WTF were the headlines as I arrived at the O2 Arena in London…World Tour Finals, but I was thinking….yip… the arena that these guys have put together is magnificent!!
So as I arrive to do all the sounds checks, check the monitors, hawkeye, stats etc. for my TV commentary duties, I glance out of the commentary booth and Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal are putting in a practice session. So we wander down courtside to get an even closer view (not more than 40 people around) of these two legends of our sport. It’s always special to see these two guys at such close quarters, but it’s even better so in the informal manner of the practice court. This doesn’t happen all that often! Rafa’s still a little more intense and Rog as relaxed as ever. There was plenty of banter between the two – they get on really well!
I had a chance to warm up with Rafa last week in Paris, and I tell you, he is a good kid, despite all the trappings of success. His humility and ease with people is a wonderful gift, not to mention his tennis talent (but we all know that)!
The groups are interesting and Nadal could be in for a tough time, many “in the know” reckon Nadal won’t get out of his group. He’s lost to all three guys in their previous meetings and with Davis Cup a priority the week after here, wins are gonna be hard to come by. I had a chat to some of the players and the court is playing low and slow (like in Paris last week). Slow is good for Rafa, but not low…. I think Soderling is gonna be the surprise package in the group.
I enjoy sticking my neck out and making calls on the matches. I think too many other commenatators and journos are afraid of being wrong. It doesn’t bother me, but I do pride myself on being more right than wrong. (You know this week’s gonna be a disaster, right!!!) As for the other group, I’m tired of making predictions now. It’s the end of the season and nearly 500 (commentated) matches later, I’m allowing myself to dodge this bullet. Its gonna be nip and tuck, with Roger hoping to hang onto his year end world No. 1 ranking.
I hope you all enjoy the week ahead. From Rob Koenig, its “bye for now!”