What a year—2008 was singular in its drama and painful in its resolution as the year bore on like an awl through metal, scraping nerves raw and torturing psyches unendingly in anticipation of the next bitter blow to be dealt the chosen one...Roger Federer...or so it seemed to Federer fans.
You can bet that every tennis pundit worth his or her salt is pacing unmercifully, measuring, trying to identify that final piece of the puzzle—the one unique, sharply articulated and perfectly angled piece detailing 2008’s biggest story of the year in men’s tennis...
Subtle shades of interpretation need assimilation into your argument when it comes to presenting your particular point of view—that is, if you wish to convince people that your opinion—and yours alone—is spot on.
The year began with an explosion of the unexpected in Aussie land and as reporters descended we must consider—what was more stunning—Novak Djokovic winning the Australian Open or Roger Federer not winning it? Subtle shades of difference abound depending where you stand and how you interpret the results.
There were many, many firsts this year that received heavy press coverage including Andy Murray’s first round dismissal of Roger Federer in Dubai...the real beginning of Roger’s strange days...
Take that one step further down the calendar and consider the 2008 French Open Final—what was more significant, Rafael Nadal winning the French Open for the fourth consecutive time or Roger Federer losing it in straight sets with barely a whimper of resistance?
It was a stunner from all aspects. In fact many articulate sportscasters were left speechless—at a loss to explain the strange final.
The piece de resistance could very well be the regal restructure that culminated at Wimbledon—what was more astonishing – Rafael Nadal winning his first major NOT on clay or Roger Federer losing on the sacred grounds of Wimbledon as he tried to capture his sixth consecutive crown and overtake the Iceman, Bjorn Borg?
- B/R Ticket Guide
It gets progressively more difficult to decide which focus and what event merits that ultimate designation as best of the year.
As we move forward, we cannot overlook the 2008 Summer Olympics—the grand stage for all major athletic competition on display in Beijing.
What event captured the headlines and the imagination of athletes and fans alike—Rafael Nadal winning the Olympic Gold in singles or Roger Federer and fellow countryman Stanislav Wawrinka coming back from defeat in singles to win the Gold Medal in doubles for Switzerland?
The unrestrained joy of the Swiss duo seemed to reign supreme but Nadal fans felt equally blessed and equally vindicated by his win.
On to the US Open and New York—what was more remarkable—that Roger Federer captured his fifth consecutive U.S. Open Championship in New York by defeating Andy Murray in straight sets or that Andy Murray made it to his first grand slam final?
Overall, what struck the press as more significant—the fact that Roger Federer did not win a Master’s Series Shield in 2008—the first time since 2003 he has not won at least one or that Rafael Nadal won three—as did Novak Djokovic, including the year-end championship with Murray winning two and Nikolay Davydenko and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga each winning one.
This is a fait accompli—the young guys are no longer content watching from the play pen as the big guy demonstrates his special brand of ball...they want in on the action and they plan to win.
Patently obvious in this litany of high points during the 2008 season—is the constant presence of Roger Federer...no matter what story you select, he remains solidly a part of it.
Finally, we arrive at the particular point in time where the season was defined. What made reporters scramble to their laptops faster—to announce to the world that after 237 weeks at No. 1, Roger Federer lost his vaunted top ranking? Or that after three years of chasing it, Rafael Nadal finally achieved the number one spot?
The No. 1 story is this seismic shift at the top of the men’s tennis as Federer’s game faltered and failed at inopportune times—staggering the mighty man and his legion of fans. His detractors are loath to revisit the illness that plagued him all year...but it remains a factor—a piece of the puzzle.
The rise of Nadal is extraordinary because he overcame Federer to get to the top.
Federer never had to mount such a campaign or wrestle such an opponent to reach the apex of the men’s game. Nadal fought Federer, for many the best to ever play the game, for three long years...
The battle waged between the two during the clay and grass seasons was epic in proportion and spectral in consequence. When Federer was able to re-embody his game, he fought ferociously to retain the keys to his kingdom...
Nadal was not only fighting to gain the No. 1 ranking, he also had to fend off a charge by Djokovic for the No. 2 spot. That he was able to hold on and advance was the true mark of a champion.
So whether you choose to side with Federer fans who see the loss of the number ranking only from Federer’s perspective or whether you choose to see Nadal’s ascension to the top of the men’s game as Nadal and his fans see it…the event was the focal point of 2008 and its final resolution turned the season around—as Nadal began to fade and Federer found enough game to win his 13th grand slam in New York.
