Last year, I bought tickets to watch Federer play Djokovic in their star studded Quarterfinal in last year's US Open. Don't remember it? Well, that's because after I bought the ticket, Federer lost to James Millman, in a truly weird match in sweltering humidity, shanking balls left and right, sweating more than he did on court for all of 2003-2008. He lost. The $150 ticket we bought about five rows from the very top of that cavern that is Ashe stadium now was available for about $60.
It wasn't just me, it was with two friends, all sharing in our collective despair, watching Novak Djokovic surgically tear apart Millman in three easy sets. That night, we decided to double down in a way. We decided to go to the Semifinals next year (this year), where you get both Men's semifinals (and the Men's Double Final). We figured you'll at least get one good match. When the draw came out, there was another chance to see Djokovic vs. Federer. This year? Neither gets through.
In some ways, I can harken back to that old wise saying 'fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me'. In the end, it's not all bad news. With six players left in the draw, Rafael Nadal is the huge favorite to win, it would be his fourth US Open and 19th overall major. But then again, when you spent $250 bucks on tickets ($280 after those damn fees), and you end up with Dimitrov vs. Medvedev, you don't think too clearly.
In the end, it will still be a fun day at the open (god forbid if Nadal loses his QF, though), but you do get the sense that this is meaningful. For the second straight year, Federer lost harrowingly in the US Open, a tired sullen mess of the guy who played so well just a few months earlier. Djokovic now this time is physically ailing - the second time in four years where he may end the season in pain. Overall, maybe we shouldn't count on 30-somethines be peachy clean physically in their mid -to-late-30s.
It's weird because as all three of their incredible careers gets to their respective closes, I've become more protective over Nadal's place in history, so I should be gleeful his two biggest competitors were knocked out, but I'm not. This is a disaster. Very soon these guys won't be playing period. We could have had another amazing Federer vs. Djokovic match, and alas, we're getting Medvedev vs. Dimitrov.
That said, there is some fun in watching Medvedev these days, with him so brilliantly taking on the mantle of the tennis heel at the moment. Slowly, the watfching public is catching on and loving it as well, but watching him so brilliantly take the jeers and turn it into greatness is fun.
But it isn't Fed vs. Djokovic. It isn't worth $250 (or half of that). Tht all said, I'll probably buy those damn semifinal tickets next year as well...
It wasn't just me, it was with two friends, all sharing in our collective despair, watching Novak Djokovic surgically tear apart Millman in three easy sets. That night, we decided to double down in a way. We decided to go to the Semifinals next year (this year), where you get both Men's semifinals (and the Men's Double Final). We figured you'll at least get one good match. When the draw came out, there was another chance to see Djokovic vs. Federer. This year? Neither gets through.
In some ways, I can harken back to that old wise saying 'fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me'. In the end, it's not all bad news. With six players left in the draw, Rafael Nadal is the huge favorite to win, it would be his fourth US Open and 19th overall major. But then again, when you spent $250 bucks on tickets ($280 after those damn fees), and you end up with Dimitrov vs. Medvedev, you don't think too clearly.
In the end, it will still be a fun day at the open (god forbid if Nadal loses his QF, though), but you do get the sense that this is meaningful. For the second straight year, Federer lost harrowingly in the US Open, a tired sullen mess of the guy who played so well just a few months earlier. Djokovic now this time is physically ailing - the second time in four years where he may end the season in pain. Overall, maybe we shouldn't count on 30-somethines be peachy clean physically in their mid -to-late-30s.
It's weird because as all three of their incredible careers gets to their respective closes, I've become more protective over Nadal's place in history, so I should be gleeful his two biggest competitors were knocked out, but I'm not. This is a disaster. Very soon these guys won't be playing period. We could have had another amazing Federer vs. Djokovic match, and alas, we're getting Medvedev vs. Dimitrov.
That said, there is some fun in watching Medvedev these days, with him so brilliantly taking on the mantle of the tennis heel at the moment. Slowly, the watfching public is catching on and loving it as well, but watching him so brilliantly take the jeers and turn it into greatness is fun.
But it isn't Fed vs. Djokovic. It isn't worth $250 (or half of that). Tht all said, I'll probably buy those damn semifinal tickets next year as well...
