I'll See You in Hell

By Peter BodoPublished May 20, 2007

I chose this title because, that's what I think it's come down to for Roger Federer. Unless he goes into today's match with Rafael Nadal in that frame of mind, he's got about as much chance of winning as Nikolay Davydenko has of being the next, official American Idol. Or Russian Idol. Or Billy Idol, for that matter. Just between you, me, and the lamppost, there is no Rope-a-Dope scenario here for TMF. It's time to Cowboy Up.

Hamburg, GERMANY: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a ball to Lleyton Hewitt of Australia in their semi final tennis match at the ATP masters tournament Am Rothenbaum, 19 May 2007 in Hamburg, northern Germany. Nadal won the match 2-6, 6-3, 7-5. AFP PHOTO DDP/ROLAND MAGUNIA GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read ROLAND MAGUNIA/AFP/Getty Images) — © AFP/Getty Images

Somehow, it has come down to this: a last stand preceding the last stand already conceived in the popular imagination of tennis fans, and perhaps even those one rung above them in the food chain (that would be you, folks. Surprise!). Is this the French Open final? You bet it is. I think of it as a high-risk gambit by Roger Federer, a throwdown before the showdown, conveying the ever-so-politely (is there another way for The Mighty Fed?) articulated message that, no matter how you cut it, translates to: French Open? Over my dead body, Jet Boy. Hamburg. This is my house!

In other words, it's just another sleepy Armageddon Sunday!

HAMBURG, GERMANY - MAY 19: Roger Federer of Switzerland in action during his semi final match against Carlos Moya of Spain during day five of the Tennis Masters Series Hamburg at Rothenbaum Tennis Centre on May 19, 2007 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images) — © 2007 Getty Images

Here's what I think: Federer needs to find a way to derail Nadal, who's enroute to what is becoming yet another tiresome trophy biting photo op, and not just in Hamburg , but in Paris. Beause this one is a twofer - a package deal. If TMF doesn't win, he goes into Paris like the emperor with no clothes. Sure he's Number One in the world. Sure he's on track to be the GOAT. Sure he may break every tennis record worth breaking (okay, there is that little consecutive match-win streak). But seriously, folks. Anything can happen in Paris but if Federer crashes and burns tomorrow, it probably won't. Which is not the same as saying it can't. You would have to be a complete moron to write TMF off anywhere, on any surface, on any time, no matter what psychic ball-and-chain he may be towing around. And if he loses tomorrow, he will be towing a ball-and-chain.

If Nadal wins, not a whole hail of a lot matters over the next three weeks. And if TMF wins, all bets for Roland Garros are off, and everything matters.

Federer rides into this one dressed in the field blues of General Custer; Sitting Bull awaits, with his Indian eyes and lank, glossy hair. Will history repeat?

Does it every occur to you that this is why they play this danged game?

Enjoy. And call and discuss the match right here.