R for Roger Federer, R for Redemption!

It was pitted as the greatest Grand Slam match of all time. It was built as the greatest Grand Slam final of all time. They even said it had the talent, history, and persona to be the greatest match in history.

The build-up was lionized. Rightly so, it had to be. Records were on the line. So was pride. Comebacks had to be vindicated and withdrawals needed to be justified. The chance to become the greatest player in Brad Gilbert’s list of the best tennis players in history was a greedy incentive as well.

Then again, Brad who?

Nothing else mattered that day. Nothing else could come even remotely close. Presidents could have resigned and aliens could have landed, but nothing would have made the world stop from what it was doing and take notice. Because all eyes were at the Rod Laver Arena where two of the greatest tennis players to have ever graced the court were set to lock horns in yet another engrossing battle.

It was the ninth time that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were playing in a Grand Slam final. The first time since the 2011 French Open final and the first time at the Australian Open since the 2009 epic. Nadal was looking to become the first man in the open era to win all four Grand Slams twice. Federer, on the flip side, was looking to be the first man in history to win 5 titles at more than two Grand Slams.

The amount of numbers being flashed on screen was painfully perplexing. The magnanimity with which those numbers were being talked about didn’t help either. This match was that big. It was Federer versus Nadal afterall. The same Federer and Nadal who tore hearts and bored holes in logic when they wrested each other deep into dusk at the 2008 Wimbledon final – The greatest tennis match in history.

Federer, playing his unprecedented 28th Grand Slam final, was cooler than the icy -30 degree celsius winds back home in Switzerland. So cool that during the pre-match photo he had the nerve to ask the mascot whether he was feeling nervous getting his photo clicked? The audacity of that man!

“Are you nervous,” asks Federer?

Umpire James Keothavong looks shocked. The mascot looks bewildered. Federer just smiles. That’s the confidence he has heading into this match. Six months out of action and just one warm-up tournament before Melbourne hasn’t dampened his spirit one bit. If someone gave him a bongo and put him on camera at this very instant, there’s a 90% chance that he would not back away from beating the life out of those things in the same manner in which he beat men half his age en-route to the final.

That’s what makes Federer more than just a player that people support and want to win. It makes him a player that people see themselves in. It makes him a player who connects with them to levels that weren’t palpable before he stepped on the court. This is who he is. This is what he stands for.

He knows that this match could be his last chance ever at a Grand Slam title. This match could be his last shot ever at beating Nadal in a Grand Slam final. Ah Nadal, the arch nemesis. The palladium to my Iron Man. The kryptonite to my Superman. The outside-off ball to my Virat Kohli. The same Nadal who made Federer cry at this very venue after this very match 8 years ago. The same Nadal who hasn’t been able to win another Australian Open title ever since that doomed night in January.

This is Nadal’s 21st Grand Slam final. He’s won 14 of them. He seems to have been stuck there for ages now. Since 2014 actually. Another title would take him above the great Pete Sampras. The same Sampras who couldn’t win on clay and kept winning on grass. The same clay on which Nadal made his legacy and the same grass where Federer has his only Grand Slams final wins (2) against Nadal. Come to think about it, it’s really wondrous how things fall perfectly into place when history comes into play.

“Time,” says the chair umpire.

There’s pin drop silence. Time starts to tick away as the players move to take their positions behind the base line. Tick tick tick. Every second can be heard. All watches synchronized. Time seems to have slowed down. The match hasn’t even started yet. Tick tick tick. Nadal looks up, bounces the ball. Federer looks ready. Then again, he was born ready. He looks possessed. Full passion, full spirit. Finally, Rafa makes a sound. He serves. And that marks the start of a special match. A match that would be talked about 30 years from now. Make that 50. No, make that 100.

This is it. No turning back now. It’s real!

