Federer does the Grand Slam

I finally saw what I had thought was beyond Roger Federer. I saw him lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy on the Philip Chatrier Court and complete his Grand Slam. He now joins a select group of people who have won all four Slams. Quite an achievement considering the fact that Rafael Nadal was hell bent on denying him that Grand Slam.

There is no doubt he deserved this. For the last 6-7 years he has been the best player in tennis. Some would debate if he is better than Sampras as well. I would reserve judgment on that but now that he has conquered the French Open as well (something which eluded Sampras all through his illustrious career), I think he is better.

Roger Federer is no doubt the best tennis player ever. His icy calmness and impeccable shot selection, the ease with which he outwits his opponents is just way too amazing. I remember seeing him play Andy Roddick once. Roddick was hammering his serves at over 200 kmph while Federer was simply defending them with ease and then proceeding to outplay him totally. I remember seeing the look of total disbelief on Roddick’s face…he was frankly shocked at being so surgically torn apart. And Roddick has never been the same after that.

But the main question is – would he have won the French Open had Nadal been in the final? Now, this is an intriguing question. Against Soderling, Nadal was totally outplayed. But he looked tired and was probably nursing an ankle injury (which might rule him out of Wimbledon as well). Soderling, like many others, was simply a one-tournament wonder. I can bet with certainty that he won’t make it to another Slam final ever again. Against Federer, he just gave up. First set was a farce and he woke up in the second set but then Federer was in total control.

But had Federer faced a fully fit Nadal, he may have struggled to impose himself on the Spaniard. Quite simply, the result would have been different. Maybe Federer would never have completed the Grand Slam. And I firmly believe that this is Federer’s first and only French Open (provided Nadal does not lose again).

Roger Federer will never beat Rafael Nadal in the French Open…