PARIS(AP) As of about noon Monday, Roger Federer hadn't received a congratulatory call from Rafael Nadal, the man he succeeded as French Open champion.
Who did touch base? Who did send along good wishes when Federer won his first title at Roland Garros to complete a career Grand Slam and tie Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam titles?
None other than Federer's pal Tiger Woods, another man who owns 14 major championships. Yes, Woods showed up to the driving range a little later than usual Sunday before playing the final round of the Memorial. He watched Federer win in his fourth trip to the French Open final, and they chatted afterward.
I was pulling for him. I was as nervous as can be for him,'' Woods said after rallying from a four-shot deficit to win in Dublin, Ohio.I was yelling at the TV, the whole deal.''
It's a shame more people in the United States weren't watching, too. NBC's coverage of Federer's 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4 victory over Robin Soderling at Roland Garros drew a 1.8 overnight rating - meaning fewer than 2 percent of homes with televisions in the country's largest markets tuned in. The CBS broadcast of Woods' victory drew a 3.6 overnight rating.
Sampras was among those who caught some of Federer's performance on television. Home in Los Angeles, he also saw parts of Federer's earlier matches at this French Open.
I watched enough to see that he maybe wasn't at his best and went through some tough matches that the great ones always find a way to win - and on a surface that is his least favorite,'' Sampras said.He just dug deep.''
Like Woods with a golf club in his hands, Federer with a racket is something special to behold. Good as they are, both are constantly looking for ways to improve: After recently deciding to try drop shots more often, Federer earned five winners off them against Soderling.
For a few years, there was probably three or four areas of his game that were arguably the best in the word, from movement to forehand to shot selection to net game,'' said Andre Agassi, one of the other five men to have won each of tennis' major tournaments.He just has it all.''
Like the 33-year-old Woods, the 27-year-old Federer gets called the ``greatest to ever play,'' even though his career has years to go.
Like Woods, Federer is talented and innovative, someone who not only is capable of dominating a sport but also of changing the way opponents play and train.
Roger made everybody play better. He made every tennis player in the world be better, if they want to play with him,'' said Guillermo Vilas, who won four Grand Slam titles in the 1970s.That's why everybody learns new shots and works differently: 'Roger's doing this, we have to do the same.'''
Like Woods, Federer does a good job of blocking out potential distractions. One example: Federer's father wasn't in the stands at Court Philippe Chatrier on Sunday, having returned to his hotel because he came down with a virus.
Like Woods, Federer knows how legacies are built.
For me,'' Federer said Monday,it's about the majors, really, right now.''
Federer lost to Nadal in the three previous French Open finals, and the Swiss star acknowledged feeling the pressure to come through this time after Nadal lost to Soderling in the fourth round. Federer knew history would view him differently if he could finally win in France.
It's going to take time for me to realize what I just did,'' Federer told The Associated Press.I might see things very differently right now. I don't know. But at the moment, I'm just so happy. I'm so proud that I was able to come through after so many years coming so close.''
Woods and Federer share a management agency and sponsors. They've filmed commercials together. They've shown up to see the other compete in person.
And they've become friends, aware that no else in the world really knows quite what it feels like to be Tiger or Roger.
It's just truly remarkable when he gets it going. He just hits shots that nobody else can hit,'' Woods said.It's fun to watch.''
Got that, America?
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Howard Fendrich covers tennis for The Associated Press. Write to him at hfendrich(at)ap.org