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The Great Roger Federer

After he beat Andy Murray to win Wimbledon, I wrote that it reminded me of Kinshasa in 1974. (let the reader understand) That was 3 years ago. Here we are again. Roger's in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, and with a little help, he could win it again. He could hit #1 again; don't bet against it. I can't even begin to explain what a joy it is to watch him. Honestly, I don't remember much from his soul-crushing dominant phase; it happened, but it's a point on a resume. Now is the time to watch him, if you haven't. He's still absurdly great, but at the height of competition, he has to fight. He's not unbeatable. Just like Ali from 1974-1978. Ali is the greatest fighter who ever lived, but he won our hearts when he wasn't, if that makes sense.

Let Roger Federer win your heart.

I'm not missing a point until he's done; it's the perfect expression of why I watch sports: when icons become human, sports transcends itself. The ones we love forever are the ones who defy reality and acknowledge it at the same time, giving their all, win or lose, and handling the latter with grace.

Play on, Roger. And thanks.
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