Rafael Nadal criticized Roger Federer for being mum about the tough tour schedule of the ATP and letting other players like him to speak out and burn themselves.

From ESPN website

Come on Rafa. Really now?!

I believe that in the past, Federer spoke of being amenable to a reduced tour calendar. And if I remember correctly, he even agreed to re-scheduling the Australian Open to give way to longer off season.

Calling out someone to join your cause is not the smartest way to go about it.

Nadal can not be faulted for asking the greatest of all time to be more vocal about the schedule. Tour officials will surely take notice if Federer does. But to point out how the older Federer manages the physical demands of the tour better than other players speaks of jealousy.

I researched Rafa's and Fed's results for 2011. Rafa had a 69 - 15 record while Federer had 64 - 12 last year. A difference of 8 games. 6 of those are because Rafa represented Spain in the Davis Cup. Not counting the Davis Cup & Grand Slams, Rafa entered (13) just two more tournaments than Federer (11).

Tennis is an extremely strenous sport. Nadal's style of play is punishing to the body. Novak Djokovic had his share of injuries in the latter part of 2011, too. Nadal's body also broke down early in 2009 because of a hectic 2008 that includes the Olympics. But I can not remember him going this route (calling out Federer). Why? because he's winning then?

A message to Rafa. It is a matter of taking care of your body and better schedule management to be consistent on tour and prolonging one's career. Also, if you want Federer to side with any of your advocacy or initiatives, calling him out in public is also "ungentlemanly". Rather it paints a picture of a sourgrape or worse a cry baby.

I sure hope that Federer will be motivated by this criticism for the Australian Open. Given that Fed and Rafa are on the same bracket, it would be good to at least deny Rafa of advancing to the finals.

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The undisputed number one on the tennis court, Novak Djokovic, this year is now assured of taking the top ranking over 2012 as Nadal's latest loss will make him unable to surpass Djokovic on men's world rankings for the rest of 2011. If anything, it is a testament how difficult it is to be a top dog in men's tennis. And, all apologies, a further testament to the greatness of Roger Federer. But coming 2012, I hope Federer will still challenge Djokovic and Nadal. Perhaps, one grand slam more, for the road?

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Novak Djokovic is, in basketball parlance, on fire.

2011 is shaping out to be Djokovic' year, seemingly at the expense of Roger Federer, to the gloom of die hard fans like me.

Novak Djokovic on Fire
Image from tennis-wallpapers.net

Over last week, I was keeping tab on the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. I fought the urge to blog about it because Roger Federer is playing & I do not want to jinx him.

I was doing my regular online sports browsing this morning when I learned that Novak just won the BNP Paribas Open championship over world no. 1 Rafael Nadal, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.


2011 is heaven for Djokovic.

• 2011 Australian Open
  
• Dubai Duty Free Tournament Championship
  
• BNP Paribas Open
  
• 18 consecutive wins in 2011
  
• 3 Semis win over Federer
  
• 3 - 0 in finals (so far)
  

To the sadness of Federer, die hard fans like me, Novak now seemed to have Federer's number.

Federer, my good ol' great Federer. I don't think he suffers a dip. It is just that his opponents improved over the times he was giving them a beating on the tennis court.

If these achievements come down to Novak's confidence, it probably came from leading Serbia to the Davis cup title at the end of last year.

Well, the good thing. Roger Federer will playing for Switzerland in the Davis Cup July this year. :)

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Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-4, at the Australian Open semis, dethroning the defending champ and gave himself a chance of repeating in this tennis grand slam event.

Novak Djokovic at the 2011 Australian Open
Image via flickr - Mo 8910

I was foregoing on blogging about this year's Australian Open for fear of jinxing (again) Roger Federer. But now that it happened, I'm typing this entry with a heavy heart.

After world no. 1 Rafael Nadal was eliminated by compatriot David Ferrer, I was itching to blog that the grand slam is Federer's for the taking.

But Novak Djokovic have plans of his own.

Probably more confident after defeating Federer in the US Open semis last year, Djokovic was steadier in the key moments of their match, defeating Federer in straight sets. In 2008, Djokovic also eliminated Roger enroute to winning the tournament, his only singles grand slam title, so far.

