One of the strongest barriers in the world of sport is that of Age. Those who breach it walk into Legend and carve a special niche of their own in History. There are many sportsmen who play their respective games way past the primetime age. But few remain successful at it as they grow old.
Over the last couple of years, men's tennis has been in the middle of a very special era. The world has been enthralled by some of the most talented sportsmen to have ever walked the tennis court - Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. These guys have weathered the tennis world's turbulent storms with dogged resistance, squeezing their opponents and rivals and going into a league of their own. But one man has stood out amongst them all - the legendary Pete Sampras says he is getting rather used to this man breaking his records - Swiss Master Roger Federer. Roger Federer has more often than not made history whenever he's walked out on to the court ever since his shock defeat of Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001. But as it did with other great sportsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Michael Schumacher and Muhammed Ali, Age soon caught up with Federer. The stamina disappeared, the running slowed down and the body started giving up. Many wrote off Roger Federer, as they did back in his earlier days after his form dropped rather phenomenally following the historic win over Sampras. People said that the height of achievement had gotten the better of Roger Federer - that he didn't have any real motivation or cause to go on.
But Roger Federer was no ordinary sportsman. He was a Legend. Fact was that there really weren't enough people out there who could defeat Roger Federer. While the likes of Nadal, Djokovic and Murray had suffered the odd upset defeat, Federer had hung on. The only people who really looked like they could defeat Federer were those at the top three. The others - they were mere students, watching their Master at work. Watching Roger Federer often reminds me of watching a dextrous artist at his painting - carefully sculpting a picture with masterful strokes and striking concentration while others watch in awe around him.
Yes, Roger Federer has proven that he is special. He is a Legend. He can beat Age, he's been there and done that. But what makes the Swiss Master such a quality sportsman? Is it his energy, his intensity or is it just the collective incompetence of a whole generation of tennis players that makes him what he is? Well, every artist is known for his art. And so is Roger Federer. It is everything that Federer does on and off the court that makes him such a role model and such a quality sportsman - his nonchalant demeanour, his child-like smile, his intriguing yet magnetic and attention-drawing concentration while at work. Yes, when you watch Federer play, you know he's enjoying himself. He is enjoying himself not because he is not being challenged, but because he simply loves what he is doing. It is like a child being liberated from the restrictive hands of his parents and out on to his favorite play field. Federer indulges like there is no tomorrow. He doesn't care much for the scorecard or for his opponent. He just delves into every moment of his time on court. The longer, the merrier. There is no fuss over naive facts, no arguments with the umpire, no hassles, no stops. It is pure indulgence, heartfelt and soulful. In fact, most men who've watched Federer play, and are true fans of his, pay little attention to the scorecard or the opponent. They are too engaged in this breathtaking display of class and elegance. For it is as compelling as it is intoxicating.
Last Sunday, as Roger Federer notched up his seventeenth against Britain's Andy Murray, he said that he never felt the trophy had left him for three years. He was far too engaged in his soulful indulgence at the game to notice! Centre Court heartily cheered and applauded a man who had just beaten their local boy and home favorite - the first Briton to reach the finals of Wimbledon in 70 years. For a moment, they forgot all of those patriotic emotions. They were indeed completely drawn in by a skillful display of greatness - a true Legend at work.
For indeed, Art is compelling.
Over the last couple of years, men's tennis has been in the middle of a very special era. The world has been enthralled by some of the most talented sportsmen to have ever walked the tennis court - Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. These guys have weathered the tennis world's turbulent storms with dogged resistance, squeezing their opponents and rivals and going into a league of their own. But one man has stood out amongst them all - the legendary Pete Sampras says he is getting rather used to this man breaking his records - Swiss Master Roger Federer. Roger Federer has more often than not made history whenever he's walked out on to the court ever since his shock defeat of Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001. But as it did with other great sportsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Michael Schumacher and Muhammed Ali, Age soon caught up with Federer. The stamina disappeared, the running slowed down and the body started giving up. Many wrote off Roger Federer, as they did back in his earlier days after his form dropped rather phenomenally following the historic win over Sampras. People said that the height of achievement had gotten the better of Roger Federer - that he didn't have any real motivation or cause to go on.
But Roger Federer was no ordinary sportsman. He was a Legend. Fact was that there really weren't enough people out there who could defeat Roger Federer. While the likes of Nadal, Djokovic and Murray had suffered the odd upset defeat, Federer had hung on. The only people who really looked like they could defeat Federer were those at the top three. The others - they were mere students, watching their Master at work. Watching Roger Federer often reminds me of watching a dextrous artist at his painting - carefully sculpting a picture with masterful strokes and striking concentration while others watch in awe around him.
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| MasterClass: Roger Federer at work |
Last Sunday, as Roger Federer notched up his seventeenth against Britain's Andy Murray, he said that he never felt the trophy had left him for three years. He was far too engaged in his soulful indulgence at the game to notice! Centre Court heartily cheered and applauded a man who had just beaten their local boy and home favorite - the first Briton to reach the finals of Wimbledon in 70 years. For a moment, they forgot all of those patriotic emotions. They were indeed completely drawn in by a skillful display of greatness - a true Legend at work.
For indeed, Art is compelling.
Well said, but Federer isn't anywhere close to done. I give him another 3 years minimum to assert his dominance over the world of Tennis.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment!
DeleteYes, we'd all love him to go on forever, isn't it? Well, I won't be counting years. I'll be enjoying every moment of Roger Federer on court for as long as he's out there. It is too soothing to let go of! The good thing about tennis is that it is an individual game. So Federer can play for as long as he likes with little pressure on him. No one is really going to ask him to go if he starts losing, much in contrast to, say, Sachin Tendulkar.