“Be not afraid of
greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have
greatness thrust upon them.” – William Shakespeare
For those who remember that dreadful evening at SW19 when
Roger Federer came within striking distance of winning his eighteenth Grand
Slam title, the pain and anguish would have been hard to endure. The next
opportunity to avenge the defeat seemed eternities away. And when the occasion came,
the dream final at the US Open was abrogated by the heroics of Marin Cilic and
Kei Nishikori.
True that there were other matches like the ATP Shanghai
Masters semifinal, the ATP World Tour Finals and the International Premier
Tennis League, but nothing could come even remotely close to matching the
supreme aura that a Federer-Djokovic “final” exudes.
Until two nights ago!
Dubai seemed the perfect place for two stalwarts of the
game to renew their epic rivalry. Clash of the titans, world no. 1 takes on
world no. 2, seventh heaven versus Djoker fifer, call it whatever you like but
nothing said it best like Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic.
While the country was still trying to recuperate after
the loss at the hands of India at the ICC World Cup, a different set of fans
(read tennis fanatics) were making their way to the Dubai Duty Free Stadium on
a clear night to witness a stellar clash - a rematch of last year’s semifinal when
the Federer juggernaut was too hot for Djokovic to handle. Would this year be
any different? Current form would state differently.
As the players line up for the pre-match photograph, one
could feel the butterflies in the stomach of the kid who has been “ordained”
for the coin toss. His first flip of the coin is a disaster. One can’t blame
him though. He’s standing in the presence of the best tennis players in the
world right now. I’m just glad he didn’t throw up. Federer looks at the kid and
smiles. That should calm him down. Djokovic pats him on the back to comfort the
lad and give him a sense of belonging. Time for the toss again. No pressure
kid!
Any match between Federer and Djokovic promises to be a
thriller and tonight is going to be no exception. Time now for Federer and
Djokovic to pose for the players’ photograph. Time for the fake smiles to come
out. Click! Now it’s time to get serious. Djokovic places his hand on Federer’s
back and says, “Good game.” Federer
returns the favour with nothing but a smile. “Let’s do this,” he thinks.
The match begins with Federer’s serve that seems to be
teeming with meticulous precision. The intent is clear. It’s a slow start to
the match but it’s a sign of things to come. It’s never easy to push a player
like Djokovic, whose immense emanation on the court can deflate even the best,
on the back foot so early in the match. But nonetheless Federer is doing it and
doing it in style. It’s the kind of greatness that Federer was born with and it’ll
remain unparalleled till the end of time.
Meanwhile, the camera focusses on Switzerland’s Davis Cup
and Federer’s personal coach Severin Luthi. Stefan Edberg is not here tonight.
Hence, the onus is on Luthi to lift Federer’s spirits should he feel low - a fanatical
paradox that is ineffable when it comes to an explanation. Luthi knows that his
job is easy considering the manner in which Federer is playing. Djokovic’s
coach Boris Becker, on the other hand, seems to have a task cut up for him.
Things just got serious in the Djokovic camp after just two games.
The Serb retaliates in emphatic fashion and rushes to
earn one break point. Djokovic waits for Federer to serve. He knows the gravitas
of the next point. An early break could have a crucial impact on the match.
Federer knows it as well. He looks up and then back down. Just like he always
does. He knows exactly where to hit his serve now. But Djokovic is not just any
opponent on the other side. In a world of incisive competition, players tend to
know their opponents more than they know themselves.
Federer serves! It’s one of those boomers that just zip
right past without giving one a chance to even breathe. But Djokovic is ready
for it. He fashions an unbelievable return that looks too good to be true. This
one seems to be bagged. “Come Awwnn,”
almost yelled Djokovic only to have his bubble shattered by the sheer audacity
of a phenomenon called Roger Federer. Not only did Federer manage to get an immaculate
angle on his one-handed backhand there, but he also managed to flatten Djokovic’s
ego.
It’s not often that one sees the world no. 1 Novak
Djokovic spellbound thinking what needs to be done next. Everything that he’s
hitting is being sent back with equal or better magnitude. Federer, on the
other hand, is getting better and better as the match is progressing. Not only
is he slapping immaculate volleys, but he’s also killing those crucial points
with his 1-2 angle combinations and with his one-handed backhands that have
power, precision and that “dear-lord-did-that-just-happen” prowess.
Djokovic has this dazed look on his face. He knows that
on his day no one can come even close to reaching Federer’s level. Let alone
surpassing him. Just like a batsman who has been stupefied by a bouncer-yorker
combination, Djokovic too seemed to be knocked out senseless. “This can’t be happening,” he tells
himself wondering how old Federer is. May be 31, 32! Nope! Try 33! At some
level Djokovic knew that he had a good chance of losing today, but this just seems
to be an inequitable riot.
Almost in an act of reprisal, Djokovic hits his
traditional two-handed backhand to silence the crowd who is going wilder with
every Federer shot. The Australian Open champion thinks he has a chance now
considering that Federer has missed a couple of easy shots. Momentum shift? No
way! Federer’s just too good today. He hits yet another pristine 1-2
combination. This time resembling the jab and hook!
The umpire calls for new balls. The old ones have taken
quite a beating it seems. Federer looks upon this opportunity as a time to
change his racquet as well. The crowd goes wild at this unscheduled break. Djokovic
does not seem happy waiting. His impatience is pertinent. Some in the crowd suggest
that this is a ploy from Federer to play mind games with Djokovic. The Serb
hits an unforced error followed by a double fault. Mind games affecting him
already? But boom! An ace! “He’s back,”
say the Djokovic fans.
