A classic

I haven't posted that much lately because frankly there hasn't been much worth posting about. But today I watched maybe the greatest tennis match of all-time.

Roger Federer may be the greatest tennis player of all-time. If he was an American, the American Press would already have anointed him so. Over the last few years, one could argue he has out-tigered Tiger Woods in domination of a sport. The man is so talented, it is scary. Only a young Spainard named Rafael Nadal's dominace on clay has stopped Federer from winning a Grand Slam every year. In the last few months, Roger's hold on the sport has started to fade. He has been beaten several times as the rest of the world has caught up to him.

Federer had won five straight Wimbledon titles. Many thought this year's tournament would be the end of his reign. Today he faced off against Nadal and lost the first two sets. He battled back to win the third set in a tie-breaker and after facing two championship points, he won the fourth set also in a tie-breaker. Nadal finally broke through and won the fifth set 9-7 but only after Federer survived two more championship points.

The match was incredible. Two men at thier best giving their all. But my favorite part was how Federer lost. He didn't give it away, he did everything he could to keep it but Nadal was better. When it was over Federer showed the same class and grace he has always showed when he won. He smiled during the ceremony and used humor in his speech to the crowd. He tipped his racket so to speak to Nadal and said he would be back next year. In the crowd you could see where Federer got his class from, while Nadal climbed over the wall to celebrate with his family, Federer's father smiled and clapped inches away.

I heard countless times American reporters lament Federer's quiet personality and how it has hurt tennis. The man is a perfect champion even in defeat. And that is exactly what any sport needs.