Federer vs Nadal tops even Obama vs Clinton

[javero]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 12:22pm

Tennis fans on board can attest to prevailing sentiment that Fed & Rafa's rivalry is the best in the history of tennis. Tomorrow, both will contest the men's final of the French Open marking the first time that a pair of competitors have clashed for three years running to claim a major.

Connors-Borg, Connors-McEnroe, Borg-McEnroe, Edberg-Becker, Court-King, King-Evert, Evert-Navratilova, Graf-Navratilova, Graf-Seles, Graf-Sanchez-Vicario, and Graf-Sabatini were all notable but Fed & Rafa will not cede an inch on their favorite surfaces.

The historical significance of tomorrow's encounter could be repeated in a few weeks if both Fed & Raf meet in the finals of the Big W for the 3rd consecutive year.

Poor Roddick. Fed, Rafa and now Djokovic have made it quite clear that it's a private party for members only. Sometimes I grow upset at how Marat Safin has squandered his immense physical talent.

Tennis fans will recall that Borg in all his greatness never won the US Open and Connors/McEnroe/Sampras never won the French. Agassi bagged each major title at least once didn't have consistent wins throughout his on and off career. I hope that Rafa can breakthrough in one of the other majors to intensify his rivalry with Fed.

Side note, congrats to Ana Ivanovic for her win over Dinara Safina in the women's final earlier today. Dinara should not be discouraged. She has acquitted herself well during this year's clay court season.

Updated On: 6/7/08 at 12:22 PM

[DG]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 12:24pm

I guess I don't have to comment on how I feel about the match tomorrow.

I will say, however, that BOTH of these players exemplify sportsmanlike conduct. I wish them both the best - and hope that Roger wins

[javero]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 12:35pm

"...BOTH of these players exemplify sportsmanlike conduct."

DG--you fell for my trap. I knew I could smoke you out.

Is it too much to ask that at least one American champ (other than Sampras) emerge displaying the same class that Fed & Rafa exhibit in victory (and defeat)?

At various stages of their respective careers Connors, McEnroe, Agassi and even Roddick grated my last nerve by perpetuating the "ugly american" stereotype. Agassi at least redeemed himself during his comeback.

Yesterday, after defeating local boy Monfils, Fed delivered his post-match interview flawlessly in French. Not only is he a great champion, dude is a polyglot (like Navratilova) and perhaps the best ambassador for the sport ever.

Updated On: 6/7/08 at 12:35 PM

[chris d]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 12:37pm

I can't decide who I want to win tomorrow. I'd like to see Nadal tie Borg's record of 4 straight RG titles, but I'd also like to see Federer officially become the greatest that ever was. either way, it ought to be a hell of a match (better than today's for sure).

[MotorTink]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 12:40pm

Everyone knows my affection for Roddick, but yes that is his most unattractive quality. He no longer can chalk it up to being young and immature anymore...he's been playing long enough with the big boys to start being more classy in defeat, and well not even in defeat but at any negative point of a match. But I still love him.

I'm going to be pulling for Roger in this one.

[DG]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 12:44pm

I really wouldn't mind if Rafa won - he deserves his place in the books because of his dominance on clay. I just REALLY want Roger to win at least one of these, and his time is running out (such a stange thing to say considering his youth, but it's true!)

Javero - I think you have to go back to Ashe to find an American who displayed such diplomacy. For years, it seemed that American men who tended toward graciousness (Sampras being the most visible example, to me) were derided as being 'boring'. I always preferred the 'gentlemen' - Ashe, Borg, Edberg, etc (guess who I liked out of the Borg/Connors/Mac era? ) I'm happy to see this emergence of class - and the fact that it is so international makes perfect sense, as that's the way everything is going.

[javero]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 12:59pm

DG--By bringing up Ashe you've opened a can of worms where I'm concerned as it relates to the Williams sisters.

It's not fair to compare the late Ashe to Venus/Serena on the basis of their heritage. As an AfAm I reluctant go there as to not diminish the historical significance of each one in their sport. But, Ashe overcame considerably more daunting obstacles in his LIFE and tennis career than the Williams gals.

To her credit Venus can scrape up some humility but Serena is another story. Perhaps different times bear different expectations but neither sister has shown the dedication to the sport that champions in the past have. It's as if they've treated their tennis as a part-time job, both on and off the court.

For all their time on the tour, Venus still has the same spotty forehand and Serena's fitness has not always been optimum. I have an acquaintance who was in Richard Williams'inner circle years ago.

Richard Willams and Oracene Price have done everything within their power to shield the daughters from some of the evil they saw as youngsters but many tennis enthusiasts including this one believe that the parents provoked the daughters to wage a war that dissipated at least a generation ago when Ashe came to prominence. He was NEVER associated with any polemics, on or off the court.

Similar to Hillary, Serena is not exactly the most endearing character in her profession.

Updated On: 6/7/08 at 12:59 PM

[DG]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 1:10pm

Javero - I'll try and be as delicate in this discussion as I can. For reference, I tend to fall into the category of gay man mentioned in the musical BARE - I have a black woman inside me just screaming to get out

I have always WANTED to love the sisters - and have enjoyed them on court for the most part (Venus a little more than Serena, but that's just a style preference thing.) And I TRULY have tried to give benefit of the doubt in their off-court actions. I accept that tennis really isn't their only priority - I think it was always just going to be a means to an end. And I take their religious influence for what it means.

But, in the end, I just can't embrace them fully. They both tend to just seem dismissive, in a very off-putting way (although, for me personally, dismissing Henin isn't really a bad thing - but I digress )

I have no doubt, though, that they were treated COMPLETELY differently by the tennis establishment - especially the press. Let's face it - there's damn few angels on the women's tour!

I'm actually happy to see the rise of the Russians/Serbians on the women's side - especially Jancovic. They bring a balance that the sisters never quite mastered.

And, for the record, I just have to say once that, ultimately, I blame Richard (whom I never could stand - his contributions notwithstanding.)

[DG]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 9:54am

*sigh*

Even allowing for Roger's tendency to have to 'ease' into a match, that first set was pretty one-sided. Actually, it's as if Roger hasn't made it onto the court yet.

Guess we'll see what happens.

It's wonderful to see Borg there - looking fabulous and chic in his suit, of course.

[DG]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 10:55am

Well, I just can't watch anymore - there's no tennis to see! Nadal is simply wiping the court with him. I'll monitor the score for the rest of the match (which shouldn't be much,) but I can't watch Roger stumble around like that.

Congrats to Rafa - he truly looked like perfection.

Speaking of which, on a purely purient level - Rafa's arms have always been something to behold, but I found myself utterly unable to keep my eyes off of his BEAUTIFUL BUTT! WOW!!!

[javero]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 1:16pm

It was a beat down.

This whipping does not bode well for Fed's Wimbledon prospects.

Rafa's gaining on him.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 1:57pm

That was a slaughter... wow.