(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Idea and Format: Courtesy U.S.
Hello!
The Feddy's Angel, who is penning this article, has gotten over her man's defeat (after 40 straight victories—in your face!) on the blue squeaky hard courts of Flushing Meadows.
So, she is back with another dose of "Roger Federer Moments", for all those Angels who are not yet over it.
Roger Federer may well have had to settle for the runners-up plate at the Arthur Ashe stadium, but it was his racket that produced, arguably, the most magical moment of the tournament—and perhaps of the year.
The United States Open is quite a "pain in the eye" for fans from many Eastern countries. Due to the differences in the Time Zones, we sit awake (drowsy rather) in the wee hours of the mornings to catch our favourite players in action.
It was one such Monday morning (at my place).
The second Men's singles semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer was underway.
I was content. Roger Federer was two sets up. He was playing well, and the best thing was that so was Djokovic.
Well, pardon, but I was sleepy too. Not for too long though.
For then came...that shot.
The half-dozing me was hit by a true show-stopper from the magical Federer Wilson. A Special one...
Mate, ready yourself for a Sprezzatura, as Uncle Bodo once said. This one is a Hot Dog, right out of the oven!
("Oh, not again...?!" Take that Mac!)
Up 6-5 in the third set, with two sets already in his backpack, at 30-0 on the Djokovic serve, the World Number One was two points away from taking his place in the trophy match for a sixth straight year.
Here on the penultimate point of the match, Federer chips the return of a Djokovic body serve, following which Djokovic produces a big inside out forehand—a shot which would have been a sure winner or at least set up one against almost any other player.
Yet, Federer somehow retrieves the ground stroke with a lunging backhand, and then scrambles to the net to get to a drop shot by his opponent.
He barely got there with a stretched forehand, only to see the Serb execute a delicate backhand lob right over his head.
The Swiss scampers back to the baseline, and then with his back to the net cracks the yellow fuzzy ball between his legs cross court for a jaw-dropping winner.
The shot Federer later admitted to be "the best shot of his life."
An exhibition shot like that in a Grand Slam semifinal to set up match point? That is the Federer-express for you.
As David Foster Wallace in his much acclaimed piece "Roger Federer as Religious Experience" says: "These are times, as you watch the young Swiss play, when the jaw drops and eyes protrude and sounds are made that bring spouses in from other rooms to see if you’re O.K."
"The moments are more intense if you’ve played enough tennis to understand the impossibility of what you just saw him do..."
Federer Moments series:
| Federer Moment | Description | Submitter | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V. 001 |
The No Look Flick Lob | Backhand lob over Agassi's head |
Gil | Watch |
| V.002 | The Greatest Shot of his life |
Between the legs cross court passing winner against Djokovic |
U.S |
Watch |
| V.003 | ||||
| V.004 | ||||
| V.005 | ||||
| V.006 | ||||
| V.007 | ||||
| V.008 | ||||
| V.009 | ||||
| V.0010 |
If interested, please submit your "Federer Moments" here.
Enjoy!
PS: Don't try this shot if you don't have kids yet but hope to.
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