A Dream Deferred… Again

Champions require nemeses. Dale Earnhardt had the Daytona 500. Phil Mickelson had major championships. Roy Williams had the NCAA Championship. Nemeses boldly prevent eradicating dominance. Roger Federer has Rafael Nadal.

On Sunday, Nadal defeated Federer 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. With his victory, Nadal scored his third consecutive French Open title, his twenty-first consecutive French Open match victory, and his second consecutive vanquishing of Federer.

Federer’s dominance has been spectacular. During his reign, Federer has garnered ten grand slam titles. He has accrued eight consecutive Grand Slam finals appearances. He is the lone triple champion of the Australian Open, the United States Open, and the Wimbledon Championships. He has won three Tennis Masters Cups and thirteen ATP Masters Series titles. Since February 2, 2004, Federer has been ranked number one.

Nadal’s constraint of Federer is implausible. Earnhardt, Mickelson, and Williams’ glitches were also. Eventually, each succeeded. Ultimately, Federer will succeed. With that stated, Federer needs Nadal. Conquering a nemesis is undeniably sweeter.