ESPN Tennis

Roger Federer has spoken quite candidly about that YouTube-worthy shot Novak Djokovic hit against him in the U.S. Open semifinals last year. Federer, to summarize, said he couldn't believe Djokovic had the backbone to unleash such an inexplicable, go-for-broke forehand (on a return of serve!) down match point -- in the fifth set. Well, the world No. 1 did, and that point, ultimately, was the catalyst to a precipitous collapse by Federer. Now, for the first time since that famous day, Federer had his shot at redemption in the semifinals of the Rome Masters.

So how'd it go? Well, that depends on who you ask. But here are some highlights from their 25th head-to-head clash, a 6-2, 7-6 (4) Djokovic win:

Color of choice: By now, you've heard the tawdry tales of Madrid's blue courts. Perhaps there was something to it. The most vocal of bellyachers, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, admonished organizers for the court's ice-skating-like surface. As it turns out, both lost early. However, the duopoly then sang the praises of Rome's red courts. And whaddaya know: They're both in Sunday's final.

Color of choice, Part II: Federer looked pretty rusty on the red clay Saturday a week after he blew away the competition on the blue. It only validates what we already know: In order for him to consistently succeed on clay, Federer needs some kind of assistance from the courts. He had long been the second-best clay-court player in the world, but for the second straight year, there's a discernible gap between the levels of Djokovic and Nadal, and Federer. The world No. 1 overwhelmed Federer on the slow, grinding dirt for most of the match. Federer was unable to establish his potent one-two attack -- big first serve followed by a crushing forehand -- until deep in the second set. And if that isn't part of his arsenal, then …

Got to move it, move it: Djokovic doesn't have one overpowering wing, but he covers the court with more grace and efficiency than anyone else in the game. (No wonder he's No. 1!) This was crystal clear in the opening set, when Federer had seemingly won multiple points on his own almighty forehand, only to watch Djokovic's fleet feet dig him out of trouble. It wasn't until Federer went on a late tear that it looked like he could match wits with Djokovic.

Impeccable timing: Match point down at 4-5 in the second set and Federer smokes an impossible inside-out forehand in the corner? What!?!? Federer didn't have a break-point opportunity until that game -- and he converts. C'mon. Djokovic ultimately prevailed in the ensuing tiebreaker, but Federer showed his stout mental toughness in the most crucial of moments.

Telltale stat: Djokovic faced just one break point. Suh-weet.

Telltale stat II: Federer's first-serve percentage versus Djokovic: 48 percent. Ugh.

Bring it on, French Open: Federer won in Madrid and either Djokovic or Nadal will rule in Rome. Hey, these big three behemoths are pretty dang good. A harbinger for Paris? Yes, that was a rhetorical question.

Roger Federer is still eyeing the No. 1 ranking. One more week atop the perch and he ties his buddy, Pete Sampras, for the men's record.

So, when Federer said a few days ago after winning in Madrid and reclaiming the No. 2 spot that he wasn't sure if he'd play at the Rome Masters because his body was slightly banged up, you sensed that the Swiss would indeed turn up at the Foro Italico on Wednesday. Entering the French Open without any matches contested on red clay isn't ideal prep.

He did, and got just what he wanted: a fairly comfortable and quick 6-3, 6-4 win against Argentine Carlos Berlocq on a third consecutive day of blustery conditions in Rome. Federer told Britain's Sky Sports he decided to play only Wednesday morning, not listing any specific injury but mindful of a long summer ahead.

Federer has been so good for so long, it's strange that he hasn't broken through in a place dubbed the Eternal City. Perhaps he'd take Madrid's blue clay after all.

Federer has never won the title, and it hasn't been simply Rafa who has stopped him. Yes, we all remember the 5-hour, 5-minute slugfest in the 2006 final, but another Spaniard, Felix Mantilla, ousted Federer in the 2003 finale in straight sets.

Since 2007, he's been upset in Rome by the likes of Richard Gasquet, Ernests Gulbis (in case you're wondering, he lost in qualifying last weekend), Radek Stepanek and home hope Filippo Volandri.

Gasquet dumped Federer in the third round in 2011, which, of course, means he can make up ground in the rankings on Novak Djokovic with an extended stay in Rome. An early loss for Djokovic would help Federer's cause.

Federer mentioned in Madrid that he wasn't looking past his opener against Milos Raonic. Once he overcame his inactivity and the Canadian, he faced players who he has a good record against; as he played well, his confidence rose, and all of a sudden he landed in the final. Federer's next opponent in Rome, Juan Carlos Ferrero, shouldn't overly worry him, since the Swiss has defeated Ferrero seven times in succession.

Straightforward wins would, presumably, help Federer's body as the weekend and a possible semifinal duel with Djokovic approaches. If anyone other than John Isner surfaces in the quarterfinals, the smooth progress should continue.

And if it is Isner, who took advantage of Philipp Kohlschreiber's nerves to advance in the first round, at least the match won't be physical. Nonetheless, Federer wouldn't want to lose to Isner twice in a row on European clay, now would he?

The outcome against Berlocq, who has never beaten a top-10 player, wasn't in doubt, even if Berlocq is a clay-court specialist having the finest season of his career.

Some may remember Berlocq from the Miami Masters in 2006, when he must have made dubious history. Berlocq fed Donald Young a double-bagel in the first round, only to suffer a 6-0, 6-0 defeat in the second round against another American, James Blake.

Especially in the first set, Federer had opened up the court by going to Berlocq's backhand. Berlocq did manage to hit two stunning backhand winners in the first three-plus games. Unfortunately, in between he dropped 13 straight points. Federer took a 3-0 lead (one break) and coasted the rest of the set.

The second was more of a struggle, when Federer, and his erratic forehand, was broken immediately after breaking Berlocq midway in the set.

Noticeable at 4-4 in the second was this: Berlocq was huffing and puffing and grunting away. He thought he won the first point by hitting a powerful shot down the line, but a quiet Federer took the ball early and zinged a forehand down the line for 0-15. Federer broke again, and there was no letting Berlocq back in it. Judging by the handshake at the net, Berlocq seemed happy he had the chance to face arguably the greatest player of all time.

