Roger Federer, Damn You!

Damn, damn, damn! Why did Roger Federer have to win the FO and Wimbledon last year and then the AO this year?

Imagine if Roger had only 13 GS titles right now, and no RG title. Wouldn’t there be a heck of a lot more expectation running up to the FO? The GOAT debate would still be roaring, Nadal and Federer fans would still be at each other’s throats with a real basis of contention, Federer fans would be sleepless and concerned about whether Roger would fulfill his destiny, and fans all over would be ultra hyped about the upcoming fortnight.

But no! Federer had to go on a record breaking romp last year, and leave the sport of tennis dumbfounded and in a lull. The GOAT debate is over, and Federer is beyond good and evil now. If he wins or loses, it is largely irrelevant from a historic standpoint. Federer fans are essentially hung over, while Nadal fans still don’t know what hit them. There is really nothing major at stake any more. 

In addition, tennis writing could not be more boring. Journalist are over-exploiting a missed ball by Federer, while Nadal fans seem to be oversensitive about Federer’s comments. They charge Federer with unsportsmanlike conduct for saying that clay court tennis is more physical than other surfaces, and that masters tournaments are less important than Gran Slam titles. I tell you, folks from other sports are really going to start thinking tennis is a sissy sport after all. I can hear John McEnroe say “You cannot be serious!”

Tennis needs another anointed in a couple of years or it will tailspin again.

Even so, bring on the red clay of Roland Garros! God bless you Roger Federer!