Bideodromage
The astonishing 20 year old has immense possibilities; called “a combination of Nadal and Federer” by former great Mats Wilander, Denis merely has to harness his skills to rise to the top of men’s tennis. He’s still a bit volatile/mercurial, as his early exit from the 2020 Australian Open illustrates. But his off-the-charts shotmaking abilities are something to behold.
The remarkable Patrick Mahomes seems to perform well-nigh impossible feats almost routinely. At age 24, he already is poised to become one of the all-time greats. As brilliant as he is on a consistent basis, he’s even better when it matters most. If it has to happen, it happens. A magician, a poet, a winner.
An eleven-time World Champion, Usain Bolt won consecutive World Championship 100 m, 200 m and 4 × 100 metres relay gold medals from 2009 to 2015, with the exception of a 100 m false start in 2011. He is the most successful male athlete of the World Championships. Bolt is the first athlete to win four World Championship titles in the 200 m and is one of the most successful in the 100 m with three titles, being the first person to run sub-9.7s and sub-9.6s.
Bolt is the only sprinter to win Olympic 100 m and 200 m titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, and 2016). He also won two 4 × 100 relay gold medals. He gained worldwide fame for his double sprint victory in world record times at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which made him the first person to hold both records since fully automatic time became mandatory.
“But here comes the Great Man…” – BBC 2009 WC
“There is NO ONE on this planet, or on any other that we know of, that has EVER run this fast.” – Ato Boldon {w/Tom Hammond}NBC 2009 WC
In Barry’s prime, he was simply impossible to pitch to, as his almost absurd walk totals indicate. 232 bases on balls in one season. When he did on the rare occasion get a ball to hit, he very rarely missed it.
Bonds really had no weaknesses as a batter. He is certainly the top hitter I’ve ever witnessed, with a compact, lethal swing that had no holes. He actually slugged .863 one season, a record that will never even be approached, in all likelihood. Only Ted Williams and Babe Ruth compare.
2011 French Open Semifinal vs. Djokovic here.
This masterful, stylish, dominant Swiss athlete, Roger Federer, has achieved such towering heights, in tennis, that he is generally considered the sport’s greatest ever practitioner. He has given many, many thrills over the years…with his nonpareil artistry and creativity; his indomitable will; his uncanny proclivity to produce his best when it matters most, when so many others wilt. Always so aware, so ready to seize command of the point. There’s just an extra gear/dimension to his game we’ve not seen before. An undeniable sense of synergy pervades his shotmaking. He has a unique way of taking time away from his opponent with his feet and timing. Winners from every court position flow from his racquet. His touch is exquisite. At his best, Roger’s game was—and, is—nothing short of poetry, the poetry of a genius…a slightly mad one, at that.
I’ll always recall my first viewing, against American Andy Roddick, in the 2003 Wimbledon semi-finals. His preternatural grace and *feel* for the game I simply found astonishing. Magical. When Federer closed out the second set with, really, something no one had seen—a running, forehand half-volley {usually a defensive shot} utterly whipped into the corner for an uncontested winner—both men had to smile. Commentator John McEnroe, quite capable of producing his *own* magic with a racket, was incredulous. “That’s not possible.”
On a personal note, I was fortunate enough to partake of the Great Man at very close quarters; a practice session. Being at such proximity to Mr. Federer would have to be included in one’s rather intimately scaled coterie of “Religious Experiences”. Plus, he also rather casually did something impossible. He’s like that.
The grace also masked an assassin-like ruthlessness that could torture opponents. Nick Kyrgios, the temperamental Australian star, has said that Federer is the only player who has ever made him feel like he really did not know what he was doing on a tennis court.
From the great Rafael Nadal, on his immortal rival: “If he is playing very good, I have to play unbelievable. If not, it’s impossible, especially if he’s playing with good confidence. When he’s 100 per cent, he’s playing in another league. It’s impossible to stop him.”
Bideodromage 