Federer, meanwhile, was happy not to linger on Center Court on Wednesday.

You'd think after hearing a week's worth of complaints, the Madrid Open courts were played on an ice-hockey rink adorned with blue food coloring for a little pizazz. Novak Djokovic said players were tripping, slipping and sliding. Rafael Nadal said he will boycott next season's tournament if changes aren't made. That's right. If you haven't heard, a few players were singing the blues this past week.

On that note, some final thoughts from Madrid:

Out of the blue: Evidently, Ion Tiriac, the brains behind the big, bad blue courts, had this vision for quite some time. But the fatalistic feelings from the players implied this endeavor was pulled together with little thought other than a conspicuous marketing ploy to ratchet up the dollars. But what the cynical competitors should understand is this: Everyone is on equal footing (pun apology) and that adversity, believe it or not, is part of the game. If anything, court surfaces have become so homogenous in recent years that this could be looked at as a new challenge.

Blue it: Nicolas Almagro had a stellar opportunity in Madrid. He smacked his vaunted backhand all over the court against countryman David Ferrer. Almagro had three matches points in their third-round clash but was unable to convert any of them. Almagro eventually lost 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6 (8) and fell to a dubious 0-10 versus Ferrer.

True blue: Serena Williams absolutely walloped the top two ranked players on the WTA Tour. She beat Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-3 in the quarterfinals and then took apart the nearly unbeatable Victoria Azarenka by the same score in the final. A decade ago, the first leg of the Serena Slam started at Roland Garros. Williams, who is now two-for-two on the clay this season looks to be a clear-cut favorite heading into Paris.

Feeling blue: The court's surface at Madrid evoked tepid responses at best and utter disdain at worst. And world No. 1 Djokovic was leading the chorus of jeers. His sentiments certainly didn't change after his countryman, Janko Tipsarevic, knocked him out of the tournament. That's now four events in his past five that Djokovic has come up short. Hmmm. But the morose Serb was then singing the praises of Rome's red courts upon arrival -- his final prep before the French.

Blueprint for success: Of the many players who denounced Madrid's courts, guess who wasn't? Roger Federer. And guess who won the title? You guessed it. Federer did say it was tough to move but you have to make the best of it. Federer, for his part, overcame a brutal array of shot-making from Milos Raonic in his opening match and just dealt with the hardships like, well, a professional the entire week. Considering the collective cry this past week, there's no doubt Madrid needs to make changes that will again placate the players. But as Federer proved, a positive attitude can go a long way.

Once in a blue moon: Despite Nadal's negative frame of mind, no one saw this coming: Up 5-2 and two breaks in the third set, he inexplicably fell apart versus Fernando Verdasco, dropping five straight games and the match in the third round. Nadal had been a perfect 13-0 versus Verdasco.

Hmm, let's see here.

Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic on red clay in Monte Carlo. Rafael Nadal loses to Fernando Verdasco on funky blue clay in Madrid.

Somehow, don't you think he'd take that tradeoff?

Nadal won't be too concerned about getting beaten by Verdasco on Thursday at the Madrid Open, although you'd have backed him to get the job done when leading 5-2, 15-0 on his serve in the third set. Uncharacteristically, Nadal, who owns one of the best overheads on tour, sent one into the net on the ensuing point, and it seemed to unnerve him.

What ticked him more, judging by his reaction, was how long Verdasco stayed down on the court in celebration when the three-hour match (they can't play a quick encounter against each other) ended. Nadal had to wait at the net for an eternity. He'll remember that the next time they play.

Indeed, after Verdasco bid adieu to his 13-match losing streak against Nadal, he acted like he won a Grand Slam, sobbing then jogging over to his box to exchange hugs.

This clay-court season for Nadal was all about two things: winning the French Open, which is still more than two weeks away, and beating Djokovic. By losing to Verdasco, Nadal at least ensures his one-match winning streak against the Serb won't come to an end in front of his adoring public in Madrid. Had they met in Madrid, with its high altitude and fast conditions, Djokovic would have been the favorite.

Remember, in four visits now to Madrid -- since it shifted to clay -- Nadal has won the title only once, yet he's kept on taking care of business at Roland Garros. Dodgy knees, family problems and perhaps his slugfest against Djokovic in Madrid three years ago contributed to the lone blemish in Paris in 2009. Nadal reverts to more comfortable surroundings next week in Rome.

By now we know the players don't like the blue clay; several of them, including Nadal, have called it slippery. But Nadal, who came out on the wrong end of the PR stick by criticizing Roger Federer at the Australian Open, didn't do himself any good after the match Thursday when he hinted he wouldn't play in Madrid next year if the blue courts were still around. Only a day earlier -- after a win over Nikolay Davydenko -- he said this: "It is the same for all of us, and if I lose here it will be because I was not good enough to win."

As for Verdasco, who was one of the hottest clay players in 2010, he needed this type of breakthrough result. He'd been drifting, reverting to his pre-Australian Open 2009 days.

Much easier for Fed

After scraping past the impressive Milos Raonic in a third-set tiebreaker Wednesday, in a match Raonic probably deserved to win (and the Canadian said as much on Twitter), Federer had a light workout Thursday. He spent less than an hour on court, dispatching Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-2.

On paper, the matchup was dangerous, since the talented -- and now more mentally tough -- Gasquet had defeated Federer in two of their previous three head-to-heads on clay, including a thriller in Monte Carlo in 2005.

But Gasquet wasn't in good shape to offer resistance. He had a long week in Estoril, battling to the final, and spent nearly three hours on court in Madrid in a first-round win over Thomaz Bellucci. Read more into his willingness to tough it out against Bellucci than his display Thursday.

Federer, not under the same pressure as against Raonic, was much cleaner.

It looked like Nicolas Almagro would emulate Verdasco and end a jinx against a fellow Spaniard. But David Ferrer saved three match points to make it 10 straight against Almagro and set up a quarterfinal against Federer.

