I get emotional during sports matches, like tennis ones.  No, scratch that, I get extremely emotional during sports matches, especially tennis ones. 

Having said that, you can probably guess how big of an emotional tangle I am right now, a few minutes after that five-setter epic that was the Australian Open.  It’s not that I’m not grateful that Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer pushed it to the four-hour saga that it was, but I can’t say that I wasn’t disappointed.

I caught the game on its second set, having missed one hell of an opening, with the score 7-5, in the Spaniard’s favor.  My father, bless him, stayed on the sports channel and followed the game.  I’m pretty sure that he, like everybody else in this world, was getting pretty tired of all these Nadal-Federer matches so kudos to him for watching the big game with me.

Oh boy, was that final an emotional roller coaster, if ever I saw one.  Both players obviously stretched themselves to the limit, lasting as long as they did. What was riding on this match, you ask?  Well for Federer it was his chance to equal Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slams.  There was no way in hell he could catch up on Nadal’s ATP score but cinching the Australian Open would’ve brought him closer to his former seat.  As for Nadal, this was his first official Grand Slam in the bag as the world’s new number one.  Also, it also to be his first hard court trophy, making him own one from grass, clay and hard court.

Unlike other matches, there was no doubt about whom I was rooting for on this one: I was all out for the Fed.  It was his time to shine in my opinion.  It’s ridiculous, but I always feel so guilty whenever the player I’m rooting for commits errors and looses points.  I know that I have absolutely no effect in the way they play but I can’t get rid of that stupid little superstitious voice in my head, telling me that it’s all my fault for switching channels, for not watching how the point was won. 

Now onto the ranting bit:

Stupid fucking announcers.  I know that you’re all tired of this particular rivalry, but get over it.  I know that Nadal’s one hell of a player but shut the fuck up about his talents already.  He’s, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, not that good!  Stop ass kissing and do your fucking job.

The umpire and the linesmen and lineswomen.  What the fuck was wrong with you guys?  I’ve never seen a match with that many errors in calls.  Are you people blind?  Now I don’t know if you’re favoring somebody by those stupid wrong calls you’ve made but because of those stupid calls, you’ve gone and broken the players’ focus.

Roger Federer.  What in God’s name is wrong with you?  First of all, you’ve gone and committed an insane number of unforced errors and a hell of a lot of double faults, probably more than what you’ve had in the entire 14 day stint of the Australian Open added up together.  I know that you can’t get Nadal out of your head, but seriously, get over it.  Don’t go wasting your potential, man.  Although I do feel sad for you.  Had you been born three years earlier or had Nadal been born three years too late and you two hadn’t crossed each other’s paths you would be the holder for all those records.  What if’s, what if’s. 

This is exactly the reason why girls and sports don’t usually mix: we’re too emotional. Whatever.  I’m going to bed.