The unstoppable force that is Roger Federer
What a player! A master indeed. In the Australian Open final, Marin Cilic might have forced Roger Federer into playing a five-setter. However, Federer was clearly the better player on the big day. At 36, which is old for modern-day tennis, he was focused, fit and desperately hungry for one more win. Cilic lost, but there was no humiliation in the defeat. He had tried his best.
Master and nemesis
Federer's win comes a couple of years after some of his critics had predicted that he won't win another Grand Slam title. Not only has he silenced such voices, he has done it with such conviction that there seems to be enough reason to assert that he can carry on for a few more years. His present form rivals his best ever. It seems to be a matter of time before he replaces his nemesis, Rafael Nadal, to become the top-ranked player in the world once again.
With the recent win, the Swiss master has joined Margaret Court, Serena Williams and Steffi Graf in a club that has four members who have won more than 20 Grand Slam titles. Importantly, he has become the first man to join the club. He has become the second oldest man (after Ken Rosewall) to win a Grand Slam title, although his career record is much better than Rosewall's.
Records being inevitably rewritten, there will come a day when a new master will go past his milestones. But, Federer has reserved a seat for himself in the pantheon of the game's immortals. He has played at a time when the game has transitioned from being one in which skill held the key to a form of sport in which power is playing an increasingly bigger role. He has had to adjust and respond, which he has rather easily. Federer's most famous over-30 rivals haven't had the best of times lately. Nadal, who could have met him for the championship match, has had an inner hip muscle injury, which made him retire during his quarterfinal match against Cilic. Motivation concerns have tormented Novak Djokovic, who seemed destined for a much better career record not long ago. Andy Murray had to undergo a serious hip surgery only recently. Clearly, the pressures of playing in this competitive sport have impacted these players.
The Swiss maestro has experienced his share of disappointments though. His conquest at the Australian Open last year after beating Nadal was his first Grand Slam win after more than four years. Some might have believed that Federer, if he won, would retire from the sport on a high. But the man had other ideas.
Winning streak
He won in Miami and Indian Wells, skipped French Open to prepare for Wimbledon and won the latter without dropping a set for the first time in his career. While several of his serious competitors who had just crossed 30 - or, hadn't even gone that far -seemed to be slowing down, Federer's energy and fitness turned into significant talking points. In the final against Cilic this year, he was also the fitter man who happened to be merely seven years older.
When he spoke to the media after the match, he was asked how long he will continue to compete against younger, stronger and bigger opponents. Federer replied, "I have no idea. I've won three Slams in 12 months. I can't believe it myself. I just have to keep a good schedule, stay hungry and then maybe good things can happen." Having surprised himself with his recent streak of wins, he wants to go out there and play like he can.
At present at least, the age factor would not be a worry for him.
Greatest player
Federer has acquired many fans over the years. Among them is legendary Rod Laver, who believes that he is the greatest player of all time. He reportedly observed, "He (Federer) just seems like he's floating all around the court - he's not running. That's something else." In his latest final, his outstanding shot-making was the outcome of his being at the right place at the right time. Largely untroubled, he won with more ease than the five-set scoreline suggests.
He will be back in action at the Australian Open next year, he said after the win. Until that happens, he will be seen in other big tournaments as well. Chances are he will improve his record of 20 Slam wins, partly because some of his major challengers are not at their best.
Federer's show will continue for a while. Let us enjoy it while it lasts.
(Courtesy of Mail Today)