Return of the King - Roger Federer

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Seven time Wimbledon champion

Sometimes it’s not about the critical acclaim or the number of FB likes that you get for your article, sometimes it’s just about what the heart wants to pen down, and writing this piece is surely giving me goose bumps. To tell the truth, I still can’t stop crying because the occasion is just so overwhelming. People always say that moments like getting your first paycheck, carrying your new born baby in your arms or making your parents proud are the most satisfying moments in life. I am sure those people haven’t spent their entire childhood and youth rooting for Roger Federer, because watching him come back from the rugs and silence his critics to lift his 7th Wimbledon title – equaling Pete Sampras‘ record - is right up there with all the other moments I just mentioned.

There is a certain aura that surrounds Federer; he never fails to amaze you. Belief has a lot of power, it can help you achieve the unthinkable. Federer not only had the skill to win yet another Grand Slam, but also the belief that he was still good enough to compete at the highest level. That belief however, was limited to only Federer and his camp; his supporters felt that winning another Grand Slam was always going to be a distant dream. With the growing supremacy of Djokovic and Nadal at the top, and with destiny on Murray’s side, everybody had written Federer off. But here we are today, witnessing these glorious pictures of Federer shedding those tears of joy again.

Finally his victory is beginning to sink in. So let’s talk a bit about the final. It was a pretty tough match to call because Murray had a better head to head record against Federer, but many felt that the occasion would get to the Brit as seen in the previous Slam finals, and he would succumb to the pressure. The occasion was actually pretty huge with Federer chasing his 7th Wimbledon title and Murray trying to become the first Brit – since Fred Perry in 1936 – to win the prestigious Wimbledon title. It promised to be a nerve jangling affair and how well did it live up to the expectations. Murray started off confidently breaking Federer in the first game and then consolidating the break by going up 2-0 in the first set. But the maestro came right back into the affair by clinching the next three games.

In the early exchanges, it was as if Federer was the one who was actually getting the big stage jitters. Murray took advantage of some sloppy ground-strokes from Federer to clinch the opening set. For most part of the 2nd set as well, Federer looked out of sorts committing way too many unforced errors. At 6-5 when it mattered most, Federer broke Murray to level the match at 1 set a piece. Then came down the rain and it was a blessing in disguise for the Swiss genius who thrives under the roof. It was the old Federer again, the old magic again. The forehand looked miraculous, the backhand looked as elegant as ever and the drop shots just took your breath away. The Federer whom we had all known for years was back and I am sure that he is here to stay for a long time now!

I have always been fascinated by this Rolex commercial that is shown during the Wimbledon. We must live for greatness. But many of us spend our entire lives thinking about how to actually achieve greatness. I think this advertisement rightly says that it is achieved when you’re always asking yourself ‘What’s Next?’. Federer has always been hungry for more and that is what makes him a true legend of the game.

Olympics – Here comes the Emperor!