They say greatness doesn’t age. They said right. Federer is 35, Nadal is 30. And they’re still producing greatness out there. This isn’t 2007 anymore. It’s 2017. Yes, time has lapsed. Yes, people have grown. Yes, people move on. Yes, people forget things. But everyone remembers the last time they saw these two stalwarts battle it out on a hard court in a Grand Slam final.

“God, it's killing me,” sniveled Federer that day. He couldn’t stop crying. I couldn’t too. There’s nothing more disheartening than too see someone you respect and idolize break apart right in front of your own eyes. Tonight, he would be crying again. Definitely. But it could be for a different reason. Or maybe not.

4-0 down in the second set and Federer is down a double break. He’s already won the first in exemplary manner. Routine stuff for him. Nadal’s just another player out there tonight. Federer’s aggression is ridiculous. Ridiculous for 35-year old father of two sets of twins. But Nadal is in no mood to let this go that easy. He’s roared back in dominating manner. Carlos Moya, the latest addition to the Nadal camp, looks disturbed though. He’s been on the receiving end of Federer’s wrath one too many times. 7 times if memory serves me right. He knows that one can’t take Federer lightly. Not tonight, not any night.

With a chance to take the second set as a bagel, Nadal starts serving to go 5-0 up. But Federer produces some magic that has made him who he is today. 0-30 down Nadal gifts Federer a juicy backhand winner with the court wide open. It’s like gifting a shark a titillating piece of meat in open water. All that needs to be done is to bury the teeth deep inside the flesh and taste the goodness of purity. Only Federer nets his backhand and sends painful shrieks out every household in the world. Meh! Just one of those days.

Nadal takes the second set. He had to win one. Then Federer takes the third. Just a matter of time before the king would finally ascend back to his thrown, I think. Nadal has never beaten Federer after being two sets down. Surely he can’t rewrite history tonight. Especially with so much already on the line.

But then, Nadal takes the fourth set to take this match into a decider. This is getting too close for comfort now. We’re going the distance. And there’s nothing more in this world that can take this away from me now. When you start tweeting about every point, you know greatness is in action. And that’s exactly what these two legends are.

Nadal breaks Federer in the first game of the fifth set. This after the Swiss maestro took an extended medical time-out after the fourth. Damn! How did this happen? This strategy worked wonders against Wawrinka in the semifinal. What went wrong today? Ivan ljubicic is tensed. Federer fans would hope that the sweat on his bald and shiny head would maybe reflect light and cause a distraction for Nadal. Hey, anything at this point to make Federer win. All is fair, right?

But that doesn’t happen. Nadal races to a 3-0 lead. He can smell it. It’s that close for him. Mirka Federer looks unimpressed. She’s calm as a mountain here. She’s been through too many of these nerve-wrecking moments to lose her composure. She knows what’s about to happen. She smiles, she’s ready!

Down 3-1 in the decider, with his legs rickety and already treated twice by the doctors, Federer decides to rally on. Swaying along the edge of disaster, he produces pristine winners that changes the course of the match. His forehand has been a disaster tonight. But he’s made up for that with his legendary backhands. A backhand so flawless that it makes people reach for cushions to keep under their jaws, which would otherwise break after dropping down with mesmerizing awe.

It’s match point now for Federer. Scratch that. It’s championship point. Nadal’s already saved a couple of them. Damn his defiance. But the Spanish matador’s only delaying the inevitable. It’s just a matter of time before the truth hits everyone. Federer serves. That serve that’s troubled thousands. Nadal returns. Federer’s already at the net. Serve and volley 101. He volleys the ball for a crushing winner. He raises his hand in disbelief. The crowd starts to go wild. I almost throw the remote in jubilation. But wait. What’s happening? Nadal’s challenged the call. Hawkeye time. He’s still trying to delay the inevitable.

Damn, his defiance!

Federer was a break down when the world lost hope, but he believed. Everyone thought that he had left the arena, but he stuck around. Everyone had written him off after the fourth set, but he seemed to be writing his own script. Everyone thought that he didn’t have it in him to reach another Grand Slam final, let alone winning one. But, he came, he saw, he fought, and then finally he got that ‘Number 18.’

