Is Roger Federer Still the Best ?

A few years ago, I would sit in my room waiting for The Simpsons to ruin my education at 6 p.m. on BBC2, oblivious to the world of tennis. It's a funny old game.

One day, after getting a stern telling off, I was waiting for Homer and Co. to lighten my evening. It was the start of July and Wimbledon was on.

I frustratedly sat on the bed and began watching this tennis lark. As I watched the match, I became agitated and couldn't understand the point of the game. It was fascinating.

The match wasn't great by all means, but my brain was intrigued by this newfound joy. Tennis was good to watch, but nothing compared to what I was about to encounter.

A 6-foot-1 dark-haired Swiss man took to the court. At this point, I was by no means experienced as a tennis spectator, but this guy was in different league. The man went by the name of Roger Federer.

He was superb, spectacular and at the same time subtle. He was arrogant, yet full of respect for the man on the other side of the net.

His shots blazed through the air like a duck through water. He wore his opponents down not just as a player, but as a person. By the end of a straight-sets loss to Roger Federer, opponents were half the man they were when they stepped onto court. Total domination.

Since then, I have watched this player obliterate everyone before him, earning nearly 60 tour titles, 12 Grand Slams, and I imagine there are more to come.

But, unfortunately, every man has his nemesis. Federer's is Rafael Nadal. In every GS final Federer has lost, it has been to the young Spaniard.

His forehand somewhat rivals Federer's; not many people can boast that. Combined with Roger's form of late, it gives us all reason to be concerned. Is there a new king of tennis?

Nadal, 22, has already won 5 Grand Slam titles, including one at Wimbledon (or Fort Federer). I know Federer has had glandular fever, which apparently really knocks you for six, but Nadal is also supremely talented.

Like Federer, he is modest about his success, but he knows he is good. Is he the best?

In my opinion, he isn't. Roger had won 12 Grand Slams by the age of 26. Nadal will do well to win that many in his entire career.

Many will say Federer's days are gone, but I disagree. I expect him to bounce back at the US Open in September. When he is fully fit for Wimbledon next year, I expect him to retrieve his crown as the king of SW19 and all of tennis. All hail King Roger!

Over Hs