| p>Why? You may ask and so may Roger, the | | | | been completly different! |
| answer is very simple. During the whole match Roger | | | | In the fourth set Nadal saved one break point in his first |
| hit seven backhand slices and from this variation won | | | | service game by winning a 23-point rally. Does Federer |
| 6 points, this is 90% success! He also hit one forced | | | | now regret he did not sneak in three or four slice |
| slice error as last resort on the stretch, which I do not | | | | backhands to win that game? Sure he does! Would |
| count. | | | | that break have made a difference? Of course it |
| What does this mean? Roger was being stubborn and | | | | would. |
| wanting to beat Nadal at Nadal's own game with | | | | The final score was: |
| gruelling top-spin rallies. If Roger instead of hiting 100% | | | | R. Federer 3 6 3 4 |
| of topspin backhands, had he mixed the slice only 60% | | | | R. Nadal 6 4 6 6 |
| of the times, statistically he would have won 50% | | | | Going back to applying the slice theory and the |
| more points! What would this mean for the match? | | | | success rate it implied, had Roger instead of hiting |
| Roger would have won the match in 3 straight sets! | | | | 100% of topspin backhands, if he had mixed the slice |
| Mind boggling! | | | | only 60% of the times, statistically he would have won |
| Now I go back to why Roger did not use the slice and | | | | 50% more points, with the final score more like; |
| I have to go back to when men lived incaves, did not | | | | R. Federer 6 6 6 |
| take showers, stinking like a swine was a macho thing, | | | | R. Nadal 3 2 4 |
| and they would rather die then shed a tear or two. | | | | With this I am just demonstrating the price you pay for |
| Yes, it was about the "macho", ego, thing, "I am going | | | | "macho", ego play and making your opponent look |
| to beat you at your own game". Costly mistake, you | | | | good by playing his game! |
| can not do that against Nadal, he does not take | | | | Given the circumstances above mentioned, Nadal very, |
| showers either! (Just kidding!) | | | | very deservingly won another Roland Garros. Keep in |
| Looking at the match and applying the slice theory on | | | | mind that the physical and mental performance of |
| the first Set, Roger had ten break points and did not | | | | Nadal, illustrates that extremely hard work on and off |
| capitalize on any. Two break points in the fourth game, | | | | the court is behind it. |
| five in the sixth game and then three at 0/40 in the | | | | Here again I can not say the same about Roger's |
| eighth game. Using the backhand slice at a 90% | | | | physical status, which in my opinion was already very |
| success rate the first set would have gone 6/2 or 6/3 | | | | suspicious in 2006, in the Roland Garros match against |
| to Federer and that is being generous to Nadal. | | | | David Nalbandian, where a serious stomach injury |
| In the second set Roger at 5-3 had four set points in | | | | forced Nalbandian to abandon. This leads me to |
| the ninth game, applying the slice 3 times would have | | | | believe that someone at the Federer camp is just not |
| sufficed to win the set 6/3 and start serving for the | | | | doing his job as conditioning/fitness trainer. |
| third set (what a difference it would have made). | | | | Finally, I know Roger is disappointed for losing, but he |
| Instead the topspin backhand prevailed and Federer | | | | must be proud of himself, he played some dazzling |
| was forced to serve out the set. | | | | tennis troughout the tournament like none of his peers |
| Psychologically, the third set would have been much | | | | can, he is a great champion and millions of us wish him |
| different with Federer two sets to love up and serving | | | | better luck next time. |
| first. But, that was not the case and Nadal started | | | | Nadal's gutsy play and the way he stood up to a 95% |
| serving and broke Federer's first service game to rush | | | | Federer crowd, deserves hats off and a bow. The |
| to a 3-0 lead. In that set Federer paid the price for | | | | "kid" from Majorca is a true champion! Congratulations, |
| tentative approach shots to the net and a repeat of | | | | Rafa! |
| trading cross-court backhands to the high-kicking | | | | What should you learn from this? Never ever let your |
| forehands from Nadal. Even here if the slice theory | | | | ego get in the way of victory! |
| would have been applied the story line would have | | | | |