"Tennis is a tough sport. There are no draws. If there were, I would have been happy to accept one and share it with Rafa,” said Federer during his victory ceremony.

Sorry Roger! No turning back now. It’s real.

Djokovic Rules, but Stan’s the Man!

The mood was set, the ambience was lit and the Philippe-Chatrier court was buzzing with excitement. For only the second time in 10 years would the prestigious Roland Garros be devoid of a certain Matador contesting in the final. His conqueror, Novak Djokovic, though was all set to script history.

Who is Novak Djokovic, you ask? Novak Djokovic is a beast, I reply.

He’s so much of a beast that the name “Djoker” does not suit him anymore. He’s dead serious on court, there’s no room for recreation and a lapse in work ethic is frowned upon by him. Gone are the days when a match was followed by an ebullient episode of mimicry. Gone are the grins, gone are the smirks!

It’s all down to brass tacks nowadays with him and his jovial smile seems to have lost its melodic charm.

At the other end is Stanislas Wawrinka. Who is Stan, you ask? Stan’s the man, I reply. Period!

All eyes are on this match. Mostly to see 8-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic complete his career Grand Slam. Roland Garros is the only tournament missing from his prodigious portfolio and what better way to get it than to tame the king of clay en route to it. Rafael Nadal fell to Djokovic’s wrath in the quarterfinal. Andy Murray was a victim in the semifinal. Who finer than Djokovic to win this one?

As Novak warms up on the court, we get to see the graphic on screen that shows his achievements during the year. Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Rome. Too much of text to fit in one small aston on screen. Almost taunting the opponent in the most intimidating manner, it seems.

Then comes Wawrinka’s graphic. Chennai Open and Rotterdam. That’s it! Reaching the French Open final was a brilliant way to mark his erratic year. Winning it would be a dream come true for the Swiss.

Wawrinka did lose to Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinal earlier this year - a match that truly tested the fortitude of both players. However, today was a chance to negate the Melbourne heartache and scribble some Paris ecstasy. To do so, Wawrinka would have to derail the Serbian juggernaut.

“Time,” says the chair umpire and both players head towards their respective ends. The people at the court for the first time ever are not sure who to support. The last time when Nadal missed out, the crowd knew who they were backing. But, today, they’re torn! June 7th was the day in 2009 and June 7th is the day today. Federer completed his career Grand Slam that day. Would it be Djokovic’s turn today?

The second point of the first game shows a glimpse of what both players are made of. A 39-stroke daunting rally gets the 2015 final underway and promises some heart-stopping action in the sets to follow. Consistency is what made Djokovic who he is today and he displays a fine sense of flawless forehands. Wawrinka, meanwhile, just proves that he is an epitome of power-packed precision.

An unlucky error from Wawrinka gives Djokovic the break who then serves out the first set. He tries hard not to smile. “Not yet,” he thinks. Coach Boris Becker, whose immense aura has transformed an artist formerly known as ‘Djoker’ into an exhibit of beastly immorality, agrees. There still is a lot left to do.

15-40 in the second game of the second set and Djokovic was set to break Wawrinka early. The concealed smile on the Serb’s face was as revealing as the red clay on court. Grand Slam number nine was in reckoning. More importantly, Djokovic could smell the shoal of legends he would be a part of.

But little did Djokovic know that he would be smiling for a whole different reason 14 games later.

Never before has it happened that Djokovic has been on the receiving end of himself. But it was happening suddenly in front of the capacity crowd in Paris. Not only were Stan Wawrinka’s one-handed backhands ‘orgasmically’ scintillating, but they were also infringing Djokovic’s consistency with ease.

