Roger Federer Vs. Novak Djokovic: The Battle for No. 2

He was down love to three in the third set. He sat down pondering and the watching world wondered whether this would be the first time in 766 career matches that he would retire from a match. His back seemed to be killing him. But he decided, he would play on. He would give it his all to win this one no matter what.

He fought, he fought and he fought. He refused to let his fans down, let the sport down, let himself down. He saved one match point after the other, but alas, eight was all he could manage.

He almost pulled off the miracle he wanted to, but the bottom line—he had lost. To the subdued applause of the crowd, his opponent got his first wish - Send Roger Federer packing from the tournament. And the Swiss left the court after playing his final match of the year, a year in which the great man had to sit through much nonsense, to the loud and clear standing ovation of the Chinese.

So much about "A True Champion" who had lost.

But now onto the new 'Master of Masters.'

He was the clear No. 1 player in the world for the first quarter of the year. And soon, he became the forgotten of the Top Four as the season approached its end. Another was already being touted The No. 3 man.

While a certain Spanish sensation hogged all the limelight, while the focus turned to a Swiss Star's 'fall' and a Serbian Gun started to flounder, a new face appeared—Andy Murray.

The Scot had an impressive second half to the season which saw his rise to the fourth spot in the rankings. With the culmination of the 'slams fever', the talk was about Federer's return, Murray's rise and Nadal's conquests. Novak Djokovic seemed the lost of the 'Big four'.

And the young Serb had a point to prove. And That he did - the reigning King of Melbourne stunned a lot of people by becoming only the second man in the current Top 10 to claim the prestigious YEC.

The Year end Rankings do not lie.

Rafael Nadal has been the undoubted Tennis Star of the year. With the beginning of the 'Nadal' season (read 'Clay'), The Majorcan started murdering opponents left and right, and this time around, not just on his favourite surface. Winning a whooping eight titles this year, including Two Grand Slams and an Olympic Gold, the Spaniard sits pretty on top of the mountain as the World's best Tennis player.

On his way to glory, Nadal dethroned a certain Swiss gentleman who had so far seemed naturally affixed to the Title of Numero Uno.

And so we had it, after nearly four years and a half, Roger Federer was to play the unfamiliar role - one he clearly does not like -of the World No. 2. But for how long?

With his first ever Robin Round exit in the Season ending Masters Cup, Roger Federer now stands in serious danger of being relegated into the spot below. Yes, the Swiss star would be thanking his lucky stars that after starting the year some thousand points ahead of his nearest competitor, The World No. 2, he has not ended the year as the third best in the world.

Aided by Federer's early exit, Djokovic's Shanghai triumph has brought him menacingly close to snatching the Swiss' sleep. Federer may end the year as the World No. 2, but Djokovic is closer than ever to the spot now, trailing by a mere 10 points - yes Razor thin, the difference, but still a difference. And it is by the skin of his teeth that Federer hangs to to the No. 2 spot. He knows it, and so does Djokovic.

And this makes things interesting come Australia 2009, for the seeding itself is not predictable at this moment. Will Federer be able to cling on to his No. 2 spot, or will Djokovic go for the kill and get to lead the Bottom half of the Draw for the first time in his career?

The Difference in points can be easily covered and extended by either player at Doha / Brisbane prior to the Battle for supremacy at the Melbourne Park. Either which way, Federer knows he has got his work cut out and so does Djokovic at the first Major of the year.

But irrespective of how the ranking may possible change when the season kick-starts next year, as the Swiss and the Serb mentioned recently, both of them will have their eyes and hearts set on the Numero Uno spot, not the one beneath. It remains to be who will finally get to bite the apple - and of course a Brit and a Spaniard, among others, may have something to say on their part!

With the Winds of Change sweeping the Tennis world Now, 2009 will be a year looked forward to with much anticipation and not for just a couple of reasons.
All we can say is...Bring it on!

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