Roger Federer has lost another 5 setter in a Grand Slam where he had a real shot to go all the way. But instead of the usual heartbreak, all I felt at first was overwhelming concern.
I knew the match was pretty much over the moment he called the physio on to court in the 4th set (because that's basically something that happens once in a blue moon).
As the night went on and I found out post match that his back was going to be a ok, my mind once again started lamenting another huge lost opportunity.
An opportunity which I honestly thought would be a long shot with Roger only having won a few matches on the hard courts of Cincinnati before heading to the U.S. Open. And things were not looking great through his first 2 night matches where he lost the opening sets.
But he started to make a believer out of me when he dealt with his next 2 opponents (during a day matches) with the standard ease that he produces at Grand Slams. So I and the rest of the world were pretty confident coming into the quarters, but none of us could have foreseen the turn of events that transpired. Events that even as I write this I'm still trying to get my head around.
The few reasons I've come up with is maybe he started thinking about it too much (with Djokovic out due to shoulder injury) and having a good H2H with all of his remaining opponents (including Nadal). Hell I'll admit I was guilty of thinking too far ahead as well, too excited for the prospect of a possible first time meeting between Fed and Rafa at the U.S. Open.
Perhaps that knowledge on some subconscious level made him tighten up in key moments. Whereas his opponent, just loosened up after losing the first set and went for broke seeing his opponent wasn't as sharp as he started off.
Maybe it was playing a night match, which seemed to be an achillies heel for him this tournament and he could not produce his best throughout. In his career night matches is what he lived for and dominated especially in New York, it was always day matches where he struggled more.
But this year it has been the complete reverse. He said the court felt slower at night and he really had trouble adjusting to that. So maybe that's a bit of a factor as well. But the deciding factor turned out to be that he tweaked something in his back, which when it has happened has always been debilitating.
The few reasons I've come up with is maybe he started thinking about it too much (with Djokovic out due to shoulder injury) and having a good H2H with all of his remaining opponents (including Nadal). Hell I'll admit I was guilty of thinking too far ahead as well, too excited for the prospect of a possible first time meeting between Fed and Rafa at the U.S. Open.
Perhaps that knowledge on some subconscious level made him tighten up in key moments. Whereas his opponent, just loosened up after losing the first set and went for broke seeing his opponent wasn't as sharp as he started off.
Maybe it was playing a night match, which seemed to be an achillies heel for him this tournament and he could not produce his best throughout. In his career night matches is what he lived for and dominated especially in New York, it was always day matches where he struggled more.
But this year it has been the complete reverse. He said the court felt slower at night and he really had trouble adjusting to that. So maybe that's a bit of a factor as well. But the deciding factor turned out to be that he tweaked something in his back, which when it has happened has always been debilitating.
Last time he had a back issue, he did not play well for a year and everyone started writing him off stating his age as usual. Which I have no doubt will get plenty of mentions this time around as well. It was very clear by the way he lost that 5th set that things were not right. So perhaps it was a combination of all of it, that contributed to this loss. But I guess we'll never really know for sure.
I would also just like to point out that Roger despite the fact he knew he had no shot of winning the 5th set (due to his body not co-operating) that unlike Djokovic, Federer did not retire and finished the match.
That ladies and gentleman is what we call class.
Unlike all his other 5 set losses this year (Wimbledon will stay with me for a long time to come) I came away from this one more able to look at the positives. Maybe it's because this was just a quarter final so it hurts a little less, but also because it seems like the injury is not serious which means the rest of the year can still end on a high.
And although Grand Slams have seen nothing but heartbreak for Roger in 2019 the year has not been a total loss. He did win titles in Dubai, Halle, and Miami. Reaching the mile stone of 102 career titles. The silver lining here is that as long as he stays healthy there's no reason why he won't be able to create the same opportunities for more Grand Slams in 2020.
With both Djokovic and now Federer out it's hard not to see this title belonging to anyone other than Rafa Nadal.
Just like Wimbledon it's the women's draw that's proving even more exciting and unpredictable. Of course everyone is hoping and expecting Serena to finally win her 24th, but I wouldn't be so sure. All the players left could definitely give her a challenge, and that's worth watching.
The Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu is having an amazing season, having won Indian Wells and Roger's Cup in Toronto and now battling for a spot in the semis of U.S. Open tonight.
Belinda Bencic continues to flourish as well. She beat Donna Vekic today to become the first Swiss woman since Martina Hingis in 2001 to reach the semis.
If Andreescu wins tonight that will make for a mouth watering women's semi-final.
On the other side of the draw you have Elina Svitolina who'll be playing Serena Williams.
Serena leads their H2H but Svitolina does have one win. All the ladies remaining have a win over Serena in fact so whoever makes it to the final it promises to be a good one.
I would also just like to point out that Roger despite the fact he knew he had no shot of winning the 5th set (due to his body not co-operating) that unlike Djokovic, Federer did not retire and finished the match.
That ladies and gentleman is what we call class.
Unlike all his other 5 set losses this year (Wimbledon will stay with me for a long time to come) I came away from this one more able to look at the positives. Maybe it's because this was just a quarter final so it hurts a little less, but also because it seems like the injury is not serious which means the rest of the year can still end on a high.
And although Grand Slams have seen nothing but heartbreak for Roger in 2019 the year has not been a total loss. He did win titles in Dubai, Halle, and Miami. Reaching the mile stone of 102 career titles. The silver lining here is that as long as he stays healthy there's no reason why he won't be able to create the same opportunities for more Grand Slams in 2020.
With both Djokovic and now Federer out it's hard not to see this title belonging to anyone other than Rafa Nadal.
Just like Wimbledon it's the women's draw that's proving even more exciting and unpredictable. Of course everyone is hoping and expecting Serena to finally win her 24th, but I wouldn't be so sure. All the players left could definitely give her a challenge, and that's worth watching.
The Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu is having an amazing season, having won Indian Wells and Roger's Cup in Toronto and now battling for a spot in the semis of U.S. Open tonight.
Belinda Bencic continues to flourish as well. She beat Donna Vekic today to become the first Swiss woman since Martina Hingis in 2001 to reach the semis.
If Andreescu wins tonight that will make for a mouth watering women's semi-final.
On the other side of the draw you have Elina Svitolina who'll be playing Serena Williams.
Serena leads their H2H but Svitolina does have one win. All the ladies remaining have a win over Serena in fact so whoever makes it to the final it promises to be a good one.
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