Roger Federer's Winning Streak
Grand Slam Victories and Wimbledon Odds Make for Predictable Viewing
Roger Federer will probably win Wimbledon for a fourth straight year. His stoicism, though, makes me long for the days of Connors and McEnroe.
It's a shame that Roger Federer is so boring. Can't this guy come up with something more exciting than just winning set after set and match after match? The Swiss Assassin (my own moniker) is closing in on 450 pro tennis match wins in eight years on tour. Federer has won 38 titles (13th all-time) and is closing in on his fourth straight Wimbledon victory.
Heading into the 2006 Wimbledon semi-finals, Federer has won 46 straight matches on grass, and in the 2006 championship at the All-England Lawn and Tennis Club, Federer hadn't lost a set through the quarters.
What makes Federer so boring is that he is the most stoic player on the pro tennis circuit, since Bjorn Borg. It's one passing shot after another, a 140 mile per hour ace and uncanny shots from both the baseline and the net. All of this phenomenal play is followed by more of the same, with never a pumping fist, a shout of excitement or a glare at an umpire, if a close call is missed. Of course, why would Federer ever complain? He never loses. The guy is a freakin' robot!
Sure, great tennis is fun to watch, and stupendous players, like Roger Federer, leave fans breathless with each diving save and teardrop lob. But there's a seemingly-ancient quality of grand slam tennis that is missing. It's the screaming, yelling, glaring, skulking and whining.
It's Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe.
I became a fan of Wimbledon tennis, watching two of the best players ever. And these remarkable competitors weren't just great at serving and volleying. They were true entertainers. McEnroe earned the nickname Superbrat for berating chair umpires and shouting across the net at opponents, when he was just 20-years-old and playing at Wimbledon. His famous, "You cannot be serious" attack of a chair umpire later became the title of his bestselling book.
For his part, Connors had plenty of run-ins with linesmen, umpires and players. He, too, had a nickname, Brash Basher of Belleville (he grew up in Belleville, a suburb of St. Louis). Connors won a pro tennis record 109 matches, including numerous memorable performances against rival McEnroe. When these two got together, it was like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier slugging it out, while stopping periodically to throw a few expletives at the referee and jeering fans.
Sometimes, play would be interrupted for three or four minutes, while these two warriors stopped to vilify chair umpires for their ineptitude. It was incredible theater and added to the artistry of their beautiful play. When Connors and McEnroe played at Wimbledon, every match had something that people could talk about. Love them or hate them, you never wanted to miss them in action.
Now, we have Federer, and the enthusiasm is gone. There's no mystery to any match. Will he win? Of course. He's arguably the most unstoppable force in any sport, this side of the LPGA's Annika Sorenstam .
Will Federer frown at his opponent? Will he stare down a line judge? Will he slam a tennis ball into the stands out of frustration? No. The stoic, Swiss Assassin will make one tremendous shot after another and crush his opponent in straight sets. He'll salute the royal box, barely smile at the fans and accept his trophy humbly and graciously.
Will I watch? Sure, I'll tune in the final set, at least, longing for the days of Connors and McEnroe.
Then, I'll nod off to sleep.