Will 2009 be equally as compelling? It can’t fall far behind. There is much to settle in 2009. Will Nadal retain his ranking or will Federer regain it? Or will Djokovic or Murray step into the slot? Will Federer win No. 14 and tie Pete Sampras? If he does, when and where?
Ah, there is much ahead tennis fans...rest up, take a deep breath and get ready to be dazzled because it all starts again in a month!
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about 1 month ago
JAA - I love your grasp of language. You always seem to find just the right phrase to convey not only thought-but emotion. First rate. As always-I rate it high! maggie may
from about 1 month ago
Hi Maggie - imagine finding you here and not out shopping! or maybe you are in a computer store! anyway, thanks, as always for your generous comments and for the pick...i remain your faithful servant. How is Marat coming?? jaa
from about 1 month ago
I swear you are a mind-reader. I am in Best Buy looking at a new HP Laptop and am fooling around here waiting for somebody to wait on me!!! This place is a zoo! The bargains are unreal, however. maggie
from about 1 month ago
You go girl - and i hope i am on your list this year!! jaa
from about 1 month ago
Hey Maggie - so did u buy? I can't believe u would be out there on black friday! compulsive--no doubt! rege nver shops
from about 1 month ago
I agree - language is the key and syntax is the ship. bobbie
about 1 month ago
Hey JAA - You are on my list! I have something very special for you this year! All kidding aside, this is another terrific effort to summarize a bizarre yet enticing year of tennis. We Federer fans are still reeling from the effects. I know how much you love the guy so this step back to assess the flow was a great step forward. Loved it. rege remembers
from about 1 month ago
Ah, Rege--with such an imagination, you should be a writer! Thank you again for your very kind and may I add, astute comments! It was hard to step back, even once...as you know...jaa
from about 1 month ago
Hey Rege - time to get aboard and start that writing career! We need to help each other do that--so I challenge you because I am ready to publish my second article! go rege!
from about 1 month ago
Had to write one more comment to get to 50! Wow - that is great...thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this article! I really appreciate it...jaa
about 1 month ago
hey Jaa..as usual spell-binding....
from about 1 month ago
Hi Rohini - thanks! I hoped you would approve--now, if i could just get an edit, i would feel so much better about it! the prospects for 2009 are myriad and hopefully miraculous for Federer! jaa
about 1 month ago
yes right now they do definitely look like that....btw did you see the atp poll?? when i voted nearly 43% of the voters felt that he would regain his #1 title by the end of 2009....
from about 1 month ago
Roger has so many great fans - and it was hard to try to be objective in this because i know we all want him to win so badly--hopefully it will happen...yes, i've been following the polls! we all hope that he will get it all in 2009!! jaa
from about 1 month ago
I did see that poll and, I too, voted. I always vote for Roger whenever possible! I feel it is one of the little things I can do to help him feel better! Silly, I know! jaa
about 1 month ago
actually Jaa... do you read books???
from about 1 month ago
Rohini - yes, lots of them...what makes you ask? was it something i said? curious? jaa
from about 1 month ago
@ jaa...
Books are the uniquely portable kind of magic right?
ppl who read books seem to automatically have an inclination to writing poetrically, even about sports...
as u do always...
from about 1 month ago
@gil--read much...write much...cannot do one without the other...right?
from about 1 month ago
jaa....
amen...:)
about 1 month ago
I think Roger will be number one very soon in 2009 because he must retake command early in order to settle the ranking issue. He suffered much in 2008 but never quit and we have to remember that. He did not give up or make excuses and he kept fighting. I don't think giving up is in his nature! Bravo for the article...it was another 5 star offering! solo
from about 1 month ago
Hi Solo - please you like it and approve! 2009 will be here before we know it! Then, the answers will come at us fast and furious! Hopefully, the right ones! jaa
about 1 month ago
JA - Loved this! Perfect set up for 2009. Might have included the Americans beating Federer but maybe not. Also Simon and the Masters Series Final. But I realize you had to select. Great! bobbie
from about 1 month ago
Hi Bobbie - you know i did include the Americans but i had to cut it because the article was too long and the extraneous made it loose focus. Needed to tighten it. but you are right that it added flavor and a touch of humor! thanks for the suggestions. jaa
about 1 month ago
liked the style of writing, good wrap up
cheers
from about 1 month ago
thanks! jaa
from about 1 month ago
i liked this one - for it was balanced and talks about everyone -
PS: Why did you leave out ROD putting it past Rodge this year, that was a special moment for me, given the fact I like ROD ?
about 1 month ago
I picked it. I would say that Roger Federer losing at the AO and losing in such a lopsided manner were the most surprising things about those events, not that Djoker and Rafa won them. We have come to expect a lot more from Federer so his defeats are surprising even when we know they are likely to happen SOMEDAY. Good article.
