Special to JohnFMurray.com – Jun 10, 2006 – The upcoming French Open Finals match between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal could be the most popular tennis match in the history of the sport.
First of all, we are talking about the French Open. No surface other than clay reveals the variety of tennis endurance, skill, cunning and mental fortitude better than Roland Garros. Second, we have the two top seeds and the world’s best player attempting to become only the third player to hold all 4 Grand Slam titles at the same time. Finally, there is the intrigue of Rafael Nadal holding the longest recorded winning streak on clay and a decisive recent advantage against
Federer.
Will Roger step up his game and stop Nadal’s streak, establishing his place as perhaps the greatest player ever? Or will Nadal emerge as the true star on the slow courts and hit his own grand slam as the best player in the world?
No matter what happens in this match, it will help tennis grow. The return of Jimmy Connors to assist Andy Roddick is another good sign that this sport is on the rise.
Enjoy the match Sunday. Try to see it live, but tape it if you cannot. It might be the best match since Borg-McEnroe at Wimbledon 1980, and a match for the ages!
Dr. John F. Murray is a sports psychologist and clinical psychologist providing sports psychology and counseling services based in Palm Beach, Florida.