Roger Federer - The Swiss Fighter

“I’ve worked extremely hard since I lost that match point against Novak last year at the U.S. Open”- Roger Federer

Sitting with both hands clasped together, I cheered for Roger Federer, saying loudly, “Federer, please make sure you serve well.” At that very instant, US Open 2011 semifinals memories flashed back in my mind and I said to myself, “Federer, you got to make that serve; you have not come so far just to lose now”.

And then, as soon as I saw Djokovic’s return hit the net, I jumped in joy with a big ‘YES!’ Roger Federer had won against the defending champion to book his eighth Wimbledon finals appearance. I was elated, not as a fan of Roger Federer, but for the joy of humanity, the joy of seeing a person achieving his goals when everyone had thought the contrary.

He is 30-plus, he still fights it out on the tennis court when all the analysts and critics have waved him off just like another bus ticket. After all, it’s the generation of the young guns. How can a player above 30 be so confident about reaching the finals, leave alone reclaim the World No.1 ranking?

How can Roger Federer even think of surviving in the presence of players like Djokovic and Nadal? Doesn’t he know that tennis wasn’t the same sport anymore for him? Weren’t 7 Wimbledon finals enough for him? Doesn’t he know that all the critics have a lifetime’s wprtj of experience of predicting what’s best for him?

Roger Federer was called the underdog in the semifinal match against Djokovic by the so-called experts. He should have retired long back – doesn’t he know that? Oh my, what a shock it must have been for everyone who had written him off and was calling for his retirement.

I just can’t help smiling and looking at Federer with admiration. Why?

When I look at him, he gives me hope about my dreams. He gives me belief that what matters in life is your own faith in yourself. The whole world might be against you but it’s you who matter. It’s the power of your mind and hard work that determines your success even when you grow old.

When I look at him, he gives me inspiration to not give up under any circumstances. He gives me the faith to stand strong at times of adversity. I thought of Federer and his defeat against Tsonga last year. He said to everyone that he played well and he knew in his heart that against Tsonga and Djokovic (US Open ), he was good. But did anyone believe him?

Should he have gone and sat in a corner, disappointed, and not worked harder than before? Should he have given up hope and stopped working? If at the age of 30, he is not ready to give up, why should I?

That’s why I think Federer’s win in the semifinals is not about being happy as a fan, it’s about being joyful for the purpose of humanity. It’s about how inspiring it can be to see someone stick to his goals even under dire circumstances and not deviating from his path. It’s about a person’s perseverance and belief to do the impossible. It’s about a lesson that we can all learn to implement in our lives and make sure we stick to our goals no matter how much resistance we face.

Even if you are a fan of any other tennis player, I would still suggest all of you to cheer not for Federer the player, but for Federer the person, who has the determination and will power to prove to the world that there is nothing bigger in this world than a person’s thoughts and action.

Because Roger Federer’s game is more than a sport right now, it is in fact about life, emotion, passion, and some of the greatest highs and lows we can experience in our lives. It’s about his fight against the world, to set an example and tell his critics that one should never underestimate the power and ability of anyone in this world.