I have been dreaming about seeing
Roger Federer slide on a clay court for two years now. I’ve recognized the
possible implication of seeing this beautiful event – it may be Roger’s way of
saying good-bye forever. And so, the last few weeks have been nothing less than
a celebration. Roger isn’t done yet. Roger wants to play on clay. Not only that,
he’s playing a semi-final on the surface. Extraordinary. I cannot imagine any
other player making a return after a hiatus as long as this without showing
existential struggle in competing with the best.
Roger is really one of the
greatest players on clay. My favorite match of him is the French Open
semi-final against Novak Djokovic in 2011. Djokovic was on a hot streak and was
threatening to complete a Grand Slam. Roger beat Novak with authority. Every
Federer fan remembers him winning the last point there and walking towards the
net with a swagger, waving his index finger in the air, “I am still Number
One.” This match ended up having immense historical significance; Djokovic
won all the other three Majors that year.
When Roger plays on clay he
somehow manages to subsume the physical aspect of the surface under a pristine
flawless exterior of smooth movement and fluid-like shot making. Watching him
slide to a shot or seeing him execute a few more drop shots or seeing him use
the extra bounce on the forehand to devastating precision…we are not worthy.
For reasons that are difficult to
explicate I cannot watch the Federer-Nadal French Open match today. I cannot
even follow it online – I have no internet. I can only reflect on this moment.
Despite having no access to the match, I feel privileged to know that we can
see another match between these greats at Roland Garros. I have written
previously how I have always hoped to see Federer triumph on the red clay at
Paris only to be left resigned to the absolute dominance of the Spaniard. It’s
just a bad match-up.
Of course, I don’t expect Federer
to win. I actually expect him to lose in straight sets. Anything more would be
a bonus. Just don’t get bagel-ed, Roger.
We are truly lucky to be alive in
this era.
Postscript: Phew.
