The Official Australian Open Thread

[Spurologist]

I am very impressed with Gonzalez though. He gave Federer his all and made him really work tonight.

True. Props to him.

The problem is your best probably won't get it done against Federer. When he seems to be on the edge, he steps up his game another level. That happened in the first set. Gonzo had two set points on his racket. The first chance came when Federer blocked his serve back and Gonzo hit it right into the net to take the game to deuce. Gonzo then lost the game and then the set. That really has break your spirits because you feel like you are playing your absolute best.

Also, I can't believe no one else thinks Federer is extremely arrogant and a showboater. If it was anyone else but him they would be exposed. But it's Federer. He's so quiet and maybe that's his way of showing pride, passion and getting in the other player's head.

Here are some examples.

When Fed beat Hewitt a couple of years ago he said, "He's good enough with his base to beat me on a day when I'm not on,"

After beating Nadal: "I played my best match of the tournament in the finals, which I always do--I don't know how I do that."

He almost always says, "I played excellent tennis"

"I lost a set, which is always a very strange feeling."

On beating Rod in the semis, "I've played good matches here (Aussie Open), but never really almost destroyed somebody (Rod ), that's a highlight of my career."

Again on the Rod match: "It was a tough match for him (Rod ), one for him to forget and me to remember," said Federer. "He's been playing so well, made it to the semis. You've got to be confident coming into the semis. I always go into matches thinking 'well this might not work out'. I was just better; I guess it makes it easier for him to forget I hope(THAT'S BRUTAL).

"Today it was a great rhythm I found against David, and I'm surprised it was so quick" After beating Nalbandian

"I know I can beat him on any surface."- This was after he lost to Nadal at Roland Garros

“I had to laugh at one stage how well I was playing, I always came up with a great answer, you know. I was in control pretty much all the time.

“It’s quite surprising to come out and beat a fellow top 5 in the finals so convincing.

On letterman, he gave a story of how he used to break rackets and curse at himself when he playing Safin. He was explaining his anger back then and at the end he mentioned at the end, "which of course I eventually got the win"


Maybe he needs this type of speech to do what he does. All I can say is he backs up what he says and WILL be the greatest player EVER. Must be great to marvel at your greatness.

Did Federer sells his soul to the devil for TENNIS IMMORTALITY???

[1Parker1]

Dude, if you had 10 grand Slams and were beating your compe ion left and right within 2 hours, you'd be slightly y too. Besides, all tennis players sound y in their post-game quotes. Rod said something to the effect of "I think the gap is closing between Federer and the rest of the league." and proceeded to mention something about how he thinks he can beat him. If you want y, have you read Serena Williams' post game quotes? That chick has only 3 les, non of them back to back like Federer, yet she's out there talking worse smack.

At this point, I don't think there's anyone that can beat a healthy Roger Federer.

[1Parker1]

When you're the #1 ranked tennis player since 2004, you can afford to be slightly y.

Man I love watching him play, I can't wait to watch the match at noon today (Even though I now know the outcome...)

[Spurologist]

When you're the #1 ranked tennis player since 2004, you can afford to be slightly y.

Man I love watching him play, I can't wait to watch the match at noon today (Even though I now know the outcome...)

I have no problem with it. I actually find it hilarious. Every big time athlete always has to have some kind y arrogance in them. Maybe that's his inner drive - knowing and acknowledging that he can't be stopped.

great player that backs it up.

1p1, what does the sign on your avatar say?? I've almost gone blind trying to figure it out.

[SAtown]

OT: I'm sick of hearing people compare Roger Federer to Tiger Woods. PLEASE! First of all, the only thing Tennis and Golf have in common is that it's a one person 'team' (at least singles tennis). I bet if Tiger Woods was a fat Irish guy, no one in America would give a damn about him. Federer is ELITE, in a legitimate SPORT, not a GAME. It takes a crap load of athleticism to compete against the best tennis players in the world.

I know not many people would agree with me on this, but that's cool. It just makes me uneasy when people say that a golfer is the most dominant person in 'sports.' (Obviously they only include the major American sports in that comment)

[kingsfan]

Gonzo had his chances in the 1st set. If he'd won it it would have given a lot of confidence and things might have been different. He should be proud though, he beat several top class players to even get to the final and he was just outplayed as is just about everyone who has to play Rog. (Stefanki is a uva coach.) Much as I hate to admit it he's going to end up being the best ever unless an injury dictates otherwise. No-one is even close to his level. It's going to be interesting at the French to see if he can actually beat Nadal, if he does the Slam is pretty much his.
Nice to see Serena there watching, that doesn't happen very often.

