ThErEz OnLy 1 FeDeReR!!!

Yeah...There really is only 1 Federer in this world....simply because of the fact that there can be no one as good as him...and when I say good , the word ain't restricted to his winning spree/records...
I haven't really followed Tennis as much as I have followed cricket [I'm an Indian Afterall]...or probably even Soccer....but then the game is really amazing to watch...so eventually I started watching and in the process loving the game...

So....the following is how I look at the game....at the genius of the Game...RoGeR FeDeReR...
I haven't really known much about him or any other tennis player....but the way he played...the way he reacted to different situations ...the way he porved his genius was surely awe inspiring and I'm sure it will go on to be like this till he plays and beyong that as well...

And since then I have been a RoGeR FeDeReR fan....and have watched many of his matches like billions of us watch a cricket match....cheering....hoping...praying...celebrating....

Coming to Fedex....I was talking to a friend of mine who knows a lot about tennis and plays it himself....I was telling him how his ability to not show any extreme emotions in crunch situation really inspires....that is when he told me a little about Federer....something I din't know...

There was a time in Federer's life when he was arrogant and unsportive[it came as a shock to me...can't even imagine him like that] till 1999....
Then he lost his coach in an accident which affected him very badly....he went on to lose a lot of matches and couldn't focus at all....he then played the game like it was his business...just come out ....hit a few balls and go back....no emotions of any sort...he played without even enjoying the game....

Then came 2001 Wimbeldon...Federer was to face Pete Sampras in the round of 16....Sampras was at his prime form then and was looking to seal his 100th wimbledon victory by defeating Federer.....but things had to change....and for me, they changed for the better...

Sampras had never lost a game going into 5 sets....but that changed as well....
A young Roger Federer defeated Pete Sampras 7-6 5-7 6-4 6-7 7-5
This reignited Federer....he longed for the right attitude on the court and worked hard on it...

Came 2003...and Federer was a different man...a different Player...a champion player....a 7-6 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (3) over Mark Philippoussis gave Federer his first major title...

After the amazing victory... Federer said "I've always believed, but then in the end, when it happens, you don't think that it is possible. It's an absolute dream for me. I was always joking around when I was a boy: 'I'm going to win this."

With the Trophy cradled in his hands, Federer's voice cracked and he cried some more....."You see the trophy, and it's so beautiful.....Gold.....You don't have golden trophies very often...Just the way when you look at it, and when you hold it -- it is something you've always dreamed of. So right then, you feel like: 'Am I dreaming? This is true right now?"

2003 Wimbledon was his 1st major title victory and as cliched as it could get..It WaS JuSt ThE BeGgInInG...

2004 was a magical year for the Maestro....he won 3 out of the 4 major grand slam tournaments and did not lose to any of the players ranked top 10....He won his first Australian Open by defeating Marat Safin in straight sets and eventually succeeded Andy Roddick as the Numero Uno...World Ranking #1....and has been right up there since then...In the same year he defeated Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon final to defend the title...so 2nd wimbledon title in a row ...way to go feddy boy...he also won his first US open ....defeating Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets...

I can go on and on about this great player but it will never end....and that's exactly why he is such a genius...

2005 and 2006 were good as well and he went on to clinch another two Wimbledon titles...defeating Andy Roddick yet again in a wimbledon final in 2005 and Nadal in 2006 in four sets...

Came 2007 and Federer had a chance to level Bjorn Borg's record of 5 consecutive Wimbledon titles....and as expected he did....it was one of the most memorable matches which went on till the 5th set and i should say Nadal should really be appreciated for the way he played as well...in the fourth set Nadal had some injury problem and by the end of the fifth set Federer had leveled Borg's record by beatin nadal 7-6 4-6 7-6 2-6 6-2....

The moment was truly emotional and all the Federer fans throughout the World rejoiced...They rejoiced for the champ...for the feat the champ had just achieved....I felt like I was celebrating Indian victory in a World Cup final...or probably something more than that....

2008....This was the year Federer had a chance to surpass Borg's record.... a chance to set a new World record ....a World record of 6 consecutive Wimbledon Titles....

RoGeR FeDeReR v/s RaFaEl NaDaL ....that was the match.....THE match I was waiting for...

With less than an hour into the game NaDaL sealed the first set 6-4 ....crap...i felt something strange in my stomach...I said to myself...relax man...Federer will come back....as I expected he did....2nd set he lead 4-1 ...but then what I dint expect happened as well....Nadal bounced back too....winning the second set 6-4 ....Double Crap....I really wanted to switch off the T.V and get some sleep but then there was something that kept me from doing it....it was the way Federer reacted to each and every point Nadal won...each and every error he made...each and every unforced error he committed...everything...with such serenity of mind....there was no way I would leave Federer midway....so I sat on....and in the middle of the third set rain interrupted play....after a long time play resumed and Federer went on to win the third set on tie breaker....Federer still din't show any 'outoftheworld' emotions...so I thought I'll do the emotions for him...so from the fourth set... for every ace...every amazing drop shot..every perfect forhand or a backhand stroke ....I jumped....punched the air...and shouted out...I emoted for RoGeR FeDeReR....4th set was a nerve cracking one....going into the tie breaker was very scary ....and at Nadal leading 5-2 was even more scary....but he committed a blunder...a couple of double faults from him and some amazing play by Federer saw him pull of the 4th set ...

So the scores stood leveled....6-4 6-4 6-7(5-7) 6-7(8-10)...

Federer had just bounced back after going down in the first two sets....it felt strange to jump around at half past 1 in the night but I did not hesitate a bit...I was celebrating....celebrating Federer's sheer brilliance...his unusually composed mind....his approach....everything about the great man made me jump with joy...

5th set ....Nadal seemed desperate to win....playing it harder than he did in any of the previous 4 sets....Why God Why? ....is all I could mumble....but Federer was doubly determined to win the title....THE Wimbledon title for 6th time in a row...

This set was supposedly the best of the match.....with Federer and Nadal winning on respective serves....it kept going like that and at one point of time I thought this match wasn't going to end at all....but ....unexpected things had to happen....and this time it was unwanted as well....Nadal managed to break Federer's serve and eventually won the title...Federer lost ....lost in a Wimbledon final without dropping a single set throughout the whole tournament....he still remained serene...I expected tears from his eyes but not a drop came out...he was as composed as he could be as he took his bag ...and walked in....there were tear drops....tear drops that trickled down my cheeks...I decided I have to sleep over it...

Commenting on Federer's year through the Wimbledon final, Pete Sampras said "Contrary to what a lot of people are saying, I think Roger is having a good year, it's just that he's set such a high bar for himself. But can anybody say he's fallen off the pace, or that his game has holes in it? No way."

The next morning was one time when I did not want to watch any news channel....for obvious reasons...BUT....Federer was still the best and still my favourite....

There will be people who say Federer has lost his touch and all such jazz....but Im sorry people ...there is no way in the world because of which I cannot agree with the legendary Pete Sampras....

Federer is the best of the game today...and will remain the best till he plays and even beyond...Apart from his talent and skills in the game....his ability to keep serenity of the mind...his approach to each and every game...his dedication....all this is truly inspiring and I wont hesitate to say again and more than just again that FeDerEr iS tHe BeSt aNd ThErE CaN't Be AnOtHeR fEdErEr....He is the one...and he is the best....

------P.S : I realised I love Roger Federer as much as I love Adam Craig Gilchrist...-----