Mac redux?

The cruelest part of my childhood was watching the long slow decline of my hero McEnroe after his magical year in 1984. I became superstitious and jumpy from watching him lose to lesser players. From '86 to '88 I was convinced I was bad luck for him and would not watch him play.


I dread the possibility of having the same experience with Roger in the coming years. I hope it won't happen. Roger is a less tempermental champion, and I am a less tempermental fan. I have high hopes for him next year.

Gutting

A brutal weekend for Argentina, and their emotional top ranked player del Potro, who went down with an injury. Fuzzy sympathizes with his friends down there. It would have been stirring to see Nalbadian summon the heart to push all those extra pounds around the court and win it in a fifth match today, but it was not to be.

David

For those who wish that Nalbandian would live up to his talent more often, they should remember the satisfaction of days like yesterday when he destroyed Ferrer. It is much more exciting to see David at his incredible best -- Federer believes he has the best strokes in the game -- when we know that he is capable of his inexplicable worst at any moment.

With Del Potro injured, the Davis Cup finals would appear to rest on David's shoulders -- well rounded thanks to his Argentine love of red meat.

Having traveled down to Buenos Aires to slide around on their gorgeous red clay, it is a little sad to see David working his magic on carpet. But it probably helped him yesterday. Against a slicing, charging Lopez on Sunday things could be more interesting.

madrid

Its hard not to love the tournament in Madrid. The players have recovered from the long summer, and are ready to launch the indoor season on the right foot. Madrid has inspired Vince Spadea's best rhymes and it inspired Roger to some great play today as well.



Roger's left forearm is looking awfully skinny in that photo.

Where's Cristina?

Fuzzy thought that his fans in Argentina would like this photo. But where is Cristina? It would be nice if Willy's girlfriend had showed up too.

battle of the ponytails

Young roger vs. Goran. The last two points are amazing.

Religious experience

David Foster Wallace, one of the most eloquent to appreciate Roger's game, passed away yesterday. Its a good time to revisit his great article on Roger Federer as Religious Experience.

You can also hear Wallace talk about Roger on NPR. His description makes me all the more determined to see Roger play in person, maybe in Montreal next summer.