Roger Federer's Tennis Will Save The World

[boojay]

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Roger Federer's Tennis Will Save The World

Featured on peRFect Tennis

Let me first begin by stating that I have no illusions of fully expressing my deepest thoughts on what I'm about to write. I am not the genius writer that was David Foster Wallace, who authored possibly the single greatest piece of literature on Roger Federer, "Roger Federer as Religious Experience," and whose talent likely evolved into depression as he took his own life a few short years after writing that timeless masterpiece. Tennis fan or not, I highly recommend anyone google that article as it will provide inspiration to any and all who read it in any walk of life.

This will not be an essay about the artistry of Roger's game, but rather the impact he's had on the world because of it. Those who watch and play already know that Roger Federer playing tennis is, simply put, poetry in motion. By all standards currently known to the tennis world, his usage of kinematics is as near perfection as the human body can ever hope to muster in its most natural form. It's as though striking a tennis ball was never meant to be struck in any other way and unless you experience it for yourself, it's difficult to appreciate what he does on the court, but even so, the casual viewer will note that his style of play is quite different from everyone else: past, present, or in the immediate future.

To give some context, I'm writing this after having a week to digest the "not-so-epic" clash that took place between him and his great rival, Rafael Nadal, during the semis of the 2012 Australian Open. I needed to rationalize what happened because as much as I admire Federer, I could not understand why it looked to me like he was utterly lost during the most crucial moments of a career-defining match--particularly after he had such a phenomenal re-emergence over the past few months leading up to it. Those precious fleeting moments are what give us fans a rare glimpse into the true heart of a competitor and I cannot help but feel that we missed a chance to witness something great. Roger has shown us time and time again an uncanny ability to overcome disappointment, which is why it disturbs me when he folded the way he did. The ultimate stage was set, the stars were lined up, and he blinked. Again. Which is why I hope the following thoughts will provide some insight and possibly closure to those who have also been in a funk after watching our hero fall.

It seems the way Roger lives his life very much parallels his approach to tennis. He is always very calm, clairvoyant, and notably considerate of his peers. Admittedly, I exaggerated just a little bit in the title, but I actually do believe Roger's tennis serves as a steady framework for life (pun completely intended!!). There is a reason why Federer is considered one of the most 'respected & trusted' persons on the planet. It doesn't matter where you're from or what language you speak, you can be proud of the way he carries himself on AND off the court. In fact, Federer has always exhibited frightening wisdom beyond his years the very moment he became a recognizable figure. It's actually quite humbling when you think about it because that tells me he began seeing the bigger picture at a very early age--that is, he realized what his potential role could be on a global scale, on history, and he understood the implications of that responsibility. Whether or not that influenced his positive nature, I cannot say on his behalf, but that is certainly no different from the way he has managed his career up til now. They are undoubtedly connected for that reason. Roger has always talked about planning far ahead and I can see now; that philosophy applies to virtually everything he does.

What's this have to do with his underwhelming performance last week? Like many of his supporters, I had to question his decision-making and worse, his heart, because it was blatantly obvious he wasn't laying it all on the line the way Rafael Nadal routinely does without a second thought. I'm sure personal pride played a role as well as Roger's elegant (read: superior) style of play cannot be bothered with the image of desperation that would normally be associated with chasing down balls, but I think the more prominent reason for his seeming unwillingness to match Nadal's intensity is deeply tied-in with his goals for the future. Perhaps we are mistaking 'lack of effort' with 'purposeful preservation'. It's no secret that grinding out every point wears down the body as Nadal, five years Federer's junior, painfully knows all too well. For years, Roger has openly expressed a desire to compete at the highest levels for as long as he can and if saving himself now means in five years he'll still be competing for championships while the Nadals and Djokovics are forced into injury retirement, a loss here and there needs to be paid for that longevity. Rafael Nadal could very well be the fiercest competitor in sports, but he's paying his own price for that choice. I thought about Federer's passiveness and realized it would take a great deal of patience and maturity to stick to such a game plan, especially when you're losing. You have to truly believe in your own skill and play within your limits, which ironically, conflicts with the very nature of being competitive as it often requires you to go beyond. I have no doubt in my mind that Rafael Nadal is willing to die on the court, but this blind tenacity could very well be the same source of his downfall that will rob him of the future. To put it another way, now that the Australian Open is over, who is the still the freshest player ready to fight another day?

There are so many lessons that tennis can teach us about life, I could dedicate an entire section to just that, but I'll have to leave that for another time. Hopefully, after reading this, instead of getting down the next time Roger loses a big match, it will better prepare you for that disappointment when it does happen, and not only from watching tennis, but for life in general. Obviously, no one can stay at the top of the game forever. Contrary to popular belief (wishful thinking), it actually is impossible. This is precisely why we need to appreciate the moment while it's happening because it will eventually fade into memory whether we like it or not. Reminiscing is certainly nice, but nothing compares to being in the moment. Sometimes failure can drive us to do even greater things and we've seen how losses have often re-ignited Roger's insatiable desire to be the best. The same can be said after this loss, although win or lose, it will ALWAYS be a pleasure to watch him play because what he creates on the tennis court goes well beyond the scoreline for those of us lucky enough to realize it. I know in my case, Roger Federer has given me a glimpse into a world of what's possible.....no matter how impossible it appears to be.

[Rozroz]

hope you're right, buddy.

