Roger Federer: 5 Reasons His Playing Past the 2012 Olympics Is Great for Tennis
Roger Federer recently revealed in an interview at the Dubai Open that he had intentions of playing past the 2012 Olympics.
It's no secret, or at least has been reasonably well-known, that the Wimbledon Olympics next year have been the tentative endpoint for Federer's starry career.
It would be a win out of nowhere on his favourite surface, at his favourite tournament, to win what he has always sought after, Olympic gold in men's singles.
Much like Pete Sampras' 2002 US Open farewell, Federer would end his career on the highest of notes possible.
His recent tacit implication, however, that he has plans beyond next year's Olympics, draws many new questions on the destiny of his career, often believed to be the best ever, and his potential legacy to tennis.
These are some of those questions.
Is Roger Federer Another Andre Agassi?
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Andre Agassi had one of tennis' great long-lived careers, much in the breed of a Jimmy Connors, who finished his career over 40. What was more remarkable about Agassi was that he was winning grand slams into his 30s, with back-to-back wins at the Australian Open in 2001-02 at ages 30 and 31.
One would hardly forget, too, Agassi's fantasy run to the US Open final in 2005, having beaten compatriot James Blake in five sets in the quarters. There, of course, he had lost to our man in question, Roger Federer.
Is the Swiss in the same mould as the American? Will he win grand slams over 30? Is he going to do the impossible and put himself in commanding positions to win slams at such an age?
Federer has already emulated Agassi in winning the French Open at a low point in his career, completing the career grand slam. Will he continue to emulate him in longevity? Playing past 2012 will tell.
More Chances To Set Himself In Grand Slam History
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Without doubt, playing longer will mean playing in more grand slams.
As of Dubai, 2011, Federer is the winner of 16 grand slams, having been in 22 finals overall. Since his first slam title at Wimbledon in 2003 it has been 16 wins out of 27 tournaments; what might the future hold?
Whatever might come after 2012, Federer will hold on to one incredible grand slam record which is unlikely ever to be broken—his reaching 23 consecutive grand slam semifinals, from Wimbledon 2004 to the Australian Open 2010. It is hard to see him repeating this in the next few years; yet, the more tournaments he should play, the greater the chance some new streak be made.
More immediately, though, he has a chance to break and set a new grand slam quarterfinals streak, with which he is currently tied with Jimmy Connors at 27 straight appearances. He would do so at the next Roland Garros, should he make the quarterfinals there.
He would have many chances to set new slam records, nonetheless, should he play beyond next year's Olympics, the least of which would simply be adding to his current tally of 16.
New Records and Goals To Achieve
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For Federer, it would be all about the records. Streaks, maybe, might be harder to maintain at his age, but records and landmark statistics will always be in the running.
On top of his hallmark stellar grand-slam career, Federer stands to add to his title tally, which stands currently at 67 after winning Doha this year. Moreover, should he continue to win titles, just one a year, in the next few years, he would be setting new records in title-winning consistency.
One of the biggest records Federer would be after, however, would be his ranking within the top two. He has finished every year as world No. 1 or 2 for the last eight years and would certainly hope to continue doing so in the many years ahead.
Finally, of course, the really big record he would be after, for now and for as long we he should have the chance, would be that for record weeks at No. 1, in which he currently trails the all-time great Pete Sampras at 285 compared to his 286. Any opportunity to return to No. 1 would surely strengthen his chances in this regard.
Playing beyond 2012, of course, may actually result in a career decline; but it's always the glasses half full that make these records so enticing.
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New Rivalries To Be Made: Federer The Grandfather Of Tennis
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Playing beyond next year's Olympics, too, would make Federer something more than he has been. Having reached some number in age and battle-readiness, he would surely be something quite unexpected, but necessary: a grandfather, patriarchal figure in men's tennis.
Yes, he only became a father two years ago, and he's just turning 30 this year. But in tennis years, Federer is a seasoned veteran, and a grey-bearded one, at that.
He has played with generations which have long since retired—your Samprases, Agassis and Kafelnikovs duelled and dominated with like-aged rivals, his Hewitts, Roddicks and Ferreros.
Then, from about 2005, he faced a new generation in his arch-rival, Rafael Nadal. Two years later, even newer faces emerged—the Djokovics and Murrays of his time.
Even more recently, it has been about the Del Potros and Gulbises, and the giant brigade doesn't seem to be stopping.
A span of 10 years has seen Federer pass nearly five different generations of players, and he would certainly have to face more should his career extend beyond next year. It would be fascinating watching, for a player so versatile, so timeless, as Roger Federer.
The Obvious One: It's Roger Federer
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Finally, of course, there is an obvious reason why Federer playing past 2012 would garner tremendous excitement—that this is simply Roger Federer, and none other.
He is the GOAT, and not in numbers alone. He is quite simply the most beautiful player ever to have played in our era—in this decade, the most historic, the most complete.
So often has John McEnroe confessed that he can't tire of watching him—so fluid and elegant is his movement, so nonchalant and effortless his shot making.
There is his forehand—once famously described by David Foster Wallace as a "great liquid whip," that most divine of shots, so supra-human in its variety and sheer relentless purity. Then there are his backhand, or his serve, each quite the most picturesque and elegant of shots, so classic and simple, but yet he is ever the more artistic and deceptive for it.
Of course, there are also the shots that only he can hit, and few others can even dream of hitting, from his half-volley flick winners to his surreal elastic wrist to his divine drop shots, these are the touches of a God who has made the ordinary extraordinary and the extraordinary the norm.
At the end of the day, for any Federer fan, and probably a great majority of tennis fans at large, it is the happiness derived from seeing the priority of truth in this world—that beauty and elegance should always prevail.
May it continue to prevail, yet, in the years ahead!
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