Wimbledon 2014 final: Federer vs Djokovic

[TsarMatt]

Tennis really is a beautiful (and, at times, cruel) sport. What a brilliant match.

 

[nehmeth]

We might be in for a classic.

From what I saw and from all reports from the various sports venues, it was a classic. Good call.

 

[Moxie]

^It was a great and very fine match. (And TsarMatt is amazing with the curated gifs. Nicely done!)

 

[GameSetAndMath]

OK. I found out the stat I was looking for and asked around. There were 36 long rallies
(that equaled or exceeded nine shots) in today's match. 18 of them were won by Fed
and 18 by Novak.

This is contrary to the general expectation that Fed will fail the longer the rally goes.

However, Novak had won the battle of medium rallies.

 

[Kieran]

It is my understanding that Novak took a toilet break after second set and Fed did after
4th set. Is that correct?

Also, when one player calls for a toilet break, can the other one also use it without
being "charged" a toilet break?

No, it's still a 50p charge to use the cubicle... :snigger

 

[Backhand_DTL]

Hey Billie - You must be buzzing right now. Good to see you on here. Top quality match... best I've seen Novak ever play on grass.

Not bad for a fourth best grass court player, eh, MR BB?

I wanted to insert a pic but I forgot howuzzled Could you please send me a short instruction on how to? I clicked on insert image and put my link there, but the image is not coming up?

Not bad at all! :blush:

I've got to say that was the best I've ever seen Novak play on grass, largely because other than a blip toward the end of the fourth, he never really dipped out of the intensity levels - something I expected him to do. He was totally focused from start to finish. From the opening bell, he looked like he was in the zone - The eye of the tiger.

I think Novak performed similarly well in the first two sets of the 2011 final, against Roddick at the Olympics or this year in the 4th round against Tsonga. But it's the first time it was not just a great performance of Novak, but that he really needed that kind of performance to win a great match. In the only comparable match on grass, the one against Del Potro in the semi final last year, which was actually extremely similar in how the final three sets turned out, Novak's level was certainly not as high as it was yesterday.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Roger brought his serve and a whole lot of heart AP. The forehand, ROS, and some pretty poor net play is what did him in. Too bad, but Nole deserved it.

late in the 5 set .. ESPN show a stat where each player had 171 points a piece...I thought it was really amazing tennis by both players and I really thought Roger threw everything he had a Djoker. Sure therer were a few FHs errors(shanks) but I thought Fed really played a great match.. I like the way he chip and charge late in the 4 set when he was down 2-5.. Nothing to hang his head about.. the best playerr prevailed on Sunday.. IMO

 

[herios]

I salute all my dear friends who are in Novak camp, it was a tremendous performance by our favorite player.
My stomach sank to my toes level at the end of set 4 I must say, but he was able to regroup fast
enough and pulled it off in the end...
I will be happy for a few weeks that is for sure!

 

[DarthFed]

Roger brought his serve and a whole lot of heart AP. The forehand, ROS, and some pretty poor net play is what did him in. Too bad, but Nole deserved it.

late in the 5 set .. ESPN show a stat where each player had 171 points a piece...I thought it was really amazing tennis by both players and I really thought Roger threw everything he had a Djoker. Sure therer were a few FHs errors(shanks) but I thought Fed really played a great match.. I like the way he chip and charge late in the 4 set when he was down 2-5.. Nothing to hang his head about.. the best playerr prevailed on Sunday.. IMO

Yes, Roger threw the kitchen sink at Novak, the only thing to regret is that sink didn't include the good forehand we are used to seeing. Effort was there and he handled the pressure moments brilliantly, just didn't have enough game aside from the serve. I can deal with that.

 

[shawnbm]

I was re-watching some of it last night and I now realize how truly great this was. Just like in 2008, Roger had not one (like he did against Rafa in '08) but two break points against Nole at the same point--3-3 in the fifth set--yet failed to convert. On both occasions, the younger gun hurled great services and play from the baseline to get out of what many thought was likely the end of the match with Federer serving the way he was. The similarity escaped me when I watched it live. Wow! It must make Roger feel even worse for being so close again and not getting it done.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I was re-watching some of it last night and I now realize how truly great this was. Just like in 2008, Roger had not one (like he did against Rafa in '08) but two break points against Nole at the same point--3-3 in the fifth set--yet failed to convert. On both occasions, the younger gun hurled great services and play from the baseline to get out of what many thought was likely the end of the match with Federer serving the way he was. The similarity escaped me when I watched it live. Wow! It must make Roger feel even worse for being so close again and not getting it done.

No, he had only one break point in the 5th set. This is why you should not watch when drunk.

 

[DarthFed]

I was re-watching some of it last night and I now realize how truly great this was. Just like in 2008, Roger had not one (like he did against Rafa in '08) but two break points against Nole at the same point--3-3 in the fifth set--yet failed to convert. On both occasions, the younger gun hurled great services and play from the baseline to get out of what many thought was likely the end of the match with Federer serving the way he was. The similarity escaped me when I watched it live. Wow! It must make Roger feel even worse for being so close again and not getting it done.

