END OF AN ERA?

As the world gears up for the first grand slam of the year commencing in Melbourne on 13^th January, a big question is abuzz in the tennis world. ‘Is this year going to be ROGER FEDERER’s last on the tennis court? Especially in Singles?’

The question being raised is not surprising at all. It’s no secret that his game has gone down, his ATP ranking is 6 (out of the top 4 for the first time since 2003), he last one won a grand almost 18 months ago( Wimbledon 2012),he has had shock defeats to unseeded players(second round defeat against Sergiy Stakhovsky), had back problems and what not. But the fact remains he still remains a crowd favourite. Like Sachin was to cricket, Muhammad Ali to boxing, Pele to football, Federer is to Tennis. I would go miles to see him play and his one handed backhand is one of the best in the game which is very pleasing to the eye. He has been a true gentleman for the game and that is why people love and respect him so much.

My favourite Roger Federer memory will be of the year 2009, though it’ll be difficult to choose between the French Open victory or The Wimbledon victory. In 2009, he won his first French Open Title by defeating Robin Soderling of Sweden 6-1, 7-6(1), 6-4. It was the first time that Nadal had lost a match at Roland Garros. The emotions after that match were very high, after losing year after at Roland Garros he had finally won it. It was as if a kid had convinced his parents to buy a particular toy. I remember Federer collapsing to the court and crying uncontrollably. It was a huge moment for him, one which he would most likely cherish throughout his lifetime. But I think the moment that will trump that memory would be that of winning the record 15^th slam and breaking his Idol Pete Sampras’s record of 14 slams. I remember that match very clearly. It was a 5 setter and the 5^th set ended at 16-14 in favour of Federer. Luck was also on Federer’s side that day. I think no matter what, he was destined to win that day. Andy Roddick's serve was only broken once in the whole match. And once when it was broken, he lost the match. . Federer won 5–7, 7–6^(8-6), 7–6^(7-5), 3–6, 16–14. The celebration after winning that match were huge and it was even more so because this final was a more hard fought one than the one at Roland Garros. Roddick was playing at his peak in the entire tournament, and defeating him required some luck which he had. That day in London probably lay to rest the debate of the greatest tennis player ever.

No one can deny the fact that he has to go, but everyone wants him to go out on a high and winning all the four slams in the year would be fairytale ending but it’s not necessary that it’ll happen. He has to make sure that he at least reaches the semi-final stages of all the majors and then see what happens. Having said that, Federer seems to be in no mood to bid goodbye to the love of his life, he has made it amply clear that he’ll call it day when he feels he no longer enjoys the game. He’s trying to make amends in his game by now using 98inch Wilson which gives him more power and more forgiving on mishits. He has also roped in former world no. 1 Stefan Edberg into his coaching team. He also made a statement that he’s still good enough to take down Djokovic, Nadal and all other contenders. This makes it very clear that he’s up for a fight and it is good for the tennis world. But his job of winning the slam is going to be very tough considering his draw. He has been placed in a tough draw in which faces Duckworth, Stepanek, Verdasco, Tsonga, Murray, Nadal/Del Potro, Djokovic courtesy him being the sixth seed.

My favourite to win the tournament is going to Britain’s No.1 Andy Murray. He now has got the monkey of his back by winning the Wimbledon(2013) and The US open (2012) and is under less pressure as opposed to say 2-3 years ago. He just seems to mentally strong and for this the credit should go to his coach Ivan Lendyl. He now looks a stronger player physically as well with all the shots coming off.

My second favourite on form will be Rafael Nadal. He has had one of the most remarkable comebacks in the history of sports by winning the The US Open last year. He looked a shadow of himself in between 2012 and 2013 and had suffered from a serious knee injury but the way he played the US Open seems he’s back in business.

But as I am an Indian (and a huge Federer fan), and for us Indians emotions do mean something. So for emotional reasons I would like Federer to win all the 4 majors this year and especially defeat Nadal at Roland Garros.