Cheryl Murray

• Roger Federer does the Super Bowl...but doesn't practice

  2008-02-22 22:50:00
  

  I knew it would happen eventually; it's the way of professional sports. Roger Federer couldn't keep winning forever. But when he was beaten by Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the Australian Open, I was still beset with a case of the tennis blues. For three years, tennis has been the Roger and Rafa Show; an unprecedented era marked by the kind of domination that seems almost impossible. How could two guys be THAT much better than everyone else? Who could beat Nadal on clay? Who could get close to Federer on hard courts? The gap has now closed. We have a new Grand Slam champion for the first time since Marat Safin won the Australian Open in 2005. The unprecedented era is over.
  
  Yes, he had a terrible stomach bug before the Australian Open began. And maybe this loss was an aberration...but I don't think so. I saw the first fissures in his game way back at the US Open -- he hasn't been The Federer for some time now. The only difference between the Australian Open and the US Open is that this time, Djokovic didn't choke under the pressure...and chances are, he won't again.
  
  I knew exactly what would happen as soon as the Australian Open was over. Roger was going to hire a coach straight away and get to work. He has, after all, been without a coach since he fired Tony Roche last May. The "no coach" thing was a great story -- while it was working. But since the rules of the game changed on him, the strategy was clear. Get to work on the backhand, get some fresh eyes to look at his game. I was so sure...and so wrong.
  
  He did not hire a coach. What he did was put in an appearance at the Super Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona. And he attended the Laureus Awards in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he picked up his record fourth Sportsman of the Year award. Don't misunderstand me -- I have no problem whatsoever with either of these activities. Roger is a famous, wealthy guy; he should be afforded the opportunity to act like it.
  
  No, the real shocker was the revelation he made after his big Sportsman of the Year award. Federer was speaking about the disappointment of losing at the Australian Open when he dropped the bombshell. "...I feel refreshed and relaxed now as I haven't been practicing at all." Pardon? Could you repeat that for me? You haven't practiced in WEEKS?
  
  I don't understand the strategy behind this move, assuming there is one. His fans, of whom I know many, have suggested excuses that range from the illness he suffered over a month ago, to general fatigue.all the way to accusations that he is growing increasingly ambivalent about his game. Since I doubt highly if health concerns really played into this decision, I'll focus on the idea that he's ambivalent. Personally, I don't buy it. Champions like Federer LOVE to win. It's what makes them great, and Roger Federer is nothing if not great. Likely, he took the break because that's what he has always done. Win the Australian Open, take a month off. Great. Except this time, he didn't win. I don't question his desire, only his judgment. I think he may have made a mistake. I could, of course be 100% wrong. He could come out firing on all cylinders and blast everyone away in Dubai. Honestly, I hope I am. Blast away, Roger.

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