A True Champion

Even in the jaws of defeat, one man showed incredible character and unparalleled talent, that’s what made me a fan of Roger Federer. Until that night in July, Federer was a Tennis hero, someone who had decimated his opponents, generated comments that put him among the greatest to have ever played the game and his defeats were referred to as mere proofs that he was from this planet and human, but to me, he was just another great player, which in itself is a very short list. But the Wimbledon Final of 2008 was the greatest tennis match I ever saw and whatever happens, nothing will come close to it.

Federer was decimated by Rafael Nadal in the French Open just a few weeks ago, the only slam Federer was yet to win. But Wimbledon was a different story, it was his SLAM. He had equaled Bjorn Borgs record of 5 straight Wimbledon titles, and had not been threatened by anyone during these 5 years, apart from a small scare perhaps by Andy Roddick or Lleyton Hewitt. Federer had done it all and was going for a record-setting 6th Wimbledon title. It was a dream final, but what happened was beyond the expectations of anyone. Tennis was just a sport that I paid attention to, but rarely had I seen a live match until then.

Nadal won the first two sets and looked like he might romp to victory and a major landmark in his career as his first slam outside of the Philippe Chatrier court. In the 3rd set, serving against Nadal who was on Championship Point, I saw the greatest comebacks in history and a true miracle. A string of Aces to win the game, Federer clawed back into the game and won the 3rd and 4th set.

Although Nadal won the match and the Championship, it was in defeat that I saw Federer rise up above everything humanly possible and something beyond belief. That was when I became a fan of Roger Federer, a true champion. On this occasion, when he has overcome that one thing that can be the only stumbling block from calling him the greatest ever, he has won the French Open. Some might say that he has not won the "Grand Slam" and that his record against Nadal is not great, but I just do not care, as Bjorn Borg has won only the French Open and Wimbledon and he is called a great.

Is Federer human or something beyond? Well, he is human, but once on that court, he is god and it is a world that he rules over with grace, skill and at times, the most unbelievable of miracles.