Federer: He’s Only Human After All

Just when tennis fans were beginning to believe that Federer might have fathered the WiiBot, Roger faltered. In the men’s upset of the year, Guillermo Cañas of Argentina defeated Roger Federer in two sets in the second round of Indian Wells (7-5, 6-2). Cañas was impressive where Federer was immobile. Currently ranked 60th in the world, Cañas capitalized on Federer’s unusual propensity for errors to defeat him soundly (39-8 errors).

Is Federer disappointed that he didn’t break Vila’s record for longest winning streak? It seems he actually enjoys the rare defeat now and again.

It’s just a guy put me away when he had to. He played a perfect match in the end. He didn’t give me anymore chances. I was just playing too poorly in the end to come back. So the right guy won. I’m a very positive thinker, and I think it’s going to be good for me eventually this season. I’ve had a very relaxed opening to the season… just playing the Australian Open and Dubai and having enough time to rest. So I definitely won’t be worn out towards the end of the season. That’s a good thing. Over the last one-and-a-half years, I’ve been in all the finals except Cincinnati and now here. I was just pushing the limits all the time. So something like this is actually maybe good for me, (I can) just get away from it, have time to rest up again, and practice real hard before Miami.”
– Roger Federer

As for Cañas, he lost the next round to Carlos Moya (6-4, 6-4). At least he can enjoy the infamy of having cut short Federer’s winning streak.