Why am I a Federer fan and would always be?

 

 Why am I a Federer fan and would always be?

 

In 2001, the game of tennis was nicely placed with some good young players coming up. None, however had challenged Pete Sampras, the reigning champion on grass so far.

 

At Wimbledon, he was the defending champion having won seven titles in the past eight years. In the fourth round, his opponent was a pony-tailed Swiss teenager named Roger Federer playing for the first time on the Centre court.

 

Watching Federer play some delightful strokes that day made me feel like an amused child watching a skilled magician perform jaw dropping tricks.

 

One particular moment in the match I so vividly remember was my perfect Federer-moment.

 

Here’s what happened -

 

The first set of the intriguing match was locked at 6-6 and Sampras was leading the tie break at 4-3 with Federer serving.

 

He emphasized with a chest high serve. Sampras jumped back and returned with a backhand, his hands stretching wide.

 

Federer rushed to meet the ball and hit a forehand pushing Sampras towards the corner. Sampras returned with a weaker backhand.

 

Federer pounced on the ball to hit a majestic forehand.

 

His opponent stretched ferociously but the ball sailed past him, delicately bouncing off the white paint towards the right corner.

 

This particular shot brought an infectious roar from the crowd and gave Sampras a good measure of Federer’s game.

 

Federer eventually won 7-6, 5-7, 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 bringing melancholy to the reigning champion which also led Sampras to say - I think many guys have come but Roger Federer is extra-special.

 

It has been close to two decades and watching Federer all this while is like being on a voyage that elevates the joy of watching sport. Anytime I have to claim having seen the best of tennis from Federer, I know which match to switch on to.

 

Federer’s game has been a magical symphony throughout. Every shot of his is attractive and every move refined. The granular attention he puts into details after these many years is inspiring. He isn’t stuck in a superficial mindset and reinvents his game despite his galloping age.

 

He behaves respectfully with his peers unlike the way some of his

predecessors did. His message to Nadal on completing 20 majors was a remarkable gesture.

 

Sport is a symbolic representation of life and life is utterly unpredictable. Federer knows this and so reinforces the idea that if the body is properly taken care of, anything is possible.

 

There are two more matches distinctly etched in my memory which made me believe Federer is cut from a different cloth.

 

US Open final 2007 – Federer vs Djokovic

 

Federer was playing a twenty-year old Novak Djokovic from Serbia at Flushing Meadows. Having won his fifth Wimbledon title that year, he was playing in his fourth straight US Open final. It was Djokovic’s first appearance in a grand slam final.

 

The first set was evenly poised at a score of 5-5.

 

Djokovic stunned Federer to break his serve. Score: 6-5.

 

He was quickly up 40-0 – a triple set point. The rookie served again this time to close the set.

 

Federer pushed him towards the right side of the court. Djokovic managed to return but the Swiss played an unplayable forehand. The ball clipped the baseline away from Djokovic’s grasp and bounced away. Score: 40-15.

 

Djokovic served again to Federer’s backhand. Federer returned but when Djokovic did the same, it went long outside the baseline. Score: 40-30.

 

The Serb served again. Few rallies later, a lack of concentration led him to hit the ball with a lot more effort. The ball went too long yet again. Score: 40-40. Deuce#1.

 

Unhappy with himself, Djokovic managed to unleash an ace. Advantage#1 Djokovic.

 

He however erred again hitting another long shot. Deuce#2.

 

It was Federer’s turn to commit an unforced error now. The pendulum once again swung towards Djokovic. Advantage#2 Djokovic.

 

Few nervous volleys were played. Both men played careful tennis before Djokovic made a repeat error by hitting beyond the baseline. Deuce#3.

 

Djokovic knew he let Federer off.

 

Focussed hard to not to commit a mistake led him to hit a shot outside the baseline.

 

Advantage Federer.

 

A nervous Djokovic committed a double fault and the set was awarded to Federer.

 

Federer later won in straight sets: 7-6, 7-6, 6-4.

 

Djokovic joked at the end of the match by saying – My next book is going to be called “Seven set points.”

 

Australian Open final 2017 – Federer vs Nadal

 

This was a re-match of the 2009 final at the same venue which Nadal had won and Federer cried at the end of the match. He had said – Oh, God. It’s killing me.

 

This time however it was like a match in the ring between Rocky Balboa Vs Apollo Creed. Both players traded punches and counter punches of the most vicious kind.

 

When the match went into the fifth set, they shared two sets each.

 

After Federer managed to hold his serve, Nadal was leading 3-2.

 

When the Spaniard served, Federer played a couple of defensive shots early on and suddenly hit a powerful back hand winner. The ball clipped the baseline bringing the crowd on its feet.

 

Nadal was getting wary of Federer’s backhand since he was playing magnificent shots with it.

 

An unforced error and later a long return by Nadal gave his opponent the break point.

 

Nadal’s ferocious angular serve brought him back in the game forcing the score to 40-40 (Deuce), another return banged into the net. Advantage Federer.

 

Later one of the Spaniard’s returns clipped the net and landed beyond the baseline bringing the score back to Deuce.

 

A few nervous volleys later, Federer pulled out a rabbit to play an unreturnable backhand winner. Federer led Nadal 14-7 in terms of backhand winners. Advantage Federer yet again.

 

Nadal served again. In the quest to hit one of the corners, his return landed too long outside the baseline.

 

Score: 3-3 with Federer serving.

 

He fired an ace to lead that column by 16:4. Score: 15-0.

 

Next up, he advanced at the net and placed Nadal’s return in the empty corner. Score: 30-0.

 

He then served to his opponents backhand which Nadal wasn’t able to control. Score 40-0.

 

Another ace. Federer was tightening the screw and took the initiative. Score: 4-3.

 

In the next game, Federer blazed away to glory. At one-point Rod Laver was up on his feet in acknowledgement. Nadal fought hard playing the longest rally which consisted 26 shots in which Federer prevailed.

 

Federer broke his opponent’s serve and raced to 5-3. He had sniffed victory and his mind was free of any frailties whatsoever. He eventually won the fifth Australian Open with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

 

 

He is currently 39 years old but is stretching time and limits. For me a sporting life sans Federer is unfathomable. I hope he continues playing for at least ten more years. He will be 49 years old then.

 

You may eye this with reservation because in the past, a tennis player would have retirement on his mind after 28. Only a few players have won a major after 30, Federer being one of them. Today when he enters a tournament as a contender speaks volumes about his work ethic and longevity.

 

When I hope he plays for ten more years, I do not wish he be the possessor of highest number of tennis majors or stake his claim on being a GOAT.

 

His graceful behavior on and off the court, exceptional dedication and drive to be the best is what sets him apart.