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Mike Cormack |
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MY5 at Rogers Cup
Mike Cormack | August 15, 2010
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Roger Federer is not finished.With another Rogers Cup now in the books, we take a look back at the tournament that was and what we learned this past week on the grounds of York University.
1. Federer still hungry
Although he might never again regain the dominant form he showed throughout most of the past decade, Roger Federer showed this week that at age 29, he has no plans on slowing down any time soon. In fact, in an interview with BBC Radio this past week the 16-time Grand Slam champion revealed he would like to win 20 Slams before he hangs them up. With rivals such as Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic at least five years his junior that may prove a tall order, but it should put to rest any speculation surrounding early-retirement plans.
2. T.O. loves tennis, can be hostile
Torontonians aren't known for being the most boisterous sports fans on the continent -- ask anyone who's ever attended a Blue Jays game -- but the atmosphere this week at Rexall Centre has been electric at times, and downright unruly at others. During his quarter-final match against Roger Federer on Friday, Tomas Berdych took some serious verbal abuse from the pro-Federer crowd and then on Saturday, Federer himself was the victim -- this time at the hands of Novak Djokovic's legions of Serbian supporters, one who cried out "Federer's gay." While ugly at times, the record crowds this week were large, passionate and for the most part, praised by the players.
3. Nadal is healthy, but beatable
Before losing to Andy Murray in Saturday's semi-final, the world No. 1 had won 34 of his past 35 matches and looked a virtual lock to win his second Rogers Cup. But after having been thrashed by Murray 6-3, 6-4, Nadal looked suddenly human, no doubt giving hope to a number of would-be contenders heading into the U.S. Open.
4. Andy wasn't faking it
Eyebrows were raised Tuesday when the top-ranked American withdrew on Tuesday with an unspecified "illness." Given the ambiguity of his explanation and this tournament's history of big-name Americans (see: the Williams sisters) bailing at the last minute, many were skeptical of Roddick's motives, especially with the Cincinnati Masters beginning next week and the U.S. Open in two weeks time. But on Saturday Roddick revealed he has been suffering from mononucleosis for the past two months.
5. Hot enough for you, Novak?
The world No. 3 can charming, grumpy, insightful and curt -- all in the same press conference -- and Toronto saw all aspects of his complex personality this week. Following his tournament opening win, Djokovic complained that he struggles in muggy weather and suggested he would rather walk off the court than put his health in jeopardy. Luckily for he and tournament organizers, Djokovic played in cooler temperatures for the remainder of the week, helped in part by a schedule -- whether by coincidence or not --featuring mostly night matches.
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About
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Mike Cormack
Any kid that grew up in Toronto during the mid '80s was a Blue Jays fan by default. In elementary school back then your baseball glove was like your lunch-you didn't leave the house in the morning without it. Another staple back in the Dark Ages (pre Internet) was Bob Elliott's... |