Federer and Ferrer's head-to-head record is also lopsided: 12-0 to the Swiss.

Another test for Djokovic

Taken to three sets by journeyman Daniel Gimeno-Traver in his opener, Djokovic, the leading member of the big three, was made to sweat, again, by Stanislas Wawrinka.

But followers of Wawrinka will know that the Swiss No. 2 often makes matches against the elite competitive -- without ever winning. Wawrinka, who hits one of the heaviest balls on tour, was gutsy when he saved five set points serving at 4-5, but a shocking drop shot cost him in the pivotal first set tiebreak. He lost 7-6 (5), 6-4. Djokovic served brilliantly, winning all but eight of his first serve points, and was only broken when he lost his concentration late in the second set.

What lingered in the memory, however, was Djokovic's mindset. Yes, he made it clear, as he did in his match with Gimeno-Traver, that he didn't like the surface. He looked down at the blue clay on a handful of occasions, audibly frustrated. And chasing a sweetly struck Wawrinka backhand down the line, he took a tumble.

Djokovic got up, dusted himself off, and got on with things. It's another example of how he's improved, and how aware he is of the responsibility that goes along with being No. 1.

After Thursday's action, we're one step closer to a Djokovic-Federer semifinal, which would be the real final now that Nadal has departed.

Roger Federer faced three obstacles Wednesday at the Madrid Masters:

First, there was his inactivity. The last time he stepped on court, Federer walked off a loser to Andy Roddick at the Miami Masters on March 27. The six-week gap was the longest for Federer in his career between Miami and his opening clay-court tournament of the spring.

Second, he had to contend with the much publicized blue courts. After Novak Djokovic's scathing criticism on Tuesday, Rafael Nadal, albeit more tamely, took his own swipe Wednesday. The courts, according to several players, including Nadal, are too slippery.

Third, and equally as daunting, was his young opponent, Milos Raonic. The 21-year-old Canadian is a quick study, looking better on clay this year than last. Raonic reached the semifinals in Barcelona and ousted the dangerous David Nalbandian in the first round in Madrid, hitting 16 aces in the higher altitude of the Spanish capital, not facing a break point and winning all 27 of his first-serve points. Federer dropped a set in Indian Wells to none other than Raonic.

And following a similar break in 2010, Federer tasted defeat in his first match in Rome to a similarly talented -- yet less mentally sound -- opponent, Ernests Gulbis.

But Federer overcame everything in front of him in Madrid, and there was no early exit. Despite winning fewer points overall than Raonic, Federer survived 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4) in one of the most absorbing matches of the season.

Here are a few takeaways:

Fed's attacking game

When Federer took on Nadal in last year's French Open final, he wasn't shy to attack. There was more of Federer going forward Wednesday, although you could argue he did it a little too much. It all began with a successful serve and volley on the third point.

But Federer seemed to be overdoing it in the first game of the second set when he was in trouble, so much so that his box -- which featured the usual suspects -- appeared puzzled.

Raonic knew what was coming, and on separate occasions with Federer serving and volleying, he ripped a backhand down the line on the ad court and one to Federer's feet on the deuce court. Federer hung on and held.

Raonic feasted on a return with Federer moving forward at 5-5 in the second set, another pivotal juncture of the match. Federer blew a 40-0 lead and stared at a break point, yet he was let off the hook by a tentative Raonic return.

However, it should be pointed out that Federer's accurate half-volley at deuce on the next point saved him (even if both players thought the ball was going long), and he fended off a break point in the third set with a lovely backhand drop volley.

He ended the night 19-for-34 at the net.

As to why he approached so often, perhaps he felt uncomfortable moving at the back of the court. In the fifth game of the third set, he looked down at the court in frustration, hands outstretched. Or maybe he felt his balls were flying from the baseline.

Let's see what he does against Richard Gasquet (who could be tired) Thursday.

That serve

Raonic picked up where he left off against Nalbandian. He didn't lose a point behind his first serve in the opening set, finally dropping one in the fourth game of the second when he sent an inside out forehand wide. Overall he won 86 percent of his first serve points.

But as the match went on, Federer had a better read on the Raonic serve. When he broke Raonic to end the second, for instance, he began by repelling two first serves with backhand slice returns.

In the tiebreaker, Raonic failed to get a cheap point on serve. At 4-5, credit Federer for making Raonic hit an extra ball (and he sent a forehand long). On the last point, Federer uncorked a stunning crosscourt return.

Yes, the kid is going to be really good

What a difference a year has made in Raonic's clay-court development. Last year in Monte Carlo, to use a well-known expression, he looked like a cow on ice in a crushing loss to David Ferrer.

He was slipping and sliding all over -- without control -- and Ferrer kept going to his backhand, with success. Both aspects have improved. The backhand is no longer a liability. (Raonic tested Ferrer in Barcelona in April, losing in two tiebreaks.)

Raonic is composed, too, although it'd be nice to see him show a little more positive emotion now that he's cut out the negative body language his coach says was an issue in the past. Imagine Raonic, the big guy that he is, offering up a Juan Martin del Potro-like roar.

Raonic's youth, though, was on display on several of the seven break points he didn't convert. (He went 1-for-8, with Federer 1-for-2.) He'll be annoyed, for instance, with the low-percentage backhand down the line he attempted at 2-2 in the third.

Who's who?

Some of the shot-making was breathtaking. Twice in the same game, overheads were picked off for winners: A gorgeous lob landed in the corner and a crosscourt backhand drop shot was a thing of beauty.

But it wasn't Federer who pulled them off. Raonic showed he's more than a serve.

Yes, of course, Federer chipped in, too, hitting a cheeky drop-shot return winner.

Played in good spirits -- mostly

Raonic is a polite young man, which was evidenced in the 11th game of the third. He apologized after a netcord threw Federer off, and on the next point, rubbed out a mark when a linesperson called a Federer serve long before making a correction.

Umpire Mohamed El Jennati got some exercise in the next game, coming out of his chair when Federer asked him to check a mark -- even though Raonic identified the mark and suggested the ball in question was long and El Jennati told Federer from the chair it was long. A few in the crowd jeered.

