[formobilagsw]

As a huge fan of Andre Agassi, I was so sad to see Pete retire. I felt that...Pete was someone who brought out the absolute best in Andre and pushed him to heights no one else could. I felt like it wouldn't be the same watching Andre without him (of course, it was BETTER, Andre started winning more without Pistol Pete around...) but....

When we get a match up of Federer-Nadal or....Nadal-Federer however you love to write it...it is definitely a rivalry IMO. There's that same thrill...that same obsession level kind of need to see these two go at it. When I look at a draw, and see a possible matchup between Federer and Nadal, there are no words to describe how giddy I feel. And.....it all started that very first time Nadal whipped Federer on the tour. Now...even though Nadal is dominating the H2H...it is still thrilling because these guys are going at it....tossing everyone else out of the way into the gutter for all of the top prizes in tennis:

1. Records....Will Federer meet or break Sampras's record? When they meet in a final, Nadal is the biggest threat to stop Federer and so...there's a high level of intensity to the match (and a high level of disappointment when Fed doesn't bring it)

2. Domination.....Fed dominated, now Nadal dominated. Many don't believe...but many, like me, believe that Fed can be on top again (on top of tennis, not Mirka!)

3. These guys used to be ranked one - two in the world (Fed - Nadal) and now...they are ranked 1-2 (Nadal - Fed) in the world. No matter what, they will each be chasing the #1 ranking. Federer didn't do too much last year....he has room to really make up alot of points. And getting to the finals at the first slam didn't hurt him either.....as long as he keeps up with Rafa...he is always a threat to overtake the number one ranking...and so I'll be cheering him on all the way...

4. Slams....slams.....slams!!!! They want them. And they want them ALL. It's great to see who can win more slams each year...and when they meet in the final....oooooooh la la! And the French open.....Nadal is the one who has been stopping Fed from getting the French.....last year, Fed finally beat Nadal on clay and went to the French believing.......well hell it doesn't matter...But one day...Fed is going to get to a point of no return, where he doesn't believe he has anything to lose and boy is he going to bring it!

What matters is that...these two are in a class by themselves. Djokovic may get there, Andy may get there but right now...these two are still by themselves and so...it is totally thrilling to see them play each other.....because right now, in all likelihood...Nadal will win....but one day..Fed is going to upset the applecart just like Nadal did and then.....Nadal will do it etc.

For me..."Is there a rivalry" isn't really the question. For me the question is more to the tune of "how far can this rivalry progress?" And I hope it goes on for a good long time.