“I've worked extremely hard since I lost that match point
against Novak last year at the U.S. Open”- Roger Federer
Sitting with both hands clasped together, I cheered for
Roger Federer saying it loudly: “Federer please make sure you serve well.” At that very instant, US Open 2011 semifinals
memories flashed back and I said to myself, "Federer, you got to make that serve;
you have not come so far just to lose now".
And then as soon as I saw Djokovic’s return went in the
net, I jumped in joy with a big YES. Roger Federer had won against defending
champion to book his eighth Wimbledon finals appearance. I was elated not as a fan of Roger Federer but it was for
the joy of humanity, joy of seeing a person achieving his goals when everyone
had thought the opposite for him.
He is 30+, he still fights out in tennis courts when all the
analysts and critics have waived him off just like another bus ticket. After all
it’s the generation of the young guns. How can a player above 30 be so
confident about reaching the finals leave apart reclaim the World No.1 ranking?
How can Roger Federer even think of survival in the
presence of Djokovic /Nadal? Doesn’t he know that tennis was not anymore for
him? Wasn’t 7 wimbledon finals enough for him?
Doesn’t he know that in today’s world present matters and not the past?
Doesn’t he know that all the critics have the lifetime experience of predicting
what’s best for him?
Roger Federer was the underdog in today’s match as per so called
experts. He should have retired long back – doesn’t he know that ? Oh My, what
a shock it must have been for everyone who had written him off and was calling
for his retirement.
I just can’t help smiling and looking at admiration towards the
champion known as The Fedex. Why?
Because when I look at him, he gives me hope about my
dreams. He gives me belief that what matters in life is your own faith in
yourself. The whole world might be against you but it’s you who matter. It’s
the power of your mind and hard work that determines your success even when you grow
old.
When I look at him, he gives me inspiration to not give up
in any circumstances. He gives me the faith to stand strong at times of
adversity. Just today, I felt certain colleagues did not react the way I wanted
them to react to my idea and infact when I
knew I was pretty damn good. I was upset and sad. Then I thought of
Federer and his defeat against Tsonga last year. He said to everyone that he
played well and he knew in his heart that against Tsonga and Djokovic (US Open
), he was good. But did anyone believe him?
Should he have also gone and sat in a corner sad and not
work even harder than before. Should he have given up hope and stopped working?
If at the age of 30, he is not ready to give up, why should I ?
That’s why I say, Federer's win in the semi finals is not about being happy as a fan, it’s about being joyful for the purpose of humanity. It’s about how inspiring it is to see someone
stick to his goals even in dire circumstances and not deviating from his path.
It’s about a person’s perseverance and belief to do the impossible. It’s about a lesson that we can all learn to
implement in our lives and make sure we stick to our goals no matter how much
resistance we face.
Even if you are fans of other tennis players, I would still
suggest all of you to cheer not for Federer- The Player but for Federer - The Person’s determination and will power to
prove to the world that there is nothing bigger in this world than a person’s
thoughts and action.
Because, Roger Federer’s game is more than a sport right
now, it’s about life, emotion, passion, and some of the greatest highs and lows we can experience. It’s about his
fight against the world to set an example to everyone: “Never underestimate the
power and ability of anyone”
Superb...
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