All about the (possible) GOAT.

Well, we have a lot to talk about.
the GOAT?

First, congratulations to Roger Federer for beating Soderling in straight sets to complete his Career Slam and tie Pete Sampras for the most Grand Slams in the Open Era, 14. Perhaps the most entertaining part of the final was the Barcelona soccer fan rushing the court and trying to put a hat on Federer's head.

The only other interesting aspect of the final was waiting to see how nerves would get to Fed. I think that swinging volley that gave Soderling a break point at 5-4 was about as nervous as I've ever seen him. Luckily for Fed, he ran into someone who wasn't even close to ready to win a Slam.

As expected, this now raises the question of, "Is Roger the greatest ever?"

For once I'm actually going to agree with Mary Carillo on this one. Her response was that she was going to save her opinion until Nadal's career was complete. Nadal, if healthy, has a real shot at making a strong case for himself. Unfortunately, that seems to be a huge 'if'.

It came out that Nadal has tendinitis in both knees that has been affecting him physically and mentally over the past few months. I think we all saw something wrong with him at the French. Kudos to Soderling, but lets get real...quite simply, Rafa was about 60%. He is going to undergo treatment and try and defend his Wimbledon title later this month, but honestly, no one knows how bad his knees are right now.

Back to the possible GOAT(Greatest of All Time): Roger is a great guy, great for the sport, and quite a choice for the best ever. However, one French Open win and he is back to his old overconfident and stuck up remarks.

In an article for ESPN (found HERE) Federer was asked about Wimbledon and went on to proclaim himself the favorite because of his new found French Open title and "with all the success I've had." He didn't stop there. He then went on to downplay Nadal's injury, saying that,
" He seemed fine, [from] what I saw, anyway. I've played him so many times, I can tell when he's in pain and when he's not. "

Fed also was quoted saying, "It seems like it's not 100 percent serious, his knee injury."

Let's see, First: Rafa really seems like a faker and an excuse maker. I'm sure that he is just making up an injury that he might have to miss his favorite tournament of the year because of.

Second: "With all the success I've had." Roger, you won a French Open by beating no one. You've lost your number 1 ranking, and have only two titles this year. Not to mention, everyone was declaring you just about dead a few weeks ago. I'm sorry to say, but Federer should have lost twice in that tournament, maybe three times. Haas had him on the brink, Del Potro outplayed him for most of the match, and Acasuso should have won in straight sets. Sure, he battled his way through the draw, and beat everyone that was put in front of him. But in the end, he beat no one. There are the big 4 in tennis, and then everyone else. He beat NO ONE in the top 4. He won the French Open because he was the last man standing who had enough guts to win.

Nadal is still, by a mile, the King of Clay. He was obviously bothered by an injury in the tournament, and didn't look anything like his former self. For Federer to say he is barely injured, is absurd. It is Roger trying to prove to everyone that he won the French Open, and is now the King of tennis. To admit Rafa was a fraction of himself would make everyone say.."Yea Fed won...BUT Rafa was hurt." Say what you will about Rafa, his injury or Federer, but I think any tennis fan in there right mind knew that if that was Nadal on the other side of the net in the final...Fed would still be waiting for his glorious French Open.

14 Grand Slams and a Career Slam is amazing. But let's keep it in perspective here and not jump yourself to the king of the world again. It wasn't too long ago that an over-cocky Federer was turned into an uncontrollable crying beaten man in Australia at the hands of a humble Nadal. Roger had a feeling of invincibility, and then Rafa came along. Rafa, the quiet, humble, Spaniard slowly, but surely wrestled greatness from him one win at a time. Roger, stay humble, because if you don't it's going to come back again to bite you.

One win and he's all of a sudden unbeatable again, and the favorite? It's interesting that Federer would declare himself the favorite going into Wimbledon. Am I Mistaken or is there still a number 2 next to his name. When the draw comes out, if Rafa is in it, Federer will be number 2. The only way on earth Federer is the favorite is if Nadal comes into Wimbledon like he did the French, injured. And until Federer beats Nadal on a big stage, while there both healthy, he will be number 2.

Hopefully Rafa will get healthy enough to play, and defend his title. One thing is for sure, there will certainly be a Swiss superstar quite nervous if the first match of Wimbledon on Centre Court is the defending champion and World Number 1, Rafael Nadal.

FOLLOW FED/DEL POTRO LIVE

Hey all, since no TV coverage is available for Fed/Del Potro(sad but true...)...I'm twittering the match live while watching the live scoreboard and listening to Radio Roland Garros...

Check out my Twitter Page for all the latest...

6 Sets Away...

Fed's draw has been so good, it looks rigged. On a day where he should be getting ready for entering a Djokovic semi and then Nadal final...instead he's getting ready for Del Potro and Soderling/Gonzalez

Roger Federer is 6 sets away from his first French Open Title, and the Career Slam, something that doesn't happen quite to often in tennis.

Is it even possible for anyone to think that he is going to lose now? Let's see...

Rafa, his nemesis and King of Clay, loses.
Djokovic, a guy who gives him all sorts of troubles, is out.
Murray, another dangerous # 3 in the world that Fed was weary of, out.

Who does that leave?

Well it leaves Gonzalez, Del Potro, and Soderling. All three players combined have one win against Federer, and that is Gonzalez.

I think it's safe to say Roger is going to be moving along to his first French Open, right?
Well, after pretty much guaranteeing a Rafa victory at this tournament, I won't say anything is for sure, but let's just say I wouldn't put any money down on anyone else.

Gonzalez gives Fed some trouble sometimes(but never beats him...OK once out of 13 times), and is the most experienced of the other three, but you have to think he'll have his hands full with Soderling if the Swede continues to dominate. If Soderling makes the final, chances are that the moment will be way to big for him to handle.

So all you Rafa fans out there that want Fed to lose, the only chance I guess is Del Potro in the semis. Poetically, he has the best chance because it is his chance to avenge his crushing loss to Fed at the Australian, where I believe there were 2 bagel sets involved. Del Potro is going to come out on a mission, and wants to prove he is a legit top 5 player, and can hang with the big boys.
The bad news is that I think Roger has too much game, and is going to put Del Potro in uncomfortable positions on the court. Del Po is huge, and loves to stand back the baseline with his huge wind up and smack his forehand. His 6'6 body doesn't make him ideal for playing short slices, or really being stretched awkwardly. Who better than Roger to execute that game plan?

Semi's should be fun, and we know we'll have a new French Open Champion crowd.

Who else is rooting for a Del Potro/Soderling final?

The King is Done

I think it's safe to say that he won't ever wear a pink shirt again.


Hi everyone...hopefully you've all been checking out my Twitter Page during the French. I've been updating as much as possible, but figured I'd write a new blog now because one of the biggest upsets in sports this year has just happened.

Soderling DEFEATS Nadal 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-6(2)

Unreal. Thanks to a brilliant embargo by NBC, I haven't seen the match yet ans therefore can't say much about it...but what a shock.

Soderling hates Nadal...we all knew that since there epic encounter at Wimbledon a few years ago that seemed to go on over 16 days because of rain, and went 5. Soderling would play mind games with Rafa, and even made fun of his trademark wedgie pick.

Of all the guys in the draw, all the dangerous dirt ballers...a predominately indoor player beats Nadal.

Again, I haven't seen the match so can't say much but that it is a shocking defeat, and makes you appreciate just how much pressure a number 1 seed has.

Keep checking Twitter, and this French just became much more open.

Roger Beats The King

Step One Back To Number One.


In a pretty poorly played encounter (compared to the classics they usually have) Roger Federer defeated Rafael Nadal on Sunday to win his first title of '09, and get rid of a few of the demons that have been haunting him, and taking his first real step towards getting back his beloved number one world ranking.

Isn't this how tennis always goes? Everyone writes Fed off, he stinks, he can't play on hard court even anymore, Nadal has surpassed him in every way...and then BOOM. He beats him in straight sets, routinely.

6-4, 6-4 was the score after about an hour and a half.

First, let's go over what happened.

FIRST SET: Nadal came out and had break points in a few service games early, but wasn't his usual rock-solid self. He let a few opportunities slip away, and at 4 all, he blinked to give Fed to break and the set.

SECOND SET: Fed came out and got the break fairly early thanks to Rafa's out of character backhand errors. Rafa's movement looked off, and Fed's aggressive style made him look like the better player for most of the match. At 5-4 serving, Fed found himself down 15-40...and just when you could see Fed starting to say, "Please God, NO."...Rafa gave him a few points and Fed finished with an ace. As he walked up to the net he pointed his index finger in the air (I guess to signify number one?) Well, Rog, let's not go crazy...you're CLEARLY the second best player so far in '09. Yes, you did beat Rafa on clay, in Spain, but here's a few reasons why...