But alas! Federer bounces back with an angle so deep into
Djokovic’s court that even the 6 feet 2 inches 2-time Wimbledon champion could
not reach it in time. Break point Federer! His first of the match and what a
time to get one! The pressure builds on Djokovic. He needs to put in his all to
save this one. Djokovic serves! Not a good first serve according to Djokovic standards.
“This one is mine,” thinks Federer as
his pounces on the ball to convert the break. Djokovic is left fuming. The
world is enthralled!
Federer serves out the next game to take the first set.
Djokovic tries to put up a fight but I guess it’s a little too late. The Serb
hits an unimpeachable return to save one set point. But Federer follows it up
with a scintillating first serve. Federer is just that damn good tonight. A
dejected Djokovic starts his slow walk back to his dugout with a mind heavier than
the weight of expectations on his shoulder. His body language gives an
impression that he needs a reboot. Just like his tortured racquet needs to be
restrung.
The crowd at the stadium erupts with joy at the onset of
the second set. Two of the greatest at present are giving them a show that will
last in memories for a lifetime. Djokovic begins serving in a hope to implement
a new strategy. It’s time for him to start calling the shots. Literally! But
Federer is in no mood to let the momentum shift. He starts charging up the net.
Something that the Swiss maestro is quite uncomfortable with at times. Edberg
might not be in the stadium, but he’s still evident on the court.
Federer starts running Djokovic all over the court. An
out-of-this-world drop shot is followed by an angle. A sliced return followed
up with a powerful cross court passing shot. Everything that was deemed
impossible is happening on court. This is vintage stuff from a stellar persona and
that too against the world’s best according to ATP. Becker’s edginess is as apparent
as Federer’s fluorescent orange t-shirt. Djokovic somehow holds on to win the
game. Deep down inside he knows that he might have won the battle, but he’s losing
the war.
Djokovic catches Federer’s eyes at the changeover. They
stare at each other for about 2 seconds. Too little to count on a watch
perhaps, but when it comes to evaluating a tense rivalry those 2 trenchant seconds
become long enough to last an eternity. “How
many times will I have to win a point to actually win it?” Djokovic’s eyes
ask. “One too many times mate,” reply
Federer’s. Almost immediately my mind drifts to the World Cup Titantron with
David Warner saying “Game Awwnn” in his thick Aussie accent.
Djokovic is now trying something new. He’s started
hitting his serves to target Federer’s weakness – his backhand. Something that
Rafael Nadal exploited quite brilliantly at the 2008 Wimbledon final. Djokovic
shoots a commanding first serve. So robust was its speed that it could derail a
freight train. Federer returns it with ridiculous ease. Almost in the
effortless manner that Rahul Dravid used to leave a 160 kmph Shoaib Akhtar
delivery. The crown goes wild. The commentator goes wild. Djokovic just
applauds.
Greatness is not targeting others' weakness with your strengths. It’s killing others' strengths with your weakness. And that is what
makes Federer who he is. Djokovic serves again to Federer’s backhand - his weak
spot they say. Federer hits it on the opposite side as a return ace. “Leave Djoker alone,” frustrated Djokovic
fans shout from the stands to Federer. The joy of greatness comes for a price
and for Federer’s benefit it’s Djokovic who’s paying the price tonight. He
knows it! Becker knows it! The world knows it!
Federer begins the next game with an ace. His fifth of the
night! That makes it 9000 career aces for him. For the world it’s a big
accomplishment. But for Federer, it’s just another number. Djokovic gets a
passing shot of his own on the next point, but soon realizes that he did not
win the point because of himself. Federer misjudged that one. Even greatness is
accompanied by gaffes. Federer hits a stupendous lob on the next point.
Probably the greatest in Dubai’s history. Title number 7 beckons!
Djokovic now looks at Becker. Becker with his stone cold
eyes can’t help but applaud the genius of Roger Federer. In his mind though, he
is already planning the next tournament. Meanwhile, the tables seemed to have
turned suddenly. Djokovic rushes to a 15-40 lead on Federer and has earned two
set points. All the pressure has suddenly shifted base and is now on Federer.
He serves and then charges to the net. The crowd cannot believe this move. 2
set points to save and you rush to the net after a slow serve?
Djokovic thinks that this is in the bag but he still hits
it out. That’s what demoralization does to you. Next serve time. Boom! Federer
with a killer serve saves both set points. Fortune favours the audacious it is
said. But aggression, on the other hand, is the final nail in the coffin. Federer
knows it! Djokovic knows it! Even Brendon McCullum knows it. Djokovic looks
lost. He looks defeated. He looks out if this one.
There have been numerous instances when Federer has been
written off because of ludicrous reasons. But what makes a champion is the inspiration
he derives and the manner in which he derives it. Djokovic could do nothing but
smile in this match. Not because he did not have the talent, but because the
17-time Grand Slam champ, who was on a “no-mercy”, mode had derived his
inspiration from vengeance.
Federer is always at his best when he has revenge on his
mind. Whether it was the year 2009 when his Australian Open sob was followed by
his career Grand Slam achievement at Roland Garros or the 2011 Wimbledon exit
at the hands of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga that led up to his prodigious form in 2012,
every action has an equal and sublime reaction for Federer. His mind just like
his persona is a tennis legend.
Roger Federer never shows his frustration on court. He
never loses his cool on court. He rarely throws a tantrum on the court. Even
when he does, his quietness follows his rant. But for all Federer haters and opponents,
who think that they’ve succeeded in taming the virtuoso, just remember one
small thing.
Federer never gets mad. He just gets even!
