Award ceremony @ Madrid. From UM17. Thanks.

How can this thing not be an alien? Just look at that freaking head.

Nadal’s on-court interview after losing to Federer @ Madrid.

Sorry, I am married. I don’t carry change.

Is this his face or the back side? Geeeezzzz!!! If it’s the face it’s about to freaking pop. This has to be some kind of wife abuse.

Federer’s win @ Madrid is:

What this win @ Madrid means for tennis, Federer and his competition.

The sputtering Nadal-Federer rivalry certainly received a new lease of life with this title. Although Djokovic has been working hard at building a parallel structure with Nadal at least on clay, it’s ways to go before he can even make that resemble what Nadal-Federer battle can achieve.

Even though everyone knows the days of witnessing too many of these Nadal-Federer matches are nearing it’s end, this victory despite being shadowed by extenuating circumstances revives hopes of another war similar to the one the world saw at Wimbledon last year.

This was also a reminder to Nadal, if not everyone else, that Federer is still within striking distance. You have to be at your best, if you are amongst the top four, to take him down – in a deciding set.

With all three already plagued with something or the other, opening the possibility of not being at their best throughout the season consistently, alongwith the prospect of the Federer’s physical conditioning, economic game and recuperation from limited battles he has had with his health – Federer will be right there unless he caves back to his inconsistent gig.

All that makes the top three leary and watching the rear view mirror a little more intently than they previously thought prudent.

After all the smoke clears from this win, Federer, however, needs to make sure he keeps this win in perspective. This is no reason to become complacent thinking you have finally regained your lost touch.

Far from it. There are still areas which a 100 percent top three can rip to threads on any surface now. That’s partly to do with No. 28 approaching fast. But it also has to do with more experience and knowledge of the game the youngsters are acquiring in a hurry.

So this win, in real terms, just gets Federer started by putting him on the board – the first step he desperately needed to have any shot at the bigger prizes.

This is like a fresh start for Federer. It also gives him leverage to go hunting for a coach again – on his terms. What better way to start a new phase of your life the right way.

This win removes a chip from Federer’s shoulder to become a little more flexible in approaching the kinks in his armor. When you are coming off a win you are more willing to take the hits to get what you want, compared to being overly sensitive of what the media may say when you are down and out.

It’s vital for Federer to recognise this important turn and restore all necessary tools which he might have missed when he first turned pro. Before the next wave hits, he should set the building up to withstand anything in a professional manner.

Djokovic may have been the biggest winner this clay season – expectations-wise. His serious showing on clay may have it’s root in Murray’s great showing on hard courts this year.

Djokovic now appears to look at clay like Nadal does with Murray miles away from creating something in red anytime soon. Additionally the changes he has made this year from hiring a fitness coach to changing racket to freaking blue eye sore shoes…., are starting to pay rich dividends.

But despite that gain, Djokovic knows he cannot still beat Federer consistently like Murray has this season. Last match at Miami where Federer smashed the racket and broke down is exhibit A.

Djokovic won that barely in three sets despite miserable showing from Federer. But until Roland Garros is over, Djokovic will be Federer’s ally as long he lands on the other side of the draw.

So the competition may have just received a mild jolt in their thinking about Federer being a washed up player already. But unless Federer validates this win with at least a finals appearance at Roland Garros, it will be pushed away as just an aberration and an annoyance.

Photos.

Federer wins first title of the season – by beating Nadal – on clay – in Spain – in straight sets. WOW!!!

Federer did the expected and more in his win at Madrid. There were a lot of demons from the past hounding him despite the obvious advantages he had going in.

Federer’s forehand was absolutely devastating. Either he had more time to run around the ball for it or Nadal was lacking his laser precision and pace to force Federer to engage his backhand.

Not only did Federer convert on 100 percent of his break point opportunities, he denied Nadal four. That may have been the starkest contrast to ALL of their previous encounters.

Nadal clearly paid the price for the stupidity of not pulling out of Barcelona or Madrid. But maybe this is the just the start of  what all he is going to end up paying for that mistake this season.

With Roland Garros now suddenly in a three way heat, Nadal better learn from this or else ……..

But for Federer fans, this is a great treat after having suffered long and hard with Federer being so close yet so far this season and beyond.

Federer, maybe for the first time since his ‘slump’, did not fall back to his inconsistent ways throughout the event. Even though he lost a set to Roddick on clay, that was not due to some major let down by Federer.

With his forehand and ace count coming together despite the less than average first serve percentage, Federer was able to pull the loose strings in to post an impressive win.

This must be very sweet for both Federer and Mirka. They must have endured the residual effects of the average showing on the tour for a long time in their personal life.

This title hopefully will end that for sometime to come. With Roland Garros and Wimbledon to come, Federer can turn this into a major comeback story sweeping to No. 14 and 15 while completing a career Slam and claiming the GOAT status.

While it may be premature to predict anything with certainty for Federer in view of his wobbly display of late, this showing brings tremendous hope and promise for him and fans worldwide.

Both Djokovic and Roddick deserve credit for helping Federer win this title for obvious reasons. But sometimes you just need a little support from outside to build momentum again.

Hope Federer is able to capitalize on this turn of events long enough to keep things interesting for tennis and fans. Everyone would like to see the top four in full flight for a few more epic matches like that Wimbledon final and the semifinal here.

The ace count has to point to a stronger back and better physical condition overall. With both forehand and the backhand now firing on all cylinders, first serve percentage appears to be the only piece of the puzzle missing.

Although this win still has not definitively broken the record Federer has had this year of not winning against a 100 percent top three players, the title and the trophy will have their own effect to push him past that hurdle soon.

Just getting on the board today is a huge step given the backdrop. Now it’s time to just build on it with all the positives this title brings.

If Djokovic again falls with Nadal at Roland Garros and Nadal’s knees are not 100 percent by then, Federer should be able to move in for the kill, if he keeps this up.

Has Federer finally moved away from that nail now? Has the hurt reached it’s zenith? Or is this just a flash in the pan dictated by circumstances?

Answer coming up very soon.

Photos.

Verdasco interview.

More Nadal-Djokovic madness. This time with the ball. I mean you can see the ball. Geeeeezzzzzzz!!!

Nalbandian has hip surgery. From Jenny. Thanks.

JENNY

Nalbandian has had his hip surgery.

Best wishes, David.

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