Federer wins 1st French Open for 14th major title
06/08/2009 | 07:22 AM
PARIS – Oh, how Roger Federer savored every moment with his first French Open trophy.
He raised it overhead. He cradled it in the crook of his elbow. He closed his eyes and kissed it. He examined the names of other champions etched on its base. Even in a downpour on Court Philippe Chatrier, as heavy, gray clouds blocked any shred of sunlight Sunday, that silver trophy sure seemed to glisten.
Finally, the lone major championship that had eluded Federer was his. With his latest masterful performance, Federer tied Pete Sampras' record of 14 major singles titles and became the sixth man to complete a career Grand Slam.
History was at stake, and Federer was at his best, completely outplaying No. 23-seeded Robin Soderling of Sweden en route to a 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4 victory in a French Open final that lacked suspense but not significance.
"Maybe my greatest victory — or certainly the one that takes the most pressure off my shoulders," Federer said in French, moments after dropping to his knees, caking them with clay, as his 127 mph service winner ended the match. "I think that now, and until the end of my career, I can really play with my mind at peace and no longer hear that I've never won at Roland Garros."
In this age of baseline bombardment, when most players seem to look at a racket as a piece of military hardware, Federer plays with great elegance and sophistication. Federer goes about his business with a certain style.
French Open 2009: Roger Federer is one step away from greatness
True greatness could flow from Roger Federer's racket on the red clay of Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros on Sunday.
By Mark Hodgkinson in Paris
Published: 3:44PM BST 06 Jun 2009
If Federer defeats Robin Soderling this afternoon, that would give the Swiss a first French Open title, put him level with Pete Sampras on a record 14 majors, and make him only the sixth man in history to win all four grand slams.
But, more significantly than that, it would bring confirmation, if confirmation were even needed, that Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time, the alpha male for all the generations.
Full article at the Telegraph
It was all going so well. Roger Federer looked as well groomed and carefully turned-out and as ever, and the Rod Laver Arena had greeted him like a favoured eldest son. He was playing, in Tomas Berdych, a man he had beaten seven straight times, and the sun was shining in the Melbourne afternoon sky. All was right with the world as far as the Australian Open’s second seed was concerned.
And then the match started.
Tennis ace Federer ready for Abu Dhabi |
By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter |
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Abu Dhabi: After having lost the world No 1 ranking to Rafael Nadal and being denied his sixth successive Wimbledon title by the Spaniard, Roger Federer will attempt to regain lost glory in 2009 in the $250,000 (Dh917,500) Capitala World Tennis Championship starting in Abu Dhabi on January 1, 2009. The three-day tournament features both Federer and Nadal along with the world's top ten tennis players - Andy Murray, Nikolay Davydenko, Andy Roddick and James Blake. Hoping for a better start to the year compared to last year, Federer said he was looking forward to starting the year on a winning note. "I am looking forward to the tournament in Abu Dhabi taking place for the first time, as well as the entire season of 2009," Federer said on his website. "After a wonderful and very relaxing seaside holiday I am now in the final stage of preparation for the new season. "Never before have I started a tennis-year as early as the one ahead. I will be back in action. There are such a large number of challenges lying ahead - facing them, working hard and giving my best is my goal," Federer said. The 28-year-old Swiss ace, who was overshadowed by Nadal in 2008, said, "Looking back at the past 365 days brings back a lot of unforgettable experiences. But there are, of course, also the tough moments I had to go through. |
