French Open

I was able to watch Nadal (Spain) fought Federer (Switzerland) on this year's French Open. Nadal has won the last two French open and is nick-named "king of the clay". This year was no exception.

The two were highest-ranked tennis players and friends, but so distinct in style, i mean both play style and dressing. Federer plays a sharp and stable one-hand backhand, and Nadal plays a two-hand back hand (he plays left-handed but he is a right-handed person in life). Nadal wears sleeveless shirt and capri pant (3/4) in bright colors, whereas Federer wears polo shirts (almost looking nonathletic) and shorts. But don't mistake them; they are both masters on the courts. Federer's signature backhand were so quick and stealthy, making even the energized Nadal did not want to chase. Nadal was also unbelievably resilient in saving so many break points and won the first set 6-4. Federer remained silent and expressionless even when losing, whereas Nadal growled as he hit the ball.




I did not want a particular one to win but I enjoyed Nadal's bursts of youthfulness the better -- i checked later, he is only 21 years old and he certainly dressed to his age with a pair of cute capri pants and bright blue hair-band. He met some hostility at the French open: some say "we don't need construction worker arms in tennis," -- I am surprised but then realized that in the world of classics, beauty is defined as something else, or rather someone like Federer. Nearly 80% supported Federer according to a pool. Yeah, Federer is an underdog in this match and is an epic time for him -- he has won championship all but French Open. But don't they at least have some appreciation of the breeze of youthful energy that Nadal brought to this?








thanks NY times for photos