But when the match ended, rightfully, there was applause for both men.

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- The mission in Miami was straightforward: Show up and play exceptionally well. Two players did that better than anyone. And not by coincidence, they happened to also win the respective singles titles. So mazel tov, Novak Djokovic and Agnieszka Radwanska, you are worthy champions.

But, believe it or not, a whole lot more transpired. Here are our top 10 takeaways from a tournament rife with entertainment and unexpected drama:

1. Listen to me, would ya?

Don't you just want to give Maria Sharapova and Andy Murray a good old finger-wagging, in-your-grill lashing on how to win? Maria, please stop making those silly mistakes. Andy, why can't you play the important points better? If only it were so easy to follow these directives, we might have two different champions at the podium. Alas, the stubborn ones find themselves the bridesmaids again. But before we get too down on Murray and Sharapova, let's consider the good: Murray was, after all, playing the world's greatest player. No one, but no one, has found the necessary ingredients to blunt Djokovic's pristine play in these mandatory tournaments. But the saga of the mercurial Murray has gone on for so long that you wonder if he'll ever find a way to leverage his dynamic shot-making during key moments. As for Sharapova, lest we forget, she's been a top-tier player going back almost a decade now, finishing in the top 10 every year since 2004, except for 2009 and 2010. That's an incredibly hard feat. She's come back from a career-threatening shoulder injury and still sits at No. 2 on the world. But Sharapova, by her own admission, knows only one way to play: fast and furious. If she could channel just a little Caroline Wozniacki and stick with the point a shot or two longer, who knows? For now, second place will have to suffice for these two.

2. A new breed of success

Radwanska won the Sony Ericsson Open with a brand of tennis that's tricky to explain. She's defensive-minded, as we know, but she also plays a beguiling style that her opponents don't seem to like very much. Radwanska is kind of like Wozniacki in her overall approach, but with more creativity. She's a little bit like Jelena Jankovic, but with superior precision. Her unassailable attention to detail and her unique tactical approach have vaulted her up the ranking to No. 4. But, like Wozniacki, you wonder how high the ceiling is. You also have to wonder how long until the power hitters figure out how to crack her craft, much like they did versus Woz. But for now, Aga, as she now likes to be referred to, is doing all the little things right, which is leading to some big results.

3. You sure fooled us

Venus, Venus, where have you been? There were few people in and around the game who gave her any shot of producing a decent result, considering her extended time away. Venus Williams, who surmounted a few arduous three-setters to reach the quarterfinals in Miami, might not move with fleet of feet, which she never really has, and sometimes appears to be limbering along with almost no footwork. But she can still serve some serious heat, and she can also end points early when she's in the right position. That'll be a lethal combination at the All England Club. Plus, her five previous Wimbledon trophies suggest she has an inkling on how to make a healthy living on those lush lawns.

4. Rafa, don't be so sad

In a vacuum, Rafael Nadal appears to be your typical superstar going through a few rough patches. But if you parse it closely, the issues are a lot more disconcerting: He hasn't won a title in a year, his knees are hurting and he's obviously ticked off by his inability to persuade the ATP brass to adopt his views on a scheduling reform and a two-year ranking system. And he's even more vexed that his greatest on-court rival, Federer, won't use his vast influence to help push his agenda. Nadal's overall dour disposition came to light at Key Biscayne, even before pulling out of his semifinal match against Murray. The grind of the tennis season takes a hefty toll, especially for someone who plays as punishing as Nadal. If he's not in the right frame of mind, 2012 could be a long season. Fortunately for him, the clay circuit, his longtime oasis, is next on the calendar, but you get this uneasy suspicion that things might not work out for him quite the way they have in the past.

5. Welcome to planet Earth, Vika

You can't win them all. Well, Victoria Azarenka did until finally conceding to Marion Bartoli in the quarterfinals. But don't get too worked up. Azarenka's level and, more so, her will to win from the onset of the season have greatly changed from a year ago. For Bartoli, she's made a nice living thwarting the game's giants. She ended Serena Williams' run at Wimbledon last year, and in 2007, Bartoli reached the final of Wimbledon before running into a far superior Venus Williams. As we reported last week, Bartoli actually has 12 career wins over top-five players. But as for Azarenka, she should fare quite nicely on the dirt. Azarenka's irrepressible mindset is a good match for the surface, which requires maximum physical output.

6. Slow down, boy

It was clear from the beginning that the slower conditions here in Miami were going to be a considerable obstacle for Roger Federer to overcome. The courts themselves are slightly faster than at Indian Wells, but the high humidity caused the ball to almost poof up after hitting the ground. Federer's stout strokes were clearly nullified, and Andy Roddick capitalized. Of course, it didn't hurt that Roddick played "like the No. 1 player in the world," as Federer said after the match.

7. Woz up with that?

Say what you want about the most scrutinized player on the WTA. But Wozniacki showed she has enough game to hang with today's power players, when she wants to. Against Sharapova, she was in it until the bitter end when a controversial call (albeit the right one) on a Sharapova serve led to an abrupt ending to the match. But Wozniacki showed some pop on her own serve and, on occasion, some oomph in her groundies. Perhaps she is taking a small step toward making the requisite changes everyone knows she needs to make.

8. Going, going … gone!

It was a pretty amazing scene on center court this past Friday afternoon. With the air yanked out of the stadium after Nadal withdrew from his semifinal match against Murray, world No. 1 Djokovic galloped onto center court a couple of hours later for a practice session. But first, he began taking … batting practice as his hitting partner pitched ball after ball to him. Djokovic used the handle of his racket as a baseball bat and smacked some prodigious home runs into the sparse, but suddenly galvanized, crowd. This was, obviously, intended for the amusement of the fans, but you couldn't help but admire his superb hand-eye coordination.

