadal (1), Federer (2), Djokovic (3) and Murray (4). The rest of the field will be comprised of the usual suspects, especially since the last two spots for the year-end championship are still up for grabs.
There are only eight total spots available in Shanghai for the round-robin tournament. Most players will be fighting for the privilege of taking part.
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about 1 month ago
"What interests them most is whether Federer will meet Nadal again or, in this instance, whether Federer will bother to show up at all!"
and I wouldnt be surprised if he doesnt Bother at all!
The Super Wealthy Federer seems ready not only to concede any slim possibility of regaining Year End Top Ranking, But seems to be ready to pay some Fines to the Governing Body of Tennis too this time around..
Its Better Fed, Its ok, maybe u may slip to Number 3, But well, we will settle a few things next year, and anyways its is going to be 'Rafa Rafa' all the way @ Madrid...It wont rejuvenate you in that note!
from about 1 month ago
You are so right - I am torn - I want to see him play and win but I also think the Rafa thing may be just too precious! We shall see. He will have to announce by tomorrow...jaa
about 1 month ago
Nice preview for the event! I too wish Fed not only shows up but also put up another memorable show! Del Potro has got himself injured it seems though I cannot confirm the news!
Just for sheer entertainment, lets wish for a new champion again!
from about 1 month ago
I wasn't sure even up to posting time whether Federer would compete--but it looks now like he will. I did see that Del Potro retired or resigned--whatever one does in a tennis tournament already underway...for me, I am hoping - yet - for Federer to win! Should be fun, regardless! jaa
about 1 month ago
Just heard that Roger was going to show in Madrid. I was sure he would not! Lots riding on this tournament! Hope Roger wins! Good article. Thanks.
from about 1 month ago
Hey Maggie - Thanks for your comment! Sorry I missed it before...jaa
about 1 month ago
may i say - THANK YOU - to start with
am very, extremely glad you wrote this -
picking this one - for it gives a good wrap up of wats in store for fall
liked this phrase -- the tennis honchos
and mate - personally, am so glad Rodge is ice-fishing or catching a late show to 'rachel's getting married'
leave him be - so it does not matter to me if he rocks up to madrid, at this point his marginal benefit of winning it is almost zero
let him come back all happy - to wat he calls happy slam
cheers
PS - I see JG has come through, hes awesome, hold on to him
about 1 month ago
forgot - forgot - almost forgot ....
i think jo-willie is gonna have a ball !
from about 1 month ago
AND did juan martin - qualify, i love love the fluidity in his game -
from about 1 month ago
So - Roger is going to play after all. The draw comes out soon. Should be real smash-mouth tennis. I am anxious in more than one way--it would have been easier on me if Roger had sat this one out but I understand his strategy...I still think somebody from the pack will emerge - and not Nalbandian this year! Glad you like the effort--It was all right!
I will be following it religiously! PS - Glad to see Hewitt will be back for the Aussie Open! jaa
from about 1 month ago
so you know - am a huge Lleyton fan too hah
from about 1 month ago
yeah - i can see how you enjoyed your other works more than this one, its more like difference between passion and job, am me glad either ways
from about 1 month ago
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/tennis/10/07/hewitt.sydney.ap/index.html
from about 1 month ago
let me ask you a frank ques
do you think a victory in madrid - for rodge is an end all - win all
does it really mean anything ?
am not tryin gate crash your party - but i wanna know why winning or losing ANOTHER year end tourn. means anything
about 1 month ago
if he sat this out - and REST
he would have less points to defend next fall - meaning he can make ground if needed
i dont know why he even wanna play now
do i make sense
from about 1 month ago
Here is what I think. I don't think winning is his priority as much as keeping tournament sharp and keeping up with the opposition. He also has that "aura" thing to fine tune. Points now are relatively unimportant because he cannot regain the #1 ranking by the end of the year.
I think the ATP sure wanted him to play. I also think Roger wants to win one of these ATP tournaments--he hasn't won one this year!
I have mixed feelings, too. But, the die is cast, so to speak. Time will tell whether this was a good decision...hope so...jaa
from about 1 month ago
if it was me - i'll go ice-fishing, but am not him
from about 1 month ago
too much of a diminishing marginal returns - for a tourn. that means nothing
about 1 month ago
but its a great opportunity for everyone else other than him to make a mark -
jo-willie and juan martin
from about 1 month ago
I just hope your guys jo-willie and juan martin--are not hurt! They appear to be at the moment--not serious enough, we hope, to keep them out of the mix...
I was amused at all the chatter on Roger's website about his decision to play--they are torn...wanting him to rest up and be ready for 09 and dying because he hasn't played for three weeks now! The poor man can't win -no matter what he does someone will criticize his decisions...jaa
from about 1 month ago
YEAH - but i seriously doubt he gives a damm about what every tom dick and harry on the street feels on the street, and neither he shouldn't
this isnt about him pleasing anyone - this is about me wanting HIM hungry and ready to go in Melbourne, i loved OZ, great place for s sport day out
i couldnt care less about his perf in madrid .... just hope he is OK for 09, i look at the long run
from about 1 month ago
am almost positive the only reason he s bothering to rock up to madrid is for his fans .... am sure a part of him feels
'REST up Rodge '
from about 1 month ago
do check out bodo's section in tennis.com
great great fans - bodo's ROCKS dude
know lots of em there
about 1 month ago
Roger is scared to take the rick to skipping the Masters Series! :D
I wonder what he will do abt Paris...
but well, the thing important is Madrid Now, and lets wish Rodge all the best, Longing to watch that Old Federer, anything EVEN CLOSE to the Federer of old times will do Rodge! U are still the One!:0
from about 1 month ago
It is all very interesting. I think he is missing the competition and wants to test himself again. Roger is only really high, I believe, when he plays tennis! I think if he wins here - and surely Basel, he will play Paris--has he ever won in Paris? I don't think so! Winning a tournament in that elusive city must be a priority!
Am anxious to see him play again, hopefully well! jaa
about 1 month ago
Great article!
from about 1 month ago
Oh, btw, I love the tennis coverage on this site.
from about 1 month ago
Hi Simon - Glad you liked it and I am also appreciative of your comments about liking our tennis coverage! We love tennis here...welcome and do comment often! jaa
about 1 month ago
see - my ideas was not so bad, you made the front again !
from about 1 month ago
You are a genius! I bow to your superior wisdom...I thought I was hallucinating when I bumped to the front page and saw my article there--featured! How do they decide that? Reading numbers weren't very high...curious??? jaa
from about 1 month ago
not the reads, but the code works like
the most popular article in each domain - makes the fronts
yours in HOTCAKES in tennis now - you made it
- like i said tennis fans come here to read about everything, hence a little variety will go a long way
and you know am happy whenever anyone puts tennis on the map
cheers JAA !
about 1 month ago
I was surprised when Rog decided to play! I really thought he was going to lay low until the Masters Championships. Hope he does well! Great read.
from about 1 month ago
Me, too. I will be my usual nervous wreck during the whole tournament because I will want him to win so badly! It is a curse, I swear...here's to a great week of wins! jaa
about 1 month ago
Sort of hoped he would pass it by--but I guess the thrill of playing couldn't be quelled any other way! Go Roger!
from about 1 month ago
I think Roger missed playing tennis! Besides this is his season of the year! jaa
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