If God descends and decides to mete out justice to the tennis world, Delpo will defeat Murray today in a glorious five set epic. He will then, against all odds and to the shock of fans and players alike, claw his way to the Roland Garros final to face none other than Nadal, who has been reborn as the re-anointed clay god on the red earth of Phillipe Chatrier court.
Nadal will bagel him twice to go 2 sets up. Everyone thinks Delpo is finished. Delpo himself is half dead. His face is bruised, knees weak, arms are heavy. His wrist just doesn’t exist anymore. His backhand is a love tap compared to Nadal’s punishing forehand.
As Delpo takes the court at the start of the 3rd set, he suddenly feels it. A surge of pure energy flows through him, strengthening his tired and broken body. Is it the grace of God, a gift rewarding the sportsmanship and class of Delpo? Or simply the indomitable spirit of man? It doesn’t matter. He feels as fearless and strong as the young man who conquered the GOAT at the US Open eight years ago.
On the other side of the court, Nadal is getting ready to serve. As he looks up to stare down his opponent, he swears he sees a flash of red in the Gentle Giant’s eyes. For the first time in a French Open final, fear strikes the heart of the Spanish bull.
Delpo is one with his racquet. The sun breaks through the clouds for the first time that day and shines its holy light on Paris.
50 years from now, the spectators will tell their grandchildren in hushed, reverent tones about the miracle they witnessed that Sunday on Phillipe Chatrier.
Argentinian Juan Martin Del Potro triumphs over Spaniard Rafael Nadal 0-6, 0-6, 6-0, 6-0, 100-98. Isner-Mahut is a distant dream now. Both men fall to their knees after the 50 shot point at *99-98 Ad-40, which ended with a 110mph fearhand winner from Delpo. One man falls in defeat, while the other falls in victory. The crowd riots. The umpire has forgotten how to stand up. The ballgirls and boys are carted off in stretchers. All the linesmen are treated for back injuries. Rod Laver is there. Delpo gives Nadal a bear hug, while they both cramp in solidarity. All is right in the world, for that one, shining moment.
