 |
Roland Garros 2009
Brawler Federer wins popularity and quarter-final
by Paul Myers
Article published on the 2009-06-04 Latest update 2009-06-05 14:39 TU
Roger Federer celebrates his quarter-final victory over Gael Monfils at the French Open on June 3, 2009
(Photo: Reuters/Vincent Kessler)
I’m a dad and I like tennis. But that doesn’t make me a tennis dad. They’re the kind of chaps who push their offspring to the limit so that they become unnatural born killers on the court.
While chatting with one of my antipodean colleagues the other day, I was told that one lad from Down Under was refused lifts home by his old man if the poor bairn lost a match. Well there’s motivational stimulus.
I guess it’s all about your system of values. And the blog’s ability to rationalise is being sorely tested during the 2009 tournament.
Let me set out the salient facts: a man who has won 58 career titles including 13 of the most prestigious trophies and amassed some $40 million dollars in prize money is being vociferously supported to do well here.
Yes it’s true. I know it beggars belief. But step forward one Roger Federer. He’s to be a father soon. A super tennis dad – if you will.
And why’s he the darling of the masses? Because he has never won the French Open. The red clay of Paris has been his problem patch. He’s reached the final for the past three years but has been beaten on each occasion by Rafael Nadal.
But with Nadal already back at his swimming pool in Spain, Federer can plan his strategy to deal with the Argentine fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro on Friday afternoon.
On Thursday night after he got past the showman incarnate Gael Monfils, underachieving Roger revealed that the people are heaping good will on him with a vengeance.
He said he was getting the thumbs-up sign and other signals to do well as he went round in the courtesy car.
Testament to this support came at the start of his quarter-final match with Monfils, who is a darling of the masses for his all-action style.
As the 11th-seeded Frenchman emerged onto the centre court sunshine, there was a huge roar from the 14,000 or so spectators.
When Federer came out there was an equal din.
And so it continued throughout the match, which wasn’t as close as their clash in last year’s semi-final.
Federer saved a set point during the first set tie break, eventually winning it eight points to six. He raced away with the second 6-2 and took the third 6-4.
Frankly it wasn’t the full-blooded classic that had been anticipated but underdog Rog won’t mind that.
Scrappy will do just as well in the dirt. And maybe that’s the difference this year. After being accustomed to silky victories for so long, he’s perhaps coming to terms with brawling. And with his child to be born within a month or so - he’d better get used to bawling.
l
