Monday, September 14, 2009

The name on everyone's lips - Del Potro

The correct protocol for any commentator on sporting events who makes a prediction that actually comes true - providing you squint your eyes and adjust for the Doppler effect - is to reference the original prediction and gloat. So without further ado, here is what I said a few months ago about the tennis:

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a non-Nadal/you slam winner as early as Wimbledon or the U.S., which is something you couldn’t have said confidently the last, what – five years?

Hey presto, Juan Martin Del Potro beats Federer to claim the US Open, taking the fifth set 6-2. That's gotta hurt the Fed Express, he's had such an amazing record of beating upstart punks in slam semis and finals.

I also said that what makes it so hard for players now is they have to beat Federer and Nadal to win a major. Del Potro did this, but Nadal wasn't at his peak so I'm not quite prepared to declare him better than both. It will be very interesting to see how the next year of slams plays out.

For my next major prediction, Bernard Tomic will win 10-15 grand slams, possibly all at the junior level.