There is nothing more disheartening than to watch a Champion disintegrate into a shadow of his former self.
Here is a champion, who has always displayed an unusually calm exterior, unruffled, conspicuous by the lack of visible frustration on court. One could easily mistake him for a golf player, given his polite demeanour. All of this, I believe, is a result of his supreme confidence in his unmatched abilities.
So when someone like Roger, thrashes a racket on court, you are scared that it is not because his game is falling apart, because that can be undone, but because somewhere deep down within himself, that self confidence has been shaken.
And to add to the irony, this incident happens after he wins the ATP award for Sportsmanship, for a record 5th Consecutive year.
On one hand, I wish that, Federer be back to his sublime best, atleast for a single year, thrash his fellow menials, grab the elusive 14th Grand Slam (& the French Open?!) laying all doubts to rest.
And on the other hand, given his current form, I want him to retire from the game. As they say, “Greater things are believed of those who are absent….”
Federer, there is nothing left for you to prove anymore. Stop torturing us and tormenting yourself.
