Roger Federer: The Legend Continues
When someone is referred to as a legend, it would suggest that they are very successful, they are admired by a lot of people and their accomplishments can stand the test of time.
In the sport of tennis it would be difficult to find anyone who fits this description better than 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer.
Having just turned 38 years old earlier this month, his legend will continue into the US Open.
The tennis icon from Switzerland is currently the third ranked tennis player in the ATP rankings, and is still playing some of the best tennis in his career.
Proof that his game is still in top form came at Wimbledon, when he defeated world No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the semis and then battled world No. 1 Novak Djokovic to five gruelling sets in the championship match.
Although both Federer and Djokovic didn’t play their best tennis recently in Cincinnati, it’s a safe assumption that both men will bring their A games when they step onto the courts at Flushing Meadows for the US Open.
Many who watched their epic Wimbledon championship match witnessed tennis played at the highest level.
Roger Federer actually held two championship points during the fifth set when he was serving up 8-7, but couldn’t close the deal.
Afterwards, Djokovic had nothing but praise about Federer’s level of play in their four hour and 55 minute match at the All England Club.
“I thought most of the match I was on the back foot actually. I was defending. He was dictating the play. I just tried to fight and find a way when it mattered the most, which is what happened,” said the Serbian tennis superstar after his 7-6(5), 1-6, 7-6(4), 4-6, 13-12(3) championship win.
“This match had everything. It could have gone easily his way. He was serving extremely well. I had a lot of difficulties to read his serve.”
Federer was candid when describing how painful it was to let the Wimbledon title slip away.
“Take it on your chin, you move on. You try to forget, try to take the good things out of this match. There’s just tons of it,” said the 2019 Wimbledon runner up in his post match presser.
“I don’t know what I feel right now. I just feel like it’s such an incredible opportunity missed, I can’t believe it. It is what it is.”
Despite his disappointment with the result, Federer acknowledged how entertaining the match must have been for tennis and sports fans.
“I think it was a great match with wonderful points played. It had everything. Novak played also amazing today. So I hope it resonates in a big way,” he said.
A popular debate often discussed by tennis fans centres around the topic of who’s the best of the best. Many still give the nod to Federer because he has a total of 20 Grand Slams to his name – compared to Nadal who has 18, and Djokovic who has 16.
Of course a win in the championship match at Wimbledon would have further distanced Federer from Nadal and Djokovic. But instead, his heartbreaking loss allowed Djokovic to inch closer.
On the topic of chasing records and history, Federer reflected on his pursuit of Pete Sampras’ record and his mind set now in terms of adding more Majors to his name.
“Used to be a really, really big deal, you know, I guess when you were close. I guess two behind, then eventually you tie, then eventually you break. That was big,” Federer recalled.
“It’s been different since, naturally because the chase is in a different place. I take motivation from different places, you know. Not so much from trying to stay ahead because I broke the record, and if somebody else does, well, that’s great for them. You can’t protect everything anyway,” he continued.
“Yeah, so things are different now. But I’m very happy with my level of play nowadays still.”
After losing to the Swiss tennis legend in the semis at Wimbledon, Nadal weighed in on the on-going rivalry with Federer and Djokovic.
“It’s great to be part of this rivalry, be in the middle of these three players that achieved that much in this sport in the same era. Is something that is going to be difficult to see it again. We are not done, so… Things continue,” said the 33-year-old Nadal who recently won the Rogers Cup.
Djokovic also spoke about their rivalry and the chase of records and history.
“We’re kind of complementing each other. We’re making each other grow and evolve and still be in this game,” said the 2019 Wimbledon champ.
“Those two guys, probably one of the biggest reasons I still compete at this level. The fact that they made history of this sport motivates me as well, inspires me to try to do what they have done, what they’ve achieved, and even more,” he continued.
“Whether I’m going to be able to do it or not, I don’t know. I mean, I’m not really looking at age as a restriction of any kind for me at least,” added Djokovic about his quest to chase down his two rivals in terms of their overall Grand Slam titles count.
“What I said on the court, I really meant it: Roger really inspires me with his effort at his age.”
At 38, Roger Federer enters this year’s US Open not only as a fan favourite but also as one of the legitimate favourites to win it all. Federer fans are looking forward to him playing at the same elite level he displayed recently at Wimbledon.
And if he does, there’s a good chance that the 20-time Grand Slam champ can add another Major to his name – and his legend.
Main Photo:
