Roger-Rafa: One-on-one again?

By: Sakshi Khanna

Tennis has gained popularity undoubtedly, however, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are making tennis the best sport to watch these days. Federer versus Nadal is starting to look like a true tennis rivalry, in which each player is capable of getting the upper hand. Any rivalry in sports makes the particular game exciting, and Roger-Rafael clash is no less. However, it is not tennis` first, previously too tennis has been dominated by McEnroe-Borg and Sampras-Agassi clashes. Fedex –Rafa too is a great clash... the top two contenders fighting for Grand Slam titles. This fierce rivalry heats up again at Wimbledon-2007, the most prestigious title of all the four Grand Slams. Roger Federer occupies the top spot in the seedings followed by second ranked Rafael Nadal. And they have always been one-on-one and there ain’t no hiding. For the proofs, it was quite apparent at this year’s Roland Garros Final. It was a make or break match for both the players. For Federer, the French Open was a missing link in a career of the reputed Grand Slams wins. For Nadal, the title would have made him the first player ever since Bjorn Borg (1978-1881) to win three consecutive French Open titles. At Roland Garros, Roger’s reign was on hold with Nadal’s dominance. But Nadal made no mistake and Federer’s efforts were all in vain. As they say, champions are made from something they have deep inside them- a desire, a dream and a vision. And Nadal ruled French Open with all that and moreover, a consistency in his game. And to top it all, he had the advantage of playing with the left-hand. Rafael Nadal is a three-time Grand Slam champion, having won three consecutive French Open titles (2005-2007), coveted Wimbledon title above all. This ‘undisputed king of clay’ is undefeated in his career in French but is yet to leave a mark at Wimbledon. His victory in Wimbledon will make him the first Spanish in 41 years, after Manuel Santana in 1966, to win this title. While Nadal and everyone else is still chasing Federer on grass, Federer is chasing the past champions. He is now just one title away from matching Bjorn Borg`s record of five consecutive titles. Nadal has confirmed his superiority on clay and it is now Federer’s chance to take the revenge at the Wimbledon. At clay court, Nadal proved to be stronger than Federer. And looking at Nadal’s game, one ponders whether Nadal will conquer Wimbledon as well. Federer is a very versatile player. He hits all fundamental shots with high degree of proficiency. He is an adept volleyer and his footwork, balance and court coverage are exceptional and he is, supposedly, the fastest mover in the game. His relaxed style in playing belies his aggressive tactics. No doubt, Federer is incredible on the Wimbledon surface. Federer will face tough competition this year from contenders like Andy Murray and Andy Roddick who recently won Queens Club Championship. However, considering last year’s final, Nadal could be the biggest threat again. Nadal surprisingly made his entry to the Wimbledon finals last year, terminating Andre Agassi’s career on his way. After ending Federer’s dream in French Open, Nadal seems to be all set to defeat him at Wimbledon too. Who can forget Roger Ferderer’s win over Pete Sampras in the fourth round of Wimbledon-2001, at a point when Sampras was one title away from a record of five consecutive Wimbledon titles. Will history repeat itself and favour a new champion? Nadal’s victory at Wimbledon will make him the first player since Bjorn Borg to follow a French Open win with victory at Wimbledon. A player is usually either good at one or other, not both. However, Nadal and Federer are clearly the two favourites who can play exceptionally well and with great proficiency on any court. The difference being that on that particular day, the better one triumphs. The odds for the Wimbledon title this year are heavily in favour of Federer. But in this game nothing is really certain. Remember, this year Federer ended Nadal’s dominance on clay by defeating him in Hamburg??? So can anything be said about the great champion Federer, when Nadal is imposing his supremacy?? But for now, in the ‘battle of the surfaces’, will it be another Roger-Rafa final???