It took a long time coming but finally it is here!! Fedex has finally achieved what even the great Pete Sampras cudnt achieve. He has finally managed to break the clay jinx and completed a career grand slam. In a way, it would have been more fitting had he triumphed over his nemesis of the last four years, Rafael Nadal. But I guess had he been in the finals, it would have been a completely different story. The guy(Nadal), has got to Federer’s head and he knows this. That is why Federer has already lost half the battle by the time he takes to the court against Rafa. But after the disappointment of the last 3 years when he lost in the finals (to Nadal, who else) , this time around the lady luck was on his side. He just brushed aside Soderling in straight sets. And, that is no mean feat either. With all due respect to Nadal, this guy Soderling downed three clay court specialists over the last week which included a stalwart like Nadal.
Comments from Sampras and Agassi came like an icing on the cake with both of them underlining the general view that he is the all time greatest tennis player. RF himself knows far too well the importance of winning on the clay courts at French. As has been experienced by greats like Sampras and others, the claim to being billed as an All time greatest is almost a no-show till you have a victory at Roland Garros up to show for your efforts. I am sure he is a very strong contender for the being the greatest ever, if he is not already there and if there are still some doubts and demons to be thrashed. The normally reticent Federer was emotional, quite unlike himself. Understandable because of the enormity of the occasion.
Having given uncountable moments of breathtaking tennis, Federer can now sit back and enjoy the fruits of his hard work for years to come. His shots, on grass and hard courts, almost defy laws of physics and the world will eagerly wait to see if he can weave more of the same magic that has given him 14 Grand Slams. But, Federer is one surname that will be etched in memories of sports lovers for all times to come. It will carry a weight quite like the Wood's, the Ali's and the Pele's of the past for all times to come..
But where does tennis go from here?? What will tennis lovers have to look forward to?
Men’s tennis is too freaky to predict anything. But we are witnessing a galaxy of players who have modeled their games on that of Federer’s. Lethal service, formidable forehand, strong backhand and agility are trademarks of Federer. I remember an era of tennis, when players like Sampras, Becker, Ivanasevic, Phillipousis, Rafter would just keep on firing aces well outside the reach of human-like-ordinary players or even if the poor soul on the other side somehow manages to get it back in play, these big servers would inevitably volley him out to finish the point. Incredible though it may sound because of the aura of invinciblity it creates but a tennis lover wont pay money to see that. What tennis lovers want to see are long rallies (Nadal style, running like a mad ox from one end to the other till the competitor gets frustarted and bangs one into the net or long) , somewhat of a classic or a purist mould.
Federer is just that kind of a player who attract crowds onto the tennis courts because he gives them glimpses of classic tennis. Forehand paases, crosscourt shots, lobs, drop-shots and obviously a bomming serve. He has brought a classic angle back into the game and and that is what his real contribution to the game his. Samparases, Beckers, Rafters almost appeared unprofessional on days when their booming serves didnt fire but the same cant be said about Federer and players of his genre.
Players with strong overall ability can still save the day if the service doesn’t fire or the forehands keep finding the net and we have lot of such players today, courtesy Federer. Soderling, Andy Murray, Tsonga, Del Potro are players of the same genre and it wont be an exaggeration to say that they have modelled their games on that of Federer's.
Last but not the least, he is a thorough gentleman who takes both wins and defeats in the right spirit. Despite being an outright champion that he is and winning everything there is to win in the tennis world he remains as humble as he was on the day when he first defeated Sampras at Wimbledon to signal the change-of-guard at the helm of men's tennis. His multi-lingual press-conferences are a pressman’s delight patiently answering all the questions ranging from tennis to his endorsements to his marriage to his future plans.No wonder coz the guy is fluent in French, German, Spanish, English and more. What more can the world ask for!!!
Isn’t he God?? This is what GREATNESS means~!!
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