He now awaits the winner of the other semis pitting Andy Murray and David Ferrer.

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I finally got the chance to watch Roger Federer in action today at the 4th round of this year's Australian Open. Luckily, I was not able to jinx him. Hehehehe!!!

Federer was facing Australia's own Leyton Hewitt who tried so hard but Federer is just so good prevailing with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 almost clinical win. I can't help but get in awe everytime Federer hits a beautiful shot.

I just hope he gets a rematch with Rafael Nadal on the finals, and this time ending up smiling rather than the one crying like last year.

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Roger Federer finally broke a resilient Andy Roddick in the 5th Set of another memorable Wimbledon final to capture the 2009 Wimbledon crown , his 6th and more importantly his 15th Singles Grand Slam title.

The floodgates of the debate as to who is the Greatest Of All Time is now wide open. Federer makes a strong case because he now holds the all-time singles grand slam titles record at 15. And last month, became just the six person to win all grand slam events titles..

The 2009 Wimbledon got on an inauspicious start with the pull-out of defending champ and world no. 1 Rafael Nadal due to injuries. Without Rafa, the road to the title was expected to be easier for Federer. He practically breezed his way to the finals to face Roddick, a foe he has dominated. And everyone thought the title is already in bag.

Everyone was right in the result, not with the way it was achieved.

When I caugght the telecast on cable, it was Roddick who was up a set and leading on the second set tie break 6 - 2. Seeing that score, I already conceded the set to Roddick and check on some other programs. When I came back, it was all leveled up.

With that, I thought Roddick will just implode. More so when Federer won the third set on another tie break. But Roddick played better in the fourth, taking it 6 - 3. The fifth set was a marathon.

Federer had many break opportunities to break Roddick in the match but Roddick kept coming up with booming serves and great plays. I guess it just but fitting that Federer wins after breaking Roddick for the only time in the match.

I salute Roddick for a great match and a great post-match humour. The way each held serve is phenomenal and they kept at it all throughout that is good for the fans and the sport.

Last year finals between Rafa and Fed was called the greatest ever played. This years final comes a close second only because last year featured a better rivalry and the top men in tennis.

Is there anything more to aspire for Federer? A calendar grandslam and a grand slam final win over Rafael Nadal on any surface.

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Roger Federer finally triumphs in Paris as he captured the elusive French Open Men's Singles Tennis grandslam crown after beating the tournament's surprise Robin Soderling in straight sets, 6-1, 7-6 and 6 - 4.



After falling short against Clay court king Nadal for the past 3 years, Federer finally won the one grandslam he has yet to win not until now. In the process, he adds two more achievement in his already illustirous Tennis career.

The French Open crown he just won is his 14th grandslam single title that equals the record held by another tennis great Pete Sampras. I guess more importantly Federer became only the sixth man to complete a career grandslam.

Andre Agassi, the last man who completed a career grandslam and coincidentally also in Roland Garros in Paris, was the man who presented the trophy.


Federer can thank his finals opponent in clearing an easier route for him towards the crown. Soderling, the losing finalist, is the one who upset and eliminated four-time and defending champion Rafael Nadal in the earlier rounds.

Soderling played the best tennis week of his career but only managed to threaten the eventual champ on the second set. Federer needed a tie break to win the set against him.

The magnitude of the victory has Federer tearful while the Swiss national anthem is being played. Truly, he can now be at ease for the rest of his career.

And because Sampras never won the French Open, Roger Federer is now more aptly called, albeit still arguably, the greatest tennis player of all time.

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I was switching channels; on CS9, Game 5 of Magic-Cavs and on Studio 23 the French Open 2009 featuring World No.2 Roger Federer in the 2nd round.

The first time I went to Studio 23, the score on the bottom displays Federer won the first set. And they where about to start the second set.

When I came back, it was a set apiece.

On my next return, Federer's opponent was up 4 - 1 in the third set. And I thought oh-oh... Federer is about to lose... again. My theory that I am jinxing Federer grew by the minute. And honestly I have resigned to accept the fact that Federer would lose again.

So, I just decided not to switch channels anymore but I can't helped it. Hehehe!!! To my surprise, when I returned to Studio 23, Federer is now up 6 - 5.

Probably, the comeback of Federer demoralized his opponent and fought not as persistent as before.