Reasons why Fed won the match(that he controlled):

-He played more aggressively than usual, taking big cuts at the ball and chances on his return games.
-He moved well, and kept Rafa out of the middle of the court.
-He believed
-He worked his way in to the net when needed, and also used the drop shot.

Reasons why Fed won the match (that he didn't control):
-Rafa was obviously exhausted on court.
-Djokovic's 4 hour battle with him in the semis took more out of him than anyone thought.
-His movement looked much worse than usual (knee?)
-It was a best of 3 set match, not best of 5.
-It wasn't the French Open.

All that said, give Fed some credit, he played a great match and showed he can still be a realistic factor at Roland Garros. This match certainly made the French more interesting next week. However, something tells me Rafa is going to put that match in his memory bank if he does play Roger in the final, and I don't think an extra chippy Nadal isn't something that Roger would like to deal with.


Stay tuned to my blog for some French Open Preview editions, and during the Slam for extended coverage. Don't forget to check out, and sign up for my Twitter page, where I'll be updating you on what's going on, by the moment, during the French as best as I can.


Talk soon

Rafa/Roger...again.

It took a Herculean effort from Rafa against Djokovic saving four match points, but he is safely into the finals.

Fed's road was a bit easier, to say the least, downing Del Potro in 2 relatively comfortable sets.

So we are where we have been countless times before: Going into Sunday's final with a pretty well rested Fed is going to play a beat up Nadal. Rafa's 4 hour marathon with Novak HAD to have taken something out of him. BUT, like i said, we've been here before. Remember the Aussie? Rafa played a 20 hour match with Verdasco in the semis and was supposed to be too tired. Well, that was wrong, and anyone who thinks Rafa won't come out tomorrow the same as he always does is also wrong.

I can't wait for the next chapter of this classic rivalry. Fed has as good of a chance as he's ever going to have. Rafa is a little tired, and it's best out of three sets.

Rafa is going to come out and do what he always does...fight for his life. Kick balls high up to the Fed backhand, make a huge amount of first serves in, play within himself, run down balls, and open up the court with angles.

Fed will have to try something different. His normal game simply won't work. I have heard people say that he should serve and volley, and I agree with this to an extent, but he doesn't want to become a bulls eye for the Raging Spanish Bull. He needs to play insanely aggressive. Go for outright winner, come in, drop shot, serve big...play high risk clay-court tennis.

That all said, i still think that tomorrow's match will end the same way Rafa's match ended today...with the Spanish crowd chanting, "RA-FA, RA-FA."

Enjoy and tune in. Anyone who doesn't have the tennis channel, I will do my best to follow the match live on my Twitter page.

Early Madrid Results

Hey everyone...since it's a Masters event, I figured I'd update you guys on what has been going on.


Firstly, Tennis Channel is actually covering the tournament well...it is pretty much on 6 am to midnight every night. For those of us lucky enough to have it (me) we get the pleasure of listening to heavily accented commentators who know their stuff.

Rafa opened up his tournament today like a bull, wiping the clay with Jurgen Melzer 3 and 1. My Twitter placed the over under on games Rafa will lose this entire tournament at 15.

Verdasco is through to the third round comfortably along with Fed, Djokovic, and Murray.

No huge upsets yet, but it's still early. Fed has a close second set with Soderling, but was never in doubt.

Best story so far? To me it's Ivan Ljubicic. If I remember correctly I featured him as one of the players that is done this year, but he has proven me wrong. He beat Tsonga yesterday in a slug fest and looks rejuvenated. If he's mentally into it and serving well, Ivan is very tough to beat on any surface.

Later today Florent Serra takes on Davydenko and Andy Roddick takes on Tommy Haas. Check out my Twitter page for my take on those matches.

Take Care

-Tiebreak

Blake reaches Estoril Semis

Hi all,



As promised, lets get into this weeks action. The first tournament going on is the Estoril Open.

[7] A Montanes (ESP) d [1] [WC] G Simon (FRA) 57 64 76(4) - saved 1 M.P. --Simon is really slipping.
[2] N Davydenko (RUS) d [6] M Fish (USA) 64 63: Good to see Nikolay back after his injury.
[4] J Blake (USA) d [8] F Serra (FRA) 64 61: Good effort for Blake.
P Capdeville (CHI) d O Hernandez (ESP) 46 61 64 : Dirt war.

