CHOOSING SIDES: Who is the most underappreciated athlete? Roger Federer

By MICHAEL KLITZING - For the North County Times | Saturday, May 17, 2008 3:07 PM PDT ∞

It's hard to deny that Roger Federer is having a pretty lousy year. By his standards, anyway.

The Swiss tennis star has looked bizarrely human in 2008, compiling a 22-6 singles record entering the weekend and only reaching the ---- gasp ---- semifinals of the Australian Open.

Recently, he even lost to an American for the first time since 2003, beaten at Indian Wells by some guy with the made-up sounding name of Mardy Fish.

A sign of vulnerability? Actually, the dude just had mononucleosis.

Yes, turns out the dreaded kissing disease that conks most people out to the point that they lay around all day watching "Meerkat Manor," is barely enough to keep Federer from reaching the finals of a Grand Slam event.

He is, in short, a machine; nearly as unstoppable as Bo Jackson in Tecmo Bowl.

Federer's trophy case consists of 54 career titles. He has won 12 career Grand Slams and has reached at least the semis of 15 straight.

His stay as the top-ranked player dates to February 2004, meaning the last time someone else was considered the best player in tennis, people were still buzzing over Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction.

It's a resume that puts Federer right up there with ---- and in some cases above ---- the people we consider the greatest performers of our time. He is Tiger Woods with a racket; Tom Brady without a team of stars (or Bill Belichick's surveillance equipment) supporting him.

Oh yeah, did I mention he's 26?

Worldwide, Federer certainly has a following befitting his remarkable accomplishments.

But for much of America, where televised tennis is mainly only considered useful to help soothe a Saturday-morning hangover, Federer is nothing more than a niche sports celebrity; his true greatness known well only to the smattering of hard-core enthusiasts. Essentially, Kobayashi without the mustard stains.

Around San Diego, he's probably about as recognizable as the Padres' Paul McAnulty or the Chargers' Brandon Manumaleuna or the guy who wears the banana suit at Aztecs basketball games.

Perhaps Federer, who comes across as bland as tofu on a Triscuit, is just missing the colorful gimmick that we Americans expect from our sports celebrities. We like Tiger's fist pump, Sammy Sosa's heel click and Ickey's shuffle.

Roger's snub is a shame.

Even in a country where tennis is only semi-relevant, this level of domination commands appreciation. A little more than the guy pounding hot dogs for a living, at the very least.

Contact Michael Klitzing at mrklitzing@gmail.com.