9. Ewww!

Radek Stepanek has to be ugliest dressed tennis player -- maybe ever. (Well, perhaps second to Dominik Hrbaty, but that's a conversation for a different day). Forgive the hyperbole, but his garish blue-checkered, wannabe golf shirt crammed way too tightly into his slightly-longer-than-John Stockton-wore white shorts probably turned a few heads away. If you don't believe me, just ask de facto fashionista Sharapova, who named Stepanek as one of the worst-dressed athletes when she briefly was given the editorial keys to a 2011 issue of ESPN The Magazine. It didn't help that his doubles partner, Leander Paes, was donning a pretty hideous florescent lime green top. Together, well, let's just say he would not pass the Tommy Hilfiger "American Idol" design test.

10. Juan's the Mon-aco

Many a tournament, especially those with slower conditions, often produces an unexpected floater deep into the draw. It was Juan Monaco's time at Key Biscayne. You'd think that Monaco would be outclassed versus Roddick and Mardy Fish -- and certainly Djokovic, even after a bleak opening set. But his modus operandi -- don't stop, don't ever stop -- drove his opponents crazy. He actually made the aforementioned Americans look, dare we say, old and slow. In the end, Djokovic outplayed the spritely Argentine, but with the clay season just moments away, you had better watch out, 'cause Juan is coming for you.

Well, it appears they're not besties after all.

After a career-long congenial relationship between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the tension meter suddenly set off some alarms when Nadal took a swipe at his rival for failing to back his fellow players in the fight for schedule reform. Nadal insists that Federer's silence in helping make the tour a healthier environment isn't benefiting anyone -- except Mr. Federer himself.

But was this a selfish rant by a player fed up with his own ailments, or was Nadal looking out for the greater good of the game?

The tour's length always has been a hot-button issue, a source of contention for players who often succumb to the rigors of an 11-month mandatory-driven calendar. Of the top players, Nadal in particular has felt the brunt of the grind. His vast list of tournament withdrawals include the year-end championships, Australian Open and Wimbledon, just to name a few notables. His shoulder, knees, foot, hamstring and back injuries throughout his career have slowed his assault on Federer's Slam record. With the exception of chipping a tooth during his trademark habit of biting the winner's trophy (although that can't be good for his enamel), Nadal has nicked up nearly every facet of his robust anatomy.

What Nadal would give for a clean bill of health, to glide through a season unfazed by the physio and at a safe distance from the docs. What he would give to careen around the court as eloquently as Federer, or to procure a big bomb of a serve and earn a few free points. That's not in the cards, and that's a problem.

Nadal has a point, though: He never asked to be the lead spokesman in the case against the ambitious schedule. Sure, he's voiced his displeasure in the past, but that shouldn't designate him as the face of this issue. But if he is going to be that person, should he come across looking like the villain when so many others share the same sentiments, including Nikolay Davydenko? So Nadal's frustration with the silent Fed is understandable.

But this is a far more complex issue than even Nadal acknowledges. There are a lot of parties involved, each with their own agendas. Any revisions to the schedule could have a profound impact on the way rankings points are distributed and on how it could affect journeymen who depend on the long season to stay afloat. But the point is that there are a lot of concerned players, and they need not only an authoritative voice, but a unified one. And with Federer -- the most recognizable and accomplished player to ever step foot on court -- distancing himself, the challenge for change becomes that much more onerous.

Federer has done a remarkable job of maintaining his health (or staying fresh as a daisy, as Rafa said), especially for a player who hit the three-decade milestone in August. At this point in their careers, is it really that necessary for Federer or Nadal to heed the tour's mandatory obligations? Federer has played a judicious schedule, most notably his post-U.S. Open respite. How much has that hurt him? On the contrary, we've watched him win two consecutive World Tour Finals championships and the Paris Masters title (among others) after bailing on the Asian swing. Why couldn't Nadal follow in his footsteps? And what say you about Serena Williams' paucity of play? Her blueprint has kept her not only viable, but dominant, a lot longer than the frenzy of early retirements on the women's tour.

It's hard to say for sure whether Nadal's admonishing of Federer was fair. But this public grievance is just the beginning. Plus, the tour could use a little dissent, couldn't it? Quite frankly, I, for one, have never bought into the faux "You're the greatest," "No, no, you're the greatest" lauding of each other. Nadal and Federer are not ill-spirited by any stretch, but nonetheless, they're rivals who want to augment their trophy collections and add to their legacies. It just seems slightly astonishing that neither has expressed any animosity toward the other until now.

Nadal, perhaps, did not intend for his contentious comments to amass so much negative traction. But if you read between the lines, Nadal essentially called Federer's do-good demeanor a sham: "His [position] is easy: Do not say anything, all positive, I am a gentleman; others get burned."

Ouch. Silence, evidently, can speak volumes.

Hey, if schedule strife is the lynchpin in a little bad blood, then so be it. At some point, Federer's perceived haughtiness was bound to rub his mates the wrong way. This is a fraternity, albeit a disorganized one. And all accolades and accomplishments aside, the players do need to look out for each other. And right now, at least as far as Nadal is concerned, Federer is not living up to his role.

We'll see how the narrative escalates as we get deeper into the Australian Open. But in what is typically a quiet first few days at the majors for the upper echelon, we'll let the silent-Federer saga do all the talking.

Editor's note: The tennis season now over, it's time to look back. Novak Djokovic was no doubt the player of the year, but there were many memories to savor. Beginning Dec. 12, Ravi Ubha unveils his top 100 memories of the 2011 season. Check back each weekday until Dec. 23 as we count down to No. 1.

10. Oops, Serena did it again

Serena Williams and the U.S. Open are a fiery mix.

Two years after verbally abusing a linesperson in the semifinals, Williams went into attack mode when chair umpire Eva Asderaki enforced the hindrance rule early in the second set of this year's final.

Williams uttered a loud "come on" immediately after crunching a forehand (so the point wasn't over), with Asderaki then handing the point to Samantha Stosur. Stosur broke.

Here was part of what a seething Williams said to the diminutive Asderaki: "If you ever see me walking down the hall, walk the other way, because you're out of control.

"Totally out of control. You're a hater, unattractive inside. Who would do such a thing? And I never complain. Wow."

