Rafael Nadal celebrates his epic victory over Novak Djokovic by sitting in an invisible chair. Four hours and ten minutes to complete three sets?? Is unbelievable, no?So he scraped by, or dug out, or whatever, and three hours from now will face Federer in the final. . . with a blown right knee. So while Nadal, it is true, may be capable of winning with only one leg, I suspect Federer will inherit a mighty gift this morning: his first masters shield since spring 2007, generously donated by the Spaniard's handicap.
With luck, Nadal will lose only this tournament, sufficiently healed in a week's time to defend his title at the French Open with no asterisk. (For asterisks in sports, see Federer's "Well, my back," 2008, "Well, the dark," 2008, or "Well, my serve. . ." 2009.) Anyway, next time, take a break, Nadal, and remember that while the gods have given you your heart, your earthly body is but half immortal. You get to be a full god only by torching yourself in a pyre, as did Heracles. But don't do that either.
Oh, how you ruin me, winsome warrior.
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