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It's the start of a new decade, which means we should be able to expect -- for reasons that no one can quite explain -- the inevitable triggering of another historic U.S. Open occasion.

What is it about tennis that skews our expectations toward the elegant and causes us to overlook the importance of a good grind? After all, there's nothing more attractive than victory.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are as gracious toward each other as they are competitive. So why don't Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi share the same reverence?

Men's tennis has witnessed some remarkable matches in the past decade. And it starts with the crowning of the all-time Grand Slam champ.

Roger Federer might be considered the best player of all time by the greater tennis lore, but is he the one warrior you'd want playing for your life?

Following grueling vetting and scrutinizing, here's why the quartet of Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of tennis.

Only fatigue and injury can cease Rafael Nadal's domination on clay. But in today's daunting schedule, finding time to refresh is more important than ever.

While Roger Federer's waning will left him mired deeper in a sea of uncertainty, Rafael Nadal elevated his stature by waxing the Indian Wells field.

If Roger Federer has a kindred spirit, it's Pete Sampras. The Grand Slam king not only appreciates Federer's dedication to greatness, but also painfully shares his tribulations.

He's lost a step. His reign is over. Do those sentiments ring true, Roger Federer naysayers? Well, he proved us all wrong with a galvanized performance at the U.S. Open.

From urban blight to the brightest sibling stars of our time, the Williams sisters redefined tennis. But it was the rise of Roger Federer that exemplifies the current decade of Open era tennis, writes Joel Drucker.

Now that the Grand Slam season is behind us, what have we learned? And what does it mean for the rest of the season and beyond? Joel Drucker knows.

In most sports, the Olympics present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an athlete to be a national hero. Tennis, however, is failing to take advantage of the camaraderie the Games offer and consequently marginalizing the buildup to the U.S. Open, writes Joel Drucker.

From the watershed 2004 Australian Open, where he became the world's No. 1 player, to his epic battles versus Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer has had many memorable moments.

Think the struggles of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are a fluke? Not quite. Opponents are entering matches versus the world's top two players with intelligent strategies, and it's paying off.

There's much more than meets the eye when it comes to assessing Jose Higueras. Roger Federer's newest coach has an understanding of the game that goes much deeper than merely striking tennis balls.