Yet another epic - A great vs 'the greatest' ?!

Federer forces me to blog and I shall not resist this time…

For all tennis lovers, the US open 2005 finals is a must-see (atleast the highlights). It is an epic where two masters, to whom the corners, borders and baselines of tennis courts bend-in & give-in, were testing each other. Especially, the first three set fights made one feel that tennis is still not given in to power play – serve and smash, started by the likes of Goran Ivanisevic.

Andre, at 35, is no doubt the greatest mens player currently in circuit. Federer, at 24, is probably and most-likely the greatest of them all as future records would point. The match between these two, was indeed “very special”, as put by Fedex after storming through towards the end. The crowd rooted for Andre, understandably so – it was very much needed tonic to put up an enthralling fight against the Swiss tennis machine. However, this swiss machine doesn’t make proceedings appear robotic, it serves the beauty, grace, swiftness and dexterity for one to reminisce, chew and enjoy in times to come. The game was over in 4 sets and the scorelines (except for the third set which reads 7-6) would not make one feel this was a classic, but it was - while the great Andre played the tennis of his life, the greatest played the best of the tournament. The post-match quotes shows the humility, graciousness and greatness of the two players.

To me, the most inspiring aspect of the match is the “anger” of the swiss, which elevates him to a higher plane from rest of the mortals. By second set of the match, the number of unforced back-hand errors was digging a grave, self-inflicted by himself and induced by the persistent Andre, who was flying the ball across all corners. One could see (or was it my perception?) the anger mercury rising in Federer on being over-powered, which hit a peak around mid-third set. Thatz when Federer started returning back - dominating the match, whereafter Andre didn’t know what hit him. I feel the anger at being outplayed and the crowd rubbing salt on the injury by cheering on Andre (in his last show at US open, perhaps) throughout brought the best out of Federer.

The men at top do not like getting their ego trampled. The more you try to subdue them, the more they rise, like a phoenix from the ashes. There are two things – one is to routinely playing near their best, which is good enough to keep the lesser mortals at a distance and second is to hit back with a force and play the best in situations of crisis. These two things exactly mark the “hall of greatness” upon the immortals in every sport or field, for that matter. Thatz precisely what was on display on Sunday’s match at US Open. I hope there are more Andres to bring the best out of Swiss God in future…

Again, do watch atleast the recorded version of US Open 2005 finals. The “anger” may do to you what it did to me (albeit temporarily) - rub on you, inspire you and pump fresh oxygen in the otherwise sedate soul…