Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal Era by No Means Over

There has been some suggestion by a few world class tennis professionals that the Federer-Nadal era is ending.

While I do not vehemently disagree with this assertion, because it is possible, I am also reluctant to fully agree.

Here's one small reason why: In over four years, there have been only three players other than Federer or Nadal that have won a Grand Slam tournament. And other than Del Potro's U.S. Open win, there is little that convinces me that this will change.

In professional tennis, what separates the men from the boys, the legends from the very good players, and the champions from the runners-up is the ability to perform well in the biggest occasions.

A win against Federer or Nadal in a Masters' Series or lower-level tournament does wonders for the confidence—there's no denying that. And players are doing this more and more, and playing great tennis while doing so.

But, without question, it's not quite enough. Andy Murray is the prime example. He has a 6-3 head-to-head winning record against Federer, but he lost when it mattered most—in the 2008 U.S. Open final.

And the players Murray lost to in Grand Slams this year—Fernando Verdasco, Fernando Gonzalez, Andy Roddick, and then Marin Cilic—are all players that Andy is capable of beating in straight sets, anywhere.

And he simply cannot have days like the one he had against Cilic at the U.S. Open, if he is to win Grand Slam tournaments. If he continues to do so, then he'll need to find another way to win, which is what Federer and Nadal are among the greatest in history at doing. Hopefully, he will continue to mature in these occasions as time goes on.

No question, Del Potro's U.S. Open win was a very big one, and was very popular throughout the tennis world. But the fact is, he very nearly lost.

Federer was very close to winning the match in three or four sets. And there is no doubt that while Del Potro played great, Federer truly was not at his best in significant patches in the match; his serve had lost a little sting, and he was spraying some forehands wide and out in crucial times.

I certainly think it's very possible that at his best, Federer can still beat Del Potro in straight sets.

Del Potro has a lot of potential. He also has one of the hardest forehands in the history of the sport.

Hopefully he can continue working on his fitness, so that he can keep that outstanding quality of tennis going for two weeks in a slam. I know we'd all love to see more of him in the winner's circle.

I do feel though, that as hard as his forehand is, it can turn on and off at any given time. But in the last several months he is definitely getting more consistent, and it should continue.

In the past five or so years, we've seen Novak Djokovic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Marcos Baghdatis, and Fernando Gonzalez either win a Grand Slam tournament or make the finals. None of them have really lived up to their potential.

I hope Del Potro's win at the U.S. Open can finally signal the changing of the guard and send a positive message to the rest of the players.

But if history is any indicator, I strongly doubt that this will happen, and that the Federer-Nadal era will go on for several more years.