I watched Roger Federer lose to a Ukrainian from outside the top 100 in the world rankings, in tennis' premier tournament, Wimbledon. That is an event that the 32-year-old has won a record seven times, a substantial chunk of the 17 'major' championships he has won, also a record. The thing that is mind-blowing is that Federer is 3 clear of Hall of Famer Pete Sampras, who also won Wimbledon 7 times. Greater still is Federer, who entered this year as the defending champion. Never before has anyone seen a fading champion who was still such a threat even now to win the biggest contests in the sport. If it is indeed true that another major triumph would be pleasantly and mildly surprising, it must be admitted that we are witnessing the greatest sunset in the history of sports. He has indeed earned the deference given to all legends, but not only that. His still prodigious skill merits respect and awe.
Today, for the first time in 36 major tournaments and 10 years, Federer exited the tournament prior to the quarterfinals. Just think about that. Some hack named Jimmy Connors did it 27 times, and hardly merits a mention.
I only saw the fourth and concluding set, the third consecutive to end in a tie-break. I do not know if he played poorly to end up in such a pickle. I do know that I have never so much enjoyed watching Federer lose. He played great tennis, in the parts that I saw. He evened the set at 3 after falling back 3-1, and battled all the way into the tie-break. He missed his opening to break at 4-3 to be on his way to a fifth and deciding set, where I believe he would have won. But let me give credit where credit is due: Sergiy Stakhovsky played out of his mind. He was unafraid. And Federer is still great enough that Sergiy has every right to brag. I beat Federer. I beat the greatest of all time. Federer is so great that a man playing far above expectations has to fight for every point, and is guaranteed nothing.
It wasn't like two years ago, when Federer coasted while up 2 sets to choke it away in five to Jo-Willy Tsonga. That much was a crime against his legend. This underdog angry Federer is fun to watch; he knows they say he is done, but he still has something to prove. Those "I'm (still) Roger Federer" moments that were arrogance 8 years ago are endearing and inspiring now. After that Tsonga match, I wrote that he should walk away, especially if he had no heart to go down fighting. Now, I'm not leaving my TV, as long as Federer wants to be on it.
Today, for the first time in 36 major tournaments and 10 years, Federer exited the tournament prior to the quarterfinals. Just think about that. Some hack named Jimmy Connors did it 27 times, and hardly merits a mention.
I only saw the fourth and concluding set, the third consecutive to end in a tie-break. I do not know if he played poorly to end up in such a pickle. I do know that I have never so much enjoyed watching Federer lose. He played great tennis, in the parts that I saw. He evened the set at 3 after falling back 3-1, and battled all the way into the tie-break. He missed his opening to break at 4-3 to be on his way to a fifth and deciding set, where I believe he would have won. But let me give credit where credit is due: Sergiy Stakhovsky played out of his mind. He was unafraid. And Federer is still great enough that Sergiy has every right to brag. I beat Federer. I beat the greatest of all time. Federer is so great that a man playing far above expectations has to fight for every point, and is guaranteed nothing.
It wasn't like two years ago, when Federer coasted while up 2 sets to choke it away in five to Jo-Willy Tsonga. That much was a crime against his legend. This underdog angry Federer is fun to watch; he knows they say he is done, but he still has something to prove. Those "I'm (still) Roger Federer" moments that were arrogance 8 years ago are endearing and inspiring now. After that Tsonga match, I wrote that he should walk away, especially if he had no heart to go down fighting. Now, I'm not leaving my TV, as long as Federer wants to be on it.
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