Roger Federer won his sixth Cincinnati Masters title and his 80th career title as he beat David Ferrer 6-3, 1-6, 6-2, maintaining his 100% record against the Spanish veteran.
In the last two years Federer has suffered something of a fall from grace– he hasn’t won a Grand Slam in eight attempts and has only made one Final in that time: he lost to Novak Djokovic in the most recent Major to date at Wimbledon, failing to win his eighth Wimbledon title and claim the record for most wins in SW19 outright.
It is worth mentioning that Roger Federer is now thirty-three years old; only he and Andre Agassi have won Majors over the age of the thirty in this century. It is harsh to be expecting him to be winning every major going, particularly in America and England where he is strongest, like he used to as his title rivals are becoming fitter than him as his pace starts to dwindle, as is natural with men over thirty. Perhaps we should just hope for the best from him, ideally some magic moments in the non-Majors and some appearances in the latter rounds of the Grand Slams, and if he can win his eighteenth Grand Slam, eighth Wimbledon and the like then that is a huge bonus for him and his fanbase.
Roger’s 80th title is a monumental achievement. The fact that he has been able not only to appear in so many tournaments in his time, but keep competing at the top level all the way through proves that he is one of the greatest sportsmen of all time, let alone Tennis players. Yes, sportsmen such as Phil “The Power” Taylor may still be looking down upon him with his more than 150 career titles, but Federer competes in a sport which is firmly a young man’s game.
It is unlikely that Roger Federer will retire whilst he’s still capable of playing professional tennis. There is no question that he absolutely loves the sport and it seems he will carry on until the bitter end. Perhaps he isn’t interested in going out on a high and, as is always entertaining to say in an Andy Murray voice, just wants to play tennis.
Roger Federer is one of few men in any sport who have almost mastered every single aspect of their respective sports. Throughout his career he has been in the Top Three, possibly slightly lower than that in less successful times, and few sportsmen have been able to do that: Tiger Woods has been at the very top of Golf in every aspect; Phil Taylor has been the best in every aspect of Darts; Gary Sobers got pretty close to mastering every aspect of Cricket, but very few others have been able to do that- it is unfair to expect Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to be able to take long throw-ins however.
The Fed Express (excuse me for the number of cliche nicknames I’m having to use, anyone have any new ideas?) goes into the US Open with some decent form under his belt. He may have lost to Jo Wilfried-Tsonga in Toronto, but this fightback in Cincinnati means that his final event before Flushing Meadows will be a winning one.
Can Roger Federer end his wait for an eighteenth Grand Slam? Hang on, we’re supposed to be lowering our expectations of him. Roger Federer will crash out in the First Round.
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