Tomorrow, Rafael Nadal faces Roger Federer for the third year in a row at the Men's Finals of Wimbledon...
Nadal has to continue to dominate over the course of the next year, or perhaps two years, in which he wins some more Slams, if the conversation about him ultimately overshadowing Federer is to be taken at all seriously. As McEnroe repeats often, Roger assembled the four most amazing years in the history of tennis. If Rafa wins tomorrow, that will be a huge step in his career, but he'll have to win the U.S. or at least the Australian, continue to chock up more French titles and also win another Wimbledon or two...then we can start talking about him in the same conversation with Roger, Sampras, Borg and Laver.
There is tremendous pressure on Nadal tomorrow. He is certainly aware that people are predicting a changing of the guard. The same, daunting psychological hurdle Fed has dealt with against Nadal at the French Open...now is faced by Nadal at Wimbledon. Somwhere in his mind he is asking himself, "Can I beat this guy here? Is it possible? I came so close last year, but is it in the cards?" There is an air of invincibility about Federer's presence at Wimbledon, just as there has been with Nadal at Roland Garros. By crushing Fed at the French, Nadal was merely maintaining the status quo. But to oust his nemesis at Wimbledon, that will truly portend a sea change in men's tennis. I, unlike many--and I am one of Rafa's biggest fans--am not as sure he will do it. He has the ability, but let's not underestimate the size of the challenge.