August 12th, 2009 was a beautiful, sunny Wednesday morning in Montreal. Because I was working at the Rogers Cup, I got admission to the grounds and had specifically asked for Wednesday off so I would be able to go check out all the players’ practices. It was really a loaded draw with the most talented ten competing during the day.

At 11 that day, a friend and I walked over to Court four where the world’s No.1, Roger Federer, was expected to get there at 11:30am. Already jam packed with about a few hundred people, there was barely any room to move.

As the time neared, the place was packed with fans who enthusiastically waited to get a glimpse of the Swiss Maestro. With the sun soaring at 95 degrees fahrenheit, we watched him warm up and start hitting balls. To be frank, it was quite uneventful and was supposed to last 2 hours.

So, slowly, we squeeze out of the crowd and come to an open space. I look up at Court four on the other side to see a tall, lanky player dressed in a pink Nike T-shirt and white shorts hitting a few balls. I try to look closer and indeed came to see it was Juan Martin Del Potro.

As he came to the exit gate, there were 6 fans waiting for him to earn his signature and he did sign. As he signed my picture and proceeded to my pal, I told him “I wish you the best of luck in your competition today.”

He turned around and had a huge grin on his face and claimed “Thank you so much for your support.” He seemed like he was extremely pleased about what I had said to him.

As he won yesterday, the irony of this situation just came to my thoughts. The fact that essentially nobody was at hand to root for him and Federer had a ton of fans. Sometimes, it is better to be let alone than to be constantly followed.

Del Potro played a fabulous match this week and is totally worthy of his championship. Vamos!

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Tennis fans around the world are rejoicing as the grand slam season has kicked off. Things are most definitely exciting on both sides of the tour, leading many to speculate as to who will dominate the sport this year. Let’s take a look at the men of the sport.

Things will certainly be interesting in men’s tennis this year. It’s one of the first years in recent memory where fans legitimately believe that more than just two players have a chance at finishing on top.

Though Federer and Nadal occupy the top two spots in the world, there are a few players who could end up the year ranked at number one. Let’s take a look at the most likely finishers now.

No article like this would be proper without calling Federer the most likely person to rank atop the world. After all, he’s held a pretty firm grasp on the position for over eight years now. On the other hand, he’s getting older and others are catching up.

If Rafael Nadal can stay healthy, there’s no reason to believe that he can’t finish there. In fact, many believe that he would have finished there in 2009 had he not been forced to miss Wimbledon due to his knee injury.

On the rise is the young 20 year old Juan Martin Del Potro, whose incredible win at the US Open shocked many tennis fans. To knowledgeable ones, the Argentine’s emergence wasn’t such a surprise. The kid is incredibly talented and has what it takes to capture the world’s top ranking this year.

Then, there are two final players who will both have a go at the throne.

Novak Djokovic is one of those guys who everyone thought would be number one at some point, yet he hasn’t quite gotten there yet. He’s more mature at the age of 23, and could finally have both the physical and mental game to get there.

Then, there’s Andy Murray. At 22 years old, this British talent is on the rise and peaked as high as number two last year. With some big wins in 2010, he could be this year’s dark horse.

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Seriously, what’s the deal here?

When Steffi Graf ruled the sport people did not enjoy it. When both of the Williams girls were devastating everyone on the road to the championship, the public did not appreciate it. And presently when grand slams are more well balanced than before? Tennis lovers do not appreciate this.

The majority confess that the Williams girls dominate most of the time. Although injuries and diminished non-Slam tournament schedules denote they presently meet prior to the championship match. Though yet again allow us to recall that very recently the previously referenced whining regarding this regular matchup in the final round and their governance over other athletes.

So currently we have Dinara Safina boasting the number spot in the WTA race and the US Open seeds. And what do people imply? She doesn’t deserve it since she has never won a Grand Slam (not to mention that she has been defeated in a couple slam finals recently.) But she’s getting to slam title and she is fairly entertaining along the way, on the court and off.

Earlier Safina was forced to battle it out yet again, practically becoming the 1st #1 seed to be defeated in the first round. Was it entertaining? I thought so. Although we’ll learn all regarding the inaccuracy of the ranking system, yada, yada.

And then there was Venus Williams last night–additionally pushed to 3 pairs. Also engaging. (Furthermore note that Venus didn’t have the best of summers post Wimbledon.) But in all likelihood to be heard is the prevalence of injuries among the sisters Williams and their “distractions” off the courts.

Furthermore presently Kim Clijsters is back and as opposed to being very excited – which we ought to be since she is affable and polite and a fine player – fans are all saying “okay what does it reveal about the women’s game that she might return and maintain a 6-2 finish for the summer season?”

Well I suppose it reveals that she – as she always has -exercises very well. Also that she is a seasoned player and she has nearly zero to lose.

So let’s simply cease all the bashing, please. Yes, there are problems in the ladies game. (For example the lack of diversity in terms of playing style.) But I for my part love that it is anyone’s guess as to who’ll play in that final in under 2 weeks. And I am excited about seeing how they end up there.