There’s nothing harder to watch than a sporting legend and arguably the greatest ambassador for tennis of all time like Roger Federer bowing out of the Australian Open with hardly a whimper.
The scoreline reads 6-4, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 to Italian Andreas Seppi in a tick under three hours, but that doesn’t tell the story by a long shot.
On paper this clash was a mis-match.
Federer, with a world record 17 Slams, a career 83 titles, with an 81.40 per cent win ratio (1002 wins to 228 losses), and prizemoney alone of $88.4 million, was a no brainer for victory when compared to Seppi’s three fourth round Slam appearances, three career titles, a win ratio of 47.97 per cent (249 wins to 270 losses), and prizemoney of $5.9 million.
To top off the mis-match, Federer had won all 10 of their previous meetings, losing just one set.
It would be easy to explain the shock loss as Federer turning in one of his worst matches, and Seppi without doubt his best – he played out of his skin. But that wouldn’t explain the following stats.
Federer served 15 aces to four, smacked 57 winners to 50, and won 145 points overall to 144. On the debit side, Federer served nine double faults to four, and made 55 unforced errors to 40.
The unsaid stats were the countless times the ever crisp and confident Federer left his returns mid-court, gifting Seppi with easy winners or points, or missing his passing shots by three to four metres, or off the frame.
He just didn’t win the points that counted.
And to complete the nightmare for Federer, the holes in his usual rock-like defence looked like Cheddar cheese. But the Seppi success is a bonus for Aussie hopeful Nick Kyrgios, as they will meet in the round of 16.
Kyrios gave the 75th ranked Tunisian Malek Jaziri a bombardment lesson with 29 aces to six, and 53 winners to 26. On those counts alone, Kyrgios should have far too much ammunition to fire at Seppi. But everyone thought the same about Federer.
The winner of the Kyrgios-Seppi clash will meet either Andy Murray (6), or Grigor Dimitov (10) in the quarters. And then the likelihood of Rafael Nadal in the semis, if the Spaniard isn’t suffering from some serious injury, or illness.
Pre-tournment, Nadal kept mentioning his appendix operation as a hindrance to his preparation. Spare us the details, that was three months ago, and hardly major surgery. Let’s not forget his back, arm, wrist, leg, both knees, and foot injuries – from head toe he’s in the grand final with Australian cricketer Shane Watson.
When Nadal was down two sets to one against virtual unknown American Tim Smyczek, the injuries and illness again resurfaced, requiring treatment on his way to a five-set victory. Such courage.
But not a sign of any problems in his 6-1, 6-0, 7-5 demolition job on Dudi Sela two days later. There’s an old adage in sport. If you play, you’re fit enough, so forget the excuses, they count for nought.
And that leaves Bernard Tomic after his straight sets 6-4, 7-6, 6-3 success over an overwhelmed Sam Groth, who only served 17 aces, well below his norm, but made 39 unforced errors to Tomic’s eight,
Terminal mistakes. Tomic now faces seventh seed Tomas Berdych, a true litmus test for the Australian.
If it’s an on-night, Tomic is very capable of upsetting the tall Czech.
Arthur
Guest
It was hard to watch Roger lose that match and you could see a long way out that he was having an off day - a lot of short stuff and a defensive mindset. Federer had been so used to cruising for years that when the next group of top players came through like Nadal, Djokovic and Murray he had to learn to play 'nervous' tennis and be more aggressive - I still believe he hasn't mastered this fully and that's why I don't write him off the slams just yet, particularly at Wimbledon where he was within a fingernail of winning and the US Open. He has more bad days in the Slams that he used to sure - but you can't have a year like he did in 2014 and be ready for the scrap heap.
Steele
Guest
Can't believe people are questioning Nadals toughness? His body has taken a hammering and he is as humble as they come. One of the all time greats. And Federer is still a major threat at Wimbledon.
Simoc
Guest
Shows just how out of touch you guys are with tennis. Often top players have a big struggle match in the first week of a major. The trolls have been writing Federer off for years. Ask him and he reckons he was close to career best form last year. With the guys you can't afford to be to far off your best or you'll lose. Nadal lost to an Australian at Wimbleton last year and no doubt these guys would have said exactly the same thing. Nadal should have retired. But he's out here swinging.
BigAl
Guest
If Leyton can still front up for Grand Slam events, I don't see why Federer shouldn't - even though everyone and himself would know that he is well past his best.
Nick
Guest
Went into the tournament seeded 2. Don't get there without still turning in the performances. Its not just about winning majors, playing the game he loves and still winning enough to stay ranked ahead of so many pretenders. Maybe not time just yet
GD66
Guest
Yep, might be time to ease it off, Roger. Oh, and it's about time someone identified the long list of niggles, complaints, upsets, whinges and inconveniences Nadal appears to have to battle through each and every time he goes on court. Man up, son !
JGK
Roar Guru
Agree. You don't want to see Fed spending the next year or two losing to hacks he would normally have wiped the floor with as he slides down the rankings. Another Slam is clearly beyond him at this stage of his career. I reckon call it a day at the US Open.
Benny
Guest
As long as Kyrgios doesn't feel too much expectation to beat Seppi, and prepares as though it is an even match, he should have too much for him. Often times when a player has the match of his life and causes a big upset, they lose the very next match so Kyrgios should make it to the quarters. Nadal vs Anderson will be interesting but Nadal should prevail. Possible losing one set in a tiebreaker but he should just have a bit too much. In regards to Tomic, I think he can win this one. It's a good match up for him, playing someone who he can just take all pace away. He's pushed him twice at Wimbledon now in very tight matches, but he's playing better now than then and seems to be taking tennis a lot more seriously now. I think Tomic will win in 4 or 5 and we'll see two Australians in the quarters. Imagine that
Sunshine
Guest
Swiss cheese perhaps
troy
Guest
Federer is finished. He is what's called a sucker player in majors.He goes in with good form and people think of him as the old Federer that won majors,but simply the man is finished and will never win another major. Federer retire you great man.