OK, here’s how it works:
A guy like Federer emerges and begins to dominate, and it’s not because the other guys can’t play a lick. It’s because Federer is a unique, once-in-a-generation talent (and perhaps even better than that). Naturally, though, people grow tired of chronicling his mastery; it’s human nature. Leave it to the press to express their ennui and scratch their collective lust for sensation by spinning even a glimmer of weakness into a tragic flaw. The profession is full of ankle-biters, and it’s getting worse all the time.
With that in mind, get a load of the lead on this story moved by Yahoo! out of Singapore. {Apologies, the link has been removed. - PB}
So. The French Open is a “mystery” and an “embarrassment” for Federer? Says who? Oh, Greg Rusedski . . . That Greg Rusedski, the one who’s got a bit of a reputation as an ankle-biter himself? The one who famously trashed Pete Sampras for being washed up, shortly before Pete won the 2002 U.S. Open?
Here’s the money quote from that infamous presser that took place after Sampras beat Rusedski in the third round:
In all fairness to Rusedski, his comments about Federer are far less acid. In fact, it’s an act of misdirection to use them in support of the theory that Federer is bamboozled by the French Open. All Rusedski is saying is that expending the energy to win the French Open might cost Federer the successful defense of his Wimbledon title.
Maybe I’m stupid but to me that says that Rusedski thinks Federer can win the French.
Nice try, ankle-biters. Better luck next time.