4 hour 16 minutes.

5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14.

Yes, 16-14. U didn't see wrong. 16-14!!!

That was how close this match between Federer and Roddick was.

I don't think anybody expected it to be such a classic fight. Not even me, to be honest. In fact, I didn't even wanna watch the finals, thinking that it's definitely an easy 3 set win for Federer. But when I came home, the live score update on my computer showed 1-0 in sets, 6-6 in games, 5-2 in points. TO RODDICK!!! Without hesitation, the TV was switched on and I was sitting like a couch potato there.

Unfortunately Roddick sumhow lost that set. o.o

But just as you thought Roddick is going down and out with that huge psychological blow of losing from 5-2 up, he quickly regains his composure and played his game, managing to break Federer's serve in the 4th set to win 6-3 to set up a final deciding set thriller.

This was how physically and mentally drained Roddick is after the match. It was really hard to watch, especially for him. He keeps on trying 2 force a smile, trying to crack a little joke like "Sorry Pete [Sampras], I tried to hold him, but I can't."

(Uhh for those who don't know what he means, he's talking about Federer overtaking Sampras's all-time record of most number of Grand Slam singles titles. Federer surpassed Sampras' 14.)

Take nothing away from Federer. He deserved the win with his calmness on the court [poker face!], his 50 aces, and his forehand shots. He plays like a real champion, 2 b honest. Every stroke looks effortless. This win means 2 things for him. 1 is breaking the all-time Grand Slam singles titles. 2 is him regaining his world number 1 ranking. But i'm not here to talk about him, he already has quite a number of spotlight on him.

I'm here to talk about Roddick.

You really have to applaud this man. He never gave up even though he knows he's the ultimate underdog, given that he went into the match with a head-to-head record of 18-2 in Federer's favour. He knows what his weaknesses are, but he also knows where his strengths are too.

His strokes may not be the best, but that didn't stop him from playing his best. Everytime he's facing a disadvantage, he can always count on those serve. He juz served bazookas after bazookas at Federer. Yes Federer had 50 aces compared to his 27. But those who watched the match, we all know how many service returns in there were for federer. One serve from Roddick (that I saw) even went straight into Federer!

I have seen many top players play before. Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, but no one has impacted mi that much.

Until today.

I think I can relate myself to Roddick. Huge service, but nt-so-gd strokes, just like me. But what I admire most about this guy is his ability to keep consistent throughout the entire game. At the start of Wimbledon, I always thought yes, Roddick has a huge serve, but it's impossible to keep it consistent over the course of the entire match, rite? This final proved me entirely wrong. Not only his serves are consistent, his strokes are too.

Besides that, he seldom gets angry with himself, keeping his emotions all to himself. This helps him to concentrate on playing every point one by one! I don't blame him for letting it all out at the end of the match. He knows he could have won that 2nd set, and deal a huge blow to Federer if he goes 2-0 up in sets. Those who watch the match would know. He sat there, looking down.

No one else, but juz down.

Bottling it up isn't good anyway. Still, he was strong enough mentally to stand up and thank his fellow supporters. Even after the trophy celebration, he couldn't help but dejectedly go back to his chair and reflect on the match, while Federer bask in his glory. You could just see the tears dripping down. Or could it be sweat? Sweat or tears, we know how hard a pill it is for him to swallow. While Federer walked around, Roddick suddenly regains his composure and appluads Federer in his seat again, sniffing back all the tears so no one could see a tinge of misery and regret in his eyes. That is, what I call, a real fighter. He should b a true loyal hero for the US.

For that, A-Rod, I salute you.

Of course, there are many areas which I must learn from the other players. Still, no one has been able to make mi relate to my own play,

as Andy Roddick.

Some may say it's past his prime already. I don't care.

I say, it's just a beginning of another chapter. To me, you're a true winner.

Definitely my new idol ;)

10:09