Inside Your Head

You dont want anyone inside your head. Especially in sports. Case in point: Serena Williams and Roger Federer.

Serena was the undisputed top female tennis player going into the 2004 Wimbledon finals where she was beaten by a frighteningly focussed and determined 17-year old Maria Sharapova in straight sets: 6-1, 6-4. Yes, Serena won the 2005 Australian Open 6 months later but that would be her last major title until the 2007 Australian where she beat...Maria Sharapova in straight sets: 6-1, 6-2. The years in between Serena's Australian wins were plagued with personal tragedies (the murder of her sister Yetunde), health problems (a chronic knee problem that required surgery) and general distractions from the sport (like guess starring on "My Wife and Kids" and "Anares," her own clothing line). It was stunning to see an unranked Serena claw her way into the 2007 Australian Open final and dismantle the woman who flushed her confidence down the toilet.

Serena and Maria met again today, at the quarterfinals of the Sony Ericsson Tournament, acknowledged unofficially as the "5th Grand Slam" tournament because both the men and women play, the big prize money and the prestige. Serena won. Well, that's a bit of understatement. She wrecked Maria, destroyed her, bludgeoned her, BLUDGEONED: 6-1, 6-1.

The other match I was keeping my eye on was Roger Federer who was meeting...Guillermo Canas aka the only man to beat the #1 world's tennis player in 41 matches spanning 9 or so months which happened a few weeks ago. After that loss and ever the gentleman, Federer said that Canas was the better player that day. But it was still odd that the seemingly invincible Roger would fall, especially in the first round, to an unranked qualifier. They met again today in Miami and with a sadness whose intensity is matched by the happiness I have for Serena's victory, Roger lost and Guillermo won AGAIN, this time in 3 sets: 7-6 (2), 2-6, 7-6 (5).

In the press conference, Federer said he just couldnt put Canas away. Kudos to Guillermo but I cant help but think this loss cant be attributed wholly to Guillermo being the better player. This is more than beginners luck, too. To beat the world's #1 tennis player and (probably still) the best tennis player EVER not once, but TWICE, in the span of three weeks? Something's goin on here and it's got more to do with Roger than his opponents. To do something almost no other player has been able to do let alone on a consecutive basis? I think this is partly psychological. Winning 3 of the 4 majors in 2004, 2 of them in 05 and 3 last year, Roger solidified his status as one of the greats (if not the greatest) in 2006 and had a great start to 2007. He won the Australian in commanding fashion (never once dropping a set) and holding the record for most consecutive weeks at #1 (161 weeks dating back to February 1, 2004). His first defeat a few weeks ago probably rattled him, even if just a bit, and seeing the same guy across the net who beat him, caused a lot of anxiety. The guy's still human. The score says it all: a three set match, two tie breaks with the last going 7-5? Cant get any tighter than that.

Regroup Roger. Serena got Maria outta her mind. You can get Guillermo outta yours.