My dream matchup is on! Roger takes on Rafa for the third straight time to try and wrest the Roland Garros crown from the Spaniard’s iron grip. But if I know anything about Rafael Nadal, it is that he will only let go of the French Open title when Roger Federer pries it from his dead frozen fingers. The good thing about watching a Roger & Rafa match is that it never lacks for drama. It’s so refreshing to see Roger lose his cool every once in a while like he did in last year’s Wimbledon where he won against Rafa.
For Roger, this is his Holy Grail, and I can only hope that he will do away with the loose play and the concentration lapses that creep into his game whenever he’s ahead. He can get away with it with most players but not with the reigning King of Clay. Nadal, on his part, is a slow starter but lately he seems to have overcome this fault—bulldozing everyone who stands in his way. So far, he has yet to drop a set in the tournament. But this time he’ll be facing the Fed Express and things could change abruptly.
Despite my fervent desire for Roger to finally hoist the French Open trophy, I am worried for his well being. I do not know what lifting that trophy will do to his psyche. The guy has been known to cry unabashedly when winning memorable tournaments. I can only imagine what winning the Roland Garros title, the only missing trophy in his collection, will do to him. He’d probably have tears streaming down his cheeks as he delivers his victory speech, in French.
But, we will have to forgive him for that when that happens. It’s going to be one for the ages. I wouldn’t even trust myself not to shed a drop or two when he wins.
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