Tears in Melbourne: Nadal Beats Federer

Cue the misquotation of Tom Hanks: "There's no crying in tennis!"

There was crying Sunday at the Australian Open, as Rafael Nadal continued his dominance of Roger Federer, winning a five-set Everlasting Gobstopper of a final, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2. Federer was emotional following the match, unable to keep from crying as Nadal soaked up the crowd's acclaim. Even Nadal was moved by Federer's anguish, offering a comforting shoulder and encouraging words to his greatest competitor. It was a touching scene, even if Federer was seeming to steal Nadal's moment. Then again, the moment belonged to Federer as well.

A win over Nadal would have been Federer's 14th major title, tying him with Pete Sampras for the most majors in a career. He couldn't seize that opportunity, however. This was also the first time Federer faced the world No. 1 player in the final of a major. He couldn't grab hold of that chance, either.

It doesn't matter where you turn. The spin on this story isn't so much "Nadal won" as it is "Federer lost." It's certainly true that Federer didn't play great tennis on Sunday, particularly in the deciding set. Nadal, for all his accomplishments, doesn't yet seem to command the respect that his elder opponent does. That's unfortunate, and I'll admit, I'm also guilty of not giving Nadal his due.

Federer's emotional outburst was genuine, though, and it immediately brings to mind Jana Novotna's breakdown after losing to Steffi Graf in the 1993 singles final at Wimbledon. Novotna got more face time than Graf after that match, because it is so rare that we see athletes willing to let down their guard and show how defeat really feels. No matter how tough you think you are, you have to be moved by that. It's undeniably painful when you fail to get something you wanted so intensely, and we've all been there.

Then again, there's the possibly apocryphal story of the Argentinian soccer great Diego Maradona, who was found crying after his team lost to the USA. When asked why he was crying, he said he wasn't crying because his team had lost, but because the USA was playing such brilliant soccer. Federer might know that his moment has now passed, and Nadal's moment has arrived.

For us, though, this was one more great Nadal-Federer moment, and I for one am glad there will be more.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

2-01-2009 @ 9:09PM

dinohealth said...

Sob, sob, gee, they will never compare me again to the Great Tiger Woods' dominance of a sport now....sob, sob...I thought that comparison was a joke from the start!

2-01-2009 @ 11:10PM

Judie said...

I am truly amazed at your lack of empathy. You truly must be a jerk!

2-01-2009 @ 11:11PM

Your lack of empathy is truly amazing. You truly are a jerk!

2-02-2009 @ 9:23AM

andremarshall said...

TIGER vs. ROGER - OK Roger didn't make it to 14 majors yet and equal Tiger, but Remember Tiger age 33 has 14 majors and is 4 majors short of the all time record of 18 set by Jack Nicklaus and Roger age 27 still has 13 majors and is only 1 short of the all time ATP Majors record set by Pete Sampras when Pete was 32! Also, (NOTE)- Both Tiger and Roger won there first major at age 21, but Roger won his first major 6 years and 25 majors after Tiger won his first. THINK ABOUT THAT? Finally, Wimbledon 2008 UNCLY TONY knew the people who picked the Strawberries and had a special Batch just for Roger? Now Australian Open 2009 Uncle Tony Spikes Roger's FOSTER? Talk about CHEATING?

2-03-2009 @ 5:52PM

bikinginor said...

Hey idiot, where have you been. I thought maybe you got a brain and moved on to something new. Rfed crying, come on is he that fragile. If so it's time for him to go with McEnroe and do that 10 day challenge commercial!! hahahaha

2-02-2009 @ 3:59AM

drdom214 said...

the guy is all heart...play something for 4 hrs and lose and see how you feel....it shows how much he cares

dick

2-02-2009 @ 6:30AM

mistypoo73 said...

I agree with "dinohealth". If federer can't take it he should not be playing with the big boys.....I think it was sickening the way he still had to hog the spotlight. Nadal was so professional and such a gentalman to baby federer the way he did.......Sad, it's getting to the old boy, but like I said if he can't take it he should not be playing with the "BIG BOYS".....I never saw him console anyone he ever beat.

2-02-2009 @ 6:33AM

Right On Baby............I lost all the respect I had for so many years for federer, the way he acted. He sure ruined my day, and I am sure a bunch of other tennis loving fans, and "GROWN UPS"

2-02-2009 @ 6:39AM

XFinanceGuyX said...

Federer isnt the best ever - he had been fortunte to win so many slams thus far because the competition wasnt strong enough. Finally, there is someone who challenges him and is a BETTER PLAYER than him. What a sore loser - he whould acknowledge that and be glad he was lucky so many times. NADAL AIR has finally taken off leaving Federer to drown in his own tears. Sob Sob Sob

2-02-2009 @ 11:11AM

wny2008 said...

