Deluded Past Champions

Are there any past champions more lovely than Natalie Dechy and Gustavo Kuerten?

When asked what her secret for success was early in her career, Dechy replied that she played with a lot of love. And Kuerten forever won my heart even long before he drew a heart on the center court at Roland Garros after another French Open victory and donned a T-shirt saying he hearts the French Open.

So what is up with these two now? Sadly, both seem to still be suffering from the extreme pressures of the tennis media to be number one. No all-star teams in this sport--you're either tops or derided.

Why else would Dechy after winning the mixed doubles title this year--an amazing feat--promise to the crowd that she'd be back next year winning the singles title? Exactly how likely is that? I think another victory by Chris Evert at this point is more likely.

Or why would Guga Kuerten in presenting the winner and runner-up trophies to Nadal and Federer announce to the crowd that next year he hoped to be at the final stage of Roland Garros ... playing. Yes, winning may have been the happiest moment in this three-time champ's life. And fun for the rest of us to go along for the ride. Perhaps that unreasonable drive is what helped make Kuerten and Dechy a winner in so many matches in the first place.