It seemed as though everywhere I turned yesterday, the talk shifted to the classic battle between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal Sunday for the Wimbledon title. There was also that whisper of whether or not one watched the match. I will step up and confess right now: I turned the match off and took a nap. This was after the fact I got off work “early” (getting off at work around 10:30 AM after being there for four hours feels just great, let me tell you!) to watch the match in the first place! The fourth set was about to begin and I decided to doze off as it was just a Lazy Sunday in my book and I was just in a horrible mood. Forgive me John McEnroe, who after the match said that this kind of battle just had to put tennis back on the forefront in the United States. Huh?
It is one of those great wonders that I am sure most if not all the tennis purists out there consistently think about: why has tennis not been able to sustain itself whether it be viewership and/or overall appeal? Michael Wilbon on Pardon The Interruption yesterday brought up how his colleague Tony Kornheiser believes that the lack of an American star hurts the sport overall. Are we really this naïve America? I think so.
Seriously, think about it. If Tiger Woods was 100% Thai, born and bred in Thailand, would you really care that greatness was upon planet Earth within the sport of golf? You uber-golf fans might but not the casual golf fan, which seems to make up the majority of PGA viewership. We as Americans connect with Tiger, even the lefty Phil Mickelson. We don’t give a damn about Vijay Singh, who was ranked number one for some time. We don’t care about Ernie Els, a former number one as well (OK, maybe when he rips Tiger, thennnn we do care).
Soccer has this same problem it seems. Unless during our generation we get the American version of Pele, I don’t see soccer EXPLODING in the States. Landon Donovan? Please, what has he done internationally, against the best competition? Freddy Adu, where in the world did you go? Pretty soon we will be hearing stories of him partying a little too hard with Miley Cyrus.
Bring in Andy Roddick, who should be ashamed of himself. How many times was this goon looked at and said to be the next great only to be slapped around by Federer? After his U.S. Open win in 2003, he has done zilch and seems to be content with it. I’m sure Roddick is loving life right now though, in whatever beautiful home he resides in, in wonderful climate, with a supermodel wife to his side. Congrats Roddick, I guess you deserve it.
OK, I’ll take a step off his back. Andy, I respect you as a person and the few accomplishments you have had. Fact is, this guy could have taken America on his back. He still could I guess but with the top two players being a Swissman (is that even correct? Sounds kinda funny…) and a Spaniard, it’ll be quite tough. It looks like we are on a collision course for the next U.S. Open to have another epic battle. And between now and then, those purists will still wonder how the ratings will turn up in Flushing, New York late August. I’m sure all of Chicago will be tuning in while the Cubs and White Sox are in the thick of a pennant race.
Roddick, you may continue mediocrity. Good luck sir.
1 comment:
haha ouch. The US open features more American wild cards and qualifiers then any other tournament. Heck, the NCAA champ even gets a spot in the draw. IF ANY of these non-seeded American underdogs were to somehow make it to the semi's and somehow beat Fed or Rafa then Tennis would EXPLODE...for about three days. Sadly I agree with ya goop. The absence of a dominating American presence hurts the game..or does it?? Tennis saw its lowest ratings during the many years Agassi and Sampras (probably the two greatest American players) reigned over the sport. Honestly I think the USTA does a shitty job marketing the sport. Lastly, because we live in America, where football is king, non contact sports such as tennis will never ever shine the same way other rougher sports do. I say fuck that, any idiot can tackle but it takes balls to hit some balls...what?
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