In Admiration Of Roger Federer

There is this funny anecdote that effectively drives a serious point home. A man well over 100 years was asked the secret of his long life. The old man thought for a while, and then replied that "I think it’s because I’ve had many many birthdays."

Longevity is perhaps the toughest to maintain at the top level of any sport and is therefore the yardstick for measuring greatness. The players who do it year after year, at one Olympic and then the next do not share their place in history with those who quickly melt in the immense heat of the arena. Any cricketer who has played over 100 Tests can tell about the feeling of satisfaction that comes with having lasted that long.

I wonder what Roger Federer would say if he was asked the secret of his amazing career?

Yesterday he strolled past Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2 6-2 6-4 to enter the third round of Wimbledon. Rafael Nadal, his nemesis throughout last year, didn’t make it to the semis in Paris and is out of action in Wimbledon due to a knee injury. In his own way Nadal too is carving a place in tennis history, but that can wait for now and be a subject for another post.

By Federer’s standards, last year was the worst that he has had till now; it started with a semi-final exit at Melbourne and then a crushing defeat in Paris clay, where Nadal blasted him out in straight sets.

Then it was the unbelievable match that Nadal and Federer produced in Wimbledon, and in fading light Nadal prevailed 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7. Roger said in broken sentences, "the worst opponent, but on the best court." Federer won the last slam, the US Open, by beating Andy Murray; who had accounted for Nadal earlier.

For years Federer was way above the others so he never had to stretch to win tournaments, Nadal always had a No. 1 to look up to, and improve his game all the time.

Raphael Nadal, who perhaps has the best defensive game in the circuit, with the ability to attack whenever the opportunity comes, has for the first time done a favour no one else could to Roger Federer. He has given Roger a motivation to go a notch higher.

In this age of power tennis, Federer plays a different game, he brushes the ball like an artist, has a single-handed backhand, covers the court easily, and his craft seems a perfect blend of science and art. He rarely looks hurried and places the ball as if he wanted to teach geometry.

This year Federer started with tears in Melbourne, a match that in his words he could have or should have won. Federer had looked invincible and in great touch throughout the tournament, slicing and cutting Andy Roddick and Del Petro on the way.

Nadal was spent after his marathon match with Verdasco and should have been easy pickings for Federer.

Roger though showed that the crushing defeat in Paris had still not left its after effects and played an error prone fifth set, that the tiring Nadal gleefully accepted. The king of clay had now extended his influence to grass and to the Australian hard court as well.

In Roland Garros this year, Federer added the one victory that had eluded him all these years, he lifted the French Open trophy beating the man who ended Nadal’s brilliant run on clay.

Federer, with 14 Grand Slam titles, is now the favourite to win on Wimbledon grass after his confidence boosting win in Paris. He also has a chance to go one up in the all time record list, where he presently sits in Sampras’ company.

Federer’s greatness has never been seriously questioned, but it will be settled forever if he takes a few of the trophies that are currently in Nadal’s hands.

The fast hard courts of Flushing Meadows have always favoured Federer’s style and he is still very fit for the highest level. This year started with tears in Melbourne, but I have a strong feeling that it will end in New York with a lot of smiles for Federer.