Federer-Nadal Rivalry: Ali-Frazier on Grass
By Michelle Kaufman, The Miami Herald
Jul. 6–WIMBLEDON, England — It is too early to elevate the rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal into the same league as John McEnroe vs. Bjorn Borg. But it certainly is the most compelling matchup in tennis today — one of the best in all of sports — and Sunday’s Wimbledon final has the makings of a classic.
Federer has been No. 1 in the world for 231 weeks and is seeking to become the first player since the 1880s to win six consecutive Wimbledon titles. Nadal has been No. 2 for 153 weeks and could become the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win the French Open and Wimbledon back to back.
They have faced each other in the past three French Open finals, and Nadal won all three. This will be their third Wimbledon final in a row, and Federer has won the past two, but Nadal came close a year ago, stretching the Swiss No. 1 to five sets.
As if their records weren’t enough to get fans salivating, Federer and Nadal offer wildly contrasting styles in fashion and game.
Federer dresses like he walked out of The Great Gatsby — in white linen blazers and herringbone cardigans. Nadal looks like he’s coming in from a day at the beach — in muscle T-shirts and Capri pants.
COMPARISONS
Federer is right-handed. Nadal is a lefty. Federer prefers grass. Nadal prefers clay. Federer is known for his elegance, Nadal for his brute strength.
About the only things they have in common are a love for soccer and reverence for their sport. Both are gentlemen off and on the court — although some might argue Nadal’s habit of bouncing the ball nearly 20 times before serving borders on gamesmanship.
“It’s truly become Ali-Frazier now on grass,” NBC analyst Mary Carillo said. “Federer floating and stinging vs. Nadal’s massive strength and physicality and fighting heart.
“It could come down to the quality of their second serves — the barest moments in the match, where there’s an opening, a chance for a body blow, an uppercut, a surprise sock in the jaw.”
This time, there is a sense of urgency from Federer because he arrived at the All-England Club a battered champion after a humiliating loss to his Spanish nemesis in the French Open final. Nadal won 6-1, 6-3, 6-0. It was the most one-sided French Open men’s final since 1977, and Federer’s worst loss ever in a Grand Slam.
Federer has yet to win a major title this year, his only trophy coming at a second-tier event in Estoril, Portugal, so he is eager to restore his reputation.
‘SO MUCH AT STAKE’
“There’s so much at stake from a bigger perspective,” ESPN commentator Patrick McEnroe said.
“Is it the changing of the guard? If Nadal wins, he’s No. 1 in my mind. I don’t care what the rankings say. Federer has much more to prove than he has in a long time. Nadal is nipping at his heels — last year here, then Paris. He’s getting closer and closer, and the question is, when’s he going to break through?”
Federer agrees it is “quite incredible” that he and Nadal have played so many times on big occasions.
In fact, no other pair of players in the Open era have faced each other in six Grand Slam finals.
“Rafa is the best on clay, and now it’s the one who is best on grass,” Federer said. “Beating your main rival is always obviously a big thrill. I’m very happy with my run in Paris. He’s probably very happy with his run here in Wimbledon. We want a piece of each other’s world, but the other person hasn’t given in yet. I think it’s a great rivalry.”
Nadal has won 11 of the 17 times they have played , but nine of those victories were on clay. He won their first matchup on a hard court in Key Biscayne and another hard court match in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2006.
At last year’s Wimbledon final, the two were even after four sets, but then Federer stepped up his play and won 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2.
“This is now crunch time,” Federer said. “It’s make or break.”
—–
To see more of The Miami Herald or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.herald.com.
Copyright (c) 2008, The Miami Herald
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Stockholm:BORG,