The best thing that’s ever happened to tennis… for now
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by user Bobbyjim45
Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe. Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Those names all fit together so well. There is no doubt that Federer-Nadal has become a rivalry for the ages. As I sit here watching them battle it out, one set apiece, in yet another Grand Slam final, I realize just the magnitude of what they have done. A couple years ago, I would’ve never turned to my dad while we were watching Sports Center and said, “Hey! The tennis match is on! Change it, quick!”
Federer and Nadal have brought men’s tennis back from the dead. Sure Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt and the washed up Agassi were alright for a little while, but it wasn’t must-see TV. Frankly, nobody but true tennis fans cared.
Now, just like when Tiger Woods (and Phil Mickelson to a lesser extent) entered the golf scene, people are excited about the game because the level of play has increased so much. But, here’s the problem: What happens when Tiger and Phil decide not to play in a match? Nobody watches. What will happen when Federer loses in the quarterfinals and Nadal loses in the semis? Nobody will care anymore.
Federer and Nadal have gotten people’s attention, but outside of those two, nobody else has stepped up their game. At least in golf Tiger and Phil still have Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Adam Scott and a whole other sleuth of players who are competitive and can keep the interest in the game. After Federer and Nadal, what is there? Andy Roddick? He’s only a shell of what he once was and he can’t compete with the big two. Novak Djokovic? Fernando Gonzalez? Nikolay Davydenko? Never heard of ‘em. I doubt those guys will capture the American sports fan.
So for now, while Federer and Nadal face off in every single Grand Slam final, tennis has never been better. But when we are left with Marcos Baghdatis and Tomas Berdych in the finals, I know I’ll be watching the Sports Center reruns all morning.
