TENNIS IN THE MAGIC BOX

They call it La Caja Magica, or The Magic Box.  It is the surreal new home of the Madrid Masters, complete with three courts equipped with retractable roofs, an awesome futuristic-looking structure for tennis.  But it was the renewal of an old rivalry that brought the place to life last Sunday.  For the first time since last year's final, the first in The Magic Box, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal faced off.

When these two players meet, tennis is elevated.  Much has been written about their contrasting styles, and their mutual respect for each other, and their genuine love of the game.  Unquestionably, they're both likable characters and outstanding ambassadors of the sport.  But it's the tension in the air when they stand on opposite sides of the court that transcends tennis.  Not since Borg and McEnroe went toe-to-toe have we witnessed a monumental rivalry like Federer-Nadal.  We watch with baited breath to see if something legendary will happen when they play, because every time they do the possibility exists.  Sunday's showdown was an excellent match, but not one for the ages.  Nadal won 6-4, 7-6, but the real story was of the rivalry renewed.

Last year, leading up to this very same tournament, the tennis world questioned whether or not The Mighty Fed would ever sit atop the game again.  After losing to Rafa in Australia, he  appeared to lose a step and some of that supreme confidence, even melting down and slamming a racket in frustration in the sweltering heat of Miami.  But then the tide turned.  A tired Nadal lost a little mojo in The Magic Box and then lost his cloak of invincibility at the French.  With the door wide open at Roland Garros, Federer finally completed his career slam by vanquishing Rafa's conquerer, Robin Soderling. Nadal's relentless style of play finally took its toll on his body and his knees, and the divorce of his parents clouded his focus. Unable to defend his title at Wimbledon, Nadal stepped aside and watched as Federer outlasted Andy Roddick in a marathon final to break Pete Sampras' record for the most Grand Slam titles in the open era. Rafa returned for the North American hard court season, but wasn't the same.  After the layoff, he was rusty and couldn't trust his knees.  Juan Martin Del Potro emerged and raised the level of his game to defeat Roger at the U.S. Open and snap The Mighty Fed's streak at five.  Back in the land down under earlier this year, Nadal again looked vulnerable and uncharacteristically retired in a quarterfinal match against Andy Murray, already down two sets to love.  In the final, Federer took Murray down in straight sets to collect yet another Grand Slam trophy.  I wasn't the only one who wondered whether we had seen the last of the great battles between Rafa and Roger.  This spring, Rafa worked his way back into form, reaching the semifinals of both Indian Wells and Miami, losing to the eventual winner each time. Meanwhile, Roger struggled, upset by Baghdatis in Palm Springs and Berdych on Key Biscayne.  Once again, it appeared the two giants of the men's game were moving in opposite directions.  Returning to the European red clay, Nadal seemed to step back into his own skin.  He dominated in Monte Carlo, winning the tournament for the sixth time in a row.  Federer skipped Monte Carlo, then was shocked in the second round by Ernests Gulbis.  Rafa ruled Rome, took the title, and reclaimed the nickname King of Clay.

Winning in Madrid completed a trifecta never before accomplished, three Masters 1000 events in a row, and all three Masters on the dirt.  An amazing accomplishment.  Nadal ran his overall record against Federer to 14-7, including 10-2 on clay.  He also overtook Andre Agassi for the most Masters Series titles at 18.  But it was taking back his ranking of Number 2 in the world that restored order to men's tennis.  It means that Nadal is really back.  Roger will be seeded #1 at the French Open next week, and Rafa will be seeded #2.  They can only meet in the final.  Just the way it should be.

It'll be very interesting to see if Rafael Nadal can flip the tables again and overtake Roger for the #1 ranking.  First, he has to recapture Roland Garros.  If he can do that, it'll come down to Wimbledon.  With the rivalry fully renewed, we can only hold our breath in hopes that Rafa and Roger will produce something special that demands to be recorded in the annals of tennis history.  Now that they're both back in form, the possibilty exits yet again.