By: Scott Smith
A solar eclipse; Samuel Jackson whispering; a tidal wave; Matthew McConaughey wearing a t-shirt. These are all things so seldom, they are almost unfathomable when they actually occur.
Prior to a few months ago, Roger Federer losing in the quarterfinals at a major would’ve fit perfectly on this list. Never mind that he has now lost 2 straight quarterfinals in grand slams; this after previously setting a record by making 23 straight semifinal appearances. With the U.S. Open coming up next week, it is time for Federer to make one last splash in the tennis world. Otherwise, I fear this is the end for a man who has garnered more attention than Rex Ryan’s eating habits on Hard Knocks.
Over the last seven years he has executed a god-like display of skill and dominance few have been able to achieve. Forget Liam Neeson’s portrayal of Zeus in Clash of the Titans. If anyone could pull off the infamous “Release the Kracken!” line, it’s Federer. By the way, Clash of the Titans had to be one of the worst movies of 2010. I’ve seen better special effects on my bar-mitzvah tape (yes, I still own a copy).
Here’s a few facts to ponder while you check eBay for a copy of my tape; priced at $9.99.
He currently holds the all time record with 16 grand slams, including 6 Wimbledon titles. He has also been ranked # 1 for an astounding 276 weeks, has over $56 million in career earnings, and owns 59 career singles titles. In other words, he’s hands down the greatest tennis player of all time.
However, by losing to 12-seed Tomas Berdych at Wimbledon back in July – whose lifetime record against Roger prior to yesterday was 0-9 – Federer has now failed to reach the semifinals in two straight Grand Slams.
If this were an average tennis professional, nobody would question whether this is the end of what has turned out to be an incredible career. He did after all win a major – his fourth Australian Open – earlier in the year. And it’s not like losing in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon is the same as losing in the quarterfinals at the East Brunswick Racquet Club tournament (I can’t wait to take that down).
Still, he has set the bar so high, that any result other than first is considered a complete and utter failure.
Hopefully he can make a run at a sixth US Open title next week. However, the way things look right now there’s a better chance of Obama going out for drinks with General McChrystal.
If this is the end, I’d like to personally thank him for countless hours of amazing tennis. Watching him play was something almost too pure to place on a television screen. He truly was an artist with a racquet.
That being said, the next time you see him play, Samuel Jackson may be in the stands whispering to a bystander, Matthew McConaughey may be buttoning his shirt, and the sun may be getting darker.
But hey, at least he’s still making Nike commercials with Tiger Woods! Oh wait, about that Tiger Nike sponsorship…
Scott Smith is the creator/editor of Bleacher Creature (www.wutitis123.blogspot.com), a newly created sports blog providing commentary on numerous topics throughout the sports lexicon. Be sure to check out his blog for weekly updates on all the latest news in sports.
