Federer makes history with French Open triumph

Roger Federer makes history, winning the French Open completing the Career Slam and tying Pete Sampras' record. And, just as important, suddenly, it doesn't look like he's done winning anytime soon. We like our heroes to show resilience? After losing the 2008 Wimbledon final -- conceding the top ranking, and showing some mortality, facing so many doubts -- Federer has won two of the last three Slams and may well regain the No. 1 spot. And, somehow, it was fittingAndre Agassi presented him with the trophy.

So a month ago, Federer had yet to win a title, appeared annoyed and distracted, and his new wife was expecting. Nadal -- winner of the previous Major -- was building his points lead by racking up clay-court titles, as per usual. If I were to have told you one of the guys would beat the other to win Madrid, win the French Open and come to Wimbledon on a hot streak while the other would drop two straight tournaments and pull out of a tune-up with an injury, who would have made the correct identifications? Gotta love this era in the men's game.

Quite apart the title, Federer's absurd streak of twenty straight Major semifinal appearances was thrown into sharp relief by the losses of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. To me, this streak bolsters his GOAT candidacy as much as the Career Slam achievement.