It is amazing and perfect that the Swiss tennis player Roger Federer is playing, excellent tennis at a time when he is only a few months away from turning 36. It is also hard to believe that at this age, R. Federer is still continuing to show such impressive performance, attracting the audience.
Despite the slight changes due to age, fans are witnessing a “Bullet Train” that is no different from the “version” of the days when he dominated tennis in the past few years. This is hard to imagine but it is happening.
The Swiss player defeated compatriot Stan Wawrinka in just 2 sets to win the Indian Wells championship, just 2 months after winning the sweet championship at the Australian Open 2017. This is not a miracle but a miracle like magic. What Federer won was not only his age, his opponent but also millions of opinions that he was past his prime. What Federer has been doing, especially since the beginning of 2017 until now, has officially strengthened his belief, for millions of viewers and for other athletes who are about to enter the twilight of their careers. For Federer, does the other side of his career really exist? It used to be, specifically in 2012, the last time he won a Grand Slam tournament at Wimbledon after defeating Andy Murray. There was no reason to believe Federer could have beaten Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in the past five years, even though he had troubled the Serb twice at Wimbledon, one of which was in the historic 2014 final. Even Rafael Nadal, despite his constant injuries, was expected to be more than him. Federer was once like a retired Hollywood star who continued to entertain fans. From that Wimbledon in 2012 to the end of the 2016 season, it was a series of ups and downs, and only Federer’s determination and absolute love for tennis could keep the faith that he would “rejuvenate”. And their faith was rewarded.
The legend Roger Federer will forever go down in tennis history.
On a 34-degree Sunday afternoon, just hours after an elbow injury forced Djokovic to withdraw from the tournament and announce he would not play in the Miami Open, an “ageless” Federer defeated Wawrinka to win a record fifth Indian Wells title in two sets, 6-4, 7-5. Remember, just last season, Federer had to rest for six months after knee surgery that at that time could have threatened the rest of his short career. Many people thought of a farewell, but Federer did not want to stop there. He met Nadal in a match that brought back many old memories to win the 18th Grand Slam title of his career in Melbourne. Federer had not only quenched his Grand Slam thirst but also “blossomed” like a cactus flower in the desert. The excellent performance in the Indian Wells final had come to an end. Once again, Roger Federer stepped up to the top of glory after defeating compatriot Stan Wawrinka and winning the 5th championship of the first Masters 1000 tournament of the year.
Murray is still a strong candidate for the Wimbledon title, where he will have to defend his title for the second time. The Scottish player said he is healthy again to wait for Monte Carlo, the tournament will start on April 16. But since surpassing Djokovic to become No. 1, Murray has failed to affirm his name and position. It seems that he is gradually slipping. As for Djokovic, only half of 2016 he was still “undefeated” but until now, the Serbian player is having a major psychological crisis and losing himself with recent controversies about spirituality. Nadal is also “rejuvenating”, regaining the image of “king of clay” but in both of his most recent matches against Federer, he lost. As for “Express Train”, he challenges all limits and obstacles to continue to reap glory and contribute beautiful and magnificent tennis. Federer won the 2017 Indian Wells title at the age of 35 years and 7 months, becoming the oldest man in tennis history to win a Masters 1000 title, surpassing the previous record of former world number 1 Andre Agassi (34 years and 3 months in Cincinnati 2004). This was also Federer’s 12th win this year, adding to his personal trophy collection a 19th trophy, including 18 Grand Slams and 25 Masters 1000 titles. In history, only two people have won more titles than Federer: Ivan Lendl (94) and Jimmy Connors (109), but they both played in times when tennis was easier and less physically demanding than it is now. Connors retired when he was 40, so there is no reason not to believe that Federer will play until at least 40 when he is still winning major tournaments at the age of 36. Federer is currently ranked No. 6 in the world, one place above his arch-rival Nadal, whom he has defeated twice this season. But he is the leader of the rankings for 2017, having won a lot of points from winning the Australian Open and Indian Wells.
Speaking about his success, after the final, Federer shared: “I know that I am riding a wave. When I can see it from a simple perspective, things will not be too complicated. And as long as I am physically okay, everything else will fall into place. I will remind myself not to create too much pressure. I do not compete with any fear, any anxiety. I also do not try too hard to show anything. I simply play football, which I love. Because to be honest with you, winning the Australian Open or Indian Wells was not in any of my plans. It came naturally and unexpectedly.”
