Federer shrugs off another clay loss
Source: Agencies |
May 18, 2010, Tuesday
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ROGER Federer shrugged off his Madrid Masters final defeat by Rafael Nadal as irrelevant, saying his claycourt season would be defined by his run at the French Open.
Unsurprisingly, his victorious rival begged to differ.
"Rafa's and my claycourt seasons are decided at the French Open, and not before," the 28-year-old Federer said.
"It's unfortunately - or fortunately - like that. If we win all the tournaments like Rafa now and then go out in the first round of the French, everything will be questioned."
Nadal, who became the first player to win a hat-trick of claycourt Masters Series titles in one year, was not prepared to endorse Federer's views.
"Well, that's a respectable opinion that I don't share," the Spaniard said after defeating the Swiss 6-4, 7-6.
"And not because I have won the three (Masters) leading up to it, which some might think, but because I think it is unfair to think the whole clay season is decided by one tournament."
Federer displayed his customary sang froid after losing Sunday's final, saying he was pleased with his overall form ahead of the French Open, which begins next Sunday.
"I think under the circumstances I played well today but he comes up with some incredible stuff," the 16-time grand slam winner said. "He's Rafa Nadal after all and he's playing with huge confidence and an incredible game from the baseline and it's never easy to penetrate through that."
Federer beat Nadal last year in the Spanish capital before claiming an emotional first French Open title and a sixth Wimbledon crown and snatching back the top ranking.
Upset
Injured knees wrecked Nadal's year and he failed in his bid for a fifth straight French Open crown when he was upset in the fourth round by Swede Robin Soderling.
After winning the Australian Open in January, Federer has endured a dry spell while Nadal, by contrast, has won the Masters in Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid, his success on Sunday a record 18th Masters title, surpassing Andre Agassi.
The eagerly-anticipated rematch was their first meeting since the 2009 title match. It was the Spaniard's 14th win over Federer in 21 matches, and his 10th in 12 on clay, and gives the 23-year-old a record 18th Masters Series title, surpassing Andre Agassi. The win also propels Nadal to the No. 2 rankings.
"It's really incredible and I would never have imagined achieving what I have, I need time to let it all sink in," Nadal said. "Beating Roger is always a special occasion and winning in Madrid is amazing and a dream for me," he added.
Nadal drew first blood with a break of serve to edge 2-1 ahead but Federer broke back immediately but lost his serve again to fall 4-3 behind. They each grabbed two more breaks of serve in the second set before an anxious buzz of anticipation descended on the arena for the start of the tiebreak.
Federer carved open a 4-2 lead with a sumptuous drop shot but netted an attempt to repeat the trick on the next point and Nadal raced into a 6-4 lead. A thunderous Federer forehand winner saved one match point but as the Swiss tried to force the pace on the second he played a forehand airshot.
"I've played more beautiful match points than this one," a smiling Federer said. "That's what happens, we're on clay after all. I decided to take a chance and it didn't pay off.
Unsurprisingly, his victorious rival begged to differ.
"Rafa's and my claycourt seasons are decided at the French Open, and not before," the 28-year-old Federer said.
"It's unfortunately - or fortunately - like that. If we win all the tournaments like Rafa now and then go out in the first round of the French, everything will be questioned."
Nadal, who became the first player to win a hat-trick of claycourt Masters Series titles in one year, was not prepared to endorse Federer's views.
"Well, that's a respectable opinion that I don't share," the Spaniard said after defeating the Swiss 6-4, 7-6.
"And not because I have won the three (Masters) leading up to it, which some might think, but because I think it is unfair to think the whole clay season is decided by one tournament."
Federer displayed his customary sang froid after losing Sunday's final, saying he was pleased with his overall form ahead of the French Open, which begins next Sunday.
"I think under the circumstances I played well today but he comes up with some incredible stuff," the 16-time grand slam winner said. "He's Rafa Nadal after all and he's playing with huge confidence and an incredible game from the baseline and it's never easy to penetrate through that."
Federer beat Nadal last year in the Spanish capital before claiming an emotional first French Open title and a sixth Wimbledon crown and snatching back the top ranking.
Upset
Injured knees wrecked Nadal's year and he failed in his bid for a fifth straight French Open crown when he was upset in the fourth round by Swede Robin Soderling.
After winning the Australian Open in January, Federer has endured a dry spell while Nadal, by contrast, has won the Masters in Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid, his success on Sunday a record 18th Masters title, surpassing Andre Agassi.
The eagerly-anticipated rematch was their first meeting since the 2009 title match. It was the Spaniard's 14th win over Federer in 21 matches, and his 10th in 12 on clay, and gives the 23-year-old a record 18th Masters Series title, surpassing Andre Agassi. The win also propels Nadal to the No. 2 rankings.
"It's really incredible and I would never have imagined achieving what I have, I need time to let it all sink in," Nadal said. "Beating Roger is always a special occasion and winning in Madrid is amazing and a dream for me," he added.
Nadal drew first blood with a break of serve to edge 2-1 ahead but Federer broke back immediately but lost his serve again to fall 4-3 behind. They each grabbed two more breaks of serve in the second set before an anxious buzz of anticipation descended on the arena for the start of the tiebreak.
Federer carved open a 4-2 lead with a sumptuous drop shot but netted an attempt to repeat the trick on the next point and Nadal raced into a 6-4 lead. A thunderous Federer forehand winner saved one match point but as the Swiss tried to force the pace on the second he played a forehand airshot.
"I've played more beautiful match points than this one," a smiling Federer said. "That's what happens, we're on clay after all. I decided to take a chance and it didn't pay off.
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