Preparing the gauntlet for the throwing down

Dave is right that I adore Rafa. But if you assume I adore him solely because he's a sultry Spaniard with one really big muscle (I'm referring to his left bicep, sheesh), you would be mistaken. It's that, yes, but also how he competes--as if every point were match point--and how awe-inspiring his tennis and athleticism can be. I want to compete in life like he competes on the court! (I also want to get paid in life like he gets paid on the court, but that's neither here nor there.)

So here's hoping the upcoming fortnight treats Rafa well. I, for one, am hoping for another Fed/Nadal final in two weeks time. We shall see.

On the women's side, I often have trouble picking a favorite. Whereas the men's side has been clearly dominated for the past 4-5 years, the women have been a little all over the place. And with Kim Clijsters out with an injury (or maybe just too ashamed of her new haircut?), I'm at a bit of a loss. I'll likely root for Maria Sharapova to finally break back after injuries, surgery and some tough months of competition. But there are a lot of great stories I could get behind. Let's see who starts to truly impress next week!

Speaking of next week, the Wimbledon draws came out today. And while everyone's talking about the crazy first round match-up between Isner and Mahut (who played the longest match ever -- in the whole history of anything -- in the first round here last year), I'd like to focus on another first round match I find particularly heartbreaking.

James Blake vs. Marcos Baghdatis.

Why, tennis gods? Whyyyyyy!? (Invoke the Nancy Kerrigan intonation.) I love them both, I root for them both, and now... one's guaranteed a loss in the first round.

Plenty of people I don't care about will win matches and advance to later rounds that I also won't care about. But either James or Marcos is packing up and shipping out of London in a mere 72-96 hours.

It's a cruel sport.
Yet I cannot look away.

And with that, I'm off to fill out my Wimbledon brackets so I can take Dave down this year*.

*Dave is totally gonna win.