has he come to the realization that he is no longer the world's best player?

was it because he didn't tie sampras with #14?

does he think he may never win another grand slam?

i'm okay with athletes crying, but dude was weeping like a baby. why so sad?

He cried the last time he lost Nadal at Wimbledon.

It was a very intense, heated, emotional match.

Not everyone responds the same emotionally to certain events in life. I think it shows his passion for tennis. I grew to admire him more after seeing his reaction.

He's an emotional guy. The crowds response (ie prolonged standing ovation)really got to him. I'd rather watch players who care than someone like Sampras who always appeared totally bored with the game and fans.

He also cried after he won his first Aussie Open when Rod Laver presented him with the trophy.

The guy just has so much respect for the game and its history. possibly more than any other champion has. He is the perfect ambassador for tennis, and it really shows in his effort on and off the court.

He cried the other night because he gave it everything he could, and still fell short of tying Sampras. Now he's lost to Nadal on clay, grass & the hardcourt, so in his mind he's wondering if he just gave it his all right there, will he ever get to 14 and 15, and will he ever be able to beat Nadal again.

Also, he took being #2 personally, and up until the other night thought of himself as the world's #1. The realization to himself that he is no longer the best in the world hit him after the match.

I've admitted I'm a huge fan of his, one of my favorite all time athletes...but when he couldn't even get the words out I had my hands on top of my head in shock. I was pulling for him to just say something. and as usual, he showed his class by mustering the courage to get the words out and try his hardest not to overshadow Nadal's moment.

These 2 guys are so great for the game, it's impossible to put into words. I only hope Fed grabs a few more grand slams so Rafa has to chase his mark down. I think he'll get at least 1 more wimbledon, and 1 more US Open.

can't wait to see them in another final against each other.

[This message has been edited by J Peterman (edited 2/2/2009 9:11p).]

This is just my personal theory, and let me preface this by saying that I don't think that it is necessarily weak or effeminate to cry in public (or in private)...

I think it's a matter of perspective. I think that children cry because they perceive small things to be "worth crying about", as they haven't experienced very much life and falling down and scraping a knee might be the worst thing that has happened in their young life...kind of like how time seems to go by so slowly when you're young...a summer seems like a lifetime...now a year goes by and I barely notice.

Anyway, I think Roger's life has been tennis, tennis, and more tennis. I don't think anything particularly bad has ever happened to him - he has been very fortunate in life outside of tennis has been focused on one thing alone - being the best tennis player in the world. Losing this final might be the worst thing that has ever happened to him.

I don't think any less of him. It does give you some insight into his personality and mindset though, I think.

Good posts all, but especially like Peterman's.

I saw Arizona Cardinals Crying. I have seen Olympians cry mand times. I saw teammates cry after we lost in the College World Series. When a person puts it all on the line and cannot give any more it can be very emotional.

watching him break down was tough for me to watch.

8 or 9 years ago I never would have thought I'd be this into tennis. I always paid attention, but not like I do now. First Federer, and now Nadal have just taken it to a new level.

I remember not too long ago when they said men's tennis was dead. Not with these 2 guys representing the sport.

Connors, McEnroe, and Borg had some classics as well back in the 80's.

Man... That was one of the hardest sports moments I've ever had to watch.. I'll admit- I got a little teary-eyed myself watching him; you can just see how passionate he is about tennis and the huge amount of respect and love he has for the game. I love Federer and can't wait for him to break Pete's record.