The old shall rise again. For those who think 36 is old. Consider Roger Federer, the oldest man, at 36, to earn the #1 tennis singles ranking. The next oldest was Andre Agassi at 33. No fluking that, no fleeting summoning of old glory, no joke. He has come back to dominate his sport for an extended time, winning 3 of the last 5 grand slam titles, demonstrating his excellence, sportsmanship, emotional steadiness, and fluid grit. His reaction time advantage still intact, it has always been the foundation of his game, allowing for the trademark extension of his form. The fully mastered backhand, the active feet, the timeless serve. Once, long ago it seems, Fed was put out to pasture by some. Even then he was widely acknowledged as the best ever. But pastures aren't for Roger Federer, he will gallop away one day, no fences, no gates. The best ever, for sure.
Surely, Serena Williams is his tennis icon soulmate. The sport is fortunate, these icons are worthy of admiration on many levels, especially the complete obsession with opponent destruction. Physically, mentally, strategically, absolutely. In all ways they are destroyed. On all surfaces the icons have prevailed. Hemispheres, continents, indoors, or out. They have been grand, slamming the doors, overcoming, enduring. And, they are both so fly, so Vantaggio. Mommy Serena will be #1 again, and daddy Fed could hold on to the top spot til he's 40. Or beyond.
Less about them, more about the opponent. Maximizing their own games, sure, but also minimizing the games of their opponents. Serena's glare, Roger's tactics, Serena's hammer, Roger's one-hander, Serena's class, Roger's class. High class tennis killers. Even in defeat, the class shines. And even defeat is not wasted by either. It is captured and used to fuel the complete obsession with opponent destruction. Yes, Roger and Serena, the King and the Queen of all the courts.