The most underappreciated rivalry in sports
So Cakes wanted me to blog about the French Open so I will. Most people would rather watch the National Spelling Bee than the French, but I would call those people...stupid!
The French Open final will be a must-see event because, most likely, it will feature Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and theirs is the most underappreciated rivalry in sports because casual sports fans don't respect how good these two players are.
Federer will go down as the greatest player in tennis history, especially if he wins a French.
He has 13 slams; Pete Sampras has 14 and Sampras never won a French either; but there hasn't been a more dominant player in tennis than Federer.
Federer has 13 slams in six years, and if he wins the French and ties Sampras, he - without question - will be the greatest ever.
Nadal is on that same pace. If he wins the French, he will be the greatest dirtballer in tennis history. No player has ever won five straight, and Nadal has never lost in Paris. Only Bjorn Borg has even won four straight and Borg won six total.
Some donk named Max Decugis won eight, but in the early 1900s when professionals weren't permitted in the tournament. Yes I'm dropping knowledge.
So if Nadal wins, which he probably will, he will have seven slams at age 22, sick!
He finally won Wimbledon last year when he beat Federer in the best tennis match I've ever seen, and he won the Aussie earlier this year. It's just a matter of time before he starts to rack up US Opens as well.
What's surprising is the success Nadal has had against Federer overall, not only on clay.
Nadal has won 13 of 20 matches and 11 of 16 in finals. In slams Nadal is 6-2 against Federer and 9 for 11 on clay.
He owns Roger, and when the two play you can see it in his face.
Roger has never looked confident or comfortable when he plays Rafi. He plays tight and makes uncharacteristic errors, and this is probably Roger's last legit shot at winning the French. He'll be 28 in August, and in tennis that's ancient.
So Federer must get through Paul Mathieu, Tommy Haas and, most likely, Andy Roddick. Nadal won't lose before the finals, so let's hope we see them in a 4th straight French final.
Both are great players with absurd ground strokes and serves. Both are great athletes with uncanny agility and quickness. So don't hate just because they aren't dunking from the baseline or blindsiding Tom Brady.
It's a great sport with a great history and you should respect the dominance because you might never see it again.
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Categories (click for archive)Jason Bishop | Junkies |
Luuutch, the only thing worse than this blog, would have to be a blog about your fantasy baseball team...way to go big guy, way to think this one through.
P.S. Isn't T the most underappreciated wife in Ashburn?
Despite the fact that you probably made up most if not all of the stats in this post, and that it was probably co-written by Dina Bickel, its not too bad. Next you should focus on the rivalry that is sweeping the women's water polo scene by storm...lick.
So Cakes wanted you to blog about this. I guess the Cakes curse is still going on. Nadal finished.
Can one of you help me get this big fat pumpkin off my shoulders...my bad its only my big stupid head....buuuurrrrpppp...whooopppeeeee
Lurch = jinx.
Keep an eye out for my next blog post about how great the Kobe, Labron final is going to be.
My mommmy was so happy when Nadal lost yesterday. Her coach came over and they watched it from daddy's TV room. It sounded like she was giggling the whole time!
Good call on this one uncle Larry. Do you want me to karate kick Cakes in the Pongee?
Amazing how the Junks make their living off of getting their information from Wikipedia. If it is on the INTERNETS it must be true.
Shows how much you know. There will be no Federer vs Nadal final. Stick to discussions about how you disrespect pools and driveways!
Jason my son you make me proud
The curse has extended to Cakes asking others to do things...his powers are magnanimous.