RaulRamirez
Legend
After tomorrow's Federer-Djokovic final, we will have witnessed three slams this year, all captured by a member of The Big 3, and they will have occupied 5 of the 6 finalists' spots and most impressively, owned the last 11 slams. 11! Perhaps, this is partially due to "Lost Gen" and "Not-ready-for-primetime Gen", but ...most of it is due to the sheer greatness, drive and resilience of the three greatest players of the Open Era, and I would think, of all-time.
Why is it that a community of (alleged?) tennis fans can't better appreciate this?
Yes, many of us (I suspect this is mostly Federer fans, though I may be mistaken) want to see other players fulfill their potential, or the next great one(s) come along, but these three are freakish in their ability and drive. Perhaps, mostly Fed in this regard as he's the oldest and has been doing it the longest.
But really, it's still a treat for me to watch these guys do their thing. I have huge respect for all of them - as players, sportsmen, and from what I know about them as human beings. How many sports offer its fans a dynamic like this?
I have evolved into a dual Rafa/Novak fan, but I still like Roger, and absolutely marvel at his play. Even if it's not "peak" (one of the most overused terms here), it's of a high, sometimes sublime level. I wanted Rafa to defeat him, but Federer was better Friday. Plain and simple. And if Fed takes out Novak tomorrow, more power to him.
What I can't understand is how fans seem to tie their sense of self-esteem into their favorite players' achievements. Yes, I've been in several threads and sometimes have strong opinions, but I get no joy out of seeing any poster or player demeaned.
(And believe me: I have been a tennis fan and a rabid fan of (American) football, baseball, basketball and hockey for a lonnnng time!)
Lastly, while I would like either Rafa or Novak to equal or surpass Roger's achievement (as rationally defined), if it doesn't happen, there are a whole lot worse things - even in vicarious sports life - than Roger Federer being the most accomplished tennis player of all. And I would hope that most fans would come to this realization about their favorite player(s)' rival(s).
That's all...enjoy the match tomorrow!
Why is it that a community of (alleged?) tennis fans can't better appreciate this?
Yes, many of us (I suspect this is mostly Federer fans, though I may be mistaken) want to see other players fulfill their potential, or the next great one(s) come along, but these three are freakish in their ability and drive. Perhaps, mostly Fed in this regard as he's the oldest and has been doing it the longest.
But really, it's still a treat for me to watch these guys do their thing. I have huge respect for all of them - as players, sportsmen, and from what I know about them as human beings. How many sports offer its fans a dynamic like this?
I have evolved into a dual Rafa/Novak fan, but I still like Roger, and absolutely marvel at his play. Even if it's not "peak" (one of the most overused terms here), it's of a high, sometimes sublime level. I wanted Rafa to defeat him, but Federer was better Friday. Plain and simple. And if Fed takes out Novak tomorrow, more power to him.
What I can't understand is how fans seem to tie their sense of self-esteem into their favorite players' achievements. Yes, I've been in several threads and sometimes have strong opinions, but I get no joy out of seeing any poster or player demeaned.
(And believe me: I have been a tennis fan and a rabid fan of (American) football, baseball, basketball and hockey for a lonnnng time!)
Lastly, while I would like either Rafa or Novak to equal or surpass Roger's achievement (as rationally defined), if it doesn't happen, there are a whole lot worse things - even in vicarious sports life - than Roger Federer being the most accomplished tennis player of all. And I would hope that most fans would come to this realization about their favorite player(s)' rival(s).
That's all...enjoy the match tomorrow!
