Federer's Mystique

ByABC News
June 19, 2006, 4:45 PM

June 19, 2006 — -- PARIS -- Part of the mystique of Roger Federer is his deadly aplomb. Sometimes, in moments of duress, you wonder if there is a pulse.

On Sunday, Federer lost the French Open final to Rafael Nadal in four sets. Afterward, he was uncharacteristically cranky. Asked about the second set, which he lost after winning the first with ease, he replied, "You didn't watch the match?"

He was almost curt, approaching surly. And he never answered the question.

Federer appeared hugely disappointed with the result -- as well he should be. He had viable opportunities to take control of the second, third and even the fourth set, but failed in every case. After winning three consecutive Grand Slams (2005 Wimbledon, 2005 U.S. Open and 2006 Australian Open), Federer fell short in his bid to win four straight.

Will he ever win the French?

"We'll see," he said shrugging. "It's obviously my goal, yes, to win this event. And it only gives me more [drive] to try to win this. I got a step closer once again from last year. I think in every year that goes by, gives me again more maturity on this surface."

Sifting his results at Roland Garros, you can make a reasonable case for a breakthrough in 2007 or, perhaps, 2008. Federer reached the semifinals here for the first time a year ago, but Nadal knocked him out of the tournament. He reached the final, which, for any other player, would have constituted a remarkable achievement.

Not for Federer. And as long as Nadal -- four years younger, stronger and far more confident on clay -- is in his way, it will be difficult.

Federer is 24 years old and he no longer cries when he loses. He was asked afterward why he didn't look more disappointed.

"I've had worse than this," he said. "I'm in a different stage of my career now than I used to be, where every loss was, yeah, another world. That's not the case anymore because I tried hard and know I left everything out there.

"He's tough to beat, but not impossible to beat. That's a big difference. Otherwise, we wouldn't have to play. He can just lift the trophy on the first day."