Another fine was on the way, this time for $2,000.

9. Djokovic's clay double

Beating Rafael Nadal on hard courts is one thing, but doing it twice on clay in the same season?

Novak Djokovic really got Nadal thinking when he crushed the Spaniard in both the Madrid and Rome finals.

Winning in Rome was particularly impressive for Djokovic since he contested a three-hour classic against Andy Murray the night before.

"I'm amazed with the way I'm playing, especially today given the circumstances and the condition I was in," Djokovic said. Had Djokovic beaten Roger Federer at the French Open, he could have made it three in a row against Nadal on dirt.

8. Kvitova opens her Grand Slam account

A star is born.

Petra Kvitova won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon -- and you can bet many more majors are on the way.

Two previous Czech women's winners at the All England Club, Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna, watched as Kvitova downed a helpless Maria Sharapova in the final.

Navratilova dished out the praise.

"Kvitova has the potential to be one of the greats," Navratilova said.

Unlike Navratilova, whose success came from serving and volleying, Kvitova bludgeoned her way to the crown. The lefty serve and forehand made for a lethal combination.

Barring injury, she'll be No. 1 at some point next year.

7. Djokovic's grass delight

He won on hard courts in Australia, then handled Nadal on clay. But grass was supposed to be a surface that slightly mystified Djokovic.

Not so.

Without any grass-court prep, Djokovic battled his way to the Wimbledon title. He outlasted Marcos Baghdatis in a third-round slugfest, overcame several difficult moments against unorthodox Aussie Bernard Tomic in the quarterfinals and stole the first set versus Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semis before comfortably prevailing.

Up next was Nadal, and Djokovic swept past the bamboozled two-time Wimbledon champion in four sets, getting some help in the final game when Nadal's forehand faltered.

Only two days earlier, he earned the No. 1 ranking.

"This is my favorite tournament, the tournament I always dreamed of winning, the first tournament I ever watched in my life," Djokovic said. "I think I'm still sleeping, I'm still having my dream."

6. Rafa tops Roger in Paris

Topping Nadal in a French Open final would have been one of Federer's finest achievements. Sadly for Federer, he missed the opportunity.

And what an opportunity it was.

Nadal looked shaky in stretches, yet when Federer's drop shot narrowly missed wide on set point in the first set, the momentum shifted.

It ended in four sets, and Nadal bagged his sixth French Open title.

"I thought he was getting tired throughout the third set and also in the fourth," Federer said. "It was unfortunate I couldn't take my chances early on in the fourth."

5. Li makes history

Finally fully healthy, Li Na came close to becoming China's first Grand Slam singles winner in Melbourne.

But there was no stopping her, surprisingly, on the clay of the French Open.

Aided by the calming presence of Michael Mortensen, Li earned her title in Paris, ousting the likes of Kvitova, Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka and the defending champ, Francesca Schiavone.

"China tennis -- we're getting bigger and bigger," Li said.

According to reports, 116 million television viewers in China took in the final.

4. The streak

An overzealous tennis schedule caught up with Djokovic in the fall. However, he strung together an almost unprecedented run to start 2011.

Djokovic won 41 in a row from January to June -- one shy of John McEnroe's men's mark set in 1984. The streak included the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Rome and Madrid.

Before Federer dethroned him in Paris, there weren't too many near misses, either (Nadal in Miami, Thomaz Bellucci in Madrid and Murray in Rome).

"Given there's more competition, more athleticism, deeper fields, I'd say his record is even more impressive than mine, especially given that in 1984, the major in Australia was played at the end of the year," McEnroe said.

Those to take a set off him during the streak? Federer, Nadal, Murray, Bellucci, Ivan Dodig, Feliciano Lopez, Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer and Juan Martin del Potro.

3. Djokovic's New York TKO over Rafa

The culmination of the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry in 2011, this had to have been one of the most physically grueling matches of all time. And when that's part of the equation, not many would look past Nadal.

But Djokovic cast aside any lingering doubts about his stamina when he defeated Nadal in four sets and more than four hours. Call it a technical knockout.

Four Grand Slam titles played for Djokovic, and three won.

"He's jumped up a level," said seven-time Grand Slam winner Mats Wilander. "I think this is the very beginning. He may be riding the wave, but it's not like the wave is going to end. This is how good he is."

2. Fed at his finger-wagging best

Djokovic had plenty on the line against Federer in the French Open semis. The Serb was seeking that 42nd straight win to start a season.

But Federer played one of the best matches of his career to prevail in four high-quality, supercharged sets to end the streak.

He was surely helped by the crowd, which chanted "Roger, Roger" and cheered in a fashion reminiscent of a Davis Cup series.

"It almost feels like I've won the tournament," Federer said.

Federer wagged his finger when it ended -- highly amusing.

1.The shot

It was quite simply the shot heard around the tennis world.

Djokovic saved two match points against Federer in the semis for the second straight year at the U.S. Open -- and this time they were both on the Swiss' serve.

Appearing to have given up and ticked he was getting no love from the New York crowd, Djokovic went for broke on the first match point and connected with an outrageous cross-court forehand return.

Federer sagged, Djokovic ascended, and that was it.

"I don't know how it happened," Djokovic said. "I read his serve and I was on the ball, and I had to hit it hard, and it got in, luckily for me."

Federer didn't cover himself in glory when he said he'd never have attempted such a high-risk shot.

"This is very hard to understand how [you] can play a shot like that on match point," he said. "But look, maybe he's been doing it for 20 years, so for him it was very normal."

It was Djokovic's year.

Editor's note: The tennis season now over, it's time to look back. Novak Djokovic was no doubt the player of the year, but there were many memories to savor. Beginning Dec. 12, Ravi Ubha unveils his top 100 memories of the 2011 season. Check back each weekday until Dec. 23 as we count down to No. 1.

20. Rafa disappears

Now you see him, now you don't.

Addressing reporters following a third-round win on a sticky day at the U.S. Open, Rafael Nadal suddenly began experiencing leg cramps.

