| Roger Federer is now 28. While 28 years old is by no | | | | would appear that he isn't. However, it's quite obvious |
| means old in the real world (and even in most sports), | | | | that he was fatigued (either mentally or physically) in |
| in tennis years, 28 is rather old. Many players retire | | | | 2008, as he struggled mightily through the year. |
| before 30, and others who do play into their early 30s | | | | While Federer bounced back in a big way in 2009, he |
| quickly lose effectiveness. | | | | did lose a US Open final match to Juan Martin Del |
| Years and years of playing on the pro tour eventually | | | | Potro, showing signs that he may be slowing down a |
| takes its toll on tennis players, and they often have a | | | | bit. This was a tournament that he had won five |
| hard time keeping their bodies fresh to combat the | | | | straight times before this, and one has to wonder if he |
| grueling schedule that being a professional tennis player | | | | was a bit more fatigued by this time of the year than |
| demands. | | | | usual. |
| Having said that, one must wonder about the fate of | | | | On the other hand, Del Potro looked about as strong |
| Roger Federer from here. At 28 years old, he's been | | | | as any US Open finals opponent Federer has ever |
| a professional tennis player for about a decade right | | | | had, so maybe this was simply the emergence of |
| now, a very long time for a pro tennis player. | | | | another force on the world tour. |
| Is Federer slowing down though? At first glance, it | | | | |