Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
Lost amongst the hype of swimming and gymnastics is a real sport -- tennis -- which has received little-to-no coverage. Granted, the Olympics don’t seem to matter much to the players themselves (Roddick opted to play in the U.S. Open series instead of Beijing), but anytime Roger Federer loses to an American, well, that’s gonna be kind of a big deal. And that’s exactly what happened today, as James Blake took down the soon-to-be No. 2 player in the world in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6.
For Blake, it’s a nice win for a guy who’d previously taken one set total against Federer in eight matches. It also means that the Americans still have one hope left for Olympic gold in tennis -- all other U.S. men were previously eliminated. For Federer, this is another loss in a string of disappointing performances this season. If he doesn’t manage to win the U.S. Open next month, 2008 will end up being the first year since ’03 in which he didn't win a Grand Slam title.
The biggest disappointment here, however, is for the fans, who won’t get to see another Nadal-Federer championship match. Blake is on to the semi-final, where he’ll face the winner of Paul-Henri Matheiu-Fernando Gonzalez. The other semi-final could potentially be Djokovic-Nadal, which I suppose is the next best thing to Nadal-Federer. Of course, better than anything would be Blake vs. Anyone in the final, but let's not get carried away.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
13 comments
Comments
He better win gold or we’ll have to chop off his arm.
by npcPronk29 on Aug 14, 2008 12:17 PM EDT reply actions
Admit it. We were not expecting any metals in Tennis. One player is better than none.
Way to go Blake.
by joerakers on Aug 14, 2008 1:27 PM EDT reply actions
I’m beginning to worry about Federer. The three L’s on his last three biggest stages. I think he is having problems balancing his woman with tennis.
by samolag on Aug 14, 2008 2:17 PM EDT reply actions
Congrats to Blake. Great win for the United States and I would agree with the article, tennis is getting no attention in the Olympics. It is disappointing that Roddick did not come represent our country. I would have liked to have seen him there.
by Alabama Christian Academy on Aug 14, 2008 2:27 PM EDT reply actions
I’d have liked to see Roddick in the Games too, but if playing the U.S. Open series even marginally improves his chances of winning the Open, then I’m cool with him not going to Beijing.
by cmottram on Aug 14, 2008 2:37 PM EDT reply actions
Your tone in your article is very matter of fact. You are correct that tennis coverage is little and that is disappointing.
I disagree with your comment that the Olympics matter little to the players. The players view the Olympics as the 5th major because of its international prestige and size of the draw. Roddick’s absence is due to the rehab of his injury and re-assimilation to the tour. He’s missed enough tournaments already. So it is in his best interests to get his mojo back in ATP tour events so when he wins he can accumulate ranking points. Thus he can move up the rankings. Unfortunately the Olympics provide no ranking points for going deep in the tournament.
The last few years myself and others have expected James Blake to challenge for the US Open crown that Roger has won each time. Although this was only 2 sets I hope that this is a sign that he can present that challenge and live up to the hype next month.
His win gives me hope. An Olympic Gold will give more hope and will give him more respect from the other competitors.
by tsnmember_139290 on Aug 14, 2008 3:11 PM EDT reply actions
I think everything you said after this sentence — "The players view the Olympics as the 5th major because of its international prestige and size of the draw" — shows exactly why it isn’t that important to the players. Roddick would rather (attempt to) win ATP events than participate in the Olympics. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong, or good or bad, it’s the way it is.
And by claiming the players consider the Games a "5th major" are you suggesting they think of it on par with the other 4 grand slams?
by cmottram on Aug 14, 2008 3:31 PM EDT reply actions
not the purse but yes the prestige
by tsnmember_139290 on Aug 14, 2008 4:05 PM EDT reply actions
I’ll have to go ahead and disagree with you. I have no way of proving this, but I’d be willing to bet upwards of 50 cents that every single player on tour would rather win any of the four grand slams than a gold at the Olympics.
by cmottram on Aug 14, 2008 4:10 PM EDT reply actions
Congrats to James Blake…this was a big win for him.
by BradKT on Aug 14, 2008 5:35 PM EDT reply actions
blake’s first big win, still way overrated…….
by ferg858 on Aug 14, 2008 6:34 PM EDT reply actions
Like most #1 Tennis players we’ve witnessed in the last decades, the decline is swift. Federer seems to have lost the magic that made him one of greatest athletes on the planet. Now the wait begins for Nadal’s fall from grace
by bolohouse on Aug 14, 2008 10:04 PM EDT reply actions
No matter what happens after this, I like todays losers. I love when the Williams sisters and Federer lose on the same day. The medias love affair with them makes me sick so I love to see them lose and force the media to move on to something else. While its a nice win for Blake, Id like to see him do it in any of the majors. He wont but Id like to see the USA have some guys who really challenge for #1. Its not looking good. The last time I checked I think there were 8 guys ranked in the top 100 and none of them threatening to move up.Id like to see Nadal win gold and then take the US Open. Hes take over #1 in 4 days.
by GreatBlueHeron on Aug 14, 2008 11:52 PM EDT reply actions
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