No, he had only one break point in the 5th set. This is why you should not watch when drunk.

You're right that it was just one break point, but there is no reason to be rude like that :nono

 

[Fiero425]

I was re-watching some of it last night and I now realize how truly great this was. Just like in 2008, Roger had not one (like he did against Rafa in '08) but two break points against Nole at the same point--3-3 in the fifth set--yet failed to convert. On both occasions, the younger gun hurled great services and play from the baseline to get out of what many thought was likely the end of the match with Federer serving the way he was. The similarity escaped me when I watched it live. Wow! It must make Roger feel even worse for being so close again and not getting it done.

No, he had only one break point in the 5th set. This is why you should not watch when drunk.

It's grass! Break points mean almost nothing; esp. in the old days! I remember in '86, poor Lendl had 0-40 a couple times and it didn't matter! Becker came back each time and finished him off in straight sets in the final! Same with Cash probably, but I can't remember that match very well from '87!

 

[shawnbm]

I was re-watching some of it last night and I now realize how truly great this was. Just like in 2008, Roger had not one (like he did against Rafa in '08) but two break points against Nole at the same point--3-3 in the fifth set--yet failed to convert. On both occasions, the younger gun hurled great services and play from the baseline to get out of what many thought was likely the end of the match with Federer serving the way he was. The similarity escaped me when I watched it live. Wow! It must make Roger feel even worse for being so close again and not getting it done.

No, he had only one break point in the 5th set. This is why you should not watch when drunk.

You're right that it was just one break point, but there is no reason to be rude like that :nono

Oh, that's okay, and thanks for your kind thoughts, but I think ol' GSM was joking. Truth be told, I was on my second vodka!!!!! At any rate, that makes the similarity between the two finals even more compelling.

 

[bobvance]

I'm very happy with how Federer performed yesterday. There's not much more you can ask of a 32-year old. He fought and fought hard, but Novak was just a little better.

By the way, I didn't read all the posts so don't know if this has already been posted, but this tweet by Andy Roddick was pretty hilarious:

http://i.imgur.com/KrvQRJy.jpg

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I was re-watching some of it last night and I now realize how truly great this was. Just like in 2008, Roger had not one (like he did against Rafa in '08) but two break points against Nole at the same point--3-3 in the fifth set--yet failed to convert. On both occasions, the younger gun hurled great services and play from the baseline to get out of what many thought was likely the end of the match with Federer serving the way he was. The similarity escaped me when I watched it live. Wow! It must make Roger feel even worse for being so close again and not getting it done.

No, he had only one break point in the 5th set. This is why you should not watch when drunk.

You're right that it was just one break point, but there is no reason to be rude like that :nono

I didn't mean to be rude. But, I should have added a smiley to make that clear.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

It is my understanding that Novak took a toilet break after second set and Fed did after
4th set. Is that correct?

Also, when one player calls for a toilet break, can the other one also use it without
being "charged" a toilet break?

No, it's still a 50p charge to use the cubicle... :snigger

I know you are joking. But, this is also a serious matter. Quite often people take
toilet breaks whose primary intent is not really answering nature's calls. It could
be gaming, thwarting the momentum, regrouping etc. People should not construe this
post as me blaming Novak for taking a toilet break at the end of 4th set.

Truth is everybody does it. Nadal has done so. Fed has done so. Quite often, they
even say openly. For example, Novak clearly told that he regroupd during the toilet
break.

Here is an article on toilet breaks

I think it is probably best to give predetermined toilet breaks which are officially scheduled
(say after the current game once the match had lasted for 2 hours or after 3 sets etc).
It would still have the effect of helping the player who is down at that time; but, at least
the players cannot choose the time of the break, much like a rain delay). Of course,
if both players refuse, the predetermined toilet break can be omitted.

 

[ftan]

Ok I am still not done sulking...fifth set is what troubling me.. after great 4th set.. it seemd like Roger left all his fight behind.. and that last game was a throwaway...

 

[Fiero425]

Ok I am still not done sulking...fifth set is what troubling me.. after great 4th set.. it seemd like Roger left all his fight behind.. and that last game was a throwaway...

Roger should feel great that it wasn't a straight set drubbing! Nole was off; esp. on "sitters" and his forehand! He should have run Federer around like a chicken, but just didn't have his usual sharpness! The UFE were inexplicable at times, even though overall there weren't that many in comparison to winners! :nono :angel:

 

[DarthFed]

^ What crack are you smoking. Nole had like 25 UE's in 5 long sets (granted that is Wimbledon scoring). Even Roger played relatively clean, his problem is he wasn't playing aggressive enough, particularly on the forehand wing.

Roger should feel great about nothing. In the end he got a dinner plate and some nice cash. The former was never good enough for him and he doesn't need anymore of the latter. We should remember that greatness is only achieved in winning. Aside from dying on court there is nothing worse than losing.