A bit each way

When you're calling one guy the 'King of Grass' and the other the 'King of Clay', there seems only one resolution to your quandary.




Four-time Wimbledon champion Federer played two-time French Open winner Nadal last night in an exhibition on a customized half-clay, half-grass court.

The event was held in Palma De Mallorca to promote the Balearic Islands (yeah, they need promoting alright).

The organisers had to lay a brand new surface on the grass side of the court on Tuesday night after the original turf had failed to cope with the indoor location and then fell victim to a plague of worms.

Changeovers were extended to two minutes instead of the usual 90 seconds to give players a chance to change their footwear for each surface.

Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (10), in an exhibition Wednesday on a half-grass, half-clay court when the top-ranked Swiss failed to reach a forehand that took a funny bounce across the green side.

My mind has been forever tainted of any affinity for Rafael Nadal after sitting behind an extremely whining tennis tragic (let's just call her European) at the Australian Open who seemed utterly unable to control the need to yell 'C'monce Rafa' every time there was a point played. As Rafael sunk into the junkyard of the Australian Open it became more evident that her inspiring commentary had nothing to do with the tennis and (perhaps) more to do with his torso.

If this result infers anything about Nadal being a superior player to Federer, this is incidental and erroneous. One day Nadal may be invited to tie Federer's shoelaces. He should accept with gratitude. As much as I am bored by his complete dominance, let's not pretend there are two kings out there.