Andy Murray (right) and brother Jamie – seen here at the Japan Open in 2011 – won a thrilling victory over the Aussies, positioning themselves for the Davis Cup final. Photograph by Christopher Johnson
One week after the US Open, there’s no rest for the weary men as most of the top stars are in action in the semifinals of the Davis Cup.
The big exception is Novak Djokovic, who’s sitting this one out. Can you blame him? No one goes deeper into matches than Nole. Everyone needs a break from time to time, and, frankly, I envy him his.
That said, everyone else seems to have something to prove this weekend. Rafael Nadal, after a dismal year, is seeking redemption for himself and the Spanish team in their defeat of the Danish. Andy Murray is burnishing his Davis Cup legacy in an attempt to earn a berth for the British in the finals against Argentina.
And Roger Federer? Well, he and teammate Marco Chiudinelli, a late replacement for a fatigued Stan Wawrinka, lost a doubles match to the Dutch.
The Dutch. Hardly a tennis powerhouse.
The Swiss are still in a position to beat the Dutch, however, but it just goes to show you how important Stanimal is to that team.
And just how vulnerable a demigod like Fed is in the pressure-cooker international team competition that is Davis Cup.
Of course, if you read the comments attached to Jon Wertheim’s Sports Illustrated assessment of the US Open, you’ll see that for many fans, Feddy retains his godhead, choosing if and when to lose. This from diteora:
“First: Djokovic does not play ‘immaculate tennis.” He's just a great back-court grinder, but without the variety and grace of Federer's ‘immaculate’ game. Second: If Jon Wertheim had more knowledge of the game, he wouldn't make such misguided assertions. Djokovic did not beat Federer, Federer beat Federer; there is a difference. Perhaps one of the reasons the crowd doesn't warm up to Djokovic is because they don't think that Djokovic is as great as Federer. They just think he lacks the attributes that Roger possesses.”
To which Safin replied: “Federer has twice been unable to deliver against Djokovic in a major. You can say that Federer beat Federer if you like, but the guy across the net – especially his defense – surely has a little something to do with the fact that Federer can't land his shots when it counts.”
Yes. Quite.