Federer’s greatness failing the test of time

THEY know by the way we now talk that we crave their approval, so occasionally our friends across the Atlantic cuddle quaint little Europe to their broad chests and stroke our fragile egos.

This week, writing of the Federer-Nadal rivalry that has intrigued them, the New York Times tennis blog widened its eyes and indulged us.

“What were the odds that two players of their dimensions and drive would both emerge in the same era from the same time zone?”