The Square Life

I watched the Wimbledon Men's Final yesterday between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. For someone has hasn't watched much tennis since my beloved Andre Agassi retired, I have to say that I was blown away.

I don't have much to say, but I wanted to say something. How could I not after witnessing one of the greatest tennis matches of all time? It was a rare moment where two super-athletes rose to the occasion, and then kept upping the ante to meet the standards of their opponent. It was Bird v. Wilkins in the ’88 playoffs (YouTube it if you’re unfamiliar) meets Wimbledon.

I have never really cared too much for either Nadal or Federer, even though I respected how talented they are as tennis players. After yesterday, however, I respect them both entirely as athletes, and what’s more, I really like them. Back in Jordan’s hay-day, he was so good at rising to the occasion that even people who usually disliked him had to tip their hat to him. He would be so great at such important times, that you couldn’t deny his greatness. Yesterday felt like that, except that both Roger and Rafa were playing the part of Jordan. As great as Bird v. Wilkins was, it wasn’t as spectacular as yesterdays battle was. Here’s why: These were the two undisputed best men in their respective sport. Maybe had it been Bird v. Magic in that great duel, it could’ve been more impressive. Anyway, I digress.

I have seen a lot of close tennis matches. But I’ve never seen one where it was a matter of two men who absolutely deserved to win testing the limits of nature. The cosmic forces that be didn't know what to do. There were a handful of plays during the match that would have single-handedly inspired me to take up tennis again (had I not already been playing). But it was more than that. It was how they both showed absolute guts time and time again, going full speed for over 4 and a half hours! That’s like a marathon where you have to simultaneously take a finals exam. They were as physically impressive and mentally impressive as one can be on a tennis court (or dirt field, depending on your point of view). It was awesome!

In conclusion, if you missed yesterday’s final, find a way to watch it. If you watched it, get your dusty tennis racquet out of your closet, and let’s save American tennis. And if that match wasn’t enough to inspire you to play tennis, watch “Rudy” and pretend he’s trying to make it onto the tennis team, and not the football team. And if that doesn’t work, you’re a communist, and need to leave America anyway. I’m just kidding . . . sort of.