In a rare confluence of events, two of the greatest of all-time in their respective sport are battling it out while at the apex of their skill.
They have dominated the last two seasons and in a few weeks, they could square off to determine who is the true king of their sport.
Only it’s not who you think. It’s not Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
Kobe and LeBron, hyped to the point of saturation ““ puppet commercials aside ““ are special in their own right. But the best rivalry, and theater, in sports today belongs to two tennis players: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Nadal and Federer.
When Nadal burst onto the scene in 2005 with his dominant French Open win, he appeared to be a mere bump in Federer’s road. A potential rival, but simply a clay court-specialist.
Then Nadal won on hardcourt. Last summer he broke through on grass, which used to be Federer’s domain. Only Rafa somehow found a way to translate his speed and graceful slides from clay to grass and cracked Federer’s glass ceiling. (Federer had won the previous five Wimbledons.)
When Nadal eclipsed Federer in last year’s Wimbledon final ““ an epic five-set affair considered by many to be the greatest match ever played ““ he served notice that he was more than just a worthy adversary, more than just a clay court specialist preventing Roger from claiming his career Grand Slam (he has yet to win a French Open).
Then there was this year’s Australian Open in Melbourne. Another five set final won by Nadal. This time with greater ease in the final set, leaving Federer a worn and defeated ex-champion. Rarely are we privy to look into the true emotions of an athlete, but Federer, so raw from leaving everything on the court, wept openly at the trophy ceremony. Nadal embraced him.
LeBron and Kobe might have commercials; these two have real life.
As the French Open unfolds in Paris over the next two weeks, Nadal and Federer resume their usual collision course towards another epic final. The twist, this time, is that the King of Clay, Nadal, just lost to the Swiss on clay. In Nadal’s home country of Spain, no less. Is it Federer’s turn to win on Nadal’s turf in Roland Garros? Rafa has won four consecutive French’s.
The late David Foster Wallace wrote a brilliant essay about the world’s best tennis player a few years ago. At the time it was Federer. In it, he marveled at the man’s grace, skill and ability to capture and mesmerize audiences.
Then, Wallace discussed “Federer moments.” Describing them as “bloody near-religious experiences” that leave the jaw agape.
Now we have “Nadal moments.” I have one everytime he tracks down a ball that Usain Bolt couldn’t reach, only to snap off an explosive winner with a flick of the wrist. Really, it’s the stuff of video games.
This time of year, the media hype is on the hoopsters Bryant and James, but the two men who may ultimately be regarded as the two greatest to ever play their sport, Federer and Nadal (or should I say Nadal and Federer?) are waging a storybook rivalry while both are in their prime. I’m not sure any sport has ever been able to make that claim.
LeBron and Kobe might square off in the NBA Finals, but I suggest the more interesting story is if Roger can win the French. Will someone be left in tears? Will anyone be watching?
If you will be waking up early to watch tennis, let Taylor know at btaylor@media.ucla.edu.