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Federer's Mission: Don't Look Ridiculous


Roger Federer found himself fighting today's Roland Garros semifinal on multiple fronts facing force of nature Rafael Nadal and nature's force of spiking 40 mph wind gusts.

Eleven-time Roland Garros champion Nadal tamed the elements and Federer charging into his 12th French Open final with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over his archrival. 

More: Rafa Razes Roger

The 33-year-old Spaniard snapped a five-match, five-year losing streak to Federer defeating the third-seeded Swiss for the sixth time in as many meetings in Paris to take a 24 to 15 lead in their iconic rivalry.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion said at one point chaotic conditions inspired one mission: Don't look ridiculous.  

"I mean, I don't know how to explain in other terms," Federer said afterward. "You get to a point where you're just happy to make shots and not look ridiculous. I mean, it's that bad. It's just really difficult, you know, for both of us.

"There is also no way to practice in these conditions, you know. It's all a mindset. It's footwork. It's all that stuff, you know. Yeah, so, I don't know what I could have done whole lot different, you know."

Asked about playing Roland Garros with a roof over Court Philippe Chatrier next year, Federer joked "first, they put the roof (on), and then the roof is going to fly away."

"There was so much wind, it was incredible," Federer said. "I don't know if you understand. It was just crazy. No excuses, but it was crazy."
 


Both rivals reduced the pace of their serves due to the wind wreaking havoc with tosses. 

"Does it take my serve out of play a little bit maybe also?" Federer said. "It just slows things down as well there. With the toss being all over the place, you've got to go for a bit more safety, and that's just maybe enough for him to get more second serves. I don't know. Or if I make the first serve, it's just I can't get the rhythm going, you know.

"You have that. But again, I don't think I played poorly in the wind today. It's just it's tough on clay. You know, you've got to try to take on the half volleys, too, all that stuff. It just adds to the equation. He's the best clay-court player, so I can accept that. It's not a problem."

Photo: Getty

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