On Rafa winning the US Open

This was written on Sept. 13th.

World No 2 Novak Djokovic put in a heroic effort to fight off 20 break points out of 26. But he, just like the Swede Robin Soderling last year in Roland Garros ("French Open" for the laymen), couldn't deny what seemed undeniable in the past fortnight but unimaginable just 8 months ago--Rafael Nadal, 24, won the 2010 US Open, becoming just the third man after Andre Agassi and Roger Federer in the history of tennis, to win ALL FOUR Grand Slams on four different surfaces!!!!!!!! He also became the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open in the same year!

The historic significance of this US Open final could go on and on. And every letter of this article should be capitalized and made font 36. Age 24, career Grand Slam, 9 major titles, Olympic singles gold medalist (08 Beijing), the winner of the "greatest tennis match ever played" (08 Wimbledon), and with all those unbelievable records on clay, he put himself right there in the GOAT (greatest of all time) debate, even if he hangs up his racket tomorrow.

Even at the start of this tournament, he is regarded by most fans and experts not to have the sheer TALENT, the VERSALITY, the CAPACITY, to win the whole thing. But over the years,he had transformed his backhand, polished his volley, flattened his forehand, learned to step up on fast surfaces, improved his return, and finally, in this year's Open, speeded up his serve by 10, 15 miles per hour! The message is, YOU GOTTA BELIEVE IN YOUSELF, and answer His call. Your every effort, God (whatever that may be) knows it, He will keep Juan Martin del Potro home, render Stan Wawrinka an assasin dagger, and listen to Nole's "spoiler" prayers too.

Rafa's US Open success is insane.

In the end, a poem which brings me to tears several times

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

The Chinese version?

有志者 事竞成 破釜沉舟 百二秦关终属楚

苦心人 天不负 卧薪尝胆 三千越甲可吞吴