Sports too!

This morning the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals in the XLIII Super Bowl held in Florida. The Cardinals were leading by merely three points with a little more than two minutes to go but lapses and complacency in their defense allowed the Steelers to produce a touchdown. They were unsuccessful in making their own touchdown, thus the loss. This was the Cardinal's first appearance in a Super Bowl. It could have been their first Super Bowl and to many of the players too including their quarterback, Kurt Warner, who led the St. Louis Rams to many victories but not a Super Bowl. But give it to the Steelers who were known for their intensity all throughout the game. A "neophyte" team like the Cardinals would really find it hard to win over them even if they were given that chance. The Steelers got their sixth Super Bowl. 

Yesterday was also another great day for sports. The Australian Open men's final was between the top two seeds, Rafael "El Nino" Nadal (1) and Roger "Federal Express" Federer (2). It was one of the best, if not the best five-setter final ever played. I saw how Bjorn Borg, John McEncroe, Jim Courier, Jimmy Connors, and Ivan Lendel thrilled the crowds in every Grand Slam in the 80's and '90s. But this final, for me was the best. It was marked by great passing shots, super recoveries, long rallies, quick serves, and timely lobs. Federer showed his great pin point forehands and speedy backhands. Nadal, on the other hand, countered with his high top spins, running for every shot, passing shots brushing the lines, and stamina. They played for five sets for more than four hours. To think that Nadal played another beautiful game for more than five hours the other day against another Spanish star, Verdasco.

Some years back, seeing Federer play, I thought that he was unbeatable. I have never seen such an accurate and quick player. He was lord of the tennis world. Until Nadal appeared in the French Open, a clay court. For the first time, Federer's weakness was exposed. The Australian Open was also significant because it was the first grand slam win for Nadal on a hard court. He was not only limited to clay surfaces but had proven himself on hard surfaces. If he will win the US Open, he would achieve the distinction of having won grand slams on all surfaces. The grand slams were being played in different surfaces; Australian Open on hard surface, French Open on clay surface, Wimbledon on grass, and the US Open also on hard surface. Bjorn Borg had never won the US Open, Sampras, I think did not win in the French Open. Rare are those players who had won all Grand Slam Opens.

After losing to Nadal, Federer could not hold back his tears when he was asked to speak after he received his runner-up trophy. Maybe he wanted the 14th grand slam title to put him side by side with Pete Sampras for having won 14 Grand Slams. But it was not yet time. Nadal said sorry, but it was just to console Federer. Maybe he wanted the Australian Open so much. Maybe he promised to himself that he would do it in Melbourne. It would not be so. Unless he will face a player other than Nadal in the finals, it would not be easy. Nadal is only twenty-two years old! Barring any injuries, his time has come and Federer's has started to fade. Maybe that was the difference. A rising young star and a fading aging champion. That is just the way it is. In sports, age does matter....a lot!