Federer’s DiMaggio-like streaks
Posted: Thursday, June 04, 2009 4:57 PM
Roger Federer’s streaks of reaching 20 consecutive semifinals in Grand Slam events, and the finals of 14 of the last 15 majors, are the tennis equivalent of Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hit streak.
They are a test of both endurance and excellence. We will not live to see another player approach these marks, just as DiMaggio’s streak has had no threat for nearly seven decades.
A great player will have to excel simply to play 20 straight majors let alone avoid upset. Today’s tennis demands so much from the body before the mind can be asked to answer that challenge.
And here are the reasons Federer has amassed sports’ most underappreciated streak:
BODY: He has stayed healthy, 38 straight majors contested and counting, with a game that limits demands while maximizing output. First thing Federer told me that he did after finishing the hard court season was to work on his fitness. Renowned for conditioning, Federer has used this edge to avoid not just serious injury but the nagging hurts (read: Nadal’s knee) that limit others.
MIND: We referenced recently the line between self-confidence and denial. Federer has walked it masterfully at this French Open, renouncing the perilous danger he faced against Jose Acasuso and Tommy Haas while dominating his biggest threat in Gael Monfils. No doubt, the great one has shown vulnerability. And the players sense the slightly wounded warrior. But ready to pounce, they are rebuffed by the self-confident Federer who refuses to accept his mortality.
Never was the difference in a mind more evident than in Wednesday’s quarterfinal when Federer exhibited the mind of a champion, while the wildly talented Monfils was still afflicted with the lapses that a top-10 pro should have long ago overcome.
SUPPORT: Federer is clearly strengthened by his long relationship with Mirka Vavrinec. Their recent marriage is simply a legality given the immense co-dependence so rare in their generation. Federer schedules wisely, understanding he plays to the weekend in most tournaments. Thus, he has avoided the “overplaying” to which Nadal has fallen prey.
Bottom line is this is a man “written off” in the sports psyche. Yet, he has reached the last four finals at Grand Slam events, and as mentioned, 14 of the last 15. He is a heavy favorite Friday to extend that run. There has been one nemesis, Rafael Nadal, but the Spainard has not approached either of Federer’s DiMaggio-like streaks.
Like DiMaggio, Federer is a graceful champion, one loathe to displaying emotion, proud perhaps to a fault. Federer does not breed a dislike for publicity as did DiMaggio, neither though does Federer seek the limelight. Simply, he shows up, respects the game, his opponents, fans, sponsors, volunteers and even the press. And then he wins. Yet it took a massive upset of his archrival to once again allow Federer to receive the credit he has truly earned.
Twenty straight Grand Slam event semifinals, and counting. Federer’s Joltin’ Joe in the 21st century.