At 4-5 in the second, Djokovic starts to serve to stay in the set. Seemed like a pretty ordinary thing to do at the time. But Wawrinka was in no mood to let this one go the distance. Being 30-0 up, Djokovic throws the ball in the air and connects well. He feels good. His mind tells him “Good serve. Now rush to the net to finish this one off.” Djokovic does that only to be slapped in the face with a colossal backhand down the line.

“It’s ok. There’s still time to regroup,” thinks Djokovic. He serves again and this time Wawrinka’s stunning forehand down the line triggers Djokovic’s earthward plummet. “Bring it on,” murmurs Stan to himself. A jittery Becker adjusts himself in his seat. Things just got serious. It’s often a case of one big game that turns a match around and Becker somehow knows that this is that game for the Swiss.

In no time it’s set point for Wawrinka. After a rally that seemed to be ongoing till eternity, Djokovic finally hits his shot long. “What?” Djokovic asks himself while he tries to put up a show by spinning his racquet. Becker couldn’t help but stare helplessly into the abyss of oblivion.

Wawrinka turns back and looks towards his coach Magnus Norman. He points a finger to his head almost in a manner to acknowledge an intellectual regime that outsmarted the World No. 1 in stupendous manner. This was tennis at its cognitive best and no one could have executed it better.

To beat a person as grand as Novak Djokovic, one needs to fashion a strategy that is indeed very special. Of the three matches that Djokovic has lost this year, all came to men with one-handed backhands. Not only does that shot constrict the genius of Djokovic’s concrete defensive tactics, but it also creates an angle that is unmatched in supremacy if effectuated perfectly. And that is exactly what Wawrinka did!

Wawrinka’s “Come Awwnn” chants were beginning to get on Djokovic’s nerves. It was more than just a chant now. It was sheer passion. This is what a sport that is so close to one’s heart does to you. One could get the sense that deep down Djokovic knew that Wawrinka was unstoppable as everything that the Serb was throwing was being returned with unrivalled precision.

Drop shots were being destroyed with devious deft, forehands were being barraged with piercing backhands and future tennis players were being given a new video to learn the immaculate execution of a “down-the-line” shot. 14 games after the second game of the second set the smile on Djokovic’s face was back.

Only this time he knew that it was over. He knew that his dream was shattered.

Stanislas Wawrinka simply overpowered World No. 1 Novak Djokovic at the Roland Garros. That’s a line that has never been used against the 8-time Grand Slam champion.

Never!

Wawrinka did to Djokovic what the Serb has been doing to the world as of late. The 2014 Australian Open champion dictated points in a manner that even the great Roger Federer would be proud of. Being powerful and consistent is what lifted Djokovic to the pinnacles of success, but little did the world know that Wawrinka would exploit the same qualities to push the great man to the brink of a total blackout.

One can’t say that Djokovic did not deserve the Roland Garros title. In fact, the prowess of skill and constancy that he has displayed this year can still make him one of the greatest of all times. Unfortunately for him, Wawrinka was unreal and disturbingly good on Djokovic’s most important day.

In 2005, Djokovic was playing in a meager qualifying tournament for the Australian Open and Wawrinka won the Boy’s title at Roland Garros. 10 years later while Djokovic is a beast winning the Australian Open title for the 5th time, Wawrinka, in one of the greatest finals in French Open history, proved that Stan’s the Man!

For Roger Federer, Greatness is Vengeance!

“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!

Once a champion, always a champion!

It’s that time of the year again when I, probably for the only time, long for the sophistication that sport, especially tennis, has to offer. I’m not a fan when it comes to witnessing stringent rules and stern schedules, but when a certain ‘King’ ascends to his throne every year around the time of my birthday everything else can go take a hike. Yet another Wimbledon has come and gone. Yes! Roger Federer made the final. No! He did not win it. Yes! He’s still the greatest of all time. No! That’s not my heart talking.

