A year is a long time in sport, and especially in tennis. You only need to offer a sincere throwback to this time twelve months ago and a thwarted, tired, strained and outwitted Federer seemed lost in transition as his great Spanish adversary Rafael Nadal had battered the Swiss at Roland Garros, forced him to relinquish his treasured SW19 title and reduce the now sixteen time Grand Slam champion to tears in the 2009 Australian Open Final.
But this bumper mayday period for Nadal in 2009 was short lived. A barrage of troublesome knee problems and fitness quandaries gave a confident stricken Federer a glimpse at the keys coated in success, once again. Hard thought and ‘ego’ boosting, Federer took apart Nadal in the 2009 Madrid Masters Final proving his doubters wrong that he could beat the improbable Spaniard on his beloved clay surface. The Swiss superstar exploited, conjectured and wore down Majorcan Nadal as his knee issues seemed to seize up, whilst the ever-green Federer took him to the sword.
A win in the Spanish capital, was then followed by a near remarkable French Open. Frontrunner Rafael Nadal appeared ill at ease with himself as he could only see his unrelenting clay court record and his first ever Roland Garros defeat flash right before his eyes as Swede Robin Soderling’s clinical match play in the fourth round defeated the Spaniard, opening the door to Federer to finally win his first French Open title, completing his set of major wins. And the Swiss did not disappoint as he careered through to the final, beating Soderling, before collapsing to his knees in jubilation after securing his impossible dream.
Rafael Nadal, subsequently missed Wimbledon through injury, meaning he was not able to defend his crown as Federer swept in to claim his sixth London grass court title, surpassing in his wake the watching Pete Sampras as he moved onto fifthteen Grand Slam titles, one more then the great American.
Since then, Federer has with ease grasped a domineering grip on the mens game, whilst Nadal is only now returning to his best. The bustling Spaniard is only one Masters Title away from securing a record haul and in recent weeks he seems to have a re-installed belief and confidence as he knows how crucial the next few months are to proving the doubters wrong and establishing himself as the best on the world stage again.
Today’s final for Federer, serves as the perfect preparation for his Roland Garros defence in the coming weeks and the now father of two, gives the impression he is more than ready to relive his duel with Nadal again, as the Swiss player has a point to prove with many saying Nadal’s absence last year handed Federer two Grand Slam titles on a plate.
Two great foes are ready to lock horns once again.
Harsh criticism, but we will see who can get the upper hand in the Spanish capital this afternoon, which surely is the perfect platform and form remedy for the duo ahead of a critical summer.
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