On August 8th, 1981, a tennis god graced this planet. 33 years, 3 months and 13 days later, the man by the name of Roger Federer has won 17 major titles, 82 ATP titles, 995 career matches, an Olympic Gold Medal and has spent 302 weeks at number 1 in the world, 237 of them being consecutive. Oh and he has made $88,611,538 in career prize money as well as hundreds of millions more from highly lucrative sponsors such as Rolex, Mercedes Benz, Gillette, Nike, Wilson, Moet and Chandon, Lindt Chocolatier and Credit Suisse. The Swiss Maestro has an extremely loyal wife and highly dedicated parents as well as two sets of young twins.
What more could the man ask for?
Well, there is one thing. A Davis Cup Title.
This Friday, November 21, Federer’s native Switzerland takes on France in the Davis Cup finals in Lille against a deep and talented French squad with the likes of perennial top 20 players Jo- Wilfried
Tsonga, Gael Monflis and Richard Gasquet.
Federer is on the heels of one of his most impressive professional seasons in many years, finishing the year ranked number two in the world, accumulating a 72-11 record, which included five titles, five Davis Cup singles wins, a finals appearance at Wimbledon and wins over 21 of the top 25 players in the world (excluding Nadal, Gulbis, Isner and Kolschreiber).
He is also on the heels of some major criticism from fans, experts and journalists after he pulled out of the championship match at the ATP World Tour Finals with a suspicious back injury against world number 1 Novak Djokovic. To Federer’s defense, he played a 2 hour and 47 minute thriller against Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka the night before and stated risking an injury at his age as the reason he defaulted. Federer said, "I tried all year to be ready for the ATP World Tour Finals, and I didn't want it to end this way. It would be too risky at my age to do this right now and I hope you understand.”
Thus, a wide range of criticisms, complaints and arguments ensued.
Fans were justifiably disappointed, but were also genuinely mad at Federer for putting a halt to a clash between the two best players in the world that had been hyped up for many weeks. While people supported Federer’s decision, many did not seem to buy his rationale probably because he sounded ‘soft’ or weak.
Eurosport journalist Alex Chick took the critique to another level writing an article this past Monday titled, “Shameful Roger Federer has betrayed spirit of sport.” Within the content of the article, Chick bashes Federer in an efficient manner, clearly stating his opinion and argument. Chick believes Federer’s withdrawing from the championship match was “imperceptible” due to his last minute decision and the vast importance of the year’s culminating event. He also strongly argues that the real reason Federer pulled out was not a result of Federer being too injured to play, but rather because he was too injured to win. Lastly, Chick states that Federer did not only cost thousands of fans a minimum of 60 euros per ticket, he also cost the sport of tennis a great deal by not living up to his usual standards of being the greatest ambassador the sport has ever seen.
On top of all of this, Federer received a great deal of heat for an argument between his wife, Mirka and his Swiss Davis Cup teammate Stanislas Wawrinka during their semi final match in London. Wawrinka and Mrs. Federer clearly had a previous history of bickering during matches, the most recently being the Wimbledon quarterfinals, a match Federer won in four sets. This time, it occurred at 5 all deuce in the third set, after Wawrinka had blown three match points. He claimed that Mirka was talking right before Wawrinka was going to return. Wawrinka complained to umpire, but the match went on with Federer ultimately winning in thrilling tiebreak fashion. Both Federer and Wawrinka see the conflict as water under the bridge and are focusing on their Davis Cup tie with France this weekend.
The high degree of drama Federer faced last week is something he is not accustomed to. Sure, it was uncharacteristic of Federer to allow his camp to get involved in a match and even more unusual that he pulled out of the final a highly significant tournament. It was a clear mistake of Federer’s, but had he pulled out of any other match and followed it up with incredible results, fans and critics would have moved on. But simply because it was the last match of the season, people will only remember his mistake and have a bad taste in their mouth, rather than remembering his brilliant season.
Fans can complain and journalists can call him soft and weak, but we simply cannot take away from what the man from Basel has accomplished this year, especially considering it came right after the worst season of his career where he finished number six in the world. Federer’s return to the top of mountain in professional tennis is arguably one of his greatest accomplishments. Just a year after of losses to the likes of Daniel Brands (currently number 318 in the world) and Sergiy Stakhovsky in the second round of Wimbledon and countless doubters saying that he was done and would never come close to returning to top form, Federer has had a magical season, proving to everyone that he is right back in contention to win major titles.
With the help of his new coach Stefan Edberg and a bigger Wilson frame, Federer has revolutionized the game for older players in an era where youth, heavy topspin and modern technology is supposed to dominate. He has also proved his Cal Ripken like longevity, competing in all four majors for the 15th straight year (60 total). So on the eve of tomorrow’s Davis Cup Final, Federer has the chance to complete the one missing piece of hardware from his trophy case.
