Gamemakers 1, Roger Federer 0: US Open 2011, another tournament falls prey – Tennis Special
The semi-final match of the US Open 2011 between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic was yet to be underway when there came a message from the higher powers a.k.a the Gamemakers. It read, "Oh Swiss Maestro lose like you were almost going to win, or we will make some allegations against you, set the media on you and make the few years you’ve left on tour very troublesome.”
As the sun set on Saturday, tennis fans all over the world witnessed a shocker indeed. When all the cows were set to sleep a bolt of lightning stuck with a message of Federer losing as he stood to grab one and only one point to walk into his seventh US Open final. So what really happened? Was it that Federer was trying to tell the 24-year-old that this is where you stand against me and I can bring back my days of glory but I won’t ruing yours??
How can one expect that the greatest player ever could not conclude with one and only one match point and a two set lead? Federer could have played the legendary through-the-leg “The Tweener” shot or hit an an ace or he could’ve just come up with a serve-and-volley tactic.
However, the case was already close before the culprits stood against the jury. Federer had to lose and let the young Serbian continue with his winning streak. The match started off with a beautiful afternoon with the Arthur Ashe Stadium spilling over with fans.
At the start the two entered with a huge roar and cheer for both the players, however, that cheer was just for the Swiss Maestro while Djokovic though “oh! They love me!!”
Starting with the match, the 30-year-old tennis sensation “Djokered” the Serbian, ruling him out in the first two sets straight, to take a comfortable lead. However, with a remarkable comeback, the world No.1 served bullets and hampered the world No.3 to cut the lead and level the match scores to two sets a piece.
The game then entered the final showdown. Serving the decider set, Federer took out the opening game to lead 1-0 and switched the serve. The match went on so long that the spectators had to use their hands to move their tired necks. With scores levelled up at 3-3, Federer served for game 7 and blistered the Serbian in game 8 with a smothering breakpoint win and leading 5-3.
Federer, on his way to win the match with the 9th game score at 40-0, stood still for a moment to think, “Yes. I think I have already won. Let’s not ruin the young ones career and tear him up into pieces. I have no hard feeling for him. Let him win” Something to appease the guilty conscience indeed.
With just one point left to conquer, Federer lost the game and the lead was down to 4-5 with Djokovic to serve next. Winning four straight games, the Serbian went crazy celebrating thinking he had done it, while the legend came up happy for the young ones emotions.
Thinking that a player of Federer’s calibre could not clinch that one point to win the match!? Or lose four straight games seems almost impossible! One cannot help but wonder that he “He gave it away on purpose.”
As Federer creeps towards a probable retirement, the corporate moguls pay no heed to the Old Man’s dreams as they mercilessly snatch away his chances of a record winning title, only to fill their own coffers.
Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in the article are the writer’s own personal views and have nothing to do with bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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