Federer storms to French Open & Grand Slam glory
By Dave James, 8 Jun 2009 Dave James is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- Grand slam, Rafael Nadal, Robin Soderling, Roger Federer, Roland Garros, Tennis
Roger Federer wins French Open. AAP Images
Roger Federer gloriously completed a career Grand Slam on Sunday by capturing a first French Open title, and a record-equalling 14th major, with a 6-1 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 win over Robin Soderling.
The 27-year-old world number two finally won a Roland Garros crown at the 11th attempt and in his fourth successive final having come up heartbreakingly short in the last three showdowns against Spanish nemesis Rafael Nadal.
His victory, ironically over the Swedish 23rd seed who shocked four-time Nadal in the last 16, took him level with great friend Pete Sampras as the holder of 14 Grand Slam titles.
He also moved into a select group made up only of Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson and Andre Agassi as men who have won all four of the Grand Slam events.
“It was probably my greatest victory, I was under big pressure. I did it and it’s phenomenal,” said Federer who broke down in tears after being presented with the trophy by Agassi, the 1999 champion, and while the Swiss national anthem was played.
“It was great to be on the podium as a winner for a change. Andre said it was my destiny to win this and that I deserved it.
Federer, who sent down 16 aces in the final, added: “Until the end of my career, I can play peacefully knowing that I will never again hear it said that I never won Roland Garros.”
Soderling, who has now lost 10 times in 10 meetings with Federer, admitted the Swiss was a deserving winner.
“Roger was too good for me today, he played much better. He is a worthy winner and for me he is the best player in history,” said Soderling.
“He gave me a lesson in how to play tennis.”
Any doubts over Federer’s ability to overcome his Paris jinx were quickly dashed as the Swiss star, playing in a record-equalling 19th Grand Slam final and riding a tidal wave of support, dominated Soderling.
He broke the first game on a Soderling double fault and was soon a second break to the good to lead 4-0 when a sweetly-timed drop shot left the Swede stranded behind the baseline.
Soderling, the first Swede in the Roland Garros final since his coach Magnus Norman finished runner-up to Gustavo Kuerten in 2000, stopped the rot with a hold to trail 4-1, but Federer quickly nipped further ahead to 5-1.
Soderling’s uncompromising forehand, which was a dagger to the heart of Nadal, was looking more like a blunt instrument in the damp and chilly conditions.
His service game crumbled again in the seventh game as Federer claimed the opening set.
It had taken just 23 minutes with the Swiss losing just two points on serve.
The final was then delayed by a worrying security breach during the fourth game of the second set with Federer ahead 2-1.
A spectator, dressed in red, waved a flag of the Barcelona football club in the world number two’s face before he was wrestled off Court Philippe Chatrier by security guards.
But the Swiss star wasn’t disrupted from his elegant stride, either by the intruder or the rain which started to steadily fall.
Although Soderling slowly rediscovered his service power, it was Federer who was comfortably dictating the points and he fired down four aces in the tie-break to open up a two-sets lead.
He was a break ahead in the third set to lead 1-0 before Soderling carved out, and squandered, his first break point of the match in the fourth game.
Federer then sent down his 16th ace of the tie to stretch to 4-2.
He came out to serve for a place in history but faltered to 30-40 with a wild, running forehand.
With pregnant wife Mirka looking anxiously on, he averted the crisis and went to match point with a confident volley and claimed victory when Soderling netted a service return after 1hr 55min on court.
A tearful Federer slumped to the Paris clay in celebration as he secured his place as arguably the greatest player of all time.
Roger Federer’s path to the 2009 French Open title (prefix number denotes seeding):
1st rd: bt Alberto Martin (ESP) 6-4 6-3 6-2
2nd rd: bt Jose Acasuso (ARG) 7-6 (10-8) 5-7 7-6 (7-2) 6-2
3rd rd: bt 32-Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) 4-6 6-1 6-4 6-4
4th rd: bt Tommy Haas (GER) 6-7 (4-7) 5-7 6-4 6-0 6-2
QF: bt 11-Gael Monfils (FRA) 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 6-4
SF: bt 5-Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 2-6 6-1 6-4
F: bt 23-Robin Soderling (SWE) 6-1 7-6 (7-1) 6-4
© AFP 2012ROGER FEDERER (SUI)
World ranking: 2
Birthdate: Aug 8, 1981
Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland
Residence: Bottmingen, Switzerland
Height: 185cm (6’1″)
Weight: 85kg (187 lbs)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 1998Career singles titles: 59
Grand Slam singles titles: 14 (3 Australian, 1 French, 5 Wimbledon, 5 US)
Career prize money: $US47,648,210 ($A59.43 million)
Best French Open result: Winner (2009)
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Robert B said | June 8th 2009 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
Absolute legend.
joeb said | June 8th 2009 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
Must concede the way Federer managed to regain his composure after the worrying security breach was most impressive because in the immediate aftermath Soderling did begin to get on top, but not for long.
At only 27 (28 in August) you would think FedEx still has several grand slam wins ahead of him, perhaps the next as early as the upcoming Wimbledon which will now be terrific viewing.
Good luck to Fed because Soderling came up well short of expectations; whether the watering of the surface of the court prior to starting the match benefitted the Swiss and disadvantaged the Swede, I’ll leave it up to Choppy and other experts to enlighten.