There comes a time in a tennis player’s life when all that he’s thinking about is how much more his body can handle the grueling sport. At 31 years of age, Pete Sampras probably had the whole world get inside his head and force him to contemplate retirement. He did retire eventually after winning the last of his 14 Grand Slams titles at the 2002 US Open where he was seeded a shocking 17th. At 32 years of age, Roger Federer is World No. 3 in an era that is bullishly dominated by impeccable fitness and sturdy stamina.

I know what people are thinking about right now. You’re not wrong you know. I thought the same thing as well. What about Andre Agassi? The American was ranked No. 1 in the world at 33 years of age and is hence the oldest player to have achieved that feat. But what people miss out there is that the whole Agassi era was not about ‘power’. It was all about ‘technique’ and ‘craftsmanship’.

 What Agassi did brilliantly despite being at the fag end of his career was to master the art of technique. Indeed that era had young guns like Andy Roddick, Xavier Malise and Lleyton Hewitt, but they were all just getting started and the feisty epoch of fitness, speed and power was yet to start. And that is where Roger Federer comes in. The reason why Federer has achieved what he has achieved is because he has mastered the blend between artistry and power to such levels of brilliance that the whole world just cannot not stop doing what they’re doing and watch a genius execute some serene immortality.

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is currently an epitome of discipline in the field of fitness. He has an inflexible diet regime, his stamina is next to being unconquerable and his vigour is supreme. Add some beautiful tennis to that and imagine being on Centre Court against him. There’s a count-on-one-hand list that can stand up against that sort of domination. And in that list is a 32-year old, father of 4, Swiss maestro who, even in this indomitable power era, can go out at the biggest stage of them all and derail a Swiss compatriot’s swift bandwagon, produce master class to deflate a Canadian hero and implement some unprecedented tennis to push a Djoker right till the edge of a cliff. And to top it all, it’s on grass.

People should not be judging any player on the basis of just one match. I agree that Federer’s back hand in the final was not at its destructive best. However, Federer played some heart-stopping tennis at SW19 this time around. His new attitude is what drove him further to achieve greatness even at a time when he has surpassed all set levels of perpetuity. It’s that intent to enjoy the game that drove him to being so ridiculously great at it. Losing just 4 sets in total at Wimbledon 2014 (3 of which were in the final) should be more than enough to figure out the dominating persona that the 17-time Grand Slam champion has.

Over the years Wimbledon has become synonymous with Roger Federer. To put it more delicately, Wimbledon is incomplete with the essence of Federer. And why not? Federer was an integral part of the three most epic finals that SW19 has ever witnessed.

2008, a time when Centre Court was without its ‘Royal Roof’ and Rafael Nadal was still in his shady sleeveless shirts. Federer being 2 sets down roared back in heart-thumping manner to win the next two only to lose the 5th set 9-7 in partial darkness. It was the longest final in terms of time in Wimbledon history. And who was part of it? Roger Federer.

2009, a time when Federer broke down at Rod Laver arena after losing to Nadal only to complete his career Grand Slam 4 months later in Nadal’s own backyard. Federer and Roddick battled it out in the longest final in terms of games played in Wimbledon history that ultimately witnessed Federer pip Roddick 16-14 in the 5th set. Again, who was part of it? Roger Federer.

2014, a time when Federer, who probably for the first time was the least favorite after a shocking second round exit in 2013, reached his 9th Wimbledon final after shutting out young and fast players by moving around the court like a gazelle. He saved a championship point in the 4th set, pushed it to the 5th against all odds, and smashed 29 vintage sniper aces only to lose it at the end. Indeed the world was gutted. Some even wondered whether it’s time for his majesty to throw in the towel. But then we heard those 4 magical words “See You Next Year” and everything was ok with the world once again.

Federer no doubt has gained the love, appreciation and respect of the world. His majestic inventions still make me find something soft to keep under my face so that I don’t break my jaw when it falls with astounding awe. To win against Federer is like winning against the whole world. And just thinking about the fact that Federer’s opponents still thank him for letting them win is a testament of his greatness and without a shadow of a doubt speaks a lot about the quality of exquisite tennis that the King still has left to offer.

