With the 2008 tennis season now complete, it is no surprise that many are reviewing and previewing, assessing and guessing, judging and predicting this year and the next.
It has been a fascinating and an uplifting 12 months for fans of tennis. With a new cast of exciting athletes stepping into the limelight, there are great rivalries and fluctuating fortunes; real drama and new benchmarks in quality.
And at the centre of much of this drama has been the ever-present icon of Federer: the sun around whom the other players orbit. But has he burnt out? Or will he burn brighter again in 2009?
I began to record my year with Roger in order to preserve my personal Wimbledon story like a piece of glowing amber. But his story took me by the hand to an entirely unexpected and wonderful conclusion in Shanghai. His journey from the very first month to the penultimate one of 2008 was tumultuous and unexpected, plunging and soaring.
I followed in his path, holding onto his shirt tails with clenched fingers, some tears, and many thrills.
Thinking back to the start of the season, I remember an interview with John McEnroe after Roger’s 2007 Shanghai victory, closing the year as No. 1 again, counting down the slams towards Sampras’ record. JMac—often blunt but usually astute and an inveterate admirer of Roger—believed that, yes, he could do it all again in 2008 and add the grand slam record to his bulging portfolio. Then JMac added something to the effect that "this is always supposing the hunger stays and the body holds up.”
When Roger's losses began, the first surprise being his capitulation of the Australian title, it was clear to anyone who has been absorbed by this magician’s game and demeanor that there was something physical amiss. But the media—and some tennis experts too—questioned his hunger.
So it was almost a relief to have the confirmation of glandular fever. It explained so much: the food poisoning in Australia, the heavy-footedness at Melbourne, and later the shock of that inflamed cyst attached like an alien to the slant of his cheekbone.
But the diagnosis did not silence the baying critics, possibly because Roger’s work ethic ensured he continued with the required tournaments, media, ATP and sponsor commitments. However, he was clearly tired. Nadal was eating away at his ranking points, Djokovic was preening from his first Slam victory and further Masters success.
New stars were picking him off—not least Murray. He lost his Hamburg title and then the vultures started to gather over Roland Garros, where a fatigued Roger put a valiant face on a dreadful loss.
So the year went on. Wimbledon, the Olympic title, and No. 1 ranking fell in succession, yet still he stayed upbeat and worked hard. He looked tired and drawn through the summer hard court tournaments and eventually stepped off the treadmill at Stockholm.
Some (probably myself included) thought he should stay away from Madrid. Missing Paris may have saved him from injury and brought a different result at Shanghai. So many ‘what ifs…’. But he needs, in an almost primordial way, to be playing and, this year in particular, to prove to his critics that he is the best in the game.
10 comments Last one added 4 months ago — Leave a Comment
Long John Silver 7 months ago
I LIKE the way you were balanced - you talked about everyone
cheers
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Gil 7 months ago
Indeed 2009 will be a year looked for with much anticipation.
and the Federer fan in me hopes he will shine brighter than the rst of the field..
Go Fed!
hey btw, the article should read "...New heights in 2009"..right?
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clarabella bevis 7 months ago
Err, yes. I've worked out why the date seems wrong. Someone edited the heading to make it more search-engine friendly and in the process turned the meaning round. I've therefore amended the date to suit his revised wording.
Interesting development since I posted the article - Roger has announced his 2009 schedule on his website. He has dropped two formerly successful venues in a streamlined clay season so will play just a couple of tournaments before Paris. The rest of the season is well spaced and balanced, with the Davis Cup fitting in nicely. So the answer to one of the questions I raised - how he would prepare for next year - is taking shape. He is planning carefully to preserve his fitness and to make an assault on the Slams.
Another facet of his make-up that I find very attractive - intelligence.
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Gil 7 months ago
Right ho!
Federer is a really clever man, we are dealing with a master Planner. I think some 3 or 4 yrs ago, he played almost 100 matches the season and exhaustion took a toll on him and the next year, he had a highly successful year when he cut down the number of tournaments.
afterall he is at that stage of his career when it is the Slams which matter for him most and of course he will want to preserve energy for that...He wont be ready to take rists as Mono doesnt say Bye Byee to you forever..It has the annoying habit of paying a visit at odd times...
I think he is better off playing at Madrid and Paris alone on Clay b4 RG, Bcoz either way, if anyone, he is going to face Nadal in the final on the red dirt of Paris and the last thig u want is tank urself playing too much b4 facing the Clay Monster..
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Long John Silver 7 months ago
you guys ....
its common sense isnt it - not E=MC2
its a case of - when you really like someone, even the most normal things make you admire
faults are thick when lov is thin
and bella - comeon, its not like the other players are dumb ..... ohhh god save federer
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Gil 7 months ago
haha, cant agree better man..
But we will live with it..'FedTards' :d
Btw, not all the other fellows there are clever. Davydenko for example is really dumb. He plays Clay court tournaments before Wimbledon while other busy themselves with warm up on Grass...
Not intelligent that from the Russian, though yeah he does have very slim chances of doing well at the Championships...
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Jake Shaw 7 months ago
Excellent read. Made my dinner break at college very enjoyable. I agree that Federer played his best tennis at the ned of the year, even with the nagging problems...but when Nadal is at 100% physical condition too, I'm not so sure Federer can hold off his power in the way he used to. I certainly hope he can. His schedule looks very well planned out and he seems to have the Paris Masters in mind. I mean how great would it be to see Roger stop Nadal winning at RG again, hopefully this less strenous schedule will let this happen. Especially because I can see Nadal wanting to be involved in every single tournament as he can.
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clarabella bevis 7 months ago
I agree that Rafa has too much power on the right surface - that certainly means clay. Though with the slowing of the Wimbledon courts, it has become a closer fight there as well. But I really wonder how his knees will hold up for the whole season. I'll be interested to see what schedule he puts together (must check out his website). Both he and his team need to start taking a longer term view of his career.
And to mix my replies up, addressing Long and GilRush, I really wasn't saying that the competition was thick - just that Fed is a cut above in the grey cells department. He's one of the few who manages his own career, schedule, tactics, extra-curricular activity (and of course gets questioned about his lack of full-time manager). There's an element of 'control freak' about him but then it has stood him in pretty good stead so far.
Maybe we need a new discussion on whether, to be a great tennis player, you need to have above average intelligence? It occurs to me that the mathematics of angles, speed, variable surface and temperature, together with tactics, psychology, whole-body training regime, and having to depend entirely on your own resources throughout a match require a special combination of skills. I might have to go away and think about that one....
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karen wilson 7 months ago
Great article, Clarabella. And yes, let's hope that after the R&R ROG will come back ever stronger. I for one NEVER doubt his appetite! ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ ROG !!
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Saraswathi Siriginia 4 months ago
Clara, I felt sad for Rodge reading this article, it truly had so much hope and promise...but the new year did not start well for Roger, it is sad!
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