Federer: I'll be back
Roger Federer insists he will come away from the French Open with his head held high despite the manner of his defeat to Rafael Nadal in yesterday’s final.
Nadal posted his fourth win in succession at Roland Garros after thrashing the world number one 6-1 6-3 6-0, a defeat that leaves Federer still searching for his maiden title on the red clay of Paris.
Federer’s loss marked the third time in as many years that he has fallen at the final hurdle against the Spaniard, but the world number one has vowed to try again in 2009.
“This tournament has been good for me,” said Federer, who played just one seeded player – Fernando Gonzalez – on his way to the final.
“I go out of this tournament thinking I did everything I could. I put myself in the position, but Rafa was better than me.
“So I do find ways to stay positive even when I don’t win the tournament. I didn’t really come close today, so it’s disappointing.
“To lose the way I did today is obviously hard – it’s a rough loss – but it’s okay. I’ll move on from here and I’ll try again next year.”
Nadal’s one-sided victory means he is only the third player in history to have won the French Open without dropping a set, the others being Bjorn Borg and Ilie Nastase.
He lost just 41 games in total in seven matches, and extended his unbeaten run at Roland Garros to 28 matches to underline his reputation as the greatest clay court player in the modern game.
“It was hard for everybody who faced him these past two weeks,” Federer continued.
“But for me, I go out and I’m positive. It doesn’t always need to be a victory to go out in a positive mindset.”
Federer must now wait at least another 12 months if he is to complete a career Grand Slam, but he remained gracious after slipping to his ninth defeat in 10 clay court meetings with Nadal.
“Rafa is very, very strong and he dominates this tournament like never before,” said Federer.
The defeat was Federer’s worst ever in grand slam competition, while the result marked the fewest number of games played in a Roland Garros final since 1977, and was the shortest final in terms of time on court since 1980.
“It was a tough result,” the 26-year-old admitted. But I guess when one of us plays very well, it’s hard to stop. Sometimes you get results like this.
“Unfortunately, for the fans, I wish I could have put on a better match. I really hoped I could do better because I thought the fans could be an asset for me if the match was getting close.
“But I never managed to get close enough to Rafa to give the fans an opportunity to join in, so it’s my mistake.”
