POSTED BY BESS: I was watching that Rafael Nadal match yesterday (on TiVo, long after hearing the results), thinking that for some reason it seemed even more inexplicable that Nadal lost... to a guy named Steve. I can't really say why - but it struck me as funny. Wrong. Nadal.? Beaten by a mere mortal who might just be the guy next door? Inconceivable.
Before I had a chance to post on this blog along the lines of, "Really? Steve?"... I checked Twitter, only to find that (hours earlier) Grantland had Tweeted nearly that exact thought, "Rafael Nadal falls at Wimbledon to a guy named Steve."
Argh! If only I had been quicker to the draw! If only it was my job to watch sports during the day (you know, while they occur live) instead of what I'm actually paid to do! If only, if only.
Rafa's loss definitely put a damper on my day. But even though I knew the results and didn't like them, I watched that whole match on TiVo. I had to know. Had to see it for myself. When I texted Dave that I was watching, his reply was, simply, "Masochist."
Perhaps so. But I'm glad I did watch. When you're a loyal fan you're there in the good times AND the bad... am I right, Dave?! I wanted to experience it right along with Rafa (minus the TiVo delay and the thousands of miles and the many hours time difference separating us.)
So I watched. And it's over. And Nadal is out. And now I can only hope this knee thing isn't going to do him in for the rest of the year like it did last time. I'm rooting for you, Rafa!
If you've been watching the early morning ESPN coverage, what made the loss all the more interesting was that just that morning during the commentator roundtable prior to play beginning, John McEnroe made the somewhat shocking statement that he's really becoming convinced that Rafa is the GOAT. LZ Granderson actually sort of sputtered a "What!?" response to McEnroe's proclamation, so shocked was he. But McEnroe was adamant.
A point that was not lost on the other commentators THIS morning, while rehashing Nadal's loss. Something to the effect of, "Yesterday, mere hours ofter you, John, anointed him perhaps the GOAT, Nadal lost in the first round of Wimbledon."
Nice laughs all around.
McEnroe did say that one loss in one tournament didn't immediately disqualify Nadal from GOAT status, but it does seem to me that now is not the best time to make the case for Nadal. Two weeks ago, for instance, would have been a better time. And hopefully many times in the future...
All this to say:
Wimbledon is here! I am excited!
Rafa is out. I am sad.
More to come... regarding the other 255 players. As soon as I wipe away my tears enough to watch more tennis.
Yes, you are right, Bess. Through the good times and bad. Just like a marriage. (Or so they tell me.) Definitely feel your pain. I couldn't even watch the match on DVR, because it made ME sad. And I'm not even much of a Rafa fan! Can't even imagine how you're feeling. But, as LeAnn Rimes once sang, "Life goes on..." And so does Wimbledon.
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