He slumped in his chair, stayed put for a while, then slithered under a desk that was in front of the chair.

Nadal is considered a warrior, so it was quite the unexpected sight.

"It's nothing important," a smiling Nadal later said. "I had that hundreds of times but not in the press conference. If that happened in the locker room, nobody knows nothing, and that's normal thing."

Indeed. Nadal reached the final.

19. Fed ends on high

Without a major for the first time in a calendar year since 2002, Roger Federer needed to end the campaign on a high.

That he did.

Federer carries a 17-match winning streak into 2012 after triumphing in the Davis Cup, Basel, Paris and London. His title at the year-end championships was his sixth, a men's record.

"It's one of my greatest accomplishments, an amazing finish again to the season," Federer said. "I've never finished on such a strong note."

Can people now stop questioning his motivation?

18. "Aussie" Kim wins Down Under

It was about time Kim Clijsters won a Grand Slam outside New York. And call it fitting that Melbourne was the venue.

Clijsters became a favorite, or even more of one, in Australia when she dated Aussie Lleyton Hewitt.

"I finally feel like you guys can call me Aussie Kim because I won the title," Clijsters told the crowd at Rod Laver Arena after topping Li Na in the final. "Even when things weren't going good, you guys were really supportive of me, and I really appreciate it."

Not always a great competitor -- see last year's loss in Melbourne to Nadia Petrova and this year's defeat to Arantxa Rus at Roland Garros -- Clijsters hung tough against Li, reversing a one-set deficit. Li overcame Clijsters two weeks earlier in Sydney.

17. Death of the "Rafa Slam"

It's easy to forget, given Novak Djokovic's season, that 12 months ago Nadal was on the verge of becoming the first man in 42 years to win four consecutive majors.

Nadal seemed doomed in his quest.

An early-January illness hurt Nadal heading into Melbourne, and it likely had something to do with the Spaniard picking up a hamstring injury against David Ferrer in a marathon second game of their quarterfinal.

Nadal refused to retire -- he did so against Andy Murray at the 2010 Australian Open -- but tamely lost in straight sets.

"We don't have luck here," Nadal's coach and uncle, Toni Nadal, said. "We think that when he had the flu, he was more [susceptible] to getting hurt."

"This is one of the bad [moments], one of the negative moments," Rafael Nadal said. "I think I am very lucky sportsman about what's happened in my career. I have to accept the fantastic moments that I had during a lot of the years with the same calm when I have problems."

16. Revolt at the U.S. Open

Nadal wasn't so calm at the rain-affected U.S. Open.

Furious that organizers told him he had to play on a court that he felt was wet, Nadal snapped at tournament referee Brian Earley, "It's the same old story. All you think about is money."

Nadal, Murray and Andy Roddick marched into the referees' office later on the second Wednesday and let their feelings be known.

"We don't feel protected," Nadal said in a TV interview. "Grand Slams, they win a lot of money, and they are just working for that, not us. They are calling us on court, and it's still raining."

As a result of the players' anger, there is a chance for an off day for the men in between the semis and finals next year.

15. Fed inexplicably blows a two-set lead Wimbledon has become slightly bittersweet for Federer.

Sure he's won at the All England Club on six occasions, but he also lost to Nadal in arguably the greatest match of all time in 2008. Then this season on the grass, Federer relinquished a two-set advantage at a Grand Slam -- he had been 178-0 -- for the first time.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a carefree personality who actually believes he can rally from such a deficit, was the man who pulled off the 3-6, 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory.

"Kind of a strange feeling, because I did play well myself," Federer said. "I can't blame my poor returning or my poor serving or my poor movement or anything like that in this match, and that makes it a bit easier."

Tsonga upended Federer in Montreal two months later, although order was restored in the fall.

14. Djokovic's spring double

When Djokovic led Serbia to the Davis Cup title last year, it boosted his appetite for winning. Conquering Melbourne added to his confidence. But it was his back-to-back titles in Indian Wells and Miami that cemented his belief.

Never before had Djokovic topped Nadal in tour finals, yet he edged a pair of three-setters in California and Florida.

As their rivalry unfolded and Nadal kept losing, his postmatch handshakes became less warm.

13. Rafa recovers in Seville

Statistically, it wasn't a bad year for Nadal, as he suggested. He won the French Open and landed in the final at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

But there was a sense that he needed a lift heading into 2012, especially after his performance -- and admission of a loss of motivation -- at the World Tour Finals.

Nadal got the boost he needed, leading Spain to the Davis Cup title in December.

He clinched the series with an absorbing four-set, four-hour win over Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro at a pumping Olympic Stadium in Seville.

"It was the most amazing atmosphere I have ever played in," Nadal said.

The turning point? Del Potro dropping serve when he was up a set, a break and serving at 40-0 in the second.

He failed to serve out the fourth set, too.

12. Djokovic sizzles in Melbourne

Representing Serbia last December (Davis Cup) and this January (Hopman Cup) was the perfect tonic for Djokovic. He entered the Australian Open rife with confidence -- and didn't flinch.

Djokovic tore through the field, dropping one set (to Ivan Dodig). He downed Federer in a semifinal that wasn't as close as the set scores hinted. He then eased past Murray to finally snap a three-year Grand Slam drought, longer than most everyone had expected.

"I don't want to stop here," Djokovic said.

He sure didn't.

11. Heart of a lion

You could forgive Francesca Schiavone if she decided to take it easy after winning the French Open last year. Nearing 30 back then, she had every right to sit back and bask in the glory of her success.

But no, Schiavone hasn't eased up.

In fact, you get the feeling she has an even bigger point to prove -- that she's no fluke.

Schiavone had a solid Grand Slam season, saving her most courageous display for the fourth round of the Australian Open. Schiavone saved six match points and toppled Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 1-6, 16-14 in 4 hours, 44 minutes, the longest women's encounter in Grand Slam history.

"I hope one day to show this DVD to my son," said Schiavone, who is not a parent.

The third set alone lasted three hours.