I'm afraid that Federer's emotional display after the match made him appear to be a spoiled brat who obviously won't be getting his way much longer. He's a great champion who has unfortunately developed into someone who has come to believe that the greatest legacy in the sport is his birthright. Sorry, dude. Get over it and lose the attitude, cry baby. That was truly embarassing.

2-02-2009 @ 1:43PM

caj said...

People always say how classy Federer is, but it's easy to have a great attitude when you're winning all the time. Now that he's not Mr. Dominant, I think we're seeing what a big baby he is. His comments about Djokovic's fitness were uncalled for. Maybe Fed wasn't as prepared as he thought he was.

2-02-2009 @ 8:05PM

Bob said...

I am constantly amazed at the pitiful attitudes being cultivated in this country, especially in the realm of sports. Any fool who thinks badly of an athlete because they wept at nearly missing a significant victory, has clearly never been near greatness themselves. If you had the slightest idea of the mental preparation that goes into winning a championship of any kind, you would understand how a narrow miss can rip your guts out, and make even the toughest of athletes break down. Watch ANY sport that builds over multiple matches or games to an eventual championship, and I GUARANTEE you will see tears from many of the athletes on the losing side. If you can't understand what makes a true athlete tick, then stick with your pro wrestling circus sports, and let the rest of us admire a REAL competitor who isn't afraid to show the world what kind of emotional toll it costs when you come THAT close to your dreams, and just miss.

2-02-2009 @ 8:08PM

Lol...sorry, but I cannot empathize....I have never played at that level, so, I can only judge the way other top players have handled bitter defeat and sweet victory. Federer, simply does not cut it, in either outcome! A class act was the Great Pete Sampras, whose record Federer will never break, unless Nadal breaks a leg! As for the Great Tiger Woods, Federer can maybe caddy for him, as Tiger continues (possibly on one leg, and tearless) to win Majors a long, long time after Federer's spotlight-stealing tears dry up! They are drying...already!

2-02-2009 @ 8:32PM

Bob, methinks you are confusing sport and professional sports. In sport, every kid learns early on, that you win and lose. Tears have dried up by the time you turn eight, and you play the sport for the fun of playing and competing in a sport. You paly to win, but a loss is OK if you gave it all you had. In professional sport, where athletes play for money and fame, HYPE can consume your sense of being, and create an illusion about who you really are. Most consumate professional athletes who are really GREAT, learn to control their emotions and do not believe in their own HYPE - though they understand it, or, even promote it! Federer was dangerously on the edge, when Nadal came along! He is lucky Nadal came along! It could be a life-saving/turning experience!

2-02-2009 @ 8:55PM

Since I actually saw something to compliment you on in another post, dinohealth, I'll give you some slack here. It's all too obvious that you are an "armchair QB", and haven't been in the heat of battle much yourself. It doesn't matter how old you are, emotion always plays a huge role in competitive sports, and the higher the stakes, the more it can drain you when you just miss. Seriously, watch any college or pro sport, played by grown adults (some of whom could break us in half), and see how, once the adrenaline starts wearing off, and they realize their opportunity slipped through their fingers, that many will show the mental strain through tears. Peace.

2-02-2009 @ 9:18PM

Lol...thank you for the benefit of doubt, Bob. Your "armchair QB" competed in three intercollegiate sports, and was once a champion....You are correct, that the day-long preparation/training, sustained focus, and endless control of powerful emotion, can be a draining experience in a fierce competitor over time. However, I discovered long ago, that to win, you have to be in complete control of your emotions. You train and prepare for those moments; both, the wins, and the losses. Often, it is the difference between a winner and loser. A "Great" champion has all that under control.....and is at peace!

2-02-2009 @ 9:31PM

dinodeath - What Junior college did you play for and what 3 sports did you warm the bench for?

2-02-2009 @ 9:37PM

Andremarshall..lol...nope, never went to a Junior college...all Division One...I will share with you, however, that your past comparisons of sobby Federer to the Great Tiger Woods is the reason why I made this first entry on this blog! Have a laugh, and console your boy's tears....lol

2-02-2009 @ 10:09PM

dinodeath don't worry, TIGER CHEERLEADERS never like it when I compare Tiger's record in Majors vs. Roger's record in Majors. I mean Tiger being age 33 with 14 majors and Roger being 27 with 13 majors and both won there first major at age 21 but Roger wining his first major 6 years and 25 majors after Tiger won his first. What TIGER CHEERLEADER would like that? What makes you think Roger is not going to past or equal Pete Sampras, he only needs 1 more major to do so where Tiger needs 4 more to be equal with Jack Nicklaus and considering Roger has been in the finals of 4 out of the last 5 majors and wining 1 why would you say something like that? Sounds to me like a JEALOUS TIGER CHEERLEADER! Want to put your MONEY where your MOUTH is and see who CRIES when Roger not only ties Pete's record, but BEATS IT?

| 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments