I could not leave. My kids were promised the beach all morning and sat waiting patiently in their bathing suits, poised to hop in the car and hit the sand. I could not. What was happening live in England some 5,000 miles away was too riveting. Federer-Nadal in the final of Wimbledon, the undisputed top two tennis players alive slugging it out in a performance that was truly spellbinding. As I watched this beautiful yet powerful display of tennis, I realized that, despite the protests of some old-timers, the golden age of sports is here and now. Yes, I grew up with Borg-McEnroe and Borg-Connors and Connors-Lendl and was a fan all of them (as a tennis player I emulated parts of all of their games). But unlike those who hold fast to their generational stars and memories, I am convinced that the guys I watched on Sunday are just better. That match left me with the overwhelming feeling that the glory days of tennis -- both with the men and women (see Williams, Venus and Serena) -- are upon us. It is here and now with Rafa and Roger, not a rose-colored memory of players we loved twenty years ago. Rafael Nadal is a testament to fitness, power and grinding through points like someone breaking through asphalt with a sledgehammer. In contrast, Roger Federer is a wondrous player, elegantly stroking classic shots from all angles. This mesmerizing match did not allow viewers to possibly turn away. The golden age of men's tennis is right now. T ...
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