Write On Sports LLC - "He'll never admit it, but Roger Federer appeared old on Sunday." by Jake Lloyd

He'll never admit it, but Roger Federer appeared old on Sunday.

2007-06-10 20:06:21 | By: Jake Lloyd

He'll never admit it, but Roger Federer appeared old on Sunday.

The 25-year-old Federer appeared ancient across from 21-year-old Rafael Nadal, who dispatched of this era's greatest men's tennis player in four sets -- 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 -- to win his third consecutive French Open.

The match really wasn't as close as the score indicates. Federer simply could not keep up with the speedy, energetic Spaniard who never showed signs of fatigue during the three-plus-hours championship battle. Federer -- who claimed prior to the match that his excellent fitness would help him -- appeared tired, hitting an uncharacteristic number of balls toward the stands instead of the brownish clay opposite the net.

Federer also failed to convert on a number of break opportunities, especially in the first set. Usually the flawless wonder capitalizes on such opportunities, but on Sunday Nadal showed an aplomb that belies his youth in coming back each time to stay on serve. Nadal saved an amazing 16 of 17 break points, with his only slipup coming during the lone set that Federer won.

Each time Federer had a break point, I expected him to play it with a sense of entitlement, as if it was something he had put several hours into creating. I expected him to unleash his stinger backhand or his huge forehand. But, alas, while his backhands were stingy and his forehands huge, many of them ended up in the net or outside the lines.

It was that kind of day for Federer.

When he walked off the court after dropping a game in the third set, he shook his head, as if to say, "Am I cursed at this place?"

No, Roger, you just can't win at Roland Garros. Mostly because of Nadal.

As poor as Federer played on Sunday, due credit must go to Nadal, who never let up against his older opponent, who allowed Federer a single break point in the final two sets. After gaining a break early in the third set, Nadal never opened the door to welcome Federer back into the match. While Federer conceded several winners to Nadal, there were only a couple points in which Nadal watched a Federer winner instead of chasing it.

He was all over the court, making things very, very difficult for the world's best.

And, maybe most important (and surprising), Nadal won all the big points, never allowing Federer to create even a shiver of momentum. Serving 4-3 in the final set, Nadal was at a disadvantage during two points with Federer at the net returning his ground strokes, but he found a way to steadily move toward Federer and push the ball past him both times to win the game. If those points had gone Federer's way, he would have tied the set and served for the lead.

Then Nadal finished Federer off in strong fashion, winning the final game without allowing a point. It was clear that the Spaniard learned from last year, when he let Federer take the fourth set to a tiebreak before finishing him. A year older and a year wiser, Nadal had a business-look countenance all match, never feigning a smile -- only fist pumps -- until Federer's final mishit forehand sailed long.

Then Nadal, reminiscent of a year ago, gracefully plopped down on his backside -- soiling his shirt and long shorts with clay. It was OK for him to act the kid again. He had finished his homework and it was time to play. After soaking in the applause from the sellout crowd, Nadal leapt a railing and climbed the stands to the numerous family members who had witnessed his victory.

It was a testament to how much energy he still had left. For a day -- just one; don't forget that -- Nadal had made the man with 10 Grand Slam victories appear beyond his prime.

Now Federer will have to wait another year for a shot at that elusive French Open title. He'll probably win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the months to come and the Australian Open next January -- who would seriously bet against him? -- but until he claims a win at Roland Garros, he can't be entered into the best men's player of all time debate.

Think about it -- would Tiger Woods be considered the greatest golfer of all time if he never navigated the links to victory at the British Open? No way. The same must be said of Federer -- he has to win a French Open to establish himself as the greatest men's player of all time.

And as long as Nadal's around, which I imagine would be for a long time -- even longer than Federer -- the Spaniard will resemble the main obstacle between Federer and legendary status on the tour.

Nadal proved once again Sunday that for at least one day a year, he has Federer's number. Everything Federer does, Nadal combats. Federer has no answer for his younger opponent.

It's a rare sight, but you saw it Sunday. Rafael Nadal didn't just look more energetic than the man on the other side of the net. He was clearly the better tennis player.

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