The Next Great Athlete, and The Best Rivalry In Sports Today

I put a very high value on watching great athletes in their prime. Growing up in Chicago, I got to see just about every game Michael Jordan played in. Though I'm not a White Sox fan, I always valued going to Six games...not for the Sox, but for who they were playing. I saw Ken Griffey Jr. play at least 10 times in person, and when interleague started, every chance I got to see the likes of a great National League player, I would take it. I always loved watching Mario Lemiuex play as I believe he was the smoothest athlete ever to play a sport. The past couple years, I spent a lot of time watching two guys from Texas: Vince Young and Kevin Durant. As a freshman, Kevin Durant dominated the NCAA and was simply the best college player I have seen in terms of a complete package of tools and leadership at a young age. And I think Vince Young's collegiate performances speak for themselves.

Can't Miss a chance to post this shot
I'm a skier and of the non-high profile sports, I always take the chance to watch Herman Maier. The great skier of our generation, Maier though getting older, still skis with the relentless Hermanator image that has never been rivaled.

All of these great athletes aforementioned, we are currently in the presence of another great one: Roger Federer. In 2006, Federer was 90-5. That's a winning percentange of 94.7% That's ridiculous.

Aside from his record, and ten majors, Federer plays the game in a manor no one has before him. Pete Sampras was known for his big serve and volley game. Andre Aggasi was a baseliner with the best backhand in tennis history. Federer can adjust his game to any startegy he chooses and as advertised, can play them at 94.7% level. The angles he creates with his shots are mind-blowing. His range can only be rivaled by Michael Chang. Check that...Michael Chang's calves.

The most impressive thing, to me, about Federer is the respect that he commands. No one roots for him for the most part at the matches he plays. Especially in the US Open final against Andy Roddick, the hostile New York environment cheered for the American contender. Leading up to the final, Roddick had been playing the best tennis of his life. Then Federer destroyed him. The crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium however, showed no hostility to Roger, but more of an understanding, knowing the greatness they had just witnessed and the class and respect that comes along with the great Federer.

I got in an arugement a few months back with a client about this. I was speaking of what I thought of Federer and how he flies under the radar thanks to Tiger Woods. This client barked back at me claiming that Federer has no one to play. The level of opponent that Pete Sampras played was considerably higher than that of Federer's. The Patrick Rafters, the Boris Beckers, the Yefgeny Kafelnikovs, and even the Jim Couriers were no match for today's Marat Safins, James Blakes, Andy Roddicks, and Lleyton Hewitts.

Federer and Nadal
after Nadal's French Open Victory, 2006

This client of mine was stumped when I made reference to what really makes Federer so great: Rafael Nadal. Nadal, the world's #2 players, has a career record of 7-3 against Federer questioning many as to who the best player in the world really is. Federer seemingly dismantles just about anyone who faces him, except Nadal. Nadal, who's arguably the best clay court player ever, has dominated Federer on clay. He is even 2-1 against Roger on hard courts...with Roger winning their match on grass at Wimbeldon last year.

So the great Roger Federer has a kryptonite. To me, I think this even adds to his legacy. It adds a rivalry that has been unmatched in sports since Magic and Bird. Tennis isn't the sports phoenomenon that it once was...but to us in America, much of that can be attributed to a lack of American star power in the sport. As of right now, many consider Roger to be the greatest player of all time. But if he can't beat his best adversary, how long with that continue? Let's watch and see.

May 27th, the French Open commences. I think it would be interesting if they gave the #1 seed to Nadal, given his dominance on the surface and previous two titles. Either way, take the time in 27 days, to sit down and watch Roger Federer play. He brings a charisma to the court that has never been seen before. Not to mention, he's really good. He's going to go down as one of the all time greats, and with the chances to experience true greatness, you shouldn't pass it up.