namkcuR:
Much appreciative of your responses to my posts, however there are a few things I see somewhat differently:
Nadal lost to Soderling at the French. The first time the words "Nadal" and "confirmed injury" were thrust together were post that.
A rivalry isn't much of one when one side isn't even participating. There are lingering concerns - Nadal's playing style isn't prone to longevity, if/when he comes back, will be change his hard-on-the-knees approach? Personally, I don't much care for Novak or Murray, so I'm one Fed fan that hopes and wishes for Nadal to make a quick and speedy return because the game needs him.
You're right, the drama and suspense without Nadal is missing as he's the only one to consistently thwart Fed from winning everything.
Popularity and success in tennis haven't always gone hand-in-hand. Anna Kornikova (sp?), Sharapova, Sabatini are just some names from present/past that haven't accomplished much but been very, very, popular. At one time, Sharapova was earning more than Federer if I recall right.
Which leads back to my original point about tennis and America's lack of passion for it. Aside from Switzerland & Spain, the rest of the world hasn't exactly had much to cheer for on the men's side the past five years - yet, observe the excitement over Murray this year at Wimbledon or, Monfils/Tsonga during the French Open.
Aside from Federer, Roddick's been the only other player to have held a top 10 ranking for the past 6 years - which is no mere accomplishment. Then there's the women's side where you've had the dominance of the Williamses for the better part of the decade.
Sure, of course, this era (pertinent to the US), cannot compare to the previous one where Sampras and Agassi dominated. But should that directly lead to such a lack of interest in the sport at all? I mean, come on - Nathan's Hot Dog contest is run live on ESPN while the finals at Wimbledon (where 3 players are AMERICAN) are tape delayed because of broadcasting rights by NBC. It's just sick - oh well, at least you have the satisfaction of having the American scarf the most dogs over that Japanese kid.
Sorry, aside from football, baseball, basketball and golf (in that order), Americans aren't interested in other sports in collectively large numbers - which is a shame because Tennis and Ice Hockey are truly incredible, passionate and beautiful in their own right as sports.
PS
I think you mean to write "rooting"
The original one was closed rather than simply moved (don't know why) but anyway...
I can't watch those matches, I always get the feeling that I have to get out and play myself.
