Looking back and Looking Ahead...

Last year, Justin Henin won her third consecutive French Open Title on the red clay of Roland Garros. But the final match played on Court Phillip Chartier gave a new Star to the game of Tennis. Ana Ivanovic. Everyone praised her pretty looks as well as her powerful, well-placed strokes. Paris was, and is still, totally enchanted by the Ana-Magic. After loosing the Final to Justin, Ana- the runner up had made a small speech- promising to be there in the next year's final.

A year later, on Saturday, Ana again shared the podium with Justin. but this time, the roles were changed. Ana has just reached the World No. 1 rank. She was the newly crowned the winner of French Open and she got her Winner's Trophy from just retired Justin. As if the legacy was being passed from one generation to the next....
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Twenty four hours latter, Roland Garros was all set to witness History being rewritten. It was supposed to be the biggest showdown of the year so far, as Roger Federer was once again pitched up against his nemesis- Rafael Nadal. For the third successive time, Roger was bidding to complete his Career Slam, and for the third successive time, Nadal came in his way. Not just that, he completely derailed the Fed-Express.

It was really a painful defeat for Roger, the one he and his fans would like to forget. For the first time in 9 years, he got bageled. Really, it was not at all a match- no competition at all.

Such a downfall of Tennis' World Number one, even surprised Nadal, who has now made a history by claiming all four of the French Opens he participated. He's yet to loose a match in Roland Garros but he knows that if there is anyone who can beat him on Clay is Federer. And that is why, perhaps, there was no fist-pumps or jump around the court when he won the Title. Nadal just raised his hands and received the applaud- the kid has now grown up. He has equaled Bjorn Borg's record of four consecutive French Opens. Incidentally, it was Borg who presented the Trophy to Nadal. Another day, another Legacy handed over...

Truly, Nadal is on his way to become the Greatest Ever Clay-Courter. He would have been the topmost player. But he is not. Because, he is playing in the era of Federer- the one who has an all-court play that led him to the apex of Tennis. Remember, he has reached the French Open Final thrice.

And we, Federer’s Fans have already started sensing the Green, Green Grass of SW19