The Day Of Nadal

"Has he maimed him?" That thought must have entered a billion minds when Rafael Nadal began to dismantle Roger Federer's game in the Wimbledon final on Sunday. When it was two sets to love for the Spaniard, the thought seemed to crystallise into belief. He seemed a champ with a secret sorrow -- Federer was listless, he was distracted, he was not on the ball. Had he left the fire burning and the garden untended at his chalet somewhere in the Swiss Alps? Could it be that he could hear the din of the men chasing him for the kill?

At Wimbledon, all seemed to believe that he was untouchable -- all but him. But the pre-tournament rumour seemed true -- Federer, artist incomparable, had been gored to sporting death by Nadal, the bull, the terrier, the claycourt terror.

The rot had started early -- as early as January, in fact, when Novak Djokovic whipped him in Melbourne at the Australian Open. Then came defeats to Andy Murray, Mardy Fish, Andy Roddick, Radek Stepanek and, inevitably, Rafael Nadal. The cloak of invincibility was cruelly snatched away. Federer was, at age 26, exposed as a man who was not God, after all. Such men, sadly, have sad ends.

The whipping in the final of the French Open by Nadal, in retrospect, seemed to have been the decisive blow that numbed Federer's mind with fear. Just as, 27 years ago, John McEnroe dulled Bjorn Borg existence and love for tennis by snatching his Wimbledon title.

Yet Federer, possessed of the European sang-froid that Borg owned in superhuman abundance, also has a fire that Borg didn't have. On Sunday, out of humiliation, out of nothing he conjured a brilliance that raised the latest combat between the two into magical reality.

Two sets taken in tiebreak, the second in breathtaking fashion as Nadal choked when on the cusp of history. But the Spaniard, the poorer of the two in talent, is much the richer in grit. The champion had raised his game, but the challenger matched him, and exceeded him on points to edge ahead. Federer was brilliant -- incredibly, Nadal was even more so. In a benighted arena -- a fact bemoaned by Federer later -- Nadal was determined and anointed as the next champion.

How much can we love Nadal? His game is powered by energy -- nuclear energy! -- but is devoid of grace or traces of artistry. Federer's game had imperceptible changes of speed and angles -- booming winners after harmless hitting.

Based on the incredible power of the modern racket, Nadal's game has been largely constructed in the gym. He retrieves balls like a bigger Michael Chang, yet he is not just any chaser. He not only chases impossible balls, he also puts them in the corners or near the lines, with great control, as winners. That's his art. Energy and deep power-hitting.

1981 and 2001 marked the end of the eras of Borg and Sampras. For Federer, has the end come so early? Is the Federer era over, just seven years on? How can that be?!

Federer must delve into the depths of talent and belief; he must find himself and his game in his mind, because that's where he lost his crown to a supreme athlete on Sunday. He did say he'd be back, but his response over the next few weeks would demonstrate his state of mind. A good US Open would prove the champion is still among us. Else, it could be curtains.