yarrr, ye scurvy boy-king, halt ye whinin'

The Men’s Trophy Ceremony

Now it was Federer’s turn to cry. He’s done this on other occasions, but always, as far as I can remember, in victory. Nadal handled the moment with class, letting Federer finish first and then beginning his own speech by saying, sincerely, that he knew Federer would “improve the 14 of Sampras.”

For anyone who thinks that Federer reinforces a stereotype of unmanliness in tennis players by crying publicly, remember that Michael Jordan bawled like a baby when he won his first NBA title and again when he won a title the year after his father’s death. Jack Nicklaus cried when he won majors; as he got older, he even teared up when he heard the roar of the crowd after a great tee shot at the Masters or the U.S. Open.

That’s something none of us can understand: We know what it’s like to win or lose a tennis match, but we don’t know what it’s like to do it in front of a massive, cheering crowd. Federer broke down when he heard the Aussie crowd roar its approval even after he'd been defeated. There must be something about Australia and Laver Arena that gets to him; his last major meltdown came after his 2006 title in Melbourne. Maybe it’s because Oz was the home of his late coach Peter Carter. Maybe it’s because he sees the old Aussie legends, including Laver, arranged in front of him. Or maybe it’s because tennis is a game of emotional ups and downs where you have no teammates—no net—to help break your fall. The best players bring the most emotion to the game; some show it on the court, some don’t, but it’s there. Federer, in the most naked, embarrassing, appealing, and indelible way possible, reminded us again that it’s deep in him too.

Is this the best rivalry in sports? I wasn’t sure until I saw Nadal throw his arm around Federer’s neck on the trophy stand. Now I am. A+

from Oz: The A List