Roger Federer ended 2010 with a remarkable win over the world Nr.1 by 6-3 3-6 6-1 in London.
The Swiss displayed again an incredible form in the final. You could tell from the very beginning when he started to attack immediately Rafael Nadal on every single ball.
Federer looked also quite confident playing his backhand against the rocky Nadal’s forehand, a combination that is usually good for the world nr.1.
The Spaniard confirmed his well known ‘sense of the game’ when he took immediately advantage of a slight downturn in Federer’s game in the second set and he won is by 6-3.
Then the third set was a ‘one way traffic’ with Federer breaking twice the Spaniard and sealing the victory with an outstanding 6-1.
‘I’m happy I made my ninth final this season. I’ve won five titles, won a slam. That obviously makes me be very positive for next year. I believe I can have another great season in 2011,’ he commented.
‘I’m just really happy the way I was able to finish the season in style, playing some of my best tennis, really saving the best for last.’
‘Obviously, beating Rafa in the finals makes it extra special because of the year he had.’
‘I’ve had a good season. I don’t see how someone can say it’s been a bad season. I had some tough losses, sure but you’re not going to win every tournament you play.’
‘After having somewhat of a disappointing clay, Halle, Wimbledon stretch, where I wasn’t able to win any tournaments, maybe didn’t play some of my best tennis, played a bit passive, it was important that I was able to pick up my game.’
Federer added: ‘I think the men’s game is at an absolute high right now, with a lot of exciting games being played, with a lot of respect. Also I think having had me and Rafa both made the career Grand Slam already at a young age I think is great for the game,’
‘We’re obviously playing not only for ourselves and beating the other guys, but also for history. I think there’s a lot at stake always in all our matches we play in the future. I think it’s wonderful.’
Then Nadal commented: ‘He played unbelievable. He was unplayable in the first set. I still had chances in the second and the beginning of the third, but he played better than me,’
‘The thing is everybody saw the match on Saturday, so everybody’s free to make his own opinion. But I don’t want to say I lost the match because I was tired. What I’m going to say is I lost the match because I played against a very good Roger Federer on one of his favorite surfaces.
‘When he’s playing like this it is very difficult to stop him but it was a fantastic week for me.’
‘It doesn’t make any differences if I won three Grand Slams this year or if I won one or two. When I start the season, everything starts again,’ said Nadal.
‘In Australia or in Doha when I start the season, I have zero points. So we start from there. The first goal is qualification for London next year and after we will see.’
