Waiting and scheduling my day to watch Roger Federer versus Juan Martin Del Potro. Like one of the staff writers said. That’s a finals. That’s a semis. That’s not less than a quarterfinal. But we get it today. “Ta da.”
Tennis is strong. We are a sport with great depth. Our “Depth” lacks star power. They aren’t promoted by the ATP/WTA. We don’t know their personalities. We can barely pronounce their names. They are from every country on every continent. They are good will ambassadors for their countries and our sport. The tennis channel has done a good job helping us get to know some of the players.
Like poker another of our writers has a story up with comparisons. We need to know their nicknames. All Auzzies have them. Roger is Rogi. Xavier Malisse is X and X man. Andre Agassii was called the A train. Andy Roddick? Mardy is Fishy. Rafael Nadal is Rafa.
Sweaty tennis players. Oh how we love them. They’ve been on the battlefield (tennis court) all by themselves for hours and hours. They are jetlagged ,homesick. Always trying to perform at the highest level at all times after travelling the globe and zig zagging the world.
Look at Roger and Del Potro. They don’t even come on court tonight till 8:30 at night. Warm up and the match get started so late….
At this level …Tennis isn’t a night sport. All that does is bring out the drunks and die hards …the nights dew can make lines slippery …athletes can’t perform at the highest level late at night. Especially guys over 30….