Angels and Nemeses
February 1st 2009 14:28
History speaks of champions performing deeds of superhuman ability. Deeds defying common norms of age, physique, will or temperament. But history also speaks then of the way these seemingly superhuman champions met their end. Rarely have the champions of history known their end or have seen their end in such close quarters as one Roger Federer. Yes, Federer is a champion that history and even the future will stand to clap for. He is angelic - not just in features but also with his pristine game of tennis. He brings to the courts a genteel presence, a remarkable culture to his shots and an unmistakable elegance and uprightness even as he dismantles his opponent as if they were not even there at all. Consider his 14 Grand Slam record which matches that of Samrpas in being the most number of Grand Slams ever won by any player at any time of history, one might even be tempted to call Federer an archangel.
But every angel - even an archangel has its nemesis. Such is the way of the world, it would seem. Federer for long has been that cryptic, indecipherable, ornate and intransient looking lock. But then Nadal has twisted and contorted himself into the key that fits the lock. Whether the lock likes it or not, wants it or not, that key is going to make the tumblers move. It will take a lot out of the key, but that is no matter. Not for this key which can contort itself into any shape it wishes to! And the lock submits. But the lock does not understand how or why it is beaten. Its amazement is such as that of a peacock which strutted its beautiful and proud form every day and devoured petty snakes for a hobby and a living, but which one day was confronted with a snake which struck terror deep into its heart. For the lock and the peacock and so too for Federer, this has caused an identity crisis of sorts. This probably was what was reflected in Federer breaking down during the post match interview and sobbing into the microhpone about 'being back later or....maybe not' - before relapsing into racking sobs. There was another telling statement by Federer - a slice of truth that slipped out of this modern, erudite and diplomatic sportsman - 'God, its killing me'. It would be safe to venture a guess that by 'it', Federer was not referring to this loss or the missed opportunity at the eve of a Grand Slam. What was killing him was his continual inability to best his nemesis, his inability to put it past Nadal. He did come back later and assure people that he would be back next year. But the damage has been done. Nadal is the perfect nemesis to Federer's angelic tennis.
But how and when did Nadal get into Federer's seemingly unflappable psyche? Not when he had virtually put a full stop to Federer's dreams of holding the winner's trophy at Paris with a series of victories. But certainly when he suddenly pulled the rug from under the champion's feet when he usurped the crown at Wimbledon. The rot probably set in then. It has now gotten hold of Federer leaving him with a sense of fatality when he meets Nadal especially in the finals of a Grand Slam and conversely instills a sense of invincibility in Nadal when he meets the Swiss genius.
Unabashed fans of Nadal such as Alan Wilkins, one of the commentators in the Star Sports coverage, are caught up with Federer's backhand topspin and see it as a major reason for Federer losing against Nadal pretty consistently. The statistically minded would point to the number of break points won or the amount of unforced errors made and draw their own conclusions. But the truth of the matter is that Nadal has simply got a game which is built from ground up as an antithesis to Federer's brand of hitherto perfect-seeming tennis. This writer for a long time toyed with the idea that it was Nadal's left handedness which was causing the unexplained trauma to the genial Swiss, but that is up for contention now. The quality of tennis sustained in this match was beyond nerve wracking. This match was a showcase of tennis craft - the kind that the rest of the world can only watch and not produce. It is probably fair to say that Federer drives Nadal. Rather, it is the perfection of Federer's game and the challenge of blunting that perfection that gives Nadal the power to chase down balls that a cheetah could only dream of or pull off shots which would make it seem as if he had a shovel or an axe in his hand rather than a stringed tennis racquet!
The point of the match probably was played in the 4th set when the two players were 2 games each. By rights Federer should have had that point but Nadal pulled off a winner on the run off his backhand in such stunning fashion that I thought that was the point which brought Federer crashing down with the realization that today even if Nadal could be beat, he was not going to be the man to do that. God was merciless when he made Federer and then he made Nadal. He was probably being sporting in the fashion of the Romans who loved gladiatorial sports! And as in those gladiatorial sports, increasingly it is becoming clearer that it is Nadal who is going to best Federer. And that is not even considering that Nadal is still a 22 year old kid. Will Federer get that 14th Grand Slam? Probably. And that too probably only if he gets it this year. And shall we add that that might be probable only if Nadal is not contesting the finals? That would be harsh for Federer. But increasingly that is becoming the truth. Perhaps he too realized it and that realization was the cause behind the haemmorhage of tears on the stage.
The question now should be - should not the ground rules prevail? Should not good triumph over evil always? Should not angels win - even if later on in the game? Well, the best part of this riveting, exhilarating and frankly uplifting contest is that none of the parties are evil. Yes, Federer is angelic and yes, Nadal is his nemesis. But not an evil one, per se. The graciousness of Nadal was on show when he said 'Sorry Roger for today. But you are one of the greatest players and will surely win the 14th Grand Slam and wish you all the best for the season ahead' - or something to that effect. All this when Federer was still racked in uncontrollable sobs. Inexorable the contest may have been. But it was always gripping, touching and scintillating. One feels for the World No.2. Not because he lost the opportunity to lift that 14th Grand Slam. Not because he did not put in a brilliant enough effort in this final contest. But because he gave it his all and did not deserve to lose. Take away the fag end of the 5th set and the quality of tennis on display was way above what has been seen for many years in the world of tennis. Nobody deserved to lose today and curiously nobody did. Because Nadal won the trophy. Federer won the hearts of the spectators - tough as nails Aussies even as they are. And tennis claimed the moment for posterity amidst the distinguished presence of the great Rod Laver and over 20000 people standing and clapping their soul away as price to pay to watch this enthralling battle between an angel and his very own personal nemesis.
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