Rafa comes of age as age comes in Fedex’s way

BY VIKRAM VISHAL

WHAT is it that “killing” the 13-time Grand Slam champ? The missed opportunity to become the greatest-ever, equalling Pete Sampras’ magical tally of 14 majors– the most talked-about number in tennis? Yet another opening to avenge defeats to rival Rafael Nadal meeting a dead end? Or the agony of seeing the gap between the World No 1 and No 2 increasing further?
It probably is the amalgamation of all these ‘factors’ and many more that made the Swiss break down at the Melbourne Park. Having reached the final of the first Grand Slam of the year, he had a number of motivating factors, including the support of most of The Greats, not only to beat the man who is at the pinnacle of men’s tennis, but also to affirm that he is down but not out.

“It’s an unbelievable opportunity for me, of course, you know, not being No. 1 anymore, trying to beat No. 1 in the world and getting the 14th Grand Slam… This is where I won the Grand Slam to become No. 1 in the world back in 2004, so I've always had a special liaison with this tournament,” is what he had to say a day before the grand finale. Fedex’s 2004 victory had come after winning Wimbledon the previous year. And on Sunday, history repeated itself sans the Swiss master.

Twenty-four hours later: “The problem is you can't go in the locker room and just take it easy and take a cold shower. You can't. You know, you're stuck out there. It's the worst feeling, you know. So, I don't know, it's rough,” said the three-time Australian champion after the Spaniard triumphed at the end of the four-our-and-23-minute match.
He might have said before the match that “I don't only look at the majors”, and still feels every tournament he enters he would like to win, but he was very clear of the fact that what all wonders a Grand Slam victory can do, particularly if a No 2 is eying the top rank.

“It gives the most points, it's most rewarding in terms of ranking and in terms of being judged how you're playing. You get the biggest test. It's best-of-five sets. That's why obviously Grand Slams are very intriguing,” were his words hours before tears left him speechless upon receiving the runners up trophy.
His inconsolable emotion (along with his game of course) did earn him a standing ovation soon after the match. But the kind of reception given to Nadal was not the one a champion deserved, thanks to the ‘emotional’ spectators who, predictably, got ‘carried away’, so much so that even the 22-year-old could only say “I really know how you feel right now, but remember you are one of the best in history”.
While the former World No. 1 used words like “it’s killing me…” and “… will return next year”, the present No. 1 replied with “sorry for today mate”.
Federer has announced to return next year as he knows he is a master of the game as also the fact that Nadal has spent a year dragging him down, ending his run of five Wimbledon titles and his record stretch atop the rankings. While the former ‘fact’ will no doubt be a shot in his arm to retrieve his lost crown, the latter ‘truth’ seems to be what that might be “killing” him.
If anything that today’s on-court action followed by the off-court drama reflects is while Rafa has come of the age, age has come in the way of 27-yar-old Fedex!

It’s killing me… will return next year

Not akin to his style, the Master, Roger Federer, broke down after he lost to Rafael Nadal in the five-setter Australian Open Finals on Sunday. An emotional Fed broke down after receiving the Runners up trophy from legendary Rod Laver. “It’s killing me…” were the words which Fed uttered before becoming inconsolable while the audience gave him a standing ovation. But when Nadal came at the podium and hugged him, he took the microphone again and said “… will return next year.”

Later speaking to organisers, when he was urged to tell about the emotions he is undergoing, Fed said: “I mean, I fought hard, you know. I mean, I think I played well. I'm happy with where my game's at. I wish my serve would have been better, but that's something that sometimes is a bit, you know, day-form issue, you know… But, look, I mean, I love this game. It means the world to me, so it hurts when you lose.”

He said that this final would be one of the matches in his career where he felt that he “could have or should have won.” “But you can't go through your whole life as a tennis player taking every victory, you know, that's out there. You've got to live with those, you know. But they hurt even more so like if you're that close, you know, like at Wimbledon or like here at the Australian Open. So that's what's tough about it. But I have no regrets, you know. So it's all right,” he added. Rejecting the notion that he was hurt more since today’s win could have fetched him 14th Grand Slam title, Fed said, “ In the first moment you're disappointed, you're shocked, you're sad, you know, then all of a sudden it overwhelms you. The problem is you can't go in the locker room and just take it easy and take a cold shower. You can't. You know, you're stuck out there. It's the worst feeling, you know. So, I don't know, it's rough.”

(pic courtesy Getty Images)

Upbeat Republic

The Republic Day celebrations coming exactly two months after the attack in Mumbai on November 26, 2008 was not muted at all. Lifting the spirits, the parade at the Rajpath bestowed the India’s resilience.
These are the three best moments, particularly the marching contingent of the Parachute Regiment that stole everyone’s heart with their thumping beats and echoing voice.

The contingent of Parachute Regiment marching on the Rajpath. (Photo courtesy AP)

Two Sukhoi Mki aircraft being refueled mid air over the Rajpath on Monday. (Photo courtesy PIB)

The panoramic view of the Rajpath. Poor visibility due to the intense fog in the morning posed a hindrance in the beginning but as the day passed, Sun came out to greet people. (Photo courtesy PIB)