from about 1 month ago
Hi Rob - thanks for the pick--i really appreciate your approval. hard to try to be objective but hopefully i succeeded most of the time. i thought Roger's performance at the French so bizarre--sci fi -even! Totally dominated...never saw it before and hope to never see it again...and it wasn't as if Roger had a poor run-up to the finals...he was playing great! 2009 will be interesting...again, thanks. jaa
from about 1 month ago
am gonna go out on a limb and say
Super-Man could ve played Rafa that day and still ended up being straight SETTED !
from about 1 month ago
Considering what Rafa had done to Verdasco, Almagro and Djoker, I believed it was going to be straight sets. I did not foresee a bagel nor a four-game total, however.
from about 1 month ago
scores lie - and they lie big
the real turning was that
backhand whiplash crosscourt he missed at mid court at break point up at 3-2 40-30 on Rafa's serve
he never won a game after - i did really believe that was the turning point
from about 1 month ago
As I pointed out to someone earlier - I did have a whole paragraph on the invasion of Roger's bulwark blocking Americans--Fish, Roddick and Blake--but the article was too long and lost its focus when I worked in the lesser tournaments--so I cut it...was interesting point and hated to...but...
I think both you and Rob are right about the French--don't step on Superman's cape...Rafa was on fire...
I think both Roger and his fans gave Stan all the credit he deserved in winning the doubles title in Beijing. Roger needed Stan to step up big time and he did! The medal was shared in every sense of the word. [sorry i placed this in wrong comment before--so duplicated]
jaa
about 1 month ago
AM SO GLAD you give credit to stan AND rodge through this line
The unrestrained joy of the Swiss duo -
--------
the last time when i read - stan showed up to the court only in his name, i was so pissed
thanks mate - cheers
from about 1 month ago
As I pointed out to someone earlier - I did have a whole paragraph on the invasion of Roger's bulwark blocking Americans--Fish, Roddick and Blake--but the article was too long and lost its focus when I worked in the lesser tournaments--so I cut it...was interesting point and hated to...but...
I think both you and Rob are right about the French--don't step on Superman's cape...Rafa was on fire...
I think both Roger and his fans gave Stan all the credit he deserved in winning the doubles title in Beijing. Roger needed Stan to step up big time and he did! The medal was shared in every sense of the word.
jaa
about 1 month ago
gREAT ARTICLE JAA...AS USUAL...
As long said, it includes every player who created an impact in his own way in the professional circuit this year while at the same time sticking to those 'strange days'..
Nicely done..
Lets say, maybe these 'strange days' this seaspon will make us celebrate the 'back to basics' days next yr, when they do happen...:d
By the way, this is a query...
"...that Rafael Nadal won three"
DO i REMEMBER RIGHT, nADAL WON 4 ams tITLES IN 05 AND 3 IN 06...?
from about 1 month ago
Hi Gil - thanks, as always, for your kind comments...i certainly am hoping for a return to normalcy - but i just don't believe we can step back into what was...i think Roger has to step up and uncover some untapped assets in 2009--oh, he has them if he can temper his emotions...ah, for just the right person whispering in his ear...COACH--the right one...
Not sure about Nadal's numbers beyond 2008...will have to check...
so what is next on your agenda? something great, no doubt! jaa
about 1 month ago
"The rise of Nadal is extraordinary because he overcame Federer to get to the top.
Federer never had to mount such a campaign or wrestle such an opponent to reach the apex of the men’s game. Nadal fought Federer, for many the best to ever play the game, for three long years..."
Yes and No.
Clearly Rafa battled Roger since 2005 but could not overcome the latter in rankings.
It took a year like 2008 where Roger had to loose an extraordinary 15 times for Rafa to
finally overcome him. Still, Wimbledon came down to a coin toss and had Roger won that ultra close epic that momentum would have kept Roger at #1 for much longer if not through the year end.
Roger had to mount a bigger campaign and had to wrestle more difficult opponents (for him) to reach the apex of the men's game. Until 2003 Hewitt, Henman, Nalbandian and Agassi were dominating Roger. He had to turn around his matches against these opponents 180 degrees to reach the top.
Rafa dominated everyone on clay since 2005 including Roger. He maximized his opportunities on other surfaces. That did not change in 2008. Rafa only had to turn around his record 0 degrees against his opponents in 2008 to reach the #1.
To me the the extraordinary thing about Roger losing his vaunted top ranking is his losing fifteen times during the year. And that is also the seismic change from last year. And it takes nothing away from Rafa who played just about as well as he could (and just as he did in the previous year also).