Why Rafa can never reach Roger’s greatness

If there’s one thing that really gets a debate started in the tennis fraternity, it’s the ardent topic of who’s the better player – Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal. And seeing that I’ve written Federer’s name before Nadal’s, one can easily make out who I’m going to side with. It’s plain and simple actually. When it comes to handling tennis, no one does a better job than Federer.

I know what the Nadal fans might be thinking at this stage – WTF is this guy talking about? Nadal has a better head-to-head record against Federer; he’s on 13 Grand Slams titles and has all the chances in the world to go past the propitious number of Federer’s 17; and of course who can forget that Nadal was the youngest player to have completed the career Grand Slam.

Top all of that with the fact that Nadal’s grit is probably the most ruthless on the circuit today and he, without a shadow of a doubt, is an epitome of a defensive tennis player. It’s really strange to bring a “football” terminology into the sport of tennis but no one can argue with the point that to win a point once against the Spanish Matador, one has to win the point 3 times.

Also let us not forget that Nadal did make one of the most impressive comebacks in the sport last year when he went on a title-winning spree to bag eight titles, including the French Open and US Open, after an injury lay-off of seven months. However, keeping all of the above facets in mind, the element that is of essence is that he is starting to show signs of cracks in his armor.

And that is where the answer to the whole “who’s the greatest ever” squabble starts taking shape. Because, as a rule of thumb, the thing that matters most in a sport that is as grueling and gruesome as tennis is fitness. Therefore, a tennis player can be said to be an embodiment of greatness if he/she can maintain a perfect blend between the playing technique and fitness.

Consequently coming over to Rafael Nadal’s pattern of playing, it is clearly visible that he struggles with injuries and has always writhed to implement the desired balance that creates a tennis player’s character. In fact the world no. 1 has spent quite a lot of time being strangely disoriented, and that too on a surface that he’s been given credit of dominating like none other.

Let’s start with the Barcelona Open, shall we? I can’t call myself an expert but when a man who has won the French Open a record 8 times falls victim on clay to a player like Nicolas Almagro (No offence to Almagro. For what it’s worth, he’s been in good knick lately) it is a matter of concern. But let’s give credit to Nadal on that one. He could have been jet-lagged or something.

But then came the Monte Carlo Masters. Another clay court tournament, another Spanish opponent, another reprehensible exit for Nadal. This time the honour of being called the “Nadal-slayer” went to David Ferrer. A worthy opponent perhaps for Nadal to be losing to. Losing to a top-10 player is possibly a little less shameful. (Seriously no offense to Almagro)

Soon after, Rafael Nadal perhaps was given some solace when he lucked out at the ATP Madrid Masters. A laborious defence for his title gave him little consolation as the “elusive” victory came at the expense of Michael Chang’s latest prodigy Kei Nishikori being forced to retire in the final. Oh and before I forget, Nishikori did manage to win the first set before his back gave out.

I guess the Nadal-bashing is becoming a little too much considering after all that he is the world number 1. The world’s best player at present as some might like to delicately put it. However, let me remind those Nadal loyalists the forlorn truth that I still have not pointed out the worst. Because what followed Madrid Masters was a record shattering that was just waiting to occur.

Nadal’s loss to world number 2 Novak Djokovic at the ATP Rome Masters final marked the first time since 2004 that the Spanish Matador failed to win three clay court clashes in the same calendar year. There’s always this heated discussion when it comes to comparing the power games of Nadal and Djokovic; but Djoker clearly showed that he intends to dethrone the king.

So, having said all of that, now comes the time when I start putting things into perspective. The point that I was trying to make by pointing out Nadal’s recent results is that there is an interesting point that needs to be perceived. That point is that 27-year old Rafael Nadal is struggling more than the 32-year old Roger Federer when it comes to “handling” tennis.

