The Olympics, Federer’s loss and this week’s games make for a big year

The end of an era

In exactly two weeks, the tennis world will be in a state of near-frenzy.

Those who watch the sport will be slightly confused.

For those who play, there will be a sense of hope.

But for Rafael Nadal, it will be pure ecstasy.

For the first time since July 25, 2005, the left-handed, capri-donning, butt-picking, grunting machine will become more than just next-best.

It’s been a record 235 weeks since Roger Federer had last been touchable. That’s more than four and a half years.

However, that was before what many feel may have been the single-greatest match of all time in the final of this year’s Wimbledon.

Nadal willed and ground himself to a victory ““ one that he could’ve very easily blown ““ the same way he’s been doing from the moment he first began the quest to the top.

The thought of witnessing this changing of the guard come Aug. 22 almost sickens me, and being the Federer enthusiast I am, I convinced myself this would all be reversed soon.

I was almost 100 percent certain that Roger must’ve taken a page out of his old buddy Tiger’s book and just played Wimbledon with a torn knee ligament. I mean, what other reasonable explanation could there have been for him losing on what used to be his surface?

But then I come back to realize that this is actually happening and begin to wonder what will happen next.

Will Federer be able to bounce back from his struggles over the past few tournaments and reclaim the top spot?

Has Nadal actually superceded the man whose shadow loomed over him for over four straight years?

Is Federer no longer an automatic favorite pick for any tournament not played on clay?

Whatever scenario it ends up being, I’m sure the journey will be an interesting one ““ much like the tail-end of the most recent voyage that began long, long ago in February of 2004.

Don’t say I didn’t tell you

There’s a lot going on in the next week at the Countrywide Classic, and even though you can’t go to all of the events and matches, there are some things that you really can’t miss.

A first-round matchup between Marat Safin and John Isner promises to be the most intriguing of the day, as the winner will likely cruise to the quarterfinals.

It won’t be an easy task for Safin, as he’ll be sprawling left and right trying to get his racket on one of Isner’s insane serves.

Then, of course, there’s the return of Andy Roddick to the tournament’s field. Although I was initially bummed that James Blake wouldn’t return this year after his runner-up performance last year, I came to the conclusion that watching Roddick would be a more-than-fair consolation.

Aside from some main draw action, be sure to stick around on Wednesday night when the United States’ Davis Cup victory in 2007 is recognized and celebrated on center court.

But the most intriguing event of this year’s Countrywide Classic is undoubtedly the addition of the legends event, where John McEnroe and Jim Courier will be the headliners.

Olympics

There’s nothing like watching some Olympic tennis this time of year. It’s one thing to be able to represent your nation at the Davis Cup, but to do the same with the whole world watching is at another level.

What disappoints me, though, is that Roddick, sixth-ranked in the world and a top American player, decided not to represent the United States.

Maybe it’s just me, but it just doesn’t make sense to me to pass on a chance to compete in the Olympics and do so in China alongside the players you’ve been playing against since the juniors.

Nonetheless, I think that the United States has a good chance of having a medal performance, not only on the men’s side, but the women’s squad also.

E-mail Behniwal at [email protected].