Article

  • Go-slow Nadal no worry for Federer

    7/7/08 1:17 AM | Johan Lindahl
    - Roger Federer insists he is not ever put off by the habitual go-slow tactics of new Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal.

    The Spaniard is noted for taking his own sweet time - especially in tight match situations - when he needs to think his way out of a court crisis.

    Clockwork Federer says he's able to remain cool under fire despite Nadal antics which tread the margin between gamesmanship and ultimate preparation before a point.

    “There's a fine line. He can take 20 seconds and then 10 or 15 seconds until he serves”, said the Swiss. “It's a tricky situation. The umpire will warn him but won't give a penalty point so he doesn't feel the heat“.

    While avoiding any criticism of the longtime No. 2, Federer admitted: ”It used to be irritating but I think he's speeded it up a little bit. I feel like he's playing fair“.

    Players are allowed 20 points between the end of one point and the start of serve on the next, an apparently entirely flexible concept to the Spaniard.

    Federer said his rival often used the full 20 seconds just getting into position to serve, wiping himself after each point, talking three balls for inspection and picking his shorts before finally delivering.

    ”He's not as slow as he used to be“, said the precise Swiss. ”It's not gamesmanship but if it's on the edge I'm aware of it and then it's up to the umpire“.

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Comments

I don't think Federer is being completely honest here. He's irritated for sure... just too nice of a guy to do anything about it.

EinarBerg , 7/7/08 1:27 AM


yes,yes... how not!
Federer is better tennis player than Nadal that's for sure!

dance , 7/7/08 2:36 AM


NADAL SHOULD NEVER BE CALLED WARNED OR DISTRACTED BY SOME UMPIRE WHEN HE TAKES A FEW EXTRA SECONDS TO PREPARE TO MAKE THE BEST SERVE HE CAN DURING A GAME...HE IS OBVIOUSLY NOT TRYING TO DISTRACT ANY OPPONENT PR PRACTISE GAMESMANSHIP IN ANY WAY...NOT SINCE WILANDER AND EDBERG HAVE WE SEEN SUCH A GENTLEMAN AND FAIRMINDED PERSON ON COURT ( AS NADAL)....FEDERER IS ALSO ALMOST AS FAIR ON COURT...BUT " OFF COURT OR AFTER COURT HE CAN BE PETTY AND UNGENEROUS TO OPPONENTS...NOT RECOGNIZING THEIR WORTH EVEN WHEN THEY BEAT HIM..THIS IS A SAD FLAW IN HIS ATTITUDE OFF COURT ..AND IN HIS REMARKS SOMETIMES.

darrelr1 , 7/7/08 4:16 AM


To each his own! All the players have their own drama or habits when they're playing. Its their way of neutralizing their nerves. We can't dictate the players how to play or how to act while playing.
If federer is the better player, how come the stat says otherwise... HOW MANY TIMES DID ROGER lose to Nadal?

agf25agf , 7/8/08 1:06 AM


i think roger does not want to openly admit but slowly but surely he is getting intimated by Rafa..this is one guy in men's tennis who at the moment is not scared of playing Federer..he plays his own game and he's comfartable with who he is reminds me of young Andre Agassi but with a bit more discipline and focus at his age

verge08 , 7/8/08 5:50 AM


roger is not honest!

tennis99 , 7/8/08 6:18 PM


to darrelr,

FED IS NOT MAKING EXCUSES!! THIS WAS AN INTERVIEW BEFORE THE MATCH!!!!!!!! SO GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE MAKING SUCH COMMENTS! AND I DNT THINK THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH WHAT HE SAID.....NADAL DOES TAKE A LOOOOONG TIME TO SERVE, AND AM SURE EVEN IF HE DOES NOT ADMIT IT, IT MUST ANNOY HIM AS IT WILL ANNOY ANYBODY ELSE!
wHY SHOULD NADAL NEVER BE WARNED OR DISTRACTED EVEN IF HE TAKES AGES TO SERVE? HE IS DISTRACTING THE OPPONENT BY TAKING MORE TIME ESP ON CRITICAL POINTS.....U SEEM TO BE COMPLETELY BIASED TOWARDS RAFA....HE IS A GOOD PLAYER BUT I DNT AGREE WITH UR COMMENT!

vtmike , 7/18/08 7:03 PM


To agf25agf,

How many times has Rafa beaten Roger on surfaces OTER THAN CLAY? and how many grand slams does rafa has as compared to roger?

vtmike , 7/18/08 7:07 PM


vtmike... be objective! You're taking it too personal! The fact is that Roger was HUMILIATED in the FO finals and his stranglehold @ Wimbledon was snatched dramatically by the SAME guy! How many Slams did Roger win when he was the same age as Rafa... another SUBJECTIVE question for you!

agf25agf , 7/19/08 11:33 PM



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