darthphere (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} darthphere) wrote,@ 2009-07-06 11:35:00 |
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30 Games of Heartbreak
Yesterday morning, the world witnessed an epic test of wills. An unexpected challenge from a surprising challenger that ultimately ended with a predictable result. Andy Roddick danced with the Devil and got burned for doing so. No one expected Andy to be there, and once he got there no expected him to do much of anything. Roger Federer on the cusp of breaking Pete Sampras' record 14 Grand Slam titles. The day belonged to him. A pushover opponent, a slight nuisance on his path to glory and history. Andy Roddick had a much different idea.
After reinventing himself, being in the best shape of his life and defeating Great Britain's own Andy Murray in a spectacular semi-final Andy Roddick found himself poised to play spoiler to Federer's coronation of greatest ever. And he almost did. It began quietly, Roddick takes the first set 7-5, a thin veil of hope is revealed. The second set is the one that we will all remember. 6-6 in the second set, Roddick takes a commanding lead in the tie break 6-2, but Federer was able to coming back and take the set 7-6. He would also take the 3rd set 7-6, Roddick isn't making it easy, but everyone expects him to fall in the 4th. Again, Roddick maybe showing some of that famous American arrogance comes back and dominates the 4th set 6-3. Hope is reignited. The 5th set is one for the ages, Federer begins serving and wins the first game, Roddick comes back and wins the second game. They go back and forth for 28 games when it's 14-14. Already a Grand Slam record for games played, it will take 2 more for Federer to become the greatest and for Andy Roddick to become the undeserving loser. Federer wins his 15th Grand Slam and breaks Pete Sampras' record. Arguably, the greatest ever. Andy Roddick played the best game of his life, yet it wasn't enough.
If it's any consolation, the 5th set was so powerful, he began to win the British crowd over as he held off Roger Federer game after game. To the point where they forgot that two days before this same man defeated their golden boy, the hope of Great Britain, they just stood there in awe of the spectacle they witnessed, a standing ovation for the American, a chant of his name, a curtain call for the man who left everything he had on the grass court but it just wasn't enough. Many speculate now what this loss does to Andy Roddick's confidence. To be so close, yet so far away. We can only hope that after a few days of reflection he is able to come out of this stronger, better and become the great tennis player everyone saw in him for all those years of underachievement. The sadness and pain in his eyes was unquestionable. Federer tries to console him. Comparing his loss to Rafael Nadal in last year's final. Roddick is quick to point out that he had won Wimbledon 5 times before that. A sarcastic grin, a look of completely bafflement to make such a comparison.
Cheeky American.
Yesterday morning, the world witnessed an epic test of wills. An unexpected challenge from a surprising challenger that ultimately ended with a predictable result. Andy Roddick danced with the Devil and got burned for doing so. No one expected Andy to be there, and once he got there no expected him to do much of anything. Roger Federer on the cusp of breaking Pete Sampras' record 14 Grand Slam titles. The day belonged to him. A pushover opponent, a slight nuisance on his path to glory and history. Andy Roddick had a much different idea.
After reinventing himself, being in the best shape of his life and defeating Great Britain's own Andy Murray in a spectacular semi-final Andy Roddick found himself poised to play spoiler to Federer's coronation of greatest ever. And he almost did. It began quietly, Roddick takes the first set 7-5, a thin veil of hope is revealed. The second set is the one that we will all remember. 6-6 in the second set, Roddick takes a commanding lead in the tie break 6-2, but Federer was able to coming back and take the set 7-6. He would also take the 3rd set 7-6, Roddick isn't making it easy, but everyone expects him to fall in the 4th. Again, Roddick maybe showing some of that famous American arrogance comes back and dominates the 4th set 6-3. Hope is reignited. The 5th set is one for the ages, Federer begins serving and wins the first game, Roddick comes back and wins the second game. They go back and forth for 28 games when it's 14-14. Already a Grand Slam record for games played, it will take 2 more for Federer to become the greatest and for Andy Roddick to become the undeserving loser. Federer wins his 15th Grand Slam and breaks Pete Sampras' record. Arguably, the greatest ever. Andy Roddick played the best game of his life, yet it wasn't enough.
If it's any consolation, the 5th set was so powerful, he began to win the British crowd over as he held off Roger Federer game after game. To the point where they forgot that two days before this same man defeated their golden boy, the hope of Great Britain, they just stood there in awe of the spectacle they witnessed, a standing ovation for the American, a chant of his name, a curtain call for the man who left everything he had on the grass court but it just wasn't enough. Many speculate now what this loss does to Andy Roddick's confidence. To be so close, yet so far away. We can only hope that after a few days of reflection he is able to come out of this stronger, better and become the great tennis player everyone saw in him for all those years of underachievement. The sadness and pain in his eyes was unquestionable. Federer tries to console him. Comparing his loss to Rafael Nadal in last year's final. Roddick is quick to point out that he had won Wimbledon 5 times before that. A sarcastic grin, a look of completely bafflement to make such a comparison.
Cheeky American.
