Spinning in Tennis

While enjoying the spectacular Wimbledon 2008 finals, I was wondering about the kind of energy these champs manage to transfer to the ball. I read in NY Times that on an average, Agassi and Sampras managed to spin the ball at 1,800 RPM. Compare this to Federer's 2,500 RPM and Nadal's 3,200 RPM. They recorded nearly 5,000 RPM for Nadal! Not sure if it was in the first serve, or during volleys.

In Wimbledon 2008 finals, I was wondering if the law of diminishing returns was at work for Federer. Sure, he played superb tennis and fought every point with heart. But, would he have taken the risks that he took (unforced errors at the net), if it were his first grand slam finals? Federer was very gracious soon after the match (so was Nadal), when he said:

I tried everything. But, look, Rafa's a deserving champion. I played the worst player on the best court.

That is the way it should be - win without boasting, and lose without excuse. Regarding his bluntness in the post-game press conference, gruelling five hours mach will take its toll, esp. from the non-winner.