If there is one thing I know from being a tennis fan, it's that many Americans are not tennis fans. Sure they may know the passing reference to John McEnroe, but let's face it, tennis is not one of those sports that you can always find common ground with somebody about. It's not like it is played by children as much as say soccer, baseball or even football even though it is a sport that is played all over the world as well as in most high schools and colleges. So my joy in tennis today comes from the fact that Roger Federer has won the French Open. The French Open, as you can tell, is played in France. It is played on a clay court, which is different from harder courts in that the ball reacts differently (read slower) than it normally would. Federer has done much in tennis to be regarded as as close to a household name as you can get. While he doesn't have the outspokenness of a John McEnroe, or is as easy for us to appreciate in America as say, an American, Federer has gone out and won consistently for the past 5 years. If there is anything that people can appreciate, it's a winner. In addition to Federer's ability to win, he also has a humble quality about him that makes you want him to win. He is likable. He treats his opponents with respect, and that is a rare thing in this day of trash talking and taking what is yours without any regard to who you take it from. So the French Open victory for Federer was significant. In the tennis calendar year, there is what is referred to as the grand slam, or the four major tennis tournaments. These tournaments are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon which is played in England, and the US Open played in New York. Federer had won every one of these major tournaments except for the French Open. In fact, prior to his French Open victory, Federer had won 13 of these tournaments, and has just tied Pete Sampras for the record of most slams won at 14. Federer is tied with Bjorn Borg with 5 Wimbledon titles, and holds the record for the most consecutive US Open titles at 5. These tournaments are interesting because many players work toward them specifically, so it is important to note that Federer holds the record for weeks at #1 at 237 weeks. Without the French Open victory, Federer was regarded by many as the greatest tennis player in history. Fittingly, the French Open had eluded him due to the fact that another great player, Rafael Nadal had dominated the tournament for the past 4 years in a row, and holds the record for the most consecutive match wins at the French Open. The fact that Federer "needed" a French Open victory and there was Nadal who had the French Open in his grip was interesting to tennis. Before Federer's French Open victory, people were already starting to call him the greatest due to his accomplishments. The people who were holding out were pointing to the fact that he had yet to win the French Open. The fact that his victory did not come against Rafael Nadal who was eliminated earlier is of little consequence. Federer had beaten Nadal on clay previously. Plus, Federer defeated Soderling who defeated Nadal earlier in the tournament. When it comes to sports, there is much to be said about numbers, stats and results. But there is always the intangibles that float around as well. Whether Federer goes down in history as the greatest tennis player or not may be debatable. One thing is for certain however. Congratulations are in order for Roger Federer, for yet another career defining achievement. Until next time.
Grace and glory,