Roger Federer; has the Champagne expired for the Swiss tennis ace?
“Has the Champagne expired for Jimmy Connors?" was the headline coated on the cover page of a tennis magazine several years ago when Jimmy was dethroned from being the king of tennis. Roger Federer’s defeat in the quarter-finals of the French Open 2010 pushed many fans into history to remember the dreaded headline years ago. Last year, Federer only won two big titles while he was only able to make his way into four final matches. The man won his fourth Australian Open title just about five months ago with an absolute command in the field. However, history does repeat itself.
As they say, cheers finish off brusquely for the big champions who fail to impress for a long period. In 1969, the Grand Slam calendar-year was won by Rod Laver. But unfortunately for him, he did not manage to make his way into any other major final. Similarly, John McEnroe in 1984 won the U.S. Open along with the Wimbledon Championships. However, the American tennis ace never won any other major title in the following year. Mats Wilander is the third name that comes to mind that has the same tragic story. He couldn’t even manage to come close to any Grand Slam title ever again after winning three of the four major titles in the year 1988.
So it’s not unrealistic to wonder whether the Swiss tennis ace has reached the finale of his career as well. Interestingly, the 29-year-old Swiss tennis star, who is also the father of two young daughters, has the spirit to battle it out for regaining his number one spot that he recently lost to Rafael Nadal?
According to Federer, a good player must settle in quickly with all sorts of conditions and keep on growing in order to stay on top of the line. The same technique might not work any longer for an entire career. Tennis is a kind of game that alters after every five years as said by Federer this year in January.
During the early period of tennis, matches were played in a totally different manner. It was more of a deceiving game combined with some good serves but there was always a margin of weakness to go for. However, today this is not the case anymore.
The game of tennis is expanding. The crude strength of present day tennis has put a full stop to the one-handed backhand. In case, if Justin and Federer were twelve years younger, they would perhaps be putting both of their hands on the off side.
Nadal discovered that rattling, "inside-in" forehand, quite similar to Indiana Jones fastening his leather whip. Majority of his colleagues find it really hard to do it. However, a couple of talented teenage players find that the weird turn of the arm is very easy. Slow tracks and top notch racket strings have made it much easier. The new technique has already affected the women’s version of the game.
As far as Federer is concerned, he will turn 30 next year and is fighting against his age. He will find it equally hard to keep up with the pace of rising tennis stars as was the case with McEnroe or Wilander. However, one good news for Roger Federer is that he definitely can keep up with the fast pace of the young generation even if he turns 30. He only has to prepare his mind in order to fight for his number one position and things will be settle down automatically as there are no doubts what so ever about the talent of the great champion, Roger Federer. The question is, is Federer ready to fight it out?
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