Federer shows his nasty side losing to Berdych

Because Berdych WAS fantastic, andrew ... that's why he should praise him. As I said before, and I say again, that was perhaps the best display of brilliant, masterly back-court tennis [for Wimbledon] I have ever seen - including Borg's lack-lustre wins. At least, by comparison, Berdych displayed brilliance and life.

Stupid claim, James. The game Berdych played was perhaps the Best mostly-back-court game I can ever remember coming out of Wimbledon, and that includes Borg's titles. His game from back court was Brilliant and masterly.

Clearly a Rafa fan.

Yes Roger Federer is a bad loser. When he beat Roddick he wanted him to take that lose like a man, yet he is not prepared to do the same when he loses. He has lost more times to Rafa Nadal than Rafa has lost to him, so I dont even think he is the best player in the world. If you had two world champions and one had won seven times and the other only twice when they played against each other in a grand slam final, who would you think was the best, its a no brainer really. How could he be so horrid to Berdych by saying he had not really beaten him at Wimbledon, but that Roger had merely lost the game because of his so called bad back. Remember when he told everyone that Rafa had not had such a bad year even though he had lost his French Crown and had to pull out of Wimbledon, hope Roger thinks the same about himself, somehow I doubt it. Roger is a bad loser and a bad sportsman, unfortunately he has held sway for so long everyone became frightened of saying anything about him, but the players knew. It's a pity really, he is undoubtedly a great player, its a pity he is not a great sportsman like Rafa.

I agree, tall poppy syndrome at work here. Nothing wrong with Federer's comments, he showed his class on court waiting for Berdych to walk off first. What annoyed me a bit about Berdych was that he kept looking up at his player box in the crowd and giggling when he won a point - that to me is poor sportsmanship. Contrast this with the type of respect Nadal and Federer display when they play.

Tall poppy, angled story and nothing to see hear here.

I can't believe the fuss. From what I have read it seems he is just being honest, there doesn't appear to be any bitterness or spite. The headlines have falsely elevated this from a non-issue to hyperbolic copy. There was no 'nasty side' on show.

There's always been a certain arrogance about many of Federer's comments. But then again, is it arrogance when you are probably the best of all time?

I agree as well - the Williams sisters also fit into this mould.

It happens in Sport. A champion loses. I do not read much,if anything,in his post match comments. It may not sound right but the guy has just lost and he is asked what he feels. Not the best was his answer. After 16 Grand Slams and more than a decade in the game it is churlish to question his persona. The question for me is how will Federer respond in his next tournament. That will tell the story. On the court. Not off it.

The only anomoly in the recent chain of events is Federers form, i dont think anyone can be critical of the fact that he told the truth. To be perfectly honest Berdych didn't deserve the priase of a great performance because it wasnt. The credit that Federer gave to Berdych was justified, Federer form lost that match, not an 'imporved' Berdych. If you look back to his post match press conference at the French he was very gracious to Soderling in his loss commending him on his play, In the first round of Wimbledon he admitted that he got lucky and should have lost the match. Why should he say Berdych was fantastic when he wasnt??

Agree. False praise and false modesty have never been his thing and I i've always respected that.

Picking holes in people based on press conferences and post match conferences is the lowest form of commentary. It doesn't matter what Federer thought of his loss.

Unless he makes a habit of this kind of thing in future, then this is really a non-issue. If you read the transcript of the whole press conference then you get a bit more context. Everyone knows he hates losing - how else would he have achieved what he has? Anyway, this loss was on the cards, as I humbly claim to have predicted last week, and might mark the beginning of the final phase of his career. He will still win Grand Slams, but he needs to approach them differently. http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/06/23/wimbledon-tips-in-a-world-without-roger/

Fed had his colours lowered by a player who was on his game. He needs to accept it and get his game back to his usual high standard. Comments like this are beneath his status as one of the greats, if not the greatest. Lets hope it doesn't become a recurring theme.

Poor old Federer... He seems like a nice guy - but it's easy to smile when you're winning. It's much more to be a good sport when you've lost. I know from experience - I'm especially bad at losing in a game of Monopoly!

Great article! Fed's obviously feeling the heat big time.. Although he only dropped one ranking spot, not 2. Prior to Wimbledon he was ranked number 2, despite being the first seed.

Don't think so James. Not sure how you can justify blaming an injury for defeat. Most of these guys have some sort of injury the whole time, like most athletes.

Tall poppy syndrome at play again. The fact is that roger federer has been very gracious in defeat in the past however the good thing about him is that he doesnt heap false praise. In this case Berdych didn't play an amazing match instead a far from 100% Federer gave away the match. As Federer has stated these players havent reinvented themselves, the h2h is lopsided and will remain that way once he is 100% again. To be the best you cant always accept defeat by means of better opposition otherwise you will stagnate.

Nice point VC. In my opinion he has been looking over his shoulder since Nadal shook him up in 2008. He got some breathing space whilst Nadal was injured for 12 months but now the bogey is back. It's unfortunate he blamed his injury, he is obviously feeling the heat.