A little Rafa 'round the edges

What is it about Nadal that sets off such ambitious expectations from the rest of humankind? He beats Roger in the least important of majors and has people talking about a rivalry. He puts away an ageing and injury-plagued Agassi on the brink of retirement and sets off a story about the “passing of the baton”.

Are tennis fans merely hungry for a good contest or do human beings revel in the success story of a relentless youngster from a small island-town, who plays with little regard for established norms of the sport? Or are they thirsting to see the toppling of possibly the game’s greatest ever?

I’ve made no secret of the fact that I dislike Nadal, mainly because his game is not unlike the proverbial monkey that would end up with the collected works of William Shakespeare by randomly hitting keys on a typewriter keyboard for an infinite period of time. Similarly, while Rafa might doggedly go after every ball and end up with a chance winner every so often, his game-plan is non-existent, his finesse is wanting and his style is little more than a grinding relentlessness. Such lack of acumen defies appreciation at any time, but seems especially inadequate in the era of Federeresque artisanship.

But since I often call myself an objective Federer fan (which could just as easily mean that I have one objective – seeing Roger lift the trophy at every major), I decided to give Rafael Nadal his due.

Let’s face it, I didn’t in my wildest dreams, think that Rafael would get to the round of 16 at a Wimbledon championship, ever, and here he is, already. He must be doing something right. (Actually he doesn’t do it right, he just does it, and therein lies my problem).

I’ve been watching him play the last couple of matches, and here’s a few good things I have to say about him: his movement on court is phenomenal, and he doesn't slide to get around. There is no questioning Rafa’s fitness of course, so once he gets there, he will hit the ball - hard - and power never hurt anyone on a grass court (except the occasional unfortunate ball-boy). His serve has improved admirably so I can’t pick on him for that anymore. Needless to say, his reputation is helping him de-settle players – who wouldn’t worry about the number two player in the world “that can beat Federer”?

And what is more -- considering Center Court is a nascent green at the net and a solid brown at the baseline (it plays a lot like clay; what did you think was beneath the magic grass anyway?), I have to give Nadal his chances should he face Federer in the finals. Not to ignore the fact that Rafa is in Rog’s head more than on the other side of the net.

Do I want him to be Roger’s big rival (he’s not there yet)? Ideally, I’d like a player that’s a little less rough around the edges, but Rafa’s all we have. Moreover, who better to show off the Swissman’s flawless artistry than a grinding, grunting, scrambling Nadal? After all, individual sport is all about contrasts. Besides, the emergence of Nadal along with Federer’s continued domination would leave no questions about the Federer game, which only seems to leave us mortals more bewildered with time. “What was that – a squash shot?” fumbled Brad Gilbert a couple days ago, “A baseline half-volley?” And I can safely say that it wasn’t so much because of Gilbert’s lack of eloquence, as Roger’s innumerable angles of contact with a tennis ball.

So, Agassi is handing his baton to Nadal? By all means, Andre, hand it over. Because Roger is still holding his from the most indomitable player in recent memory. Your wand may give you that edge on dirt, this wand works magic everywhere else that matters, including the hallowed grounds of a place called Wimbledon. Rafa could stand around the edges all he wants. The center belongs to the World number one.

Now, to the rest of the Championships:

The women’s draw is looking pretty good. The top four seeds are in and I’m rooting for a repeat of the Australian Open final – not entirely of course, cos I want Amelie and Justine to actually play this time. A beautiful serve-volleyer vs. a player that can do anything possible with a tennis racket – that could likely be the women’s equivalent of a Sampras-Federer exhibition on grass. I’m forced to resort to such a gross analogy, considering the men’s draw has nothing to write home about.

It won't stop me writing though -- whoever thought Bjorkman or Stepanek would meet Federer in the semi-finals (even my way off course predictions steered clear of them!)? And then there’s Hewitt, predictably looking at another straight-sets defeat at the hands of the maestro, unless Baghdatis pulls off his second miraculous journey of the year, which is an outcome I’d look forward to. The other possibility, of course, which I am trying hard not to think of and understandably have mixed feelings about, would be a Federer-Nadal final, which, while delicious for the sport of tennis, would send my heart cart-wheeling every few minutes. But then what is sport without a few cartwheels? Vamos Rafa, bring it on. Our man can take you.