[OddJack]

I have no doubt Nadal-Djoker battle will give Rodge the oprning he needs to win a major.

[stringertom]

Welcome to the Gold Circle of membership in the Brotherhood Of The Eagle (BOTE). Allez Rogi! Project 17 awaits.

[mp2002]

Epic poast BooJay. Stringertom, thanks for the heads up

[RoddickistheMan]

Boojay more tennis vids 2012

[Rock Strongo]

I hope it's a French guy playing S&V...

[sureshs]

What impact has Roger's game had on the world? People are moving away from 90 sq inch frames and one-handed backhands. I would say Roddick and Nadal with their Babs and two-handed BHs have had far more impact.

[roundiesee]

Originally Posted by sureshs

What impact has Roger's game had on the world? People are moving away from 90 sq inch frames and one-handed backhands. I would say Roddick and Nadal with their Babs and two-handed BHs have had far more impact.

Suresh, do you think Federer would have won more often if he had used a racket like the APD, instead of his small-headed Prostaff? We can often debate the merits of both frames, but I think most of us would agree that the APD is far easier "to use".

[Sentinel]

Beautiful, boojay.

[TheCanadian]

Originally Posted by sureshs

What impact has Roger's game had on the world? People are moving away from 90 sq inch frames and one-handed backhands. I would say Roddick and Nadal with their Babs and two-handed BHs have had far more impact.

To put Federer in the same sentence with Roddick is insane. As for the 1HB, we have to wait and see. Lots of kids who watched Federer dominate tennis for many years are just growing up playing with a 1HB. There's an obvious time lag.

[fotisutmost]

Interesting thoughts...

[Feather]

Nobody judges a poem by the number of words it has. Likewise, for me, win or lose, nothing is more sweeter than watching the maestro of Tennis, Roger Federer play. But that said, I don't watch him play Rafael Nadal, as it hurts a lot when he loses to Rafa

Allez Roger, we are waiting for 17. And even if that doesn't happen, I will be a die hard Roger Federer fan till death.

[rockaholik]

great post boojay

[Polvorin]

I still question his tactics a little bit. I really don't like seeing him hit multiple backhands crosscourt. I think that once he gets Rafa out wide on the forehand with the first backhand, the second should go straight up the line every time. I think he should play like Nadal does more often, just pounding the backhand over and over because when he does it usually pays off. But it's as if he gets bored playing that way. It is beneath him. I think he would rather play good, interesting, and beautiful tennis than win the match. Which is a bit odd, but in a way I admire it.

It is frustrating..the extent to which he much he must outplay Nadal in order to win against him, because Roger is the one taking all the risks, while Rafa is basically taking none at all...retrieving and moonballing with heavy topspin for the most part, only attempting a winning shot when he is absolutely forced to try it. It takes such a high level for Roger to win playing the way he does. It has almost always looked in their matches that he doesn't believe he can sustain it for long enough to win, yet he refuses to change his game and try to win ugly.

[OTMPut]

Originally Posted by sureshs

What impact has Roger's game had on the world? People are moving away from 90 sq inch frames and one-handed backhands. I would say Roddick and Nadal with their Babs and two-handed BHs have had far more impact.

fed made me play tennis. i have been watching tennis since boris becker won his first wimbledon. never once i thought i should try and play. i see fed, i buy my first racquet (ps85) and was trying to looklike him with the backhand finish.

ditto for hundreds of thousands of chinese sporting an asian k90 and thinking they have fed's racquet.

and how can i leave out fed polos. the most beautiful sporting wear ever designed.

[wings56]

interesting theory about his lack of intensity to save himself for more matches...

i do remember many of agassi's matches where he let balls go by him... and he played phenomenal tennis into his thirties.

only the future will tell.

[DRII]

Nice article!

Although I must say; this kind of adoration (there are other words I could use) has (at times) turned me off to Federer and some of his fans and made me appreciate Nadal all that much more! I don’t mean to be disrespectful, as I said it was a good article and I certainly understand the loyalty and great appreciation, but Federer’s fans (much like the man himself) comes off as a little dismissive. However, I admit that it takes extreme talent to allow for such flippancy (i.e. the presumptuousness of ‘purposeful preservation’). Its like the aura and distinct foot print of pedigree; a type of elegance and grace that only a certain type of talent seems to allow. Federer has this type of talent, however it doesn’t seemed earned (at least not to near the extent Nadal has earned his), it seems as though it was almost birthright. It’s the antithesis of the former that endears Nadal to my heart more so than Federer. Nadal clings to his intensity and his passion like a man who feels he’s always an underdog! Like the grasp he had at #1, eclipsing the best in world (perhaps the best in history), would always be a tenuous one; which has proven to be the case – so he fights and gives his absolute all, all of the time. While perhaps not poetry in motion, it most certainly is a living testament of tenacity!

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by OTMPut

fed made me play tennis. i have been watching tennis since boris becker won his first wimbledon. never once i thought i should try and play. i see fed, i buy my first racquet (ps85) and was trying to looklike him with the backhand finish.

ditto for hundreds of thousands of chinese sporting an asian k90 and thinking they have fed's racquet.

and how can i leave out fed polos. the most beautiful sporting wear ever designed.

I wear his Nike shoes, that is all. His racquet is too big for me (I use the PS 85).

[wings56]

Originally Posted by sureshs

I wear his Nike shoes, that is all. His racquet is too big for me (I use the PS 85).

+1 for sureshs