Source: Kevin Terrell/Getty Images
What an amazing day for sports. Although technically Rafael Nadal’s five-set victory (7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2) over Roger Federer in the Australian Open final was yesterday, I didn’t know who won until this morning. No need to hide here: my heart was racing for Nadal, a true-bred Spanish matador who just doesn’t quit. He punches through and penetrates even the most skilled of enemies, in this case Federer.
Sure, Federer is a great player, very similar to ‘pistol’ Pete Sampras whom I had supported. But for some reason I don’t fancy Federer. He’s not obnoxious enough to warrant a hate squad, yet I think my dislike stems from the way he makes it look too easy to win. When players like Nadal sweat and bleed to conquer, Federer dispatches challenges so quickly it’s almost — like they say — a ‘Federer’ express.
That’s why I support Nadal, because he’s the undying kind. The kind that doesn’t quit even though he may not be the brightest talent nor the biggest mouth.
Yet underdogs don’t always win. About an hour ago, the Pittburg Steelers claimed the throne of Superbowl XLIII right at the very death (27-23), after underdogs Arizona Cardinals was on the verge of the biggest ever comeback win in Superbowl history. Superbowl, like Wimbledon in tennis, holds some of my heart’s emotional strings. Ever since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers obliterated the New England Raiders in Superbowl XXXVII, the event has almost been a annual date with the TV.
Tonight, the Cardinals almost pulled off a historic win. They were trailing 20-7 by the 4th quarter, after the Steelers’ James Harrison wrote his own name in the history books by complete a 100-yard touchdown after intercepting the ball from his own goal line. Cardinal bit back slowly, fighting to lead 23-20 with about 2:30 minutes left. That was too much time for the Steelers to get another touchdown. Like I said, not all underdogs win.
Sports is truly a reflection of life’s struggles. We win some (like Nadal and the New York Giants in last year’s Superbowl), and in other times we lose. Defeat is always painful, especially after coming so far. But after the despair, I think recognition and pride has been earned. Whenever I come out on the losing side (and it’s happened more times than winning), I always remind myself on what I already have. Then an epiphany creeps up, revealing that I already have what I need to be happy. I’m already a winner.
