The Hindu : Sport : A glimpse at the real Roger Federer

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Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006

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Sport

A glimpse at the real Roger Federer

It is fashionable to see Federer not as a person but as some elegantly engineered robot, writes Rohit Brijnath

Before anything else, before the thrill of victory slowly seeps into the bones, before contemplating his new place in history's scorebook, when the last point is won the predominant feeling that overcomes the champion is relief. It is done, he thinks.

And then, often, the athlete will simply let himself go, allow his emotions so long carefully imprisoned to break free, a sort of permission slip to the self that now, finally, it is ok to lose control.

Michael Jordan grasped his first NBA Trophy to himself like he might a child and wept. Tiger Woods fell into his father's arms on winning the Masters. Diego Maradona blubbered on his 1986 World Cup victory.

And on Sunday night, as extravagant with emotion as he usually is with shot-making, Roger Federer struggled to contain his tears after winning the Australian Open. It was the only battle he beautifully lost all fortnight.

It is fashionable occasionally to see Federer not as a person, but as some elegantly engineered robot. My God, it was noted, during his struggles through the tournament, Roger sweats, as if his insides are normally air-conditioned.

Emotional ride

But late in the tournament he sometimes lost his composure, erratic and irritated, appearing almost vulnerable, and it was revealing. For some this was the imperfect Federer, but perhaps it was a glimpse at the real Federer, momentarily unshackled from his impeccable control.

Listen up, he was saying, I may look composed mostly, but I rage within. Before the tournament began he admitted there are days when tennis is hard labour for him, but we laughed it off. His ease has disguised his effort and it pains him. He is artist yes, but pugilist too.

This should be evident. Thrice now in Grand Slam finals, Andy Roddick at

Wimbledon 2004, Agassi at the U.S. Open last year, Baghdatis on Sunday, players have confronted him with audacious shot-making, dominated sets, nudged at his self-belief, yet Federer has not wilted.

"I was struggling so much to hold my serve," he said after Sunday's final. "I was sweating like crazy. I thought, `Well, if this is going to continue, I'll probably lose and (only) a miracle is going to save me.'" But he, once a hothead, has trained himself to stay calmest amidst everyone else's storm of shots, alerting the clear-thinking warrior within him.

Striking similarities

In this he bears resemblance to Sampras, and not only there; indeed, so compelling are the similarities between him and the American, that Federer on Sunday called it "scary."

Born four days and 10 years apart, at exactly this time when 24, Sampras had seven Grand Slams, so does Federer; Sampras had won two Masters, so has Federer, the American had been the first since Laver to win three Slams in a row, now so has Federer, Sampras had 36 titles, Federer has 35.

Men labour a lifetime to win one Slam, for as Federer said "it is so hard to do." Especially for him, for so accomplished he has become that we believe he carries no fear, nor owns any doubt. He is not allowed, he said, to be sick. He must always be "physically strong" and "mentally tough." Every day, even as 127 opponents gang up with a solitary idea: beating him.

Match after match, he must manage nerve, stir desire, swallow pressure, staying normal in an abnormal environment and somehow willing himself to keep control.

Then he wins, and Rod Laver is shaking his hand, and the trophy within his grasp. Then it is all too much. Then he says, as if his tears didn't speak enough as it is: "I'm also just human."

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