Champion Nadal backs Fed to get back on track

RAFAEL NADAL has backed Roger Federer to bounce back from his mauling at the Spaniard’s hands in the final of the French Open.

Nadal won the Roland Garros title for the fourth time in succession on Sunday with a 6-1 6-3 6-0 triumph over Federer, who has now lost the last three finals at the clay court event.

The defeat was Federer’s worst ever in grand slam competition, while the match was also notable for producing the fewest number of games played in a Roland Garros final since 1977.

Federer committed 35 unforced errors in a match that lasted just one hour and 48 minutes, but Nadal believes the Swiss maestro is unlikely to dwell on the defeat for too long.

“Roger is too good for that to be an important loss for him,” said Nadal, who extended his career record at Roland Garros to 28-0.

However, the 22-year-old — whose fourth French Open triumph saw him equal the legendary Bjorn Borg’s record for back-to-back titles — added that any grand slam final defeat will leave its scars.

“For nobody is it easy to lose a final of a grand slam,” he said.

“For me, the loss at Wimbledon (last year, against Federer) was very tough too. I think for everybody it’s tough when you arrive at the final of a grand slam and you lose, especially if you are one of the favourites for the tournament.”

Nadal rejected speculation that he is raising the performance bar even higher on clay after his ninth win in 10 meetings on the surface against Federer.

“I don’t think the distance is getting bigger or shorter (between himself and Federer),” he said. “There are times when he is not as fit as me and other moments when he is more fit than I am.

“There are moments when he has confidence; others when I have confidence. It goes back and forth.”

Federer, meanwhile, has shrugged off suggestions that Nadal’s dominant victory could give rise to the Spaniard finally wresting the Wimbledon crown from him after five years of dominance at SW19.

“Look, I’ve beaten Rafa 6-0 in a set, I’ve beaten him in finals before,” said the 26-year-old. “I’ve beaten him quite comfortably on previous occasions. It didn’t really give me the advantage on clay against him, you know.

“I haven’t lost on grass for five years now, six years? I still definitely feel very strong about my chances and being the big favourite going onto grass.

“It’s so far away, grass and clay, that losing in four or five (sets) or having no chance (like yesterday), I don’t think it has a big effect on me mentally.”