A week of two unexpected events.
One off the field.
One on.
On the red clay courts at the French Open tennis championship at Roland-Garros, Novak Djokovic made history, capturing his 23rd major crown.
That put him one ahead of Rafael Nadal and three in front of retired Roger Federer.
Beating Casper Ruud in straight sets for the title was hardly what you would call an unexpected event, but the story of his semi-final triumph over top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz, certainly was.
This duel was set up to be the marquee confrontation.
Alcaraz, the 20-year old hotshot Spaniard, who has displayed never-before speed and shot-making, against the 36-year old warrior from Serbia, who was shooting for the all-time record in a battle of proven champion against the up-and-coming superstar.
Could Djokovic stand up against the quicker, talented Alcaraz who has stamped himself as the next in line to add his name to the greats of tennis?
It was classic match-up.
Except it turned out to be anything but.
It was the veteran who took charge, showing he could cover the court, produce the shots that counted, and be the more consistent player despite the 16-year gap in age.
Instead of the youngster taking charge and sending the message that his time had come, it was Alcaraz who made the unforced errors, exhibiting the jitters.
That’s precisely what he expressed post-match.
Carlos Alcaraz was nervous. And it showed.
The wonderful mystery in sports is that those of us observing never have an inkling in advance what the mental state is of those in battle.
We can talk of records and past performance which, by the way, have little to do with the fight about to take place, but we really don’t know what the players are feeling inside.
Alcaraz appeared to be intimidated by Djokovic.
They split the first two sets, but it was apparent, the elder statesman was playing the better tennis.’
Then, early in the third set, Alcaraz suffered cramps, which affected his entire body, and play had to be halted.
After medical attention which resulted in the forfeiture of one game, the match continued. But it was obvious the youngster wasn’t the same and it was only a matter of time for Novak.
Alcaraz won only one game in each of the last two sets in what turned out to be an anti-climactic semi-final.
Who knows what the outcome would have been had Carlos not been ailing?
It doesn’t really matter.
It also doesn’t matter to Novak Djokovic whether his match with Alcaraz lived up to expectations. He won. He set the record. And if you measure the greatest of all-time with the number of major championships won, as we do with Tom Brady, then Novak Djokovic is the greatest of all time in his sport.
That is, until the next guy.
Credit to the Spaniard who could easily have thrown in the towel, but instead was determined to fight on, and allow Djokovic to have to beat him.
Credit as well to the winner, who recognized the circumstances of the match as well as the immense talent and unlimited future potential of the man he conquered.
However, looking at the big picture, the events of the Alcaraz-Djokovic French Open collision were hardly anticipated.
Off the court, or the course, in this case, came the shocking news of the merger between the PGA Golf Tour and the LIV Tour.
Nobody saw this coming.
The two had been going after each other’s throats for the past year and it brought genuine bad feeling among the pro golfers and the two organizations.
You would have thought the last thing that would occur would be a merger between the long-standing, traditional golf foundation and the upstart foreign group backed by Saudi Arabian money, bringing to the forefront, the horrendous events of 9/11 and other human rights violations.
But here they were, arm-in-arm, telling the world they would “grow the game of golf” together.
So, what does it all mean?
The truth is, no one knows. At least, those of us not privy to the actual deal has any idea.
There have been so many conflicting reports and comments that it is impossible to nail down what the merger ultimately means.
First you listen to PGA tour head Jay Monahan it all sounds like gobblygook, statements that don’t really say anything.
Then you hear Greg Norman, who has been the front man for LIV insist that nothing has changed for his organization, that it will be business as usual.
Norman apparently was on the outside looking in during the negotiations.
Then word comes that Monahan and the PGA have full say on the LIV schedule and that the more established group is more in charge than ever.
Which is it? How will it pan out?
Who knows?
All of this came on the heels of Jack Nicklaus’ declaration that he doesn’t regard the LIV golfers as golfers.
That was pretty strong of the symbol of the sport, underscoring his loyalty to the Tour that made golf what it is.
Naturally Rory McIlroy chimed in, stating he “hated the LIV”.
As an aside, it might be wise for Rory to get off the speakers stage since it might be affecting his inability to close the deal and win major tournaments lately.
It is easy to dismiss it all as money, as usual, wins out in the long run.
That’s always true in these things.
Let’s face it, way back, the NFL merged with the AFL to call a halt to player-bidding by the two leagues.
Same for the NBA and the ABA.
The golf agreement brings an end to the prospect of the may lawsuits that would cost oodles of cash.
But, unlike the leagues and teams merging, this one involves individuals.
It is reported the LIV golfers can return to the PGA for a price.
It was those golfers, including many of the big names like Brooks Koepka, and Dustin Johnson, who fled for millions.
Those who stayed back and rejected the riches have to feel betrayed.
Maybe it all works out for the best, and the PGA remains the king.
I don’t feel they were ever threatened.
The LIV Tour was a less than traditional four-day affair involving team play which had no effect on fans of the sport.
Their television deal was a failure.
No one watched. Or cared.
Even when Brooks Koepka won the recent PGA major, there was no flag-waving indicating an LIV golfer was the victor.
So it is fascinating, that with this merger, where individuals are unquestionably affected, the game of golf remains the ruler.
For those of us who enjoy viewing the tournaments each weekend, it is always the game, and not the individuals.
Whoever is battling that final day was what captures our interest.
Thus, whatever the ramifications of the PGA-LIV agreement, pro golf really won’t change.
We’ll still be watching, no matter who’s playing.
We started with tennis, and we’ll end with tennis.
On a local note, the 8th annual John N. Russell Memorial Doubles Tournament for Betterment will be held Friday July 21st in Alexandria Bay’s municipal tennis court.
It has always been a fun event and entries are invited by registering on-line at www.communitybetterment.org/Alexandriabay, or call Jamie Stockton (we’re related) at 480-612-5469.