No wonder the latest poll on ATP (with 80,000+ votes) favors Roger (46%) to Rafa (33%) to regain #1 in 2009.
Having said the above, I think the new point system will significantly favor Rafa in 2009 when it becomes a winner take all lotto. Rafa is unbeatable on clay so he will gain a massive amount of point differential there with certainty. Then he will continue to fight tooth and nail to minimize his point differential on other surfaces where Roger's winning is no certainty, thanks to Murray, Djokovic, Nalbandian, even Rafa and others.
from about 1 month ago
Hi TennisM - Yes, you know I agree with you about the impact of Roger's inability to win matches he should have won--to sustain his energy level and to maximize his superior talent...but i do believe that Roger never had to defeat an opponent as devastating as himself...he has never had to overcome Roger Federer...that , to me, is huge...that it took everything Nadal had to wrestle the ranking away also says a great deal because we all know Roger was not at full strength this year. Nadal knew that, too...and he took full advantage for as long as he could.
You have to give credit for that...he did it. He won. Now, we all know it is not going to last...we all know this is just a blip on the screen. I voted for Roger!!
I don't know how far back Nadal has fallen with his knees...I just think that whoever gets off to a fast start--the Australian - will be in the driver's seat. If Nadal falters at all during the clay campaign...it could be a short lasting number one for him!
As always - love your thoughts and your points...all right on, as usual! Will go down the list of comments from here! Good to hear from you again...jaa
from about 1 month ago
One thing further - i think that i have detailed in other articles the struggle Roger had finally pulling all the elements of his game together to become the champion he is...he didn't so much overcome Nalbandian and Hewitt as he did his inner demons, his emotions. He matured - so i always have believed that his true battle was an inner one and not another player...true, Nalbandian has had his number a few times and true--Nadal is probably the best clay court player ever in the history of the game...even so, I think that given the right conditions, Roger can hold his own on clay with him...but not consistently.
All around the best player is Federer...i don't think most would dispute that. They would like to--but deep down in their hearts, they know the truth--don't they?
I certainly have not lessened my faith in him - but sometimes in assessment we have to be objective--or people quit reading and taking what you have to say seriously...understand?
I am with you all the way in your assessment, too. I applaud you and your ability to state your case so very well! thanks...jaa
about 1 month ago
Hi JAA, my job is to make you look completely unbiased and totally fair and balanced :)
Granted that is an easy job, it still had to be done, right? :)
Seriously, I know deep inside that I'd be rooting for Rafa if Roger were not around. Rafa is a super classy guy and so I'd have naturally gravitated toward him just as I had previously with Henman, Rafter, and Edberg.
It will be interesting to see who gets the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award for 2008.
Nadal should get the Player of the year award, but don't count Roger out for the ATPTennis.com Fans' Favorite Award and the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award. I hope all the Federer fans here and elsewhere will make that happen.
from about 1 month ago
if awards are given based on popularity - then whats the point in them ?
from about 1 month ago
i love reading your thoughts - so logical and free flowing, and rational
cheers
from about 1 month ago
Thank you! You certainly make my life here interesting and you do keep me on my toes! I always look forward eagerly to your insights!
My next Roger article is about his rise in popularity this year...i know it has been written before...so i am struggling to find just the right approach without sounding maudlin - Long hates it when i gush!
I, too, liked Rafter and Edberg - never much a Henman fan, however...probably because he was in the Federer era...
If fans are voting, Roger will win...hands down!
Thanks for making me look good! jaa
about 1 month ago
I'm a new member and decided to join after reading this thoughtful piece by Ms. Allen. And TennisMasta, your comment here was also a determining factor for starting an account. It's fantastic to find tennis fans, analysts who really seem to understand the game and can articulate their positions backed by well-founded arguments. This is a breath of fresh air in the world of web writing. And, you guys are all so respectful of each other - it's great to see!
Okay, here are my comments about "Strange Days". And my comments could be seen as completely off the mark, but I'm sure you all will let me know...
