Don't feel sad for Roger Federer. He's had an outstanding career and dominated the game like few others have.
What would you say about a tennis player who makes it to two Grand Slam finals, a semi-final and wins the fourth in a year? That he had a very good year? Yes, unless he happens to be Roger Federer. It is because the Swiss is always measured against his own very lofty standards that he is widely perceived to have had a dismal 2008, in spite of doing all the aforementioned things.
Today, he plays yet another Grand Slam final, his 14th in the last 15, of which he has won nine. The offending major was last year’s Australian Open, in which he lost to Novak Djokovic in the semi-final. Quickly, many concluded that he was a little less great than what everyone had thought.
The belief gained ground when he was thrashed by Nadal in the French final and lost narrowly to the Spaniard in the epic Wimbledon final that followed. “I’m still surprised how quickly the mood swings with the media, fans, and everybody. If I lose a set or two sets… everybody is like ‘oh my god, he’s not the same anymore’,” said Federer after beating Andy Roddick at this Australian Open. “And then I beat del Potro and everything is back to normal. It’s not the way it’s supposed to be, I don’t think.”
But even the best of champions cannot beat the public perception of sport, which is more than fickle. That is why it all boils down to today’s final, where Federer faces up to Nadal once again. It will be the 19th time the pair has squared-up and the seventh in a Grand Slam final, with the Spaniard leading 12-6 and 4-2, respectively. He has been the one obstacle that has denied Federer the one crown that has eluded him, at the French Open. Last year’s final was the most one-sided men’s final in a Grand Slam in 24 years. And then Nadal inflicted the ultimate ignominy by snatching Federer’s Wimbledon crown, on SW19’s grass courts, which have been a home away from home to the Swiss.
Time and time again, Nadal has been the most vociferous argument against Federer being the best ever. There is little need to feel sad for Federer. He has had an outstanding career and dominated the game like few others have. Other than on clay, he has been the best for several years. Even on clay, he can legitimately claim to be the second best of his era, next only to Nadal, who is probably the best ever on that surface.
That is why today’s final is about more than merely Sampras’ record. It is a battle for Federer’s position in history.
