The King and I

It's funny how I've gone a year w/o talking bout Roger Federer here. The night after yet another re-writing of the history books. The Man's done it all, and then some more. We've been here 7 times in the past. Wimbledon final. Centre Court. On the verge of Grand Slam success. But this one might just be the most special of them all. Considering where we stood less than a year back.

I won't be forgetting the USO semi-final loss to Novak in a while. Tsonga was the first to do it. Novak repeated it the very next slam. Devastating, considering Roger was playing tennis far superior to the Tsonga game. Another loss, rounding off a miserable 18 months for a Federer fan. Not because the Man wasn't where we'd like him to be, but more so because the boo-boys were getting louder and shriller. 

Look, being a fan and supporting someone means accepting the good with the bad. I get that. I get that Roger's not going to win tournaments in the very fashion he did 6 years ago. I get that he's 30 going on 31. I'm ok with criticism for the most part - especially when it's well thought out and going somewhere. But, as far as the past 2 years went, I've had to sit through a lot of bullshit. From the monotonous "High time he retired. He's doing tennis, nay his memory a disservice by playing" to the juvenile, everything from "16 Grand Slams don't mean a thing if he never had any real opposition", to him being a sore loser, to him being secretly the most arrogant Tennis player in history (this, because he "dared" to wear a personally designed jacket). I mean, if I'd heard the words "washed-up" one more time, I'd have blood on my hands.

       I'm not saying people don't have a right to criticize, but when the people who do the criticizing are ones whose Tennis viewership goes back to (gasp) 2006 while prancing around like they're meant to be the next Bud Collins ( yes, douches, I'm sure you don't know who he is. Hence, the reference) , I couldn't not get pissed off. I do fight back, but there's only so many levels of idiocy that I can get down to, to try to make sense at their level.

So, after the semi loss to Novak, morale was at an all time low. Even the actual Tennis pundits had written him off. Did I write Roger off? No, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't doubt him. And I'll be honest - I'd rather have him go out while he's near the top than playing on to mediocre insignificance the way Hewitt has been. But there was one reason I couldn't get myself to throw in the towel. Roger hadn't.

Over the years, there've been many things said about Roger. It's usually the classy, steamrolling, majestic, elegant types. Fight is rarely one of them. But that was what I saw Roger doing. 2011 had been his weakest year on tour. Dropping out of the Top 3, a title drought stretching 10 months, losing some close matches. Still, he was optimistic in his interviews; he was playing with a goal in mind, it just hadn't worked out. Then, it all clicked into place. Not really. Roger fought and clawed his way back. He took a break for 2 months. recharged. Then fought back. He won Basel, which broke the drought. Then, played Paris for the first time in years. And won without dropping a set. The World Tour Finals was won, with a very important win over Tsonga in the final. Hard fought, proving he could hang in there when it mattered. Ending the year on a high helped, and Roger continued his form into 2012. Losses at the two Grand Slams notwithstanding, Roger won two ATP titles, including a first on clay in 3 years. Still, it wasn't enough for the boo-boys.

Which is why this Wimbledon was perfect. Because it wasn't. This wasn't a Roger, all-conquering, majesting, winning in first gear. This was Roger, fighting all the way through. The Benneteau match exemplified that. For all purposes, Roger should've been out. All that remained was the knock-out blow. No one told him that. The Malisse match confirmed it. And while the quarter and semi were exhibitions in grass court tennis, yesterday's final was more of the same. Clean it wasn't. Roger looked second best for a lot  of the first two sets. But, he fought again. Murray had chances a plenty. But Roger hung on, to cap a magnificent win.

Yes, writer from the Times, Roger changed his game. Engaged in slug fests. Charged the net more. But, don't you dare tell me what you saw yesterday wasn't brilliance. The drop from the baseline in the second set was one of the shots of the tourney. Only someone stupid as you would criticize him for not adapting, then continue to call him out for doing it.

Do I think this win will silence the haters? Not one bit. They'll still come up with gems like they did today. "The 1,7,17 is selfish. The absent Davis Cup means Roger plays only for himself", OR "The ATP ranking suck. Novak is the true No. 1. Now and for ever". Right now, I don't care. The Man's back at the top. Thanks a ton, Roger, for being in my corner. I'll be in yours forever.