Roger Federer needs no introduction. He has been a torchbearer of tennis for almost a decade now. He has been an idol to most of the tennis lovers of this generation. We have seen him going past his rivals effortlessly so often that we seem to have been immersed in the virtuality that he would be around forever. Though time might have slowed down Fedex to display his immaculate flexibility and the debate surrounding “the greatest of all time” will linger for long, for Roger fans, he is and will remain the greatest player to have graced the game.
When some his peers have switched over to doing commentary and many have retired, at 34, Fedex is still going strong. Every time someone points the inevitable to be closer, he produces something magical. Roger Federer’s game has evolved to eclipse those of his younger challengers. It is true that time has chipped into his arsenal and the serene exhibitions of “mesmerizing” tennis have been transgressed by a more direct approach. None, however completely eroded the aesthetic appeal of Federer’s game. If anything, the changes he adopted to prolong his decay have been effective in keeping him at World No. 2.
Roger Federer has come a long way from being a new entrant into the ATP scene with a much promise. At the 2002 Wimbledon, when he attracted the attention of the world after his win over Pete Sampras, Federer elevated his game to a level that was incomparable. The past couple of years have weighed on Federer. He has been unable to capture a single grand slam since he defeated Andy Murray for the 2012 Wimbledon crown. But there have been some glittering moments as well.
The past couple of events have been particularly good for Federer. He reached the finals of the Wimbledon, having brought a whole new dimension to his game. His semi-final victory against Murray was considered as among the finest serving performance by any player. At the ongoing US Open, Federer’s fans are still rooting for him. And he seems to be giving a valid reason to do so. He is yet to drop a set and his game has been a refreshing delight. The ‘sneak’ shots, as they have been termed are the newest addition to his wide collection of shots.
It remains to be seen if he can overcome a solid (Novak) Djokovic to become the oldest player to win the US Open men’s singles. But nevertheless, he would still be the greatest.
By Avaneesh Mishra
Law student, Delhi University