For instance, if Nadal had never been born, Federer would have added 7 more Grand Slams (4 French Opens, 1 Wimbledon, 2 Australian Opens) to his extraordinary number of 17 thereby taking his record to a staggering 24 Grand Slams. However, the same can never be said about Nadal. In fact, Federer had won 15 Grand Slams by the age of 27 as compared to Nadal’s 13.

Secondly, a record that will stand the test of time and can never ever be touched by Nadal is the dominating fact that Federer has played 23 Grand Slam semifinals in a row. The closest that anyone is to that astounding number is Ivan Lendl, who reached 10 in a row. Therefore, to put it in years, Roger Federer reached atleast the semis of every Grand Slam for six straight years.

Leaving aside the semifinal pointer (which is probably an understatement of the term “consistency”), Federer stamped his name in the record books at the ongoing 2014 French Open when he set the indomitable record of being the only man in the history of the sport to have played in 58 consecutive Grand Slams. Meanwhile, Nadal’s consecutive streak at present is that of four.

Now that I’ve started with Federer’s mettlesome records I guess it’s going to be very hard to stop. Mentioning records like holding the world no. 1 spot for 302 weeks and holding it for 237 weeks straight won’t even make sense as Nadal is not even close to that unsurpassable figure. To top it all off, for 3 straight years the Swiss Maestro walked home with 3 out of the 4 Slams.

Another record that will cement my claim of Rafael Nadal never reaching Federer’s greatness level is that FedeX till date remains the only tennis player is history to have been seeded number 1 for three consecutive Olympics when he competed at the 2012 London Olympics. Not that it’s worth mentioning, but Federer (then 30) also managed to win the silver medal there.

Hence, If I was to sum it all up in possibly the shortest manner plausible, Roger Federer’s immaculate discipline when it  comes to handling his body for sustainability and his passion for creating an impeccable blend between his majestic inventions and his vintage techniques is what leaves Rafael Nadal miles and miles behind on the “greatest-ever bandwagon”.

There’s no doubting the fact that Nadal is a great player. In fact, his stupendous records speak volumes when it comes to establishing his aura as a fighter. But let’s get one thing straight shall we? Rafael Nadal is, was and will always be second to a phenomenon called Roger Federer.

The King is Back..

Apart from the fact that Stan ‘the man’ Wawrinka won his maiden Grand Slam at the Australian Open this year, if there was one thing that any person who is even remotely connected to the sport of Tennis had to vouch for at this point of time - that thing would be the definite fact that people at Melbourne Park got to witness something really special at the hands of Roger Federer.

In addition to him showing shades of his vintage self that personified someone who dictated terms on the court, he also portrayed a side of his playing capabilities that everyone on the tennis fraternity thought was lost. The class act manner in which the 17-time Grand Slam champion manufactured points with majestic brilliance proved without a shadow of a doubt that the 32-year old still has what it takes to win a Grand Slam.

Federer indeed can bounce back after his Australian Open show. He has a new racquet, a new coach and best of all a new attitude towards handling the game he considers to be most close to his heart. He’s enjoying the game more now, he has a disciplined regime and as always his spirit is an epitome of ‘never-say-die’.  Somewhere down the line everyone, even Federer, wanted that person to return. And that’s what happened at the Australian Open.

The ease with which Federer overcame the challenges thrown by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Andy Murray was nothing short of breathtaking. Whether it was his insane slices, his genius fake shots or his ridiculous inventions that left his fans spellbound and gasping for more, Roger Federer was able to pierce millions of hearts with his stupendous serves and his mesmerizing game-play.

Federer may have lost the battle when he bowed out against Rafael Nadal in the semis, but one thing that can be said with utmost certainty is that the Swiss Maestro is ready to win the war in the long run. Because Fedex in the true sense is and will always be an embodiment of grace, the king of tennis and the incarnation of a living legend.