Lastly to win a ‘Grand Slam’ in tennis aren’t you supposed to win the four major Slams in the one calendar year? So in fact Fed now needs to win Wimbledon next followed by the US Open followed by the Australian if he’s to emulate his hero Rod Laver?
Rory said | June 8th 2009 @ 3:25pm | Report comment
Have to disagree joeb. There might be luck involved in winning your first or maybe even second grand slam, but I think you’ve proven something a bit beyond dispute when you win your 14th. He’s totally dominated grand slams for five years. There will always be those who will put it down to Nadal being knocked out but it’s not the point. Nadal didn’t make the final, Federer’s almost always there. People have been saying he’s finished for a long time now – since Djokovic knocked him out two Aussie Opens ago. Then after he lost to Nadal at the last Wimbledon they said he was gone. What happened since then? Three grand slams – he won the US, final of the Australian, now won the French. Look at it another way – he’s won three of the last five Grand Slams, and lost the other two in the final in five set epics that couldn’t be split before the final moments.
One of a kind. Never to be repeated.
Brian said | June 8th 2009 @ 4:03pm | Report comment
14 Gran Slams
20 consecutive semi-finals in gran slams
Won all four majors
Def the greatest ever
joeb said | June 8th 2009 @ 4:08pm | Report comment
Rory, Fed was certainly tremendous last night, pulled out aces whenever he needed them, displayed a certain disdain and arrogance towards his opponent Soderling really making the Swede look pretty ordinary for most of the match. As for “Never to be repeated,” how old is the Spaniard, considering he already has several slams to his credentials? It’s hard to say ‘never repeated’ as new players arrive on the circuit bigger and fitter than those who came before them. We can only ever wonder how Borg in his prime for instance would’ve gone against the Fed Express today. I think I like the guy better now for some reason, and the upcoming Wimbledom should prove fascinating.
joeb said | June 8th 2009 @ 4:18pm | Report comment
Brian, yes it’s certainly hard to disagree with those stats. The guy is brilliant. His drop shots last night — sensational! He’s got it all.
Rory said | June 8th 2009 @ 4:54pm | Report comment
Joeb, yes the Spaniard is young and has a few years to add to the trophy cabinet. He is an incredible player and a gracious champion. But what Federer has done in the last 5 years bears no comparison. The consistency of making at least the semi’s of the last 20 grand slams (winning most and finalist in almost all others) is something Nadal occasionally fails on, this tournament being a case in point. Then there is nadal’s tendency to injury and a range of shots that is more restricted than Fed. Nadal should chalk up a lot of grand slams but how many? Federer will probably make it 15 slams next month at Wimbledon.
and yes, Borg v Federer would be very interesting indeed.
joeb said | June 8th 2009 @ 5:16pm | Report comment
Rory: “Nadal should chalk up a lot of grand slams but how many?” I haven’t the foggiest, but I think he’s already won about 6. It’ll come down to longevity in the sport one assumes, fitness and adversaries of course. Interesting quote from Fitz last Saturday:
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However not so rosy for the Scud these days, which is sad:
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http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/dont-look-now-here-is-sonny-baabaa/2009/06/05/1243708626749.html?page=4
joeb said | June 8th 2009 @ 5:21pm | Report comment
Whoops — sorry for that shemozzle. Take 2. Rory: “Nadal should chalk up a lot of grand slams but how many?” I haven’t the foggiest, but I think he’s already won about 6. It’ll come down to longevity in the sport one assumes, fitness and adversaries of course. Interesting quote from Fitz last Saturday:
‘Rafael Nadal on finally losing in the French Open after 31 straight wins: “When one player plays bad, [he] must lose. [It] was my fault … I didn’t play my best tennis, and for that reason I lose. It’s not a tragedy, I had to lose one day. I must accept my defeats with the same level of calm that I accept my victories.” Champion.’
However not so rosy for the Scud these days, which is sad:
‘Mark Philippoussis on being on the point of bankruptcy: “I’m someone who hasn’t been able to work since 2006, and I’m doing the best I can at this time. It’s a tough situation, but I’m dealing with it and I’m stepping up. I’m not running away … Money came in left, right and centre; you thought that’s how it was for everyone and that’s how it will always be …”‘
http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/dont-look-now-here-is-sonny-baabaa/2009/06/05/1243708626749.html?page=4
ohtani's jacket, said | June 8th 2009 @ 6:18pm | Report comment
Joeb,
There’s Calendar Year Grand Slams and Career Grand Slams and Federer won the latter. The former may never happen again, even in women’s tennis, but Nadal will have a shot at joining Federer with a Career Grand Slam.
As for Nadal breaking Federer’s record (assuming Federer wins 15 or more), I’m not convinced he can do it. Federer just tied Lendl’s record of 19 Grand Slam finals, and I can’t see Nadal making all those consecutive grass and hardcourt finals like Federer has over the past six years.
Nadal isn’t a guaranteed semi-finalist at any tournament other than RG (in a normal year.) He may bounce back and win Wimbledon in a month, but it seems unlikely.
As for the RG final, it was hugely anti-climatic, but an incredibly emotional moment for Federer.