#12 I first thought about writing down the memories with Federer when he retired. I didn’t. Then, this year, Wimbledon happened, and tennis saw a glimpse of someone who could level up to the Big 3. When Alcaraz was relentless against Djokovic in this year’s Wimbledon final, the commentator said that for the first time, Djokovic is having a taste of what it is to play against Djokovic. And after two decades, beyond the Big Three and Murray, we have a new champion at centre court. Only time will tell if this was a sign of a change of the guard or a mere flicker.
First memories to ’08
I cannot remember the first match of Federer I saw. It could probably be in ’05. I remember feeling disappointed about the French Open loss to Nadal in ’06. I also remember the win against Nadal in ’07 Wimbledon. And then possibly the greatest match of all time, the ’08 Wimbledon final when Federer lost to Nadal. The unbelievable 2 set lead by Nadal, the comeback two sets by Federer, the never-ending tiebreak. To think of what got me into Federer, it is probably the finesse with which he played. The powerful forehand, rare single-handed backhand, aces and drop shots all captivated and pulled the fans towards him. Federer has also been emotional post-matches, and I think this plain human expression took Federer to the hearts of millions of fans worldwide that no player could match. There was never a court where he didn’t get the crowd’s support. For 19 years in a row, he won the ATP fan’s favourite award, including years he didn’t win a slam.
Big 3: ’09-’12
The best thing that happened to Federer in ’09 was winning the French Open. For three years in a row, Federer couldn’t go past Nadal in the French Open, and maybe God was kind enough to acknowledge the pursuit that Federer could complete his career grand slam. After the debacle in ’08, Federer would continue to win Wimbledon in ’09, in yet another long match with Andy Roddick. I felt for Roddick that day because it was one of his best matches, and a Wimbledon would have been great. With Nadal’s ’08 Wimbledon, his first major beyond the clay and Novak’s phenomenal ’11 with three slams, tennis was known to have the Big 3. I don’t think tennis has ever had three giants playing together simultaneously. Their level of the game was exceptional. Beyond the Big 3, I shall not forget to mention Murray. He was the closest to the Big 3 and would win three grand slams later. After a lean year in ’11, Roger would win the ’12 Wimbledon, and we, the fans, wouldn’t know that we were embarking on a long 4-year journey of grand slam draught.
2013-16
Federer was playing fine in these times, but a grand slam never realized. He was consistent in reaching the semifinals and finals. The ’14 and ’15 finals with Novak were terrific matches. Those matches probably made him and the fans believe a slam was around the corner. This is also the time that I would say the fans he had were forged in fire that they would continue to bel18ve in him. Federer won 1000 Masters and Davis Cup. This period also saw troubles with the knee and the back. Novak was supreme in these times, taking slams like Roger did in the mid-2000s. Novak won his first French Open in ’15, a new champion beyond Nadal, but Nadal would come back stronger in the years to come. I had felt sometimes that we should just hand Nadal the French open. There is no point in playing; he just blew anyone in that court. He is undisputedly the King of Clay. Federer troubles with knee rose to the point that he would take a sabbatical from mid-2016 for a surgery. It was a rare thing for Federer after consistently playing grand slams for a decade and a half. It was a tough time for Federer and us, the fans. We had to arrest all our wishes on grand slams and just wish Federer would be OK on and off the court.
’17 to Forever
2017 was the year of relief, surprise and, as Federer said, a fairy tale. At the Aus Open ’17, we all wanted Federer to be healthy and back, but the story went on to a memorable Nadal final. I felt for Nadal’s loss for the first time and was equally ecstatic over Federer’s 18th. We always bel18ved in Roger. The sublime run went to Wimbledon ’17 victory without losing a set. Federer continued this run to defend the Aus Open in ’18, reaching 20th slam and all in tears. Post this, Federer played well, but the Grand Slam did not realize. The last time we saw the best of Federer, I mean the absolute best of him, was at Wimbledon ’19. He won over Nadal in the semifinals and had a brutal loss to Djokovic in the finals. It was an epic game to the proportions of the ’08 Wimbledon final. Federer won the most points and had the championship point, yet that day was for Novak. One of the most difficult days since the ’08 final. I was severely disappointed. Matches like this make me question rationally to why I should feel bad at the loss of a tennis game. I realized that it is difficult to question the genesis of why we like someone. It is just so. Try your best to cherish that. The knee had started to trouble again, and slowly, it sank on us that it would be difficult to return to the best. Federer once again took a sabbatical for surgery and would eventually call retirement.
Federer announced Laver’s Cup as his last ATP tournament, and there was magic even in his last match. Federer played a doubles match with Nadal, his biggest rival on the same side, and a magical shot making the ball go between the post and the net, through a gap just enough to scrap through, something we have never seen before. That match and tournament was the best sendoff Federer could get. Roger not winning any more grand slams or losing the last chance at the ’19 final will not do any blemish to the aura he built. By now, his stature had grown beyond numbers and records. To us, he is always the greatest. A perfect blend of technique and finesse. I wish to see him in person one day and thank him for all the games we relished.
To summarize what Federer was, the best analogy I heard was from acclaimed Bharata Natyam dancer Rajashree Warrier (she is also a fan). She said when you see a photo of Federer, be it any moment in the game; one can see it is composed, elegant, measured, and devoid of tension, a quality a classical dancer should aspire to exude. Will we see a player of Federer’s level? It can happen, but will we see a player of Federer’s finesse, probably not. He will always remain the cre’me de la cre’me.