("What We Will Miss Most About Roger Federer")
Why him?
Because those who play individual sports stand without cover before us. Greatness, or something less, on full display.
Week after week and year after year we attached to Tiger Woods. His triumphs visceral. His struggles engrossing. His resurrection, personal and professional, almost beyond adequate description.
Roger Federer suffered losses with as much emotion and dignity as he celebrated his wins. For two decades we were drawn to his heart nearly as much as we were to his game. He gave us everything he possessed. We gave him unfettered love in response.
In the 21st century, these two men have captured our attention in ways that others, whose accomplishments take place as part of a team have not, cannot.
Rafa and Novak had the great fortune, and misfortune, to play alongside Roger. They will forever be but in his shadow, no matter what the numbers say. There can only be one number one, one to whom we have attached in ways that go far beyond what the record book reports.
As we watch Roger Federer's tearful exit from the stage, those are our tears he wipes away from his cheeks. He stood alone on the court. He leaves with millions walking beside him.
1 comment:
Yes I think this is great and true. Actually, I think all 3 of them are lucky (and unlucky) to have played alongside each other. Each took away many GS's and other titles and records from the other, but I also think that if Federer never had Rafa and/or Nole...or vice-a-versa...strangely even though their records and accomplishments would be even more so...I'm not sure their legend and their beyond tennis (and beyond sport) aura/connection/attachment to the masses would be near the same. It allowed for each to be more humanized in wins, losses, struggles, true equals in competition, etc...and to see more than otherwise the character of each.
But as you said...no matter what the record books say...no one, in my opinion, will have the impact that Roger has/had nor do it both on and off the court with as much beauty and grace (in current time...of course BJK, Ashe, etc did before and the Williams sisters do have equal footing here). I love Rafa a lot too and think he's truly an amazing person as well....and does all of tennis/sport/people things that Roger does (Nole as well but his personality doesn't allow him to be as universally loved)...but Roger has elevated the sport in a way no one else could have. He's genuine through and through. He has something innate that makes everything he does...even just walking down the street...look as if how one would describe what the perfect way would look, and make you feel like you're listening to your favorite song on a picture perfect day.
I think there's a distinct difference between Roger and Tiger in regard to how they are as humans on and off the court/course...but the singularity of their sport and your point about such is spot on.
BK
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