In the fourth set, Federer prevailed to moved on to the third round.

Roger Federer celebrates victory over Jose Acasuso in Paris.
Photograph: Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images

Link to Image Source

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Rafael Nadal is already the number 1 player in the world. He once again showed that to Federer and the whole tennis world.

The ever improving Nadal defeated Roger Federer in another epic five set final to capture his first ever Australian Open singles title and thwarting Federer's attempt to equal Pete Sampras's grand slam record.

From claycourts to grass and now, even in hardcourts, Nadal continued to lord over Federer.

And this one really, really hurts for Federer and his fans including me. Nadal has so vastly improved in all surfaces that perhaps it is eating away Federer inside.

Federer cried during the awarding ceremonies. I can't tell if its the pain of loss or being overwhelmed by the fans appreciation. I guess it was the former. While watching, I silently wish the crowd would just stop applauding in respect of Federer.

When you have soared so high, the paid of downfall would be so much painful, as in the case of Federer. After years of dominance, he now suffers what his opponents felt when he made that amazing run of grand slam crowns.

The bottomline I think is that, Nadal improved while Roger remained the same. Perhaps, its now the best time for Federer to analyze what made Nadal this dominating. A full time coach for example.

All is not lost however. Sorry, I am just a die hard Federer fan. He should win the French Open against Nadal. That will be the only redemption I can think of for him.

As for Nadal, he is now making his run to the be the greatest of all time for himself. If only, Federer can do something about it.

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The tennis world could not have wanted it any better. Right in the first grand slam final of year comes the match everyone yearned.

The 2009 Australian Open Grand Slam Single Tennis finals will be disputed by the Number 1 tennis player in the world, Rafael Nadal and Number 2, Roger Federer.

Roger Federer continues his quest for Tennis immortality against the man who upended him last year. He will seek his 14th Grand slam title to equal Pete Sampras's record and 4th Aussie Open singles title. At the same time, get some measure of revenge against Nadal.

Rafael Nadal, the number one player in the world is seeking to conquer all surfaces. Initially rose to fame for reigning in clay, Nadal showed he can dominate grass last year, ending Federer's reign on it last year in the best Wimbledon final ever. Another win against Federer will now clearly manifest his completeness in all surface. Aside from that, he will include his name into the greatest of all time talk that Federer's name had been hogging for the last five years.

At first glance, Federer is slightly favored. He has won this major thrice and has advantage over Nadal in the past in this kind of surface.Aside from that he had ample of rest after quickly dismissing Andy Roddick in their semifinal. Whereas Nadal, had to go through the longest match ever in Aussie Open history against compatriot Fernando Verdasco to reach the final.

I like Federer to win. If Nadal prevails, then clearly, he really had Federer's numbers. The reason perhaps is that Nadal improved a lot. Federer on the hand, after dominating for so long is perhaps has less idea on what to work upon to defeat Nadal.

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Perhaps Roger Federer is from the Sayyan race of planet Vegetta. You know... the warrior race that goes stronger after surviving a near-death hard-fought battle.

Federer recovered in time to escape the upset ax thrown at him by Thomas Berdych in the form of a five-setter 4th round 2009 Aussie Open match. On his next match, Federer unleashed the Federer we all have been accustomed to see as he delivered a sublime performance in crashing Juan Del Potro's wishful thinking of beating him, 6-3, 6-0, 6-0 in their quarterfinal encounter.

If it's true that what can't kill you makes you stronger, then that applies to Federer. He surely looks stronger than a year ago. His amazing streak of 19 straight semifinal appearance in a grand slam is awesome even with mono last year. I am guessing he's back. I mean, him. Back.

I don't like to jinx him but I am sure Federer would get past Roddick whom he beaten a lot of times and reach the 2009 Australian Open final. Roddick actually won their last match but that's 2008.

A year when Federer vacationed in Planet Vegetta.

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Roger Federer continued his quest to reclaiming Tennis supremacy as he defeated Marat Safin in their 3rd Round match in the on-going 2009 Australian Open, 6-3 6-2 7-6.

Safin gave it all, especially in the third set but was not enough to overcome the No. 2 seed and prolonged the match.

Federer will face Thomas Berdych on the 4th round.

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