The Stage is Set

The tennis world is abuzz on the eve of the mens French Open Final. Though a Grand Slam final usually draws some attention, this one is special. It's about history.

The match everyone has been anticipating has arrived, Federer vs. Nadal. Roger Federer, far and away the world's best player, currently holds the other three Grand Slam titles. Rafael Nadal is the defending French Open champion, the world's second ranked player, and the best on clay.

Federer is seeking to capture the French to add to his Wimbledon, US Open, and Australian Open crowns--thereby creating a "Roger Slam". In response to the unasked question, it will not be a proper "Grand Slam" unless he holds all four titles in the same calendar year. The title "Roger Slam" originates with Serena Williams who responded to the detractors that denied her the official Grand Slam (peskily noting the calendar year issue) by proclaiming her accomplishment the "Serena Slam".

Whether you call it a true Grand Slam or not, holding all four major titles at once is a tremendous feat. No man has accomplished it since Rod Laver did it in 1962 and again in '69. Pete Sampras, widely spoken of as the best player of the modern era before Federer, never completed it. He never even completed the career slam. In fact, the only thing missing from the 14 Grand Slam titles on his impressive resume is the French Open crown. Eight time Grand Slam winner Andre Agassi completed the career slam, but never even dreamed of the Grand Slam. In fact only six men in history have won all four Grand Slam titles in their careers, let alone in one year.

As Federer has shown himself to be exceedingly versatile and dominant these past few years, the tennis universe has begun to mutter the words "best ever" in association with his name. And while his skills may very well be the best ever, he still has some wins left to record to prove to history that he indeed is worthy of the exclusive moniker. Though he presently holds just half the number of Grand Slam titles that Sampras does, a win tomorrow would probably be enough to give Federer the acclamatory title. So it is that Federer is chasing not just the French Open Title, or even the Grand Slam, but history.

Standing in his way is the undisputed king of clay, twenty year old lefthander Rafael Nadal. Nadal has won 59 consecutive matches on the crushed brick, netting him nine titles including last year's French Open. Since beating Federer in the semis of the Roland Garros last year, Nadal has proven his clay court dominance by beating Federer three more times (all on clay). Nadal is the only man to beat Federer twice in the last two years, let alone four times. In fact, Federer has only lost seven matches total since the start of the 2004 season. Federer has not lost to anyone other than Nadal this year.

The day of reckoning is upon us. We shall finally see whether the grace, speed, and artistry of Roger Federer can overcome the extreme spin wielding juggernaut that is Rafael Nadal on clay.