[dbreiden83080]

OT: I'm sick of hearing people compare Roger Federer to Tiger Woods. PLEASE! First of all, the only thing Tennis and Golf have in common is that it's a one person 'team' (at least singles tennis). I bet if Tiger Woods was a fat Irish guy, no one in America would give a damn about him. Federer is ELITE, in a legitimate SPORT, not a GAME. It takes a crap load of athleticism to compete against the best tennis players in the world.

I know not many people would agree with me on this, but that's cool. It just makes me uneasy when people say that a golfer is the most dominant person in 'sports.' (Obviously they only include the major American sports in that comment)

Tennis at his highest level of compe ion is so much harder to play than golf and anyone with a knowledge of the 2 sports really should understand that. Look no further than a guy like Phil Mickelson he is a top 5 player in the world and a multiple GS champion and he is totally out of shape. You have to be a finely tuned athlete in the best shape of your life to play and win on the ATP tour. Tennis players are all but done by the time they hit 30 years old. Andre set the standard for playing at a high level late in his career at age 35. Jack Nicholas won the masters at age 47 no tennis player will ever accomplish that feat because there is just too much athleticism involved. Golf is a game that allows you to get around some of the advantages great athletes have in tennis that is just not the case.

[Mavs<Spurs]

Lots of good posts in this thread.

I just feel privileged to live at a time where I can watch Roger Federer.
It is like attending a performance by Mozart or Bach or Beethoven.

I agree with 1Parker1 that Roger is just being realistic.
He has to be honest.
The man speaks the truth.
It is what it is.

He has such a complete game.
I love the times when they had Roger's Funhouse.
He has beaten Nadal the last 3 times they played.
He is without peer in tennis.
There will never, ever be anybody who will merit being placed in the same sentence as Roger Federer in terms of tennis talent.

At age 25 to have 10 Grand Slam les, it is clear that records will be shattered.
He will probably win Wimbledon again this year. That makes 11 and his fifth in a row.
He is the favorite to win US Open also this year. That makes 12 and his fourth US Open in a row.
And ties him at 26 with Emerson for the second most Grand Slams ever.
Some of these records are going to be silly and ridiculous.
At his last 7 Grand Slam tournaments, he is an astounding 48-1.
In less than a month, he will have more consecutive weeks at number one in the world than any man ever.
He is the only tennis player to have won 3 or more of 3 different Grand Slam les.
Last year was a silly 92-5.
He has lost 15 total matches in the last 3 years.

These are gaudy stats.
For me, if he wins the French this year, there is no longer any room for reasonable people to disagree that Roger Federer is the best tennis player of all time.
That will be tough. Nadal is better than Federer on clay. But Nadal's play has slipped. He is undergoing injuries and Roger did grow up playing on clay.
It is not the most probable outcome, but it is far from unlikely.

[SoCal Lakeshow]

Very good match Gonzalez almost stole the first one and then things would have gotten a little more interesting. Give him some time and he will only be that much better. As for Federer, he's the best player I've ever seen. He has no weaknesses. Maybe this is his year for all 4.

[ponky]

DAMN U TIVO!!!!!! , the stupid directv dvr missed the match for some reason and i didn't schedule it on my other standalone tivo in the library...blech, oh well, i knew federer was going to win anyway but sounds like gonzalez stayed with him in the first, good to see

As for Federer beaing unbeatable, it certainly looks that way although I can see Nadal beating him every once in awhile...certainly in Paris but also on hard court if he develops his game the way some of the other Spaniards have been able to do in the past (Corretja, Ferrer). He nearly beat Federer in the U.S. Masters, taking it to five sets and he's beaten him in Dubai, both hard court tourneys.

[1Parker1]

1p1, what does the sign on your avatar say?? I've almost gone blind trying to figure it out.

It's a scene from the movie, Love Actually. It says "To me, You are Perfect."

[Spurologist]

It's a scene from the movie, Love Actually. It says "To me, You are Perfect."

awwww. Spreading the love to SpursTalk.

[Good 'N Plenty]

I was just happy to see Serena kick Maria's ass.

[MajorMike]

That was nice. I'm glad she came out of her hypochondriac s .