4 hours and 15 mins for a final with over 70 aces and most number of games played for a Wimbledon final. These were a few facts that sum up this year’s men’s final at SW19. But the real story was hidden. Let’s face it. Even a modest tennis fan would admit that Roger Federer did not play at the peak of his powers. Yet he managed to win his record breaking 15th grand slam final.
One must admit that Andy Roddick played out of his skin. I was really amazed to see Andy play volleys this way. Previously he had a booming serve & inconsistent game. But his improved first serve percentage and much better volleys will no doubt shoot him up the table. Wimbledon 2009 was his 2nd chance and will come a long way in erasing his reputation as a one slam wonder.
Over 70 aces for a championship final show how much of a power game it was. There weren’t many long volleys unlike a Federer vs. Nadal final. The quality of winners, however, was good.
On the flip side, Roddick wasn’t moving around the court so much and Federer had trouble in returning Roddick’s bullet serves.
The speed on Federer’s first serve was equal to Roddick’s second serve. Still Federer managed at least 15 aces more than Roddick. That’s an amazing quality but overall the Swiss master just did not bring his A Game. That he broke Andy’s serve only once in the entire match shows not just Andy’s rise as well as Fedy’s decline. With this kind of below par performance, Rafa would have steamrolled Fed Ex.
With the great Pete Sampras watching from the royal box, one would think Roger Federer would weave his magic around the center court. He had his moments, but this was just not his show.
Still 15 grand slams is no mean achievement. That he did it with a few good years left will argue well for him, for he wasn’t a burden for fans to see him complete it. As I see it, I honestly think it will take quite a long time to break his record.
