Don't let facts and figures get in the way of real story

STATISTICS need to be qualified or interpreted. This is obvious, but often forgotten. In rugby there's a world of difference between a goal-kicker missing a couple of penalties in front of the posts and from the touchline 40 or 50 yards out. Yet the statistics only record two misses. The statisticians tell us Roger Federer made 52 'unforced errors' in that tremendous Wimbledon final. Perhaps he did, though determining whether an error is unforced is a matter of judgment rather than fact. But even if you accept the figure given as accurate, it doesn't necessarily mean Federer was playing badly or below his usual level. You should also consider his opponent. Rafael Nadal's ability to return shots that, against any other player, would be winners means his opponent has to take more risks, aim to hit the perfect shot close to the... [read full story]