Ailing Roger

Was I too quick to judge Roger Federer and his drop-off this season?

Nah. I don’t think so. That’s what I’m here for. It’s what I get paid to do: to spout off, jump to conclusions and be a sometimes-jerk. I’m okay with that.

Roger has mononucleosis. Mono for short and for those in the know. It’s a sickness that basically wipes you out. Nice. Perfect. No wonder that strong forehand and wicked drop shot hasn’t been quite up to par. Actually far below par.

The good news is Roger is making antibodies. (Maybe that’s a bad way of putting it – it sounds like I’m saying he makes meth.) So he’s getting better – kicking the ole mono’s batoot at its own game.

The bad news is that Roger hasn’t been playing quality tennis. He hasn’t been practicing. For those of you who struggle with putting two and two together, Roger has lost fitness. He’s rusty. Out-of-form. And people have beaten him, thereby getting confidence, thereby dispelling the image that Roger is God.

Wait…Roger isn’t God? Isn’t that similar to some rumor I heard awhile back about Santa Claus not being real?