The reason I admire Rafael Nadal above all other professional athletes was on display at this week's U.S. Open final, won by Nadal over Novak Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. Nadal's matches with Djokovic might represent the highest level of tennis that has ever been played—but what happened in the fourth set?
What happened, according to commentator John McEnroe, who won the same tournament four times himself, was the third set.…
[ Read more ]