The Fab Four In ATP: A Necessary Protein

The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology states that first you need the DNA from which another DNA replicates, the process being called Replication. Then it codes for a specific mRNA, the process being called Transcription, and finally it codes for a specific Protein, the basic fundamental requirement for life in a process called Translation.

Have I gone nuts? Speaking of bioscience when I should be writing about tennis?

No, I'm just drawing my own analogy.

First, there was Roger Federer (the DNA), then there came Rafael Nadal (Replication), then Novak Djokovic (Transcription), and finally Andy Murray (Translation). 

Bingo! You have The Protein called The Fab Four!

Yes, I am talking about The Fab Four, or The Awesome Foursome, or the top four men in ATP tennis who have unleashed a new life to tennis in a protein-like fashion.

At a time when the competition of men’s tennis has reached its zenith, WTA is wearing the disgruntled look of a beaten champion. Sorry, had to bring in the comparison.

Henin has retired (Oh, Ju, why did you ever retire?), and Sharapova is just a mere name nowadays on the WTA official ranking list with her ranking plummeting to 64 (she’s too busy to scream on courts nowadays with numerous endorsements apart from dating her boyfriend).

The Williams still religiously follow the tradition of not participating in every tournament and there are some World No. 1s, both ex and current in Ivanovic, Jankovic and Safina.

In my opinion, WTA has reached its nadir and when you turn your attention to the ATP’s Top Four...aah! that’s the Golden Age.

So what makes it so fantastic that it is on the lips of every tennis aficionado these days and makes them wait ardently for their matches?

The ferocious competition, the never-say-die attitude, the fervour to win, the amazing artistry, the drama of the highest degree, the stupendous skills—yes, all infused together to make any tennis enthusiast’s watching The Fab Four a most memorable and relishing experience.

Mid-2003 saw the advent of a Wimbledon champion called Roger Federer, who won his first Grand Slam at SW19.

And then began his journey to the pinnacle.

His game was embellished with a one-handed backhand simply out of an artist’s imagination, mind-blowing forehands, and a superb slice.

He wooed the world with his brilliance, temperament, poise, and elegance—boy, this Swiss never got ruffled.

He downed every force that came his way and talks started of the "Aura of Invincibility". I can't deny that I felt, in a way, the game had become boring because it was all Roger and Roger...

I was looking for a challenger who could penetrate into this seemingly impervious juggernaut.

Then came the feisty Mallorcan boy in 2005, who won hearts with his fist-pumping, long-haired look and sleeveless attire and, of course, the magnanimity and the Vamos!

Suddenly everybody started speaking Spanish!

And the forehands bore true testimony to the fact that he came from the land of bull-fighting, the athleticism was incredible (Marat Safin once compared his running to that of a rabbit—and he was damn right); he was the true hard-hitting baseliner who would not give up winning for anything.

Yes—at last somebody seemed to be the perfect foil to the resplendent Roger.

Bang—the opportunities were gone for Roger to win the French Open, which still continues to elude him.

Archrivalry, which became the talk of the town, produced some of the most magnificent duels the world has ever seen: Miami '05 final, Rome ’06 final, being some examples.

The challenger not only conquered the red dirt but started improving his serve, perfecting his backhand, and volleying more viciously.

Result?

In arguably the best tennis match to date, he laid claim to Roger’s domain at SW19 in 2008, the Numero Uno ranking, and followed it up with a Melbourne Park conquest that reduced Roger to a sobbing wreck.

Meanwhile, in '07 came a budding Serbian talent with a wicked forehand and thundering groundstrokes, a game set to nullify all on the hardcourts. The 2007 Montreal Masters saw him dethrone Roger Federer in three tight sets.

Vivacious, flamboyant, fearless, altogether an endearing persona, he made fans all over the world with his flawless impersonations of fellow tennis players.

He followed it up by steamrolling Roger in straight sets at the Australian Open in ’08 and became engaged in some of the most fascinating battles with Rafa (at the Hamburg semi in ’08, Queen’s final ’08, to name a few), in spite of being plagued by fitness troubles.

Post-Wimbledon ’08 saw the completion of "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen".

In came a swashbuckling hardcourter who made watching tennis even more delectable. Andy Murray,the British gem, put the world in a conundrum by beating Nole for his first Masters title at Cincinnati.

Murray was all business and serious on court and, even though he could have done without those swear words when frustrated, he was still a delight to watch.

The double-fisted backhand return became one of the best in the game, the anticipation power just spot-on, and he became second only to Rafa in the athleticism department!

The results showed when he got the better of a tiring Rafa at US Open semifinal in ’08 and overcame Federer in an exhilarating epic at Shanghai ’08. which remains the second best match of the year.

And the saga still continues in 2009. An inspired Murray winning the Miami Masters and challenging Rafa on clay at Monte-Carlo semi, a rejuvenated Nole taking a set off Rafa at Monte-Carlo final and clawing his way back to the best.

While the same cannot exactly be said for Roger, committed professional that he is, he will bounce back once the Grand Slams arrive and, of course,the prodigy called Rafa continues to be the colossal block for everyone.

You live to see how they put their sweat and blood out into long energy-sapping rallies, how they manage to put their deft touch into every dropshot to make you feel as if the racquet was a painter’s brush.

You live to see how they manage some unbelievable passes from the most obscure part of the court.

You live to see the forehands, the backhands, and how they grind their teeth into every opportunity they can.

They act as an elixir, they churn out the passion in you, they hypnotise you, and above all, they make tennis a much more beautiful game.

You win with them, you lose with them; you live with them, you die with them.

Yes, they have taken men’s tennis to a new level altogether, and I thank these gladiators from the core of my heart for that.

I am obsessed with The Fab Four, who I have been following keenly. And why not? When you see four handsome men with charming personalities put their heart and soul into it everyday, it gives you an extra zest, doesn’t it?

I don’t lament any more that the Lavers, the Borgs, and the MacEnroes used to swing their racquets before I was born—because I already have my plate full of some palatable, mouth-watering delicacy...

We are living in privileged times.