Bucks
Federer Nadal Womens Tennis Preference
Dear Friends,
Good morning. Do you remember the National Football League quarterback poll I conducted in January? Our daughter, Anne, thought it would be interesting to determine whether my female friends of all ages preferred Tom Brady or Brett Favre for a weekend island retreat?
Anne Meredith has struck again.
At the French Open, ten days ago, Rafael Nadel defeated the number one professional men’s tennis player in the world, Roger Federer. Anne was curious about how women would react to this question: If you could take either Federer or Nadel to an island for a weekend, whom would you take?
I knew that I’d see lots of women at the Philadelphia bike race (Sunday, June 9), so with pen in hand, I joined Mighty Betsy at the Lemon Hill mansion overlooking Boathouse Row and the Philadelphia skyline. Lemon Hill was built in 1800 when Fairmont Park was country for the city. Today, the Colonial Dames maintain it. They’re the women who trace their ancestors to the Jamestown (Virginia) colony of 1607.
Mighty Betsy is a member because she traces her lineage to Francis Peabody, a very respectable family. Her nose goes straight up in the air when you mention the Peabodys.
I on the other hand come from a
thoroughly disrespectful family. We trace our heritage to Simon Meredith who
came to Philadelphia in 1693…because, he had the option of remaining in Powys
County, Wales, and be hanged for horse thievery…or come to the new world. We
were so despicable that Benjamin Franklin fired his printing partner, Hugh
Meredith, for lack of brilliance and work ethic. Worse, we Meredith’s were
Tories during the American Revolution and sided with King George
So I figured that the Colonial Dames women exemplified the highest morals and would give excellent comment. They did, but no one wanted to confide their thoughts for the record. I reluctantly promised anonymity.
I learned that there is no difference between women who have notable pedigrees and those who don’t. Twenty woman from their twenties to late 70’s gave their opinions. Roger Federer turned out to be the preferred travel “companion” by a three to one margin.
My favorite response came from a forty-year-older with flashing eyes. “I’d take Nadal because he’d be a great tumble,” she snickered with a leer.
“I’m for Federer because Nadal wears Capri pants,” another quipped. She was in her thirties.
Her sister was a marathon runner. “I’d take Federer, too,” she began. “I’d take him to a beach resort in Mexico…or the mountains. He’d give me tennis lessons and I would teach him surfing and running. We’d get our feet wet on the beach. But Charlie, remember,” she quickly added, “ I’m a mother of four. I can’t have wicked thoughts!”
Another picked Federer because he’s “really hot,” whatever that means. “I need a good [tennis] coach but I think I’d have trouble keeping my eye on the ball.”
A fifty-year-older said that she’d pick Nadal. “We’re both left handed,” she told me, adding,” He’s such a hunk. He’s intense!”
I particularly liked the comments from one of Mighty Betsy’s friends. She’s in her sixties and is in the Nadal camp. Noting Federer’s reputation for being calm, cool, and collected, she noted, “I’m for Nadal because I’m married to someone who’s asleep. I’ve got too much of a Federer at home.”
Her stepdaughter, in her twenties, agreed but for different reasons. “Nadal seems like he’s fun,” she began. “He’ll have a good time. My stepmother doesn’t like Federer because he cries every time he wins!”
One of the female rowers at my boathouse had a fascinating response. “I like hairy shoulders and backs,” she confided. “I’m for Nadal.”
The oldest woman cast her lot with Federer. “I like the way he approaches the game,” she said. “Federer knows what he’s doing…rather like Tiger Woods in golf. Those two are wonderful representatives for their countries.”
“Federer’s cool…not excitable,” a mother of 35 with four children told me. “You want someone who’s not high maintenance…especially on vacation. Besides, Nadal has too much hair.”
“I’d take them both,” a perky 40 something quipped. “I’m 105 pounds and be putty in their hands.”
By now, I was thoroughly embarrassed. These women had lust in their hearts, as former President Jimmy Carter said 30 years ago.
And Mighty Betsy…what did she offer? Hardly the anonymous type, MB gave this report. “I’d take Roger Federer because I live with a Nadal type,” she laughed. “Besides, I like the way he dresses for tennis…attired in old fashioned white.”
We’ve been married for 48 years. This was the first time that I was compared to a volatile, passionate, headstrong, athletic Latin. Holy Smokes!
Sincerely,
Charles Meredith