Mind over Matter

Time to regroup and find a way to hoist another trophy. This is what Roger Federer must be thinking after another loss to Andy Murray of Britain in Indian Wells, California. It seems Andy has an inside source on Federer after winning his 6th match against Federer out of 8 career matches.

I honestly don't know what to think about Roger at this point in time. At the start of the season I thought he would take the Australian Open with force to tie Sampras for the all-time grand slam mark but it was derailed by none other than his nemesis Nadal. After losing his #1 ranking to Nadal last year, it seemed Roger had a chip on his shoulder and something to prove in 2009 but it seems to be moving backwards, sideways at best. Some may point to his 6 week rest, to recoup from a back injury, as the reason for his loss to Andy but I am starting to doubt that. It seems there is something going on behind the eyes and in the heart of one of the greatest tennis players to play the game.

After winning every tournament he entered it just seemed to easy. Once a champion is challenged and is stripped of his crown what happens next is what proves to the world how great a champion he truly was and is. Every time Roger leaves the court with a loss it seems the only thing that is reported is the fact he was injured, sick, his oppoenent played flawlessly, or Federer just had a bad day on the court. I think there is more to the story than what is reported and what is spewed from Federer's mouth.

Remember the days when Chuck Knoblauch suddenly starting throwing the ball 20-30ft over the first basemans head, he was tossing it from the 2nd base position! It wasn't anything physical but something in the mind. This is what I am thinking about Roger. After losing his title as the greatest tennis player and having people question his ability to regain the #1 spot and with the pressure of being so close to the career grand slam record, I think his mind is playing tricks on him.

The more I see Roger in tournaments the more I think of someone who is struggling with his confidence, his ability to will himself on the court to drop the volley, hit the running forehand winner down the line, and call up the ace when needed. How is a human suppose to succeed when he/she doesn't even believe they themselves can do it. When everyone around you is starting to question your ability, your mind will most likely follow and begin the tricks that have plagued past greats.

I hope this isn't the case and Roger is able to find a new way to win tournaments and bring home the career grand slam, even if it means taking it away from one of my favourite tennis players of all time, Pistol Pete. But heck, records were made to be broken.

No matter what anyone tells you Roger, the mind is stronger than the body.

Tennis Anyone?

Looking at the calendar and the last thing on any sports fan's mind is tennis but the 2009 season is almost here. It seems like yesterday that the tennis season ended but for me I tend to turn away from tennis right after the conclusion of the US Open in Flushing Meadows New York. This year, after Federer won, I completely drifted away from tennis and the "minor" tournaments that occurred after Labour Day weekend.

But this year it seems that there will be plenty of action and questions to be answered. At this point last year we all thought it was Federer who was going to come and take over the career Grand Slam title away from Pete Sampras but it turned out that Roger was human after all. Losing in his first three Grand Slams Federer was thought to be in his twilight of his career until his run at the US Open.

This time around there are more story lines than just Roger and his pursuit Grand Slam immortality. We have a new #1 in Nadal, we have young guns Djokovic, Murray, and of course the unpredictable American Andy Roddick. All these guys bring a true sense of competition to the table and I am glad they are here. It is nice to see Roger win, I have enjoyed his success, but at times it just seems too easy and this bores me. Watching guys slug it out for 3-4hours through 5 set matches filled with tie-breakers is what entertains me and what all fans should be rooting for. This is excitement, this is where tennis players show us who they really are, and most importantly this is where the fans sit on the edge of their seats or stay glued to their screens. This is how the game will grow it's audience and bring new faces to the game of tennis.

I think tennis needs a season filled with multiple winners and fierce battles that last longer than straight set championship wins. With Nadal and the young guns trying to take the spotlight from Federer. I want to see Federer come back and prove his age isn't catching up on him and show the world he is ready to take what was once his, the thrown of tennis.

Not only will this competition bring me back to tennis it will bring new fans and reinvigorate fans, like myself, who have drifted away from the game because of the lack of surprise and lack of excitement.

January 5th, Qatar Open, the season begins.


Photo Courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.