Column: Roger Federer prepares to face a Spanish lefty (Rafael Nadal?) in the Australian Open final

1/29/09
roger federer
By Max J. Dickstein

Column: Roger Federer prepares to face a Spanish lefty (Rafael Nadal?) in the Australian Open final

Photo credit: Game Face

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By Max J. Dickstein

Roger Federer, one win from tying Pete Sampras with a 14th major title on Sunday, has nothing — and everything — to prove.

He is one of history’s greatest athletes, but Federer’s best-matched contemporary, Rafael Nadal, owns a 12-6 record against him. Federer has made 19 straight Grand Slam semifinals, but a major title on clay, at the French Open, still eludes the 27-year-old Swiss.

Whether it is top-ranked Nadal or the sizzling 14th seed, Fernando Verdasco, a Spanish lefty will be second-seeded Federer’s foe in the Australian Open final. (The Spaniards played Friday, a day after Federer crushed Andy Roddick, 6-2, 7-5, 7-5, in the first men’s semifinal.)

Federer’s career doesn’t parallel those of Patrick Ewing or Dan Marino or other all-time greats who couldn’t “win the big one.” Federer has already done so 13 times over. Rather, the perception is that this tennis player’s accolades, more sterling with each Grand Slam, do not yet reflect the utter perfection he could achieve.

Federer is like a master builder who has lain the foundation for his greatest project and built its first 13 floors. Now, with time and 22-year-old Nadal as his opponents, Federer is trying to complete the project by tying Sampras’ record Sunday and then by winning this June on Paris clay — cementing his legacy.
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roger federer

Column: Roger Federer prepares to face a Spanish lefty (Rafael Nadal?) in the Australian Open final

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