History!
This just in, alert the Four Letter: Roger Federer isn’t playing well.
If ESPN can be said to have one style that dominates every broadcast of every sport it is this: decide the sporting event is about ONE story and beat the ONE story into the ground until the event is over.
This may work for 4 days of golf coverage, but for two weeks of tennis, it’s a bust. According to ESPN, the story of the men’s side is simply Federer’s quest for a historical 6 championships in a row. And so we’ve been treated to 11 days of this refrain every time we glimpse Federer: History! History! History! History!
Lost amidst the drumbeat of History! is one simple fact – Roger isn’t playing that well. Certainly not with the same form he showed at Wimbledon. In fact, what we’ve seen from Federer during the Open has been reminiscent of his spring hard court performances – flashes of typical brilliance followed by bunches of errors.
-His first round match against the qualifier was sloppy.
-The Hewitt match featured a shocking number of wobbly Federer forehands.
-Robredo is just a pusher with no weapons, so unsurprisingly, that was Fed’s easiest match.
-But he nearly found himself in an improbable five setter against Robin Soderling, whose back was against the wall (trailing 0-6, 3-6, 6-6 and 0 points to 4 when he made his comeback.) Part of Roger’s problem in that match was that Soderling took it to him. But he’s also missing more balls than he has in several years.
Before I get raked over the coals by Fed fans, listen – I’m not saying Roger is playing bad. What I’m describing is inconsistency. Many retired champs have discussed how much tougher it is to get geared up emotionally for every match when they get older. Older players run out of mind as often or more than they run out of body, even at the grand slams.
Roger has plenty of other wonderful things to put his emotions into at the moment. As most parents know, your emotions aren’t a bottomless pit. Sometimes the well is dry by the time you get to work. Opponents should consider Rog beatable, but stop short of counting on listless performances in the semis or finals. He is still playing with no pressure. The wind is at his back now that he’s hit 15. He knows how to peak at the right time and he’ll be ready.
The real story of the men’s draw isn’t Federer’s historical quest for 6 – it’s whether anyone else is ready to win the US Open. Murray was allegedly the most ready, followed by popular darkhorse Roddick. They bombed out early. Del Potro is taking care of business about Cilic, but winning the US Open is a huge step that I’m not convinced he’s ready for at age 20. Djokovic hasn’t played his best tennis yet, but he’s in the semis. Nadal is thought not to be healthy enough and faces the powerful but nuts Gonzales tonight.
Still…I’d put money on Federer-Nadal Sunday. And if Roger wins, then the story will be about his amazing, historic performances in New York.
Passing Shots 
Posted on September 10, 2009
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