Any questions, class, as to who the best tennis player in the world is? Once again, Roger Federer, the "old master" (28 in tennis is getting old), dominated at the Australian Open. I really thought Andy Murray, after watching his aggressive demolition of Rafa Nadal, was ready to make his move: he played aggressively. pinning Nadal behind the baseline and keeping him off balance the whole match. Something, however, happens to the psyche when you run into Roger: his implacable will and concentration seem to unnerve opponents. As my wife says, Roger is such a nice guy you can't resist him, even though as a born Brit she was rooting for Andy.
I really thought after last year that age would begin to leave its mark. Mind you, I don't think, with the depth and talent so prevalent in the tennis world, with these fit and powerful young giants prowling the courts, that Roger can win a Grand Slam (the big 4---Australia, French, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open) in the same year, but he has proved me wrong before with his will and endurance.
I have always maintained that Rod Laver was the greatest player in tennis history. The Aussie won 12 major titles, including 2 Grand Slams in 1962 and 1969. And you have to remember, he was banned from playing in the Grand Slam tournaments from 1963 through 1968 because he had turned professional, a prohibition that was wisely terminated in 1969. How many more would he have won in those six banned years? The record might have been 20 or more!
However, after Roger's latest showing, I am willing to move him up in the pantheon of tennis greats and make him Co-Number One with Rod Laver. He's earned it !
It's a new game today, as technology in racquets and new fitness levels have transformed the game. Any resemblance of today to the tennis my generation played is purely coincidental.
And that's why you can't compare players from different generations.
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