I'm not sure why I feel this way, but as soon as I had heard that Federer was going to play Sampras in a series of exhibitions in '07, I told a friend that I was afraid Federer's domination would soon come to an end. My reasoning was this - once Federer accepted the Net Jets Showdown, he was no longer the athlete that was going for Gold. He became celebrity first, tennis player second. The Net Jets Showdown was nothing but a Vegas extravanganza - it had nothing to do with tennis, really. Aside from his bout with mono which I do believe was a huge factor that contributed to "Strange Days...", I believe Federer's loss of focus played just as a big a part. Rather than playing the Man himself, I believe that every ounce of his energy should have been placed, instead, on breaking the Man's record. The tennis season is so long and arduous, especially in '08 with the addition of the Olympics, it made no sense to add exhibitions to his season. As a tennis fan, I was there in Madison Square Garden happily applauding two of the greatest players ever play "battle" each other. It was an incredible treat, a wonderful show, but I must say, even whilst there, I thought Roger should have been resting up for matches that actually count. Celebrity status can often get in the way of greatness. Remember Agassi days when style (his long locks) outweighed substance (tennis)?
I'm thrilled that Roger has decided to eliminate exhibitions from his 2009 schedule. But is it too late? He is no longer feared by anyone, as far as I can tell. Look at Simon beating Roger twice in a row after Roger leading both times? I believe, in both those matches, he lost the match. Simon just hung in there and waited for Federer to self-destruct. At this level when mental toughness is perhaps the most important arsenal of all, the question in 09 for me is can Roger regain the mental edge he once had? Look at Rafa and the French -- does anyone go out on the court thinking they remotely even have a chance? Roger obviously didn't think so. Do I think Roger has the ability to beat Rafa even on clay? I actually do. He's come close several times.
Has Roger fallen victim to his own celebrity status? Every career has its ups and downs, but because Roger Federer truly is the greatest player that ever lived, I am hoping that only he can once again display his uncanny wizardry and dominate again at will... Like wizardry, it's far-fetched perhaps, but if anyone can do it, it's Maestro Federer!
from about 1 month ago
Ali - Welcome and what an impressive entrance you do make! You have succinctly stated all our fears and by that I mean all of us who are Roger fans! We wondered if he erred in committing to the exhibitions. I know he did it to promote tennis as much as himself. I think he felt a need to make himself more popular and better known in the U.S...hence, Pete Sampras and Madison Square Garden. I am so envious you got to see it! I watched on television...and at the time could see Roger was not 100% and he looked thinner and tired. I had your concerns.
I think, too, that Roger was getting a little complacent. Perhaps, he was taking it all for granted. But the illness took care of that. I think he has fought back admirably and won when he could. I will never discount the talent that is out there...but I think Roger at his best could have taken care of that cute baby-faced Simon!
I don't think it is too late--Roger is an intelligent young man and he realizes that the end is sooner rather than later...2009 is looming and its significance undeniable. He will be ready! I am not ready to see him fail again!! Nor are his legion of fans! But his competition is major and it will not be as easy as it might have been in 2008.
Actually I do remember the early Agassi days - i did not care for him then! So thank you for your warm and kind comments! I look forward to talking with you again--hey, are you Davis Cup bound? Thanks! jaa
about 1 month ago
Where do you live, JA? In the U.S.?? Not sure about Davis Cup - depending on where it is. I bounce around but mostly in the bigger cities so it all depends on where they play. You seem to be such a big fan, you must try to get to the U.S. Open for 2009. I look forward to being a part of this forum. Absolutely there is tremendous talent out there, and for Roger to come back, he's got to work on his mental consistency. Seems like he often loses concentration in the 2nd set or his lack of confidence sets in. There seems to be a pattern...U.S. Open, however, was truly a heroic display of what he's still capable of. I'm hoping he'll take Wimbledon this year. We can always hope for the French too, but that might take an injured Nadal for that to happen. I hate having to root against Nadal because really, he's such a wonderful champion.
from about 1 month ago
I do live in the U.S. Midwest, actually. I believe I have heard that the Davis Cup is heading to the southwest...site escapes me now...i want to say Phoenix...anyway I thought the chance of seeing him play might be better in a smaller venue! US Open is huge--but oh, so exciting!
He wants Wimbledon back and he should never have lost it...that was the worst moment for Roger and for us all! We have to win that one for sure--that one and one more--i am hoping for Australia but would also love to see him capture 6 US Opens!! I am such a fan...so I am so happy to meet another one!
But in the process of writing here - I have learned to be tolerant and accepting of the other players because truly the sport is what is important and as much as we want Roger to succeed, he must have someone worthy to succeed against!! So I love them all! thanks for your support! jaa
from about 1 month ago
Hi Ali and JAA - I think that Roger did lose concentration, too. It was like it just seeped out of him. I saw that so many times in 2008! Sometimes he could fight it off - but often he could not...like Simon! That was so maddening!
2009 will see him back to his normal mind set. Oh, I hope the Mono is gone for good!! maggie
from about 1 month ago
Yes, Maggie - we all noticed this tendency from time to time...but 2009 will see his return to form! Wait and see! jaa
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