Letter to Federer

dear mr. federer,

oh, how i hope you win tonite! i really would like you to break pete’s record, and you’re already 27 so i know that you won’t be getting any younger.

i like nadal.  i really do.  however, he’ll be around after your done.  he can wait a second.  let’s shatter that record!

here’s some advice.  now, i know that you really have no reason to take my advice.  anyone that has 12 slams under their belt probably shouldn’t listen to a guy like me.  however, what i lack in skills i have in brains. so, just give me a second to voice my point.

here’s the deal.  forget about being number 1.  i know, i know.  it’s a great place to be.  however, the goal right now is to win slams.  to alter a phrase from a famous televangelist “SLAMS, SLAMS, SLAMS!”  after the US open, take some time off.  forget about challenging for the #1 ranking…let nadal have it!  rest for a few weeks and gear up for the atp finals in november.  then, get ready to make a charge for the next year.

here’s what you need to make sure is working in your game at all times:  your serve.  it was your serve that kept you alive as long as it did during the wimbledon final.  even though that didn’t turn out the way we planned, you gotta take that as a positive.  also, you gotta make those forehands.  you never used to miss those.  now, you do.   let’s fix that.

when, and i do mean WHEN, you break the record can we hit around afterwards.  it doesn’t have to be right after.  shoot, it can be years after.  just mark me down for one day at one given time.  that will make my life smile like this .

go get ‘em fed.  i’ll be rooting for you from qdoba tonite.   murray can wait a little longer for a slam as well!!

With your best interest at heart,

Verdell

(But you can call me Dell)