Streaming giant Netflix recently released a documentary on Mardy Fish’s career, titled “UNTOLD: Breaking Point”. The documentary charts Fish’s rise on the tour, followed by his slump and eventual resurgence. However, the biggest purpose of the movie was to shed light on Fish’s physical and mental troubles.

The American underwent surgery on his heart to fix a chronic condition, which defined his career to a great extent. He also had a crippling anxiety disorder, which frequently deprived him of the ability to compete to the best of his abilities.

Since the documentary primarily revolved around Mardy Fish’s playing years, the name of his contemporary Roger Federer featured quite prominently in the conversations. Fish, who was the main speaker in the movie, was asked to explain why American men’s tennis failed to take off after Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003, and he had an immediate answer.

The 2004 Olympic silver medalist further heaped praise on Roger Federer’s innate ability to finish a point with just a flick of the wrist.

Mardy Fish went on to recall his 2004 Halle final against Roger Federer. The Swiss had stormed to a 6-0, 3-0 lead inside half an hour on that day, eventually winning 6-0, 6-3.

Such was Federer’s dominance that Fish was led to believe he loosened his grip on the match so that the spectators could get their money’s worth.

According to Mardy Fish, the fact that Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic announced themselves on tour so soon after the end of Roger Federer’s prime made things even trickier on the men’s circuit.

A look at Mardy Fish’s head-to-head record against Roger Federer

Mardy Fish and Roger Federer faced each other nine times on tour, with the Swiss leading the head-to-head record by a whopping margin of 8-1.

They were due to face each other for a 10th time at the 2012 US Open. But the American was unfortunately forced to withdraw due to health concerns, handing Federer a walkover.

Federer first faced Fish at Wimbledon in 2003, where he beat the American in four sets. The Swiss’ only loss to the former World No. 7 came at the Indian Wells Masters in 2008.

0 votes