Please come back to your best, Federer

Every boy has his hero in sports, and an Indian would generally have one in Cricket. I had heroes too, one in each sport.

All, but one, were heroes alone.

That one turned into an idol, creeping into my mind every single night and telling me that greatness is not bestowed upon, but achieved. He was 27 by the time I had started watching him; or rather, started understanding the game.

A 27 year old, sleek American guy weaving his magic, not with a wand but his racquet. Pete Sampras, then, for me was the greatest.

But he was not. That person, whom I had drooled over, went down. I expected the slide due to a fall in form, but he was being eclipsed not because he was weak, but because there was a greater force rising.

July 2nd, 2001: Wimbledon- 4th Round.

Little did I know that this match would change the course of tennis forever. Sampras, my idol, was being challenged by a 19 year old suave, hairy Swiss with a charming smile and unimaginable technique. For the first time, I was actually appreciating my idol’s opponent even when he was being defeated.

The Swiss won, dethroning my idol. Surprisingly, after the final point, instead of crying in disbelief, I was on my feet, congratulating the youth. That match marked the beginning of a decade which most Tennis fans would call, the “Decade of The GOAT!”

2002-2007 was HIS time. He played and won tournaments and all others were just tools used by God to show to the world what a good player he was. Be his luscious forehand, perfectly crafted one handed backhand or the mind boggling between-the-legs shot, he was at his best.

In the middle of the era that marked the sport’s greatest ever, emerged a young Spaniard who initially was confined to victories on clay. The Spaniard, later referred to as “Spanish Bull”, conquered the clay court which until now had never been conquered the way he had. Another great was born.

The GOAT was never comfortable on clay, so it was obvious that his dominance reached everywhere but there. He would’ve captured that too, but for the grit of the Spaniard. He was challenged by the Spaniard, in what we still believe is the GOAT’s backyard (the Wimbledon) twice and he managed to sustain. But everything has to come to an end, doesn’t it?

July 6th, 2008: Wimbledon: Final – Rafael Nadal

The GOAT had reached the finals, as everyone had expected him to, and he was facing his arch rival. He was able to keep him out of his way twice, but the Spaniard wouldn’t give up. He HAD to win, and boy, did he win it in style. This tie showed the world that even the GOAT was mortal.

He was immortal, but for his Achilles’ heel, Rafael Nadal.

Their sojourn continued, both grabbing almost all of the Slams that came their way, and when they crossed paths, they made life difficult for the other. It was a treat for me because I worshiped Nadal and he had the upper hand in the rivalry.

They won, they lost, they fell, they fought, but all was a treat for us to watch!

Then, as I already said everything has to come to an end.

2013, the year which most of the Rafa fans (including me) would describe as the fairy tale year. It saw him rise back to power in inconceivable fashion. While we were gleaming over the fact that our hero had fought back impeccably, there was, however, a fact that was gradually unfolding.

The GOAT, Roger Federer is slowly fading away.

His play, that previously consisted of style and elegance, is now doomed with uncertainty. Unforced errors, which occurred once in a while, have become more of a habit now.

Maybe his time had come. It is saddening for a tennis fan to see the GOAT play like that. It hurts to see the underdogs think a match against Federer is a blessing, for they can say they beat the GOAT (They do not speak of his vulnerability; the defeat is all that counts).

Being a Nadal supporter, all I ever wanted was a Fedal final. Now, that seems to be like a distant dream. Though I love Nadal, I would say with pride that the GOAT is the greatest.

In Nadal’s words,

“If anyone ever says that I am better than Federer, then they know nothing about Tennis.”

And now to see that greatness going down is distressing.

Why God, why, why is this happening? Does greatness always have to end?

At this moment, I’d like to say something to Federer.

Thank you for the fascinating play. Thank you for the innumerable jaw dropping moments. Thank you for those inarticulate FEDAL moments.

Most importantly, thank you for playing when I could watch you.

If you can please come back, confer upon us the privilege of watching you play, at your best, please, for the love of God, and most importantly for the love of the game, COME BACK!