For the first time in a long time, I had somebody approach me about how great a men's tennis match was.  To my surprise It happened at a gas station by a fellow wearing a Dale Earnhardt Jr. cap.   He said he wasn't much of a tennis fan but that "Wimble-Ton" final was something else.  

While saying "Wimble-Ton" instead of Wimbledon isn't that big of a deal, it is a big deal for the sport of tennis that a match involving two non-Americans could pull in and keep new fans glued to the tube. 

I love tennis.  I love to play it.  I love watching it.  I was going to kick back and watch that final on Sunday because Nadal/Federer is one of the great rivalries in tennis history.  Nobody needed to sell me on the idea that it was going to be a great match.  The two men didn't disappoint as they battled toe-to-toe for a Wimbledon record 4 hours and 48 minutes.  John McEnroe said Nadal's 5-set win was the greatest match he had ever seen.

Men's professional tennis television ratings have been on the decline since the Agassi/Sampras rivalry days.   The sport needed a lift and the Rafael Nadal/Roger Federer rivalry over the last few years has been a boost.  Maybe the fringe fans will come back even if an American isn't in the mix.

I have to be honest about the fellow in the Dale Jr. cap though... While he did bring up tennis for a minute or two, we talked NASCAR for a good 15!!