Wimbledon

With the house to myself this weekend, I spent more time watching tennis than I probably have over the last ten years combined. When I was in college, the French Open often took place during the dead days right around finals, so I watched that tournament just about every year, but I rarely had the time or inclination to watch much Wimbledon. This year was different

I watched Venus Williams overpower Marion Bartoli on Satuday, and that was entertaining, but Sunday's men's final between Federer and Nadal was one of the best tennis matches I have ever seen. I actually took a break after the first three sets because I was getting drained watching it, something that hasn't happened while watching sports on TV since my Cubs-obsessed days. Even John McEnroe, announcing the match for NBC, was reduced to simply exclaiming, "how great was that??!?" on numerous occasions. I really feel like I lucked into one of those matches for the ages that come along only every several years.

Nadal really appears to have stepped up his game and gave Federer his biggest Wimbledon challenge ever. After winning the first set in a tiebreaker, Federer seemed a little flat-footed in the second and Nadal ended up breaking him to win 6-4. He bounced back in the third, winning in another tiebreaker. After getting his knee taped in the fourth set he slowed down a bit, but was quickly back on his game, hitting winning shots from just about everywhere on the court. He had his chances to win the match, too, as he took Federer to his first fifth set at Wimbledon in six years. He had two break points in consecutive Federer service games but couldn't convert, and Federer ended up winning his fifth straight Wimbledon.

Even with the loss Nadal has, I think, shown Federer that he can hang with him on grass. This is shaping up to be a terrific rivalry that could last many years.

One other thing about the match -- McEnroe has to be one of the best sports announcers ever. I learned things about tennis in general, and about Federer and Nadal specifically, by listening to him -- he does a great job of explaining exactly what each guy is doing in a way that greatly improves the experience of watching the match.

Now I'm getting excited for the US Open in August. Bring it on!