Sublime

After winning Wimbledon in 1920 at the late age of twenty-seven, Tilden did not lose a match in the next six years—a feat of domination that is inconceivable in modern tennis. Like a slugger batting a thousand for six seasons.

When we resume play, however, Pete is a different person. Not revived, not reenergized—wholly different. He’s done it again, sloughed off that other doubt-ridden Pete as a snake sheds its skin. And now he’s in the process of shedding me. Leading 5–4, he starts the tenth game of the set by blasting three straight aces. But not just any aces. They

“He’s the best I’ve ever seen and maybe the best ever in terms of visualization. He will see exactly the perfect race. He will see it like he is in the stands and he’ll see it like he’s in the water.”– Michael’s coach, Bob Bowman