He has always been the best at moving on from disappointment or a tough loss, but now he will have to forget about the drama he faced last week and try to bring home the all-illusive crown to his homeland. You can be sure that the maestro will bring his A game in what should be a special weekend in Lille.
What more could the man ask for?
Well, there is one thing. A Davis Cup Title.
 |
| Fed crushing "The Best a Man Can Get Look" |
This Friday, November 21, Federer’s native Switzerland takes on France in the Davis Cup finals in Lille against a deep and talented French squad with the likes of perennial top 20 players Jo- Wilfried
Tsonga, Gael Monflis and Richard Gasquet.
Federer is on the heels of one of his most impressive professional seasons in many years, finishing the year ranked number two in the world, accumulating a 72-11 record, which included five titles, five Davis Cup singles wins, a finals appearance at Wimbledon and wins over 21 of the top 25 players in the world (excluding Nadal, Gulbis, Isner and Kolschreiber).
He is also on the heels of some major criticism from fans, experts and journalists after he pulled out of the championship match at the ATP World Tour Finals with a suspicious back injury against world number 1 Novak Djokovic. To Federer’s defense, he played a 2 hour and 47 minute thriller against Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka the night before and stated risking an injury at his age as the reason he defaulted. Federer said, "I tried all year to be ready for the ATP World Tour Finals, and I didn't want it to end this way. It would be too risky at my age to do this right now and I hope you understand.”
Thus, a wide range of criticisms, complaints and arguments ensued.
Fans were justifiably disappointed, but were also genuinely mad at Federer for putting a halt to a clash between the two best players in the world that had been hyped up for many weeks. While people supported Federer’s decision, many did not seem to buy his rationale probably because he sounded ‘soft’ or weak.
Eurosport journalist Alex Chick took the critique to another level writing an article this past Monday titled, “Shameful Roger Federer has betrayed spirit of sport.” Within the content of the article, Chick bashes Federer in an efficient manner, clearly stating his opinion and argument. Chick believes Federer’s withdrawing from the championship match was “imperceptible” due to his last minute decision and the vast importance of the year’s culminating event. He also strongly argues that the real reason Federer pulled out was not a result of Federer being too injured to play, but rather because he was too injured to win. Lastly, Chick states that Federer did not only cost thousands of fans a minimum of 60 euros per ticket, he also cost the sport of tennis a great deal by not living up to his usual standards of being the greatest ambassador the sport has ever seen.
 |
| The speech that stirred all the controversy |
On top of all of this, Federer received a great deal of heat for an argument between his wife, Mirka and his Swiss Davis Cup teammate Stanislas Wawrinka during their semi final match in London. Wawrinka and Mrs. Federer clearly had a previous history of bickering during matches, the most recently being the Wimbledon quarterfinals, a match Federer won in four sets. This time, it occurred at 5 all deuce in the third set, after Wawrinka had blown three match points. He claimed that Mirka was talking right before Wawrinka was going to return. Wawrinka complained to umpire, but the match went on with Federer ultimately winning in thrilling tiebreak fashion. Both Federer and Wawrinka see the conflict as water under the bridge and are focusing on their Davis Cup tie with France this weekend.
 |
| Wawrinka clearly frustrated with Mirka Federer |
The high degree of drama Federer faced last week is something he is not accustomed to. Sure, it was uncharacteristic of Federer to allow his camp to get involved in a match and even more unusual that he pulled out of the final a highly significant tournament. It was a clear mistake of Federer’s, but had he pulled out of any other match and followed it up with incredible results, fans and critics would have moved on. But simply because it was the last match of the season, people will only remember his mistake and have a bad taste in their mouth, rather than remembering his brilliant season.
Fans can complain and journalists can call him soft and weak, but we simply cannot take away from what the man from Basel has accomplished this year, especially considering it came right after the worst season of his career where he finished number six in the world. Federer’s return to the top of mountain in professional tennis is arguably one of his greatest accomplishments. Just a year after of losses to the likes of Daniel Brands (currently number 318 in the world) and Sergiy Stakhovsky in the second round of Wimbledon and countless doubters saying that he was done and would never come close to returning to top form, Federer has had a magical season, proving to everyone that he is right back in contention to win major titles.
 |
| Just 17 months ago Federer was shocked by Ukraine's Sergiy Stahkovsky in 4 sets at Wimbledon |
With the help of his new coach Stefan Edberg and a bigger Wilson frame, Federer has revolutionized the game for older players in an era where youth, heavy topspin and modern technology is supposed to dominate. He has also proved his Cal Ripken like longevity, competing in all four majors for the 15th straight year (60 total). So on the eve of tomorrow’s Davis Cup Final, Federer has the chance to complete the one missing piece of hardware from his trophy case.
 |
| Federer in action earlier this year vs. Kazakhstan |
He has always been the best at moving on from disappointment or a tough loss, but now he will have to forget about the drama he faced last week and try to bring home the all-illusive crown to his homeland. You can be sure that the maestro will bring his A game in what should be a special weekend in Lille.
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