In the last two years, Roger Federer’s tennis obituary has been written more than once. In fact, the notion of the great one’s eminent demise has crossed this writer’s mind on a few occasions only to be refuted. Since his victory in Melbourne, Federer has hit a speed bump from which he has yet to recover. Thus, rumors again are rampid as to the Swiss genius being put out to pasture. Unequivocally, the fear factor which Federer previously instilled in his opponents pre-match has waned. Yet, to deduce that his career is at its conclusion is a tad premature.
Tennis followers are accustomed to Federer being a sure thing especially at the majors. With a total of 32 titles from 2004 thru 2007 and double digit trophies three of those years, Federer has been brilliance personified. In 2004, the stellar Swiss was perfect in finals, 11-0. Moreover, three of the fore mentioned years, Federer prevailed at three of the four majors. During that four year span, the ‘Federer Express’ was detained only twenty three times and relinquished at the most matches eight matches in a single season.
Even at his peak, Pete Sampras garnered double figure titles, 10, only one time in 1994 and obtained maximally two majors in a calendar year. Arguably, 2008 was the best year to date for Federer’s archrival, Rafael Nadal. Along with Olympics gold, the Spaniard claimed two majors in that cycle. Considering Federer is almost 29 and Nadal 24 with his best years probably ahead of him, the comparison may be somewhat distorted. Yet, this underscores further the reason that fans expect excellence from Federer.
Before 2008, with the exception of Nadal, Federer vanquished a lot of his competitors in the locker room. It was the 2008 Australian Open semifinals which marked Federer’s transition to the land of mortals. With Novak Djokovic halting Federer at that stage, it signaled to other adversaries that they had a prayer. Although Federer’s languid movement, which could be ascribed to mononucleosis, contributed largely to his defeat. The illness exposed a layer of vulnerability from which Federer had difficulty recovering the remainder of the year. In some respects, this year seems a flashback to 2008 with the express difference that Federer’s counterparts are upstaging him even earlier at the majors; something unseen previously.
Why the transformation? Confidence. While Robin Soderling’s victory over Federer at an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi this past February may have been categorized by some as insignificant. In hindsight, it proved not to be trivial. That win cultivated in Soderling belief for their next meeting. A few weeks ago at the French Open, Soderling had his initial triumph over Federer after 13 attempts. Moreover, the encounter was historic as Soderling terminated Federer’s extraordinary streak of major semifinals at 23.
Another example is Tomas Berdych. After eight successive takedowns by Federer, the mentally fragile Berdych bested his nemesis in Miami this year. Then, in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, Berdych went on to replicate that feat. Later, at the post match press conference, Federer revealed that a stiff back and a leg injury which first surfaced in Halle were in part to blame for his failure.
Indeed, there were echoes of Australia 2008 at Wimbledon this year. Federer just seemed a step slower than his opponent. Seldom would one associate the word mediocre with a Federer stroke, but it crept up to mind in watching his backhand. Moreover, the sting had slipped off the forehand side. Consequently, the rest of Federer’s game could not coalesce. In spite of the injuries, considering the result in Paris, the question lingers whether with a fully fit Federer, the outcome would have altered. Following the French Open, Federer’s ranking dropped to number two. After Wimbledon, it dipped to number three, his lowest since November of 2003.
With the quarterfinal spots at stake, after nearly five hours, the stormy weather cleared to allow play at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic. While Tomas Berdych, the number one seed, and Fernando Verdasco, the third seed, battled their way into the next round. For the Americans, the tournament was a disaster. Andy Roddick, the three time champion and second seed, 2007 finalist John Isner as well as 2010 Atlanta champion Mardy Fish were all swept away.
The list of competitors who have successfully prevailed their initial outing in the finals at a major is brief. Today, Tomas Berdych was hoping to add his name to that distinguished roll of honor. To do so, the Czech would have to overcome his biggest hurdle these two weeks, 2008 Wimbledon champion and world number one, Rafael Nadal. Nadal dispatched newcomer Berdych 6-3,7-5,6-4 to capture his second back to back French Open and Wimbledon trophies. With a total of eight majors, Nadal moves up to fifth in the record books besides Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors and Andre Agassi.
Undisputedly, Serena Williams adores the spotlight and Wimbledon is the Oscars of the tennis stage. In the finals at the All England Club, defending champion Williams overpowered Vera Zvonareva, the 21st seed, 6-3,6-2 to win her fourth Wimbledon trophy and her thirteenth major overall surpassing the great Billie Jean King. 
With the exception of 2004 and 2006 when the Venus Rosewater trophy was leased by Maria Sharapova and Amelie Mauresmo respectively, Venus and Serena Williams have been the proprietor of the Wimbledon title eight out of the last ten years. In fact, the Williams sisters have been interchangeably the winner and runner-up the ultimate two seasons. With Serena and Venus as the top two seeds in 2010, a three-peat in the finals is plausible. However, with Justine Henin having reincorporated herself into the tour with the express objective of hoisting the Wimbledon trophy and compatriot Kim Clijsters a formidable force after rejoining the circuit last summer, a new decade may mark the end of the Williams’ dominance. Here’s a preview of the draw and the potential obstacles for the chief contenders at the All England Club.
As the defending Wimbledon champion, Roger Federer has been given the top seed despite relinquishing the number one ranking to Rafael Nadal earlier this month. Federer will attempt to capture his seventh crown to equalize Pete Sampras’ record at the All England Club. After injury prevented him from defending his 2008 title, a salubrious Nadal is seeking his second back to back French Open and Wimbledon trophies. However, each man’s section is filled with rivals capable of tripping him prior to the finals. Here’s a look at the draw.
In the finals of Aegon International, the ultimate warm-up tournament before Wimbledon, Ekaterina Makarova fought off an injured Victoria Azarenka 7-6,6-4 to grab her maiden WTA title and become the first qualifier to seize the trophy.
With an unbeaten record and a historic three Masters clay titles leading up to Paris, victory seemed a mere formality for Rafael Nadal at the French Open. Still, with Robin Soderling, the only rival to defeat Nadal at that venue as his finals’ opponent, an interesting twist was added to the plot. Irrespective of the challenger, Nadal demonstrated that he is the master on this surface. The Spaniard triumphed 6-4,6-2,6-4 to claim his fifth “Coupe des Mousquetaries” and recapture the number one ranking.
Nothing is impossible! This was the phrase on the t-shirt worn by Francesca Schiavone’s family and friends today in the French Open final. Schiavone proved the axiom by surprising Samantha Stosur 6-4, 7-6 to grab her first career major. Moreover, Schiavone stenciled her name in history by becoming the first Italian female to prevail at a major.
The first week of play has come to a conclusion at the French Open. While Andy Murray, the fourth seed, going out in the fourth round to Tomas Berdych was a shock. The biggest eye popper was David Ferrer, the ninth seed, a definite threat to Rafael Nadal in the bottom half, being ousted in the third round in three sets by Jurgen Melzer. With both Roger Federer and Nadal methodically working through their sections, the possibility of a final between these two is very much alive.
