ROGER FEDERER, A man who is overly magnanimous in defeat usually, gave the world a tiny reminder last night that he is human after all.
And, like most humans, he really doesn’t like losing.
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Speaking after his agonising semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic, Federer was asked for his thoughts on the stunning forehand return which the Serb pulled out to save the first of two match points — a shot described by John McEnroe as one of the best returns in tennis history.
“I remember losing junior matches and being down 5-2 in the third and they start slapping shots and they all go in for some reason. That’s the way they grew up playing when they were down.
I never play that way. I believe hard work’s going to pay off. [...] So for me this is very hard for me to understand how you can play a shot like that on match point.
“But maybe he’s been doing it for 20 years. Maybe for him it’s very normal. You’ll have to ask him.”
I guess Fed really fancied himself to win grand slam number 17 tomorrow evening. Ouch.
Roger Federer was really hurting after last night's defeat
ROGER FEDERER, A man who is overly magnanimous in defeat usually, gave the world a tiny reminder last night that he is human after all.
And, like most humans, he really doesn’t like losing.
Speaking after his agonising semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic, Federer was asked for his thoughts on the stunning forehand return which the Serb pulled out to save the first of two match points — a shot described by John McEnroe as one of the best returns in tennis history.
“Some players grow up and play like that,” Federer said of Djokovic’s balls-out approach, before hinting that such desperation was beneath him.
“I remember losing junior matches and being down 5-2 in the third and they start slapping shots and they all go in for some reason. That’s the way they grew up playing when they were down.
“But maybe he’s been doing it for 20 years. Maybe for him it’s very normal. You’ll have to ask him.”
I guess Fed really fancied himself to win grand slam number 17 tomorrow evening. Ouch.
[h/t Busted Racquet]
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Bad Beat Novak Djokovic Roger Federer US Open Tennis 2011