Sure didn't enjoy watching Rafael Nadal dismantle Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open final earlier tonight, but at least I had the pleasure of being right. Not that it took a high tennis IQ to predict this one. Djokovic impressed me in the second set and beginning of the third with his ability to play Nadal's backhand so effectively -- something no one seems to be able to do -- but as successful as he was at that, he just couldn't stop making unforced errors, blowing a third-set break and a 40-love lead on Nadal's serve for another. That's not going to get the job done against The Machine. Bjorn Borg and Roger Federer will always be my men, and Chris Evert and Steffi Graf will always be my women. But as much as it pains me to admit this, there's really no denying anymore that when they are at their best, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams are the two best tennis players to ever play the game, even if they don't end up shattering their predecessors' records. Just too good.
I'm just curious, Kenneth, what is it that you don't like about Rafa? I know there are a lot of people (some of your own readers, in fact) who don't like him. While he may not have the type of finesse that Federer had (and still has glimpses of), I think I love his heart on the court more than anything else. Plus he's immensely talented. I don't feel like he's ever lazy on the court. I'm just curious what people don't like about him.
ReplyDeleteThat pic of him makes him look almost as bad as that pic of Beyonce during the Superbowl.
ReplyDelete@Larry: It's funny you should ask, because I was just asking myself the same thing. His idiosyncrasies are annoying, but more than anything it's Martina Navratillova Syndrome. I started to HATE Martina because she always beat my beloved Chrissie. That was the only reason -- being too good. Once Chris retired, I loved Martina (and still do). So in short, I guess I don't really dislike Rafa. I just worked up in the moment rooting for "my" player!
ReplyDeleteI totally get that, because recently I haven't been rooting for Novak, and I realize it's because he beat Rafa at Monte Carlo this year!
ReplyDeleteKenneth -- I have been in CA this week working and, alas, missed the final live, but watched it last night (yes, I knew who won). What a treat, fans got to witness some truly amazing play from both Rafa and Nole.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm surprised about is that you didn't post the pic of their meeting at the net at match end -- Rafa pressing his head into Nole's shoulder is amazingly adorable, and reflective of the respect and friendship of these two of the greatest.
I am a HUGE Rafa fan and a reader of this blog:) I have been a fan since March 2005 when he nearly beat fed in the Miami final but lost a close 5 setter. I was a HUGE Steffi fan for years and have almost every tournament she won(nearly 90 of 107). Rafa may not be graceful like Steffi or Federer but there is no denying his mind, grit, determination and passion for the game truly amazes me.
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