Best moments in life

*This was written on July 16th, 2010.

Last night, I watched a little bit ESPY: the American/ESPN version of the "Laureus Sports Award".

"Isner-Mahut's 11 hours" won the "best record-breaking performance" over Usain Bolt's "9'58" and Roger Federer's "15", among others. All ESPY awards were voted by fans. I really didn't know if I were to vote, which I would vote for. "Best" record-breaking performance, in terms of how hard this can be achieved? How hard it can be broken? Best inspirational? Or how "impressive"/"sensational" it is?

Maybe I will also go with "Isner-Mahut" because this match, much more than Federer's 15, stirs attentions much beyond tennis fans. And choosing it over Bolt is simply because I think he can run still faster.

I kind of feel for John. Time and again he mentioned he didn't want to be best remembered as "the guy who won the longest match in tennis history". But in this "media era", the moment when you got the most media attention doesn't always coincide with the moment you are the most substansively accomplished. This "longest match record" label, it seems, is impossible to be pulled off. How to really go beyond the shadow of this glory, first mentally, then realistically, is a tough question. Maybe, only if he can win a Grand Slam.

Realistically, he may still be best remembered for this match even with a Grand Slam, but he knows, if he wins a major, or a Master, or even, some final 8, final 4 finishes at the majors, those moments, so much more than June 24, 2010, will be the best moments in life.