These sons frequently quiz their friends: which tennis player do you prefer? The brave venture a Nadal, which is "second tier" in our family and the less brave just say Federer for fear of reprisal. None would venture to say Djokovitch because they have realized that the player is overly-proud, bordering on vanity. He may perform technically but his behavior on court is akin to DarkVader, or at best he really should be a soccer player on the Serbian team!
Please recall that our home is cable-free and on such milestone sports events, I seek refuge at family homes. My hospitable cousin fed me a t-bone steak, followed by a sharp espresso and left me with my uncle, her husband and my son to watch the match. I was with the guys and communicated with others via blackberry messenger. My son fell asleep in his "Roger That" Tshirt of encouragement and cheer.
My cousin's husband, my host, and my less than indulgent uncle, watched me navigate the blackberry system, chatting with my brother in Jordan (he has watched RF matches with me live), an RF fan at sea in Europe (who could sense the ambiance in NY by mere messenger comments), another RF fan, over enthusiastic and frequently hilarious. For up close and personal information, my friend in NY, at the stadium, in the perfect seat (I caught a glimpse of him a few times on TV). There also was a different type of tennis fan, pinging me, and he was from the other camp! (Can that be?) He was adamant about the victory of Dark Vader! How could he?
The game was long, carrying into 5 sets. It started as a very close game in the first two sets, degenerated for two sets and the last set, was like a clean slate: it was the match-set! The bbm messages flew as fast as the balls, some funny, very few technical, some degenerated into hilarious and only LOL could express what I was doing despite the defeat.
Roger, we will be there for your next grand slam. Is that Australia? We hope you will play in Dubai again. Till then, we must watch the final: Nadal, go get him! I never said you were second tier.
Is Djoko RF's alter-ego or nemesis? Does the blogger believe that somewhere behind that calm Swiss facade lurks a hidden Darth Vader? All superheroes have a dark side.
ReplyDeleteOnce I told the blogger:tennis is passé!She felt betrayed and disappointed with all the RF memorabilia she had gifted me on her various trips to Switzerland.
ReplyDeleteThe 70's and 80''s were the golden years of Tennis as a popular sport,a must if you are a Yuppy.You would parade in your finest tennis clothes and the the most expensive raquette available.It did not matter if you played well or not,most importantly you had a trainer who used to run you around the court like a little puppy.Mine in summer was Michell "chapeau" in France at the tres chic Tennis Club of Monaco.Now that I remember the money I wasted,I feel so angry at myself.I exposed all my children to the "hobby"'that proved them as clumsy as their dad
Now tennis has become the sport of the titans who meet in various arenas around the corners of the world.By the time Federrer became 30 this year,he felt "it was time for the new generation in their late teens or early twenties to carry the torch".
RF Nd Nadal are nice characters on court and away from it.The Serb and his family are aggressive on court and outside,but one thing you have to give him is that he is one he'll of a player.
I will be watching the Nadal/Serb game tomorrow since I am in the US,and hope to see a good game.May the best win.