Roger Federer could not capture his 7th World Tour Finals title as he lost 7-6(5), 7-5 to Novak Djokovic in an intense, grueling battle between the world's two best players.
Federer couldn't have asked for a better start as he took twelve of the fourteen points to open the match at 3-0, but it was short-lived as Djokovic raised his level to get back even at 3-3. The Serb broke at 4-4 and was two points away from the set, but Roger stormed back to break. They went to a tiebreak, where Djokovic held set point at 6-5, but Federer made a ridiculous stretch volley followed by a whip forehand that was behind him to save it. It was to no avail however as he lost the next point and Djokovic put away a forehand winner to take the tiebreak seven points to five.
Set number two also started just as Federer would have liked, as he broke the Djokovic serve. He held the one-break lead until he served for the set at 5-4 and held two set points, but he could not close it out. Djokovic wound up breaking back and holding, and he took his first championship point, giving him his second year-ending title.
It was a highly entertaining and dramatic match, and both Djokovic and Federer brought it on the occasion. It was a back-and-forth match with a multitude of momentum swings, and in the end, Djokovic was more opportunistic and deserved the win.
Thoughts:
Wow. That is about the best that I can sum it all up. A fantastic season of tennis was finished with a stellar match with intense drama and an energetic crowd. Even though Federer lost in straights, he very well could have won in straights had a few more points gone his way. He had chances to get up a double break in both sets but couldn't, and Djokovic played relentless defense and returned characteristically incredible.
As a Federer fan, it surely is disappointing that he could not take his chances, but the match was decided by the smallest of margins - a point here and there. Also, full credit to Djokovic who remained patient and did not give up. He put together a great match and Roger certainly did not hand it over even when he was up a break in both sets.
It is also worthy to note that Djokovic had a day off in between his semi and final, whereas Roger had to play three matches in three days, and against three very difficult opponents for him. Given the circumstances, Roger did as well as he could have against a relentless amazing-under-pressure Novak Djokovic.
I don't think Roger should feel any regret. After all, he lost to a player six years his junior, and that player had to fight tooth and nail to beat him. Roger showed tremendous heart and fighting ability, and he definitely gave it everything he had. Both of them did. And that is why it was such a thrilling contest - because both players understood that each point mattered, and that one point could swing the momentum of the match.
Winning the World Tour Finals would have been icing on the cake, but this has been a great season for Roger, his best since 2007. Djokovic has been the most consistent player on tour this year, but Roger has played the best tennis in my opinion. His level from the start of Rotterdam to the end of Cincinnati was outstanding (6 titles in that stretch). The Swiss put in the hard work all year long and continued to prove those who doubt him wrong.
He heads into 2013 as the #2 player in the world, but a great Australian Open, and he could very well have a chance to retake the #1 sometime in the year. We shall see what happens but one thing I know is that Fed will work harder than ever to ensure that his level remains as high as it was in 2012. We all know his fitness is incredible, and it will need to be as he will be one year older.
Keep your heads up folks - what Roger did was special this year, especially regaining the #1 ranking and surpassing 300 weeks - he didn't get the finish to the year he would have enjoyed, but I have no doubt this result will help motivate him for the Australian Open. He deserves a good break now and here's hoping he will start 2013 with a bang!
PS - speaking of the off season, I know many are worried about the exhibition matches Fed is playing against Tsonga in South America. I wouldn't be too concerned about it as Roger will probably take the experience as a time to relax and have some fun traveling to a part of the world he rarely visits. Plus, they take place in December, so Fed will still have a month off until them and then the Christmas break before the start of the season.
I bid adieu to another season in tennis history, and look ahead to the next one. If 2013 is as good as 2012 was, we are in for a treat! I have hopes that Roger will win another major and keep shocking the world with his brilliance, but whatever happens we are all blessed to witness the genius of the Master.
Great article! You really captured everything about the match. It was exactly what you said it was. It was everything but disappointing, of course, would have loved to have seen Roger Federer win. But alas, the better player in the match won in the end. Congrats to Novak Djokovic. Roger fought hard himself and he never gave up. How he was in this match, we can only look forward to great 2013. He had a wonderful 2012 campaign.
ReplyDeleteLovely article. Thanks from a diehard FedFan.
ReplyDeleteAgain, excellent remarks esp. pointing out the fact that Roger had to play 3 days in a row, all tough matches, while Dkoker had a rest and is, after all, 6 yrs. younger. I don't think we could expect more from Roger. He gave it all he had and it was such an exciting match; the kind of tennis that is so much more enjoyable than baseline grinding & waiting for the 1st one to make an error. Roger will always do his best to use all his skills to shorten the game & keep us all on the edge of our seats. Great for the game & tennis in general; no one will ever be able to replace this man! We are all so proud of you, Roger.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. Great to read your thoughts on it. They could have been mine ;)
ReplyDeleteIt reminded me of something Roger said (more than once I think) about 'enjoying the game so much'. I can't remember exactly what his words were, but it came down to "I always want to remember why I started playing tennis in the first place, and that is that I absolutely lóve to play. Some people say it's really bad if you lose, but in the end it's all about enjoying to play tennis". Of course, he wants to win if he can, but it does say something too, that he keeps referring to it... And that all got confirmed last night, when he said "I really enjoyed the match, even though Novak won". I do believe he was sincere in that :)
I hope and believe too we are in for a treat next year. I was a bit worried that this year, or next year, might be his last, but more and more I get the feeling, that if it's up to him, that won't be the case :) And that is something to cherish, because there really is no one like him...
Btw: highlight of yesterday, the jaw-dropping shot at 5-6 in the tiebreak... I think Rob Koenig called it 'unheard of'... :)