“Enjoy them while you can.”
It’s a phrase that’s been spoken with urgency, and written with an underline and in bold type, ever since Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal established themselves as two of the game’s all-time greats. It was heard as a sign of appreciation when they unequivocally ruled the sport, and read as a sign of respect when they bore scant resemblance to the mega powers they once were. More than anything, it’s a testament to their unique talents. I expect that we’ll see other players who change the way we appreciate tennis in the future, but there will never be a “Federer II” or “next Nadal.”
Over the past two days, and 10 sets of men’s semifinal play at the Australian Open, it became obvious why that phrase has been on the tip of our tongues for years. We saw what made Federer and Nadal the icons they are in two classic victories, and it was fitting that each man went through a similar crucible at the same stage of the tournament. They showed grit and grace—both men did; the qualities were not mutually exclusive. They showed us glimpses of the past, in the present, to set up quite a future.