Federer is beyond wins and losses. In our minds, he’s always a winner. How could he not be? He never let us feel like losers, even when he lost the matches he should’ve won with his left hand. His matches were always a treat for the sore eyes tired of watching bazooka servers and baseline bullies reveling in their machine-like consistency.
Federer, on the other hand, was like a trained dancer gliding across the court using tennis racquet and ball as props to put a spell on the spectators. If there ever was a perfect sportsperson, it was Federer. Not Diego Maradona. Not Muhammad Ali. Not Tiger Woods. Not Usain Bolt. Sorry. Just Federer. Sounds exaggerated? (You infidel!) Here is why. To be a perfect sportsperson, you don’t just need a top game. You also need a personality, a sense of responsibility towards every stakeholder and last but not the least, a clean image. Federer had the game that was among the best in the world but his graceful movements and effortless shotmaking elevated it to the level of art. Many before him and during his era had some of these attributes but none all.
Those hot-knife-through-thebutter forehands, the single-handed backhands that made him look like a ballet dancer, the pinpoint serves and the deceiving drop shots coupled with his liquid physical movements made for an exotic experience. He was the best ambassador that not just tennis, but sport in general, could hope for. He was dignified in victory and defeat. He charmed fans everywhere he went with his jovial personality and the ability to speak in nine languages that helped him break many a barrier.
Unlike many others, he understood his responsibility as the sport’s biggest star and carried himself gracefully. He praised his fellow players wholeheartedly and stayed clear of unnecessary controversies. He came across as a devoted family man. Maradona had his problems with drugs, Ali was rebellious, Woods’ sexual escapades tarnished his image while Bolt was vain.
In comparison, Federer was that ‘sanskari’ child parents could leave at home and not worry about the possible mess they would have to deal with on return. That’s what made him a darling of sponsors, event organisers and common people around the world. He was the complete package: a great player with trophies to show, an eloquent speaker with a pleasing personality and a superstar with a clean image.
How many sportspersons can you find throughout the history of sport who had that kind of credentials? But, even perfection comes with an expiry date. In Federer’s case, it was a long time coming. The signs were there if you cared to read them. He had a string of knee surgeries and complications in the last few years. His oncourt appearances were few and far between (last seen playing at Wimbledon 2021). And then it happened. On September 15, 2022, at 6:49pm IST, Federer announced retirement from professional tennis saying his 41-year-old body’s message to him was clear: it was time to stop. PS: Hold your goodbyes, though. He still has one final performance to give at the Laver Cup, starting this Friday. Save the dates, RFians.
