Roger Federer: FedEx's Greatness Proving Timeless at the 2012 Australian Open
In just about any other time in the history of men's tennis, Roger Federer would still be on top, even at the age of 30. FedEx is playing just about as well as he ever has so far at the 2012 Australian Open, advancing to the quarterfinals without dropping a single set.
Yet, despite his persistent excellence and technical brilliance, Federer hasn't won a Grand Slam title in nearly two years—a dispiriting drought for a man who hoisted championship trophies a record 16 times over a seven-year span.
Not that he's been all that far off. Federer hasn't failed to reach the quarters at at any of tennis' major tournaments since the 2004 French Open, with two spots in semis and another trip to a final in the time that followed his title at the 2010 Australian Open.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Chances are, without Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic serving as his foils, Federer would still be unrivaled (or, if you'd prefer, un-"trivaled"), with well over 20 Grand Slam titles to his name.
With the way Federer's playing right now, though, who's to say he won't make a run at an even 20 before he hangs up his racket?
Age will be no obstacle for Federer, whose style of play on the court favors finesse over physicality, thereby granting him the gift of longevity over someone like, say, Nadal.
It certainly hasn't posed a problem thus far. Roger has had little difficult disposing of young, up-and-coming challengers—from 26-year-old Alexandre Kudryatsev and 25-year-old Andreas Beck to 19-year-old Bernard Tomic.
That run of youngsters will continue in the quarters when FedEx takes to the court against Juan Martin del Potro.
The 23-year-old Argentine has had some notable success against Federer in the past, defeating the Swiss sensation in the final at the 2009 US Open, becoming the first person other than Nadal to top Federer in a Grand Slam final and the first player to defeat Rafa and Roger in the same tournament.
Still, as good as del Potro was then, he's struggled to replicate that level of success since, with a fourth-round exit at Wimbledon last year serving as his best finish in a Grand Slam event in the intervening years. Del Potro was able to defeat Federer a second time in 2009, but lost to him in their most recent meeting last year.
In other words, expect Federer's expertise and experience to leave youth unnerved once again on the way to yet another Grand Slam match against Nadal.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