I must say, even though I'm not a huge fan of Blake (and think he is overrated, and a terrible clay courter) I have to give him a lot of credit. A lot of the Americans don't even bother playing warm-ups for the French, and try to make their European clay swing as short as humanly possible. Blake is playing on the red stuff this year, and I have to commend him. He knows he has no chance of winning the French, or even making it to the quarters(I think)...but then again did Martin Verkerk have a chance a few years ago?

Another tournament going on is the BMW Open, which doesn't really have that much going on. Berdych beat Hewitt today in a third set breaker, and that's about all that is interesting.

The last tournament is the first ever Serbian Open...Serbia has to win the award for the most flashy players, whether it's doing impressions or wearing Oakley's...they seem to have some personality.

[2] I Karlovic (CRO) d [Q] F Cipolla (ITA) 63 63 Big serving Croat keeps rolling
[4] A Seppi (ITA) d M Daniel (BRA) 64 75 Seppi is an underrated Clay courter
[LL] L Kubot (POL) d K Vliegen (BEL) 76(6) 63 Polish lucky loser making it to an ATP semi...good for him.
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d [5] V Troicki (SRB) 63 62 Djokovic moves a step closer to his home title.

Take care...don't forget to check out the TiebreakTennis Twitter!

17 Days...

Hey everyone and welcome to the beginning of the Slam season. My college season is over, along with my classes and that means I'm going to launch the blog again.
So, my last post was Feb. 8, and nothing has really changed since. Fed keeps losing (a lot it seems) and Rafa is in the clay season, which means that his opponents are struggling to win games against him.

Perhaps the most interesting storyline in tennis that is starting to develop is the battle for 2,3, and 4 in the world. Fed, Djokovic, and Murray are in a real dogfight for those positions, and are all close enough that a big result in a Slam can change it. As it is, Murray just took the 3 spot from Novak after Novak's loss to Rafa in Rome.

Murray hasn't had a great year on clay so far, but I'm looking for him to have a pretty big result in France. As for Novak, I think he has the best chance to beat Rafa at the French, and that's a zero percent chance (OK, 0.01%).

The question I have is, with 17 days to go until Roland Garros, are they even going to play the tournament, or are they going to give the trophy to Nadal now. He is arguably playing the best ever on clay right now, and after last year (or the past 4) is that possible?

Poor Fed...Fed's struggles continue. I mean he still is getting to semis for the most part, but every time he plays a top 5 guy, it seems like he is losing. I'm still going to stand strong and say that I am not going to write him off until he loses before the quarters in a Slam. The scary thing is that could be this year at the French.

Check the bottom of my blog for some more tennis news and scores.

I'll pick up this weeks tournaments, as usual, in the quarterfinals.

** I'm also excited to tell you guys about a new aspect to Tiebreak.

I've just made a Twitter account for the blog, which is going to focus mostly on the Slams. During the French, Wimbledon, and US Open, I'll be posting throughout the day live scores, thoughts, and more as I'm watching all the action.
Until the Slams, I'll post a thought or tip every once in a while.

The website is Http://Twitter.com/TiebreakTennis
Check it out. Sign up and follow if you like. During the Slam's the site is going to be updated a lot.

Talk to you soon.

-Tiebreak

Roger Cries, Rafa's Reign Survives.

2 Is the Loneliest Number.
Hello everyone.  Welcome to my first post since the latest installment of the Rafa/Roger rivalry that silenced the few who still doubted Rafa.  Now, to add to his Wimbledon and French crowns, he has a hard court Slam.  With the win Rafa showed a few things...

1- He is, by far, the fittest person in tennis in the entire universe.

2- He owns Roger.

3.  If he stays healthy, he might end up being better than Fed when it's all said and done.  

What did i just say?  I know, I can't believe it either.  It's time for us to legitimately start to consider Rafael as a possible greatest of all time.  He stand at 6 Slams right now, and you have to figure he's going to win at least 2 more French Opens guaranteed.  The sky is the limit for Nadal now, obviously the question is will he hold up...personally I think he's going to be winning Slams until about 28...that still gives him quite a bit of time.  

As far as Roger goes, another Slam final, another disappointing step backwards away from Rafa and the #1 ranking.  His crying during the awards ceremony was heartbreaking to tennis fans.  Personally I think it took a little away from Rafa's win...but not intentionally.  Also who am I to judge, I am inconsolable after a college match loss, forget about what I'd be like losing a Slam final to my nemesis attempting to tie the greatest record in pro tennis. 

It should be fun to see how Roger handles this, especially going into the French Open, where Rafa looks like a lock.  

Talk to you all soon.