"At some stage, I was like, 'What's the score?'" Kuznetsova said. "It was hard to count. I was like, 'Who is up? She or me?'"

It was ultimately Schiavone on a day where the term "loser" didn't befit Kuznetsova.

Editor's note: The tennis season now over, it's time to look back. Novak Djokovic was no doubt the player of the year, but there were many memories to savor. Beginning Dec. 12, Ravi Ubha unveils his top 100 memories of the 2011 season. Check back each weekday until Dec. 23 as we count down to No. 1.

30. Henin retires, again

Unlike her fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin's comeback didn't produce any Grand Slam titles.

This season, a nervous-looking Henin flopped in Melbourne, falling to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the third round.

Still hampered by an elbow injury sustained, ironically, against Clijsters at Wimbledon last year, Henin called it quits for the second time.

"I had hoped for a different return and dreamed of a different ending," Henin said.

Why Henin couldn't wait until the Australian Open ended to make the announcement is beyond many.

29. Woz's mystery man

No, not Caroline Wozniacki's boyfriend. We knew who that was pretty early: Rory McIlroy.

Rather, Wozniacki kept everyone guessing about the identity of her new coach.

The Dane reportedly began working with the mystery person in the summer, although she wouldn't name names. Wozniacki sent video tapes of her practice sessions to the new coach, getting help from afar.

Wozniacki managed to stay mum during the U.S. Open, too.

Earlier this month, however, a Danish newspaper reported that Spaniard Ricardo Sanchez -- who teamed with another Slam-less No. 1, Jelena Jankovic -- got the job.

28. It had to happen

What were the odds of John Isner and Nicolas Mahut meeting in the first round at Wimbledon? More than 140-1. So call it destiny when it happened.

"I joked with Nic last week, sent him a text saying, 'Just watch us play the first round,'" Isner said the day the draw was made. "He replied, 'No, that's not cool,' but now it's happened."

The rematch didn't live up to the immense, and understandable, hype.

Far from a 70-68 fifth set on Court 18, Isner eased past the slightly injured Frenchman 7-6 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (6) on the new Court Three.

27. Fed finally wins Bercy

It was one of tennis' minor mysteries: Why hadn't Roger Federer ever reached a Paris Masters final? He'd played at Bercy eight times.

If ever there was a time to end the slump, it was this season since he didn't have to contend with Novak Djokovic (who bailed mid-tourney), Rafael Nadal (who skipped the event) or Andy Murray (a quarterfinal loser).

And sure enough, an inspired Federer swept to the title, not dropping a set.

"It's a special victory," he said.

26. Not so Fab

When two clay-court specialists met in the fourth round of the French Open, it was pure drama. We shouldn't be surprised that one was Fabio Fognini, given his late-night thriller against Gael Monfils last year.

Fognini saved five match points while essentially playing on one leg against veteran Albert Montanes, who tensed up at crunch time. But instead of Fognini being remembered as a hero, the Italian will go down as a villain for demanding -- and receiving -- a medical timeout when it appeared he was simply suffering from a cramp. Timeouts can't be called for cramps, and the educated folks at Roland Garros knew it.

Fognini was mostly booed when the 4-hour, 22-minute marathon concluded.

Perhaps to prove he was injured, Fognini bailed from his quarterfinal against Djokovic, altering the course of history.

25. The grudge match

David Nalbandian and Lleyton Hewitt don't particularly like each other.

There was that bump in their Australian Open quarterfinal in 2005, and on the eve of a Davis Cup semi a year later in Buenos Aires, Nalbandian said he couldn't "wait for [Hewitt] to have a taste of Argentine hospitality."

When Hewitt drew Nalbandian in the first round of the Australian Open this January, the prematch hype predictably overflowed. Thankfully that match didn't disappoint.

Devoid of any ill temper this time, the two hip-affected veterans battled for five sets and nearly five hours, with Nalbandian prevailing 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (1), 9-7 after going into semi-tank mode when down a break in the fourth. He saved two match points, one with an outrageous half volley.

"It was that kind of match that nobody will forget it," Nalbandian said.

24. Kangaroo court

Obviously keen to give reporters something to talk about besides her Slam-less No. 1 label, Wozniacki took things to another level in Melbourne.

Besides setting the agenda for one of her news conferences, Wozniacki claimed a scratch on her leg came courtesy of an encounter with a kangaroo in Melbourne.

A wire service ran the story, only to have Wozniacki tell reporters later that it was a concocted tale.

"I'm sorry if I caused an inconvenience," Wozniacki said.

23. Fed punishes Rafa

Federer was in a confident mood as he prepared to face Nadal at the year-end championships. And he had every right to be considering his title at the Paris Masters and the fact that Federer had never lost to the Spaniard indoors.

Things went even better for Federer than he would have imagined.

He crunched winners from all over the court and comfortably defended Nadal's heavy crosscourt forehand.

The final score read 6-3, 6-0, Federer's most lopsided victory in their 26 encounters.

"This win ranks high because it's against my biggest rival, probably," Federer said. "It was a great match for me from start to finish. I've felt the power of Rafa in the past."

22. Slammin' Sammy upsets Serena

When Serena Williams reaches major finals, she usually wins. Entering 2011, her record was a sterling 13-3.

And when she was pitted against Samantha Stosur in the U.S. Open finale, not many gave the Aussie a chance.

But Stosur hardly blundered.

The serve and forehand worked great, as did her backhand, Stosur's weakest shot off the ground. She handled the occasion well, overcoming a minor blip after Williams clashed with the chair ump.

"I had one of my best days, and I'm very fortunate that I had it on this stage in New York," Stosur said.

Potential realized.

21. Kvitova storms to Istanbul title

To simplify matters: When Petra Kvitova is on her game, not many can beat her. Serena Williams is one of those few.

But with Williams and Clijsters absent from the year-end championships, no one managed to derail the Wimbledon winner in Istanbul.

This was the tournament -- not Wimbledon -- where Kvitova realized she's one of the best players, if not the best, in the world. She felt comfortable on the big stage.

Kvitova will be on the big stage for many years to come.