CAMELOT FANTASIES

Unfortunately, the World Tour Finals ended on a decidedly anti-climatic note as Roger Federer was forced to withdraw in the finals against Novak Djokovic due to a back injury incurred during the deciding set tiebreaker against Wawrinka some 18 hours earlier. His team tried to get him ready with painkillers, massage, and who knows what other treatment, and trying to warm out of it the next day, but it had stiffened up too much to compete.  Roger is the second top player that Stanimal has injured in the back this year with his aggressive heavy ground strokes, the other being Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open. 

Federer had come into the match unbeaten to the final with a 3-2 H2H against Novak this year and was hoping to add another title to his record 6 at the event. Nole was also unbeaten to the final hoping to extend his indoor 31 match unbeaten streak, and win his 3rd straight Masters Cup. The day before featured the only 3 set matches of the tournament in the semifinals.  First Kei Nishikori extended Djokovic to 3 sets, with a well played second set, but faded and Nole won the decider with a bagel. 

But the match of the tournament was the Saturday evening semifinal match, Wawrinka vs. Federer, with Stan handily taking the first set, then Roger the second, and the third went to a deciding set tiebreaker with Federer saving 4 match points before defeating Stan in the hard fought battle.  One never quite knows when Stanimal will show up, as earlier in the tournament he played poorly against Novak Djokovic after looking quite good against Berdych, but he showed up in Australian Open form Saturday night and it was a real drama filled match as he battered the ball all over the court and looked to be the better player most of the match. But as Federer has done a few times this year, he hung in there, battled back, and won it with a last ditch effort, even though he wasn't bending at the very end. 

Unfortunately for Federer and the Swiss, the effort by the Swiss Davis Cup teammates in that match might not have only cost Federer a chance for a title, but might cost them their best chance at a Davis Cup win this year in the final if Federer cannot mend in time.

Congratulations to Novak and team for a great tournament and year as he also clinched Year End #1.

Commiserations to Roger and his team. He was also undefeated in the tournament, but withdrew in the final (it counts as neither a win or a loss in the record totals).  Good luck to him in a speedy recovery.  Doctors are reportedly pessimistic at the moment, but sometimes back spasms can come around after two or three days of rest and treatment.  Unfortunately for him, he also needs to get on the clay in Lille and practice if he wants to play in the Davis Cup final.  I myself can't see how he'll be able to play. 

Well into his 34th year, he has played the most of any player on tour this year with 83 matches, winning 72 and losing 11, making 11 finals with 5 wins, 5 losses and giving a walkover, his best year in terms of finals and match win percentage since 2007.  It's unfortunate for him he had to get hurt right at the end, but others also struggled this year and missed out on more chances. 

Let's hope 2015 is a healthy year for the players and full of exciting tennis.
Have very happy holidays! Take care.

Respectfully,
masterclass