Tommy Robredo: In the 'Theatre of Comebacks'

Coup de théâtre (French, Noun) : A performance depicting a dramatic surprise; a sensational bit of stagecraft.

Three matches, three opponents, three five-setters and just the same story – Tommy Robredo’s momentous comeback after being two sets down. It’s a tale that would make any storyteller proud. Heroics of this kind don’t happen to everyone, everyday and definitely not to the same person; thrice in a row.

The world watched as tears poured out of Robredo’s eyes after his fourth round victory over Almagro. An overwhelming moment, it spoke of many things. There were hints of audacity mixed with perseverance. There was determination to succeed as there was courage to face a loss, in case of that eventuality. But above all, there was hope that the comeback wouldn’t go in vain.

And it hasn’t. On the contrary, Robredo’s comeback heroics have gone on to put him on a unique pedestal in the game’s list of record-holders. The last man to win back-to-back five setters was Frenchman Henry Cochet at Wimbledon, 86-years ago, in 1927. And even Cochet’s incredible run at that time didn’t stretch to three matches. Robredo’s one-better of Cochet’s record however comes with an even bigger distinction of being the first man in the Open Era to achieve the feat.

These acclaims cannot have come at a better time for Robredo. Forced to stay away from the game for two years, to see the ranking take a plunge but unable to do anything to prevent the slide and to be completely distanced from an avenue that made him to be. These three victories have thus more than made up for Robredo’s harsh absence from the sport for two years.

However acclaims aside, it couldn’t have been easier for the 31-year old to last through 15-sets, spread over six days. In his last match against Almagro, Robredo summoned up one last ounce of defiance that out-witted his compatriot. His fatigue and weariness were obvious. As obvious as the fact that he was battling not just against Almagro, but was also combating against his own weaknesses.

The strains showed themselves. The ease with which Robredo was able to subdue Igor Sijsling in the final three sets in the second round diminished a little against Monfils in the third. In the fourth, he had to put everything on the line to see Almagro off. His game changed ever so slightly, allowing Robredo to equalise proceedings by winning the fourth set. It was then that the world started to expect an outcome never-seen before.

If at all Robredo would have failed to get that crucial break back from Almagro when he did in the fifth set, things would have been different. Robredo would have been the talk of the town but not so much as he is today. Like certain achievements which live in memories for a suitable sell-by-date then fade away, even Robredo’s achievements would have gone out of mind after a certain point. But Robredo’s win in the fourth set allowed for just one possibility, that he would win. A loss was just too inconceivable. The world wasn’t ready to see the end of the road for the Spaniard. It wanted more, and it expected Robredo to fulfil its expectations.

Against Ferrer in the quarter-final, the world will once again come to watch Robredo try and do his best. The five-time quarter-finalist may even find himself as a favourite in some corners in spite of rationalities like tiredness and fatigue plaguing the fans’ minds.

Tommy Robredo may or may not win to advance to his maiden French Open semi-finals. His run could be halted for good by countryman Ferrer. But whether or not he advances, whether or not he is able to come up from a two-set deficit for the fourth time in a row, Tommy Robredo has won hearts all over. From not being able to play a tennis match, let alone a five-setter, the Spaniard’s journey back to tennisdom is nothing short of a coup de théâtre. A feat that every tennis fan would be proud to have been a part of.