gracelhink;1493628; said:
I am reluctant to chime in after my embarrassing prediction that Roddick would win 5 total games in the finals match.:!
About the commercialization of tennis and Federer's apparent lack of restraint;
1. For me the most noticeable different apparel worn by Fed after the match was the huge Swiss timepiece on his left wrist. It was obviously absent during competitive play.
2. Re. the aforementioned Nike jacket. In rewatching the postmatch interview, the "15" insignia was concealed low on the back and not noticeable or just barely visible when the cameras panned Fed's face and profile. Agree that it was a Nike expectation that Fed wear the jacket just like the watch company expected him to display their watch.
It was not Federer that drew attention to the 15 on the jacket however.
I wasn't sure which of the announcers demanded Fed turn around and show off the 15, but Roger seemed to do it almost reluctantly.
I have to disagree with the impression you have of Fed, My interpretation FWIW, Federer is one of the most highly respected and endearing opponents on the court. even Roddick has admitted to having a hard time with Fed as an opponent because he beats you on the court, but is so humble and nice that it is impossible to hate him.
In the Wimbledon post game interview Fed was neither ungentlemanly nor even comfortable with the commercialization of the Nike "15" or Swiss watch.
I believe you are being overcritical of Fed's actions so to interpret them as attempts to disguise or veil self love.
Players genuinely like Federer, not only for his demeanor on the court, but his gracious, and selfless public persona.
Well, Roger could have always declined the invitation to wear apparel like that, given that it is sort of inappropriate and all. I doubt Nike would have dropped their sponsorship. Regardless of the size of the 15, the fact that he wouldn't think twice about the fact that wearing the jacket might be seen as pompous celebration at the expense of his opponent is somewhat telling, in my opinion.
But if you're not convinced, read this blog post and see if you still feel the same way, as it really sums up how I feel about "RF 15":
The Turbulence of Dreaming: Nobody Likes a Bully
My favorite Club Fed quote is this one, from 2007 after he beat Roddick 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 at the Australian Open:
"It's just unreal, I'm shocked myself. I've played good matches here, but never really almost destroyed somebody. That's a highlight of my career."
Source:
BBC SPORT | Tennis | Majestic Federer thrashes Roddick
But there are a handful of other gems in that blog post above. There was a time when I thought these kinds of statements were just a result of Federer's true intent being lost in translation. But the guy speaks perfect English and I've come to believe that these continuous, subtly pompous statements are more likely the product of a guy who is just incredibly, incredibly good, doesn't realize what it's like to lose, and doesn't have anyone call him on how inappropriate they are. In short, he's full of himself. Can't blame him too much, but the perception that he is just a really great, humble champion is very wrong, in my opinion. Pete Sampras didn't pull out the "PS 14" jacket when he knocked off Agassi at the US Open. Maybe Nike didn't conceive the idea back then, but if they had approached him with such a proposal, I can hardly see Pistol Pete accepting. Any champion has to be somewhat cocky and self-confident. It's just that the ones I appreciate most do a good job of concealing these qualities after victory. It's called tact.
You said that Roddick himself has had very nice things to say about Club Fed, even in defeat. I'd suggest that fact has more to say about Roddick than it does about Federer. . . .
In conclusion, I've just got to say this:
(By the way, regarding that ridiculous outfit, said Club Fed:
“Everyone was talking about it in the locker room! People were saying ‘Wow, looks great!’”
