Save for the wood racket, Roger Federer models new look after Big Bill Tilden.

LONDON, ENGLAND (Sportsman’s Daily Wire Service)  Having attained the career grand slam by winning the French Open, the great Roger Federer has re-ignited debate among tennis pundits, players across generations and fans the world over: is he the best ever? Some argue that he’s the best since the open era began in 1968, when professionals were allowed to compete with amateurs.  The argument becomes increasingly complex when one considers the game’s evolution, from the more genteel sport played in slacks and sweaters to the breathtaking pace of today’s game. (more…)

Ana Ivanovic Agrees to Hike Skirt Higher at Sony Ericsson Open

Frazier vs. Ali — Chemical Ali, that is.

RodDICK Move – Andy Splits with Brother

Ok, not the best analogy in the world, but you get the point — the sour Scottsman is not the most likeable dude on the ATP tour.   Particularly in contrast to Roger and Rafa, who’ve set the bar high in terms of class and likeability.  Murray plays with all the sunny positivity of a banker looking for ways to deny you a loan.  But after winning yesterday’s Sony Ericsson — considered the fifth major — he’s clearly the sport’s rising star.  He’s already won three titles this year and since July his record is 57-7, best on the tour.

Given all the gloom and doom out there, maybe we should welcome Murray’s ascendance  – who needs another grinning, blissed-out superstar to remind us of the gap between the blessed and the stressed? Andy Murray:  gloom we can believe in.

Good to see the old Federer emerge from months of uninspired — for him — play.  And add a point if you wanted to see Djokovic spanked and sent packing (just to show my contempt I’m not even going to spell check Djokovic). Tonite’s final against Andy Murray should be something…Murray is playing great tennis, has beaten Roger twice in three meetings and has the all-court game to pose problems.  But I don’t see Federer losing — it would seriously fuck with the narrative (a season of frustration salvaged by an Open triumph in front of an adoring crowd of crazy New Yorkers…though, frankly, the crazy New Yorker thing is a bit overblown. I mean, it’s not like you’re getting rif-raff floating in off the street into Armstrong Stadium hitting you up for loose change. It’s mostly corporate types and tennis obsessives).  

BTW, anyone catch any of the post Nadal match interview with Scotsman Murray? Not exactly the warm and fuzzy type, eh?  But what’d you expect from the land of MacBeth and mournful bagpipes, sunny and slap-happy?

If you thought Rudy and Sarah made for a nasty one-two punch, check out some of the trash Andy Roddick is throwing out at his next opponent, Novak Djokovic. Here’s an excerpt from ESPN:

 A reporter was explaining that the Serbian player had complained of an injured right ankle when Roddick cut him off, sparking this charming exchange:

Roddick: Isn’t it both of them? And a back and a hip?

Reporter: And when he said there are too many to count …

Roddick: And a cramp.

Reporter: Do you get a sense right now that he is …

Roddick: Bird flu.

Reporter: A lot of things. Beijing hangover.

Roddick: Yeah.

Reporter: He’s got a pretty long list of illness.

Roddick: Anthrax. SARS. Common cough and cold.

Great stuff. Look, like 99.9% of tennis fans I love Roger – love his game, and particularly the way he handles himself – for a superstar athlete he seems like a human being.  But you’ve got to like it when tennis players talk trash. I’m looking forward to their match – the edgy American vs. the defiant Serb. Now if only they’d get Michael Buffer to bring them onto the court…and Mills Lane to make the calls…with Lamps and Larry at courtside…ding, ding, ding…let’s get ready to rummmmble.

Prediction: Roddick by TKO in four.