Tennis anyone?
Yesterday's men's final at Wimbeldon reminded of why I'm a fan of tennis. Actually, it reminded me why I'm a fan of sports (ok, not all sports, but some sports). Roger Federer and Raphael Nadal's epic match was truly something spectacular to behold. The best two players in tennis right now (and a case for Roger being one of the Greatest Of All Time) going at it for over FOUR HOURS was just... awe inspiring (the actual match itself took over 6 hours to complete due to two rain delays and a whole lotta tie breakers). It was the longest match in Wimbledon history.
Rafa Nadal had things well in hand over the first two sets 6-4, 6-4. It looked as though he would easily win his first Wimbeldon title. But then Roger came back, hard fought, and showed us why he had won the last 5 Wimbeldons in a row. He took the next two sets, 7-6, 7-6. So there they were at the fifth set, where there is no tie breaker, but you still have to win by two games. Back and forth it went, both men finally, noticably tired. But then Rafa broke Roger's serve (and breaking Rafa was just not something Roger was capable of doing that day) and he went up 9-7 and that was it. Nadal fell to the ground in exhaustion and happiness, having come so close last year, only to lose to Roger (again!). This time, he held on and won.
It was incredible to watch. To listen to the crowd, who had also been there for over 6 hours, sitting through two rain delays, their enthusiasm and excitement never dulled. It was increadible to watch Roger and Rafa battle it out, hitting the ball at one another at impossible speeds, watching Roger's fantastic serves and seeing Rafa chased down and hit balls back to Roger that he just had no right to hit back, and yet he did. Both men deserved to win yesterday, but alas, only one could.
Roger was gracious as always in his loss, but you could tell, especially during his post-game interview with John McEnroe, that the exhaustion was getting to him, as well as the enormity of what had just happened; he'd lost a Wimbeldon final, something he hadn't done for five, long years. Looking as natty as he always does after the Wimbeldon final in white pants and a white cable knit, sweater, he had to cut the interview short as the emotions were getting to him. "It hurts." he said. To hear such a thing from Roger is something; he's not one to show his emotions, he's one of the most unflappable athletes I've ever seen. I like Roger Federer a lot, he's my favourite player, and while I felt bad for him, I certainly didn't feel badly for him, there was nothing to be ashamed of in losing that match.
I have nothing against Rafa Nadal, but I have long liked Roger better, so since the two usually play each other in the various finals, I've never really rooted for him. Yesterday, I still wasn't rooting for him, but by the end, I realized I also couldn't root against him, he was out there trying so hard, elevating his game time and time again, making those miraculous shots that had me yelling "how the HELL did you return that??!!" and marvelling that this 22 year old might just pull off the win. He was gracious too, in his win. He acknowledged Roger and how great he is, and I don't think that was empty platitudes. I think Nadal's learned a lot from playing Roger over the years, and if you're going to learn, you might as well learn from the best. It's obvious how hard he's worked, and even though I wanted Roger to win, I also couldn't begrudge Rafa his victory.
It was an amazing, dramatic, thrilling match and honestly, I feel priviledged to have watched it.
Rafa Nadal had things well in hand over the first two sets 6-4, 6-4. It looked as though he would easily win his first Wimbeldon title. But then Roger came back, hard fought, and showed us why he had won the last 5 Wimbeldons in a row. He took the next two sets, 7-6, 7-6. So there they were at the fifth set, where there is no tie breaker, but you still have to win by two games. Back and forth it went, both men finally, noticably tired. But then Rafa broke Roger's serve (and breaking Rafa was just not something Roger was capable of doing that day) and he went up 9-7 and that was it. Nadal fell to the ground in exhaustion and happiness, having come so close last year, only to lose to Roger (again!). This time, he held on and won.
It was incredible to watch. To listen to the crowd, who had also been there for over 6 hours, sitting through two rain delays, their enthusiasm and excitement never dulled. It was increadible to watch Roger and Rafa battle it out, hitting the ball at one another at impossible speeds, watching Roger's fantastic serves and seeing Rafa chased down and hit balls back to Roger that he just had no right to hit back, and yet he did. Both men deserved to win yesterday, but alas, only one could.
Roger was gracious as always in his loss, but you could tell, especially during his post-game interview with John McEnroe, that the exhaustion was getting to him, as well as the enormity of what had just happened; he'd lost a Wimbeldon final, something he hadn't done for five, long years. Looking as natty as he always does after the Wimbeldon final in white pants and a white cable knit, sweater, he had to cut the interview short as the emotions were getting to him. "It hurts." he said. To hear such a thing from Roger is something; he's not one to show his emotions, he's one of the most unflappable athletes I've ever seen. I like Roger Federer a lot, he's my favourite player, and while I felt bad for him, I certainly didn't feel badly for him, there was nothing to be ashamed of in losing that match.
I have nothing against Rafa Nadal, but I have long liked Roger better, so since the two usually play each other in the various finals, I've never really rooted for him. Yesterday, I still wasn't rooting for him, but by the end, I realized I also couldn't root against him, he was out there trying so hard, elevating his game time and time again, making those miraculous shots that had me yelling "how the HELL did you return that??!!" and marvelling that this 22 year old might just pull off the win. He was gracious too, in his win. He acknowledged Roger and how great he is, and I don't think that was empty platitudes. I think Nadal's learned a lot from playing Roger over the years, and if you're going to learn, you might as well learn from the best. It's obvious how hard he's worked, and even though I wanted Roger to win, I also couldn't begrudge Rafa his victory.
It was an amazing, dramatic, thrilling match and honestly, I feel priviledged to have watched it.