Nadal vs. Federer: Wimbledon 2009
With Rafael Nadal falling from grace a little this season in the French Open in Roland Garros stadium. His knee problems have forced him to listen to his body and take a bit of a break. It’s too bad Rafael Nadal needs a vacation during one of the most important parts of the Grand Slam tennis season.
Roger Federer finally claimed his French Open title this year. It is the only major championship that had eluded him up to that point. But the question remains if that is a real French Open title for Federer. I would think that Federer is excited about his French Open title, but wishes he could have won it with Nadal in the running, although perhaps I’m wrong.
It just conjures up a quote from a silly teen movie “Bring it On.” In the film, Kirsten Dunst’s character says “ I define best as competing against the best out there and beating them.” Which to say is not really what Federer did. Nadal is the clay court master by far, and a win without a healthy Nadal in the running, is really no win at all.
That is why Wimbledon will be such a turning point for the two tennis rivals. Nadal has taken some time off from other preparation tournaments before Wimbledon in an attempt to rehab his knee. So hopefully he will be in prime condition when he takes the grass courts at Wimbledon.
Although, even with a healthy Nadal, Federer just may be poised to take another Wimbledon title, even with Nadal in the running. The shear fact that he took his first French Open title just may give him the momentum he needs to reclaim his number one in the world ranking. Federer’s win did nothing to shake up the ATP tennis rankings.


