Two Match Points

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That's how many Roger Federer held to get into the finals of the US Open two years running. Both times, he was denied by then World No. 3 and current World No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Both times, the fearless Serb hit his best forehands to save the first match point. This time, Federer faltered to waste the second. From there, he virtually disappeared while the best player in the world smothered him like ash over red hot coals, closing out the match 7-5 in the final set.

I have always said that 7-5 sets are always mental. So when Federer stated after the match that Djokovic had mentally gone away up until the match points, it's clear he expected him to remain wherever he had gone mentally.

But he didn't. That blistering forehand crosscourt return to save the first match point won Djokovic the match. Literally. Federer simply couldn't believe it. Which is why it was his turn to mentally go away and not return. Why he evoked junior tennis and luck to explain his disbelief in what had happened to him after the match.

2011. Two Slams in a row, the "greatest player of all time" leads two sets to love in the semifinals only to lose the match. Tennis enthusiasts tend to say that you can never write off a great champion. But this is the first year in nine that Federer has failed to win a Slam. I've prematurely written of the end of his Slam winning days before. And while I won't make a fool of myself twice, I will say that it's going to take a whole lot of luck for Federer to win another Slam. Why? Because denial is a powerful thing and Federer is in denial. He has been all season, as far as I'm concerned. But because he's earned such good will over the years for all of his greatness, rarely is he called out for it.

Sure, his legacy will remain intact. He's got streaks and records that won't ever be broken or touched.

Sure, he's given purists and casual fans alike so many reasons to "ooh" and "aah" and call out his name like Christ himself.

Sure, he's aging and searching and fathering and faltering.

Sure, it's a compelling story of human nature for those compelled by it. But when champions stop winning and don't appear to respect the reasons why, it's more tragic than anything else.

Perhaps the greatest one will someday tell us when he recognized he was no longer superman, that his rivals were no longer afraid and, despite his considerable gifts, there was nothing he could do about it. Perhaps not.

I look forward to such a revelation.

Surely, a man of his greatness will arrive at that place.

Surely.