Life can be very cruel is an oft-repeated statement. Yesterday, on the hallowed grass of Wimbledon, watching one man leap in joy and another sink in despair, this seemed to make all the more sense. Sport in general has been known to make heroes and villains in an instant and make or break a man's resolve. There are occasions though when you really feel that there is such a thin line between the ecstasy of triumph and the despair that comes with defeat. Having watched the classic contest between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick yesterday, one could not help but admit that the tennis Gods had been rather unkind at least this one time.
When the two players walked onto centre court of the greatest tennis stage in the world, they climbed down the staircase, the wall above it bearing Rudyard Kipling's immortal line from his poem
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"For if you can meet triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same.". Was it really possible to be that way? We were just about to find out. Andy Roddick had contested two previous Wimbledon finals in 2004 and 2005 and on both occasions had come up short against the very same opponent. His record was an unimpressive 0-7 in Grand Slams and Federer led 18-2 overall which made facing him a very daunting prospect indeed. The American though was a more complete player since his horror run last year and was hugely inspired by his excellent coach Larry Stefanki. Vijay Amritraj said it perfectly that Centre court had the ability to either demoralize or inspire a player and the latter is what it did to the gritty American.
In the semi finals, Andy Roddick had crushed the hopes of a nation when he vanquished Andy Murray. He had mixed up his game beautifully, combining excellent baseline play with brilliant volleying at the net and had come up trumps against the Scot. His main weapon, the serve was holding up remarkably and with him having a first serve percentage in the 70's, it was always going to be difficult to play him. Roger Federer though had not had any problems on any front till then and he had faced Roddick's serve before and treated it with total disdain. This match seemed headed only one way.
The great Swiss's inexorable march to tennis immortality had very few hurdles. One of the big ones was eliminated even before the tournament started with Rafael Nadal, the man who had dethroned Federer from his lofty perch last year in an epic battle withdrawing due to tendinitis in his knee. Roger Federer had also won the only slam that was missing in his collection by trouncing Robin Soderling at Roland Garros. All through the two weeks of Wimbledon, it seemed like Federer lifting the trophy would be a mere formality.
When the battle commenced on centre court, the early signs were that it was Federer who was nervous. He was making a few uncharacteristic errors while Andy Roddick was playing some terrific tennis whilst making some tremendous passing shots. At 5-6, Federer's serve wilted and the American capitalized on a couple of lapses winning the first set 7-5. This was only the second set conceded by Federer in the entire tournament and the crowd realized they were in for a contest. A host of big names including tennis legends Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras (whose record of 14 grand slams was in danger of being eclipsed, Hollywood stars Woody Allen, Russell Crowe, the former American diplomat Henry Kissinger, the great Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar and the Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson watched this big game and this had perhaps made Federer a little nervous.
The second set went with serve as was expected. Roddick's serve stood the test and was turning out to be a potent force. In the tie break he forced a couple of loose shots and at 6-2, he had 4 set points to take a 2-0 lead against the Swiss. In these moments of adversity do true champions stand out as was demonstrated by Federer. Riding on a single misjudgment by Roddick when he put a volley out, Federer served his way back and after a couple of rallies, a wide backhand by Roddick had given Federer the set and a new lease of life. The American knew that he had squandered a golden opportunity.
The third set once again went to a tie break and despite a couple of nervous moments, Federer calmly closed out the break 7-5. He had taken a two set to one lead and it seemed like curtains for the fighting American. The Roddick of few years back would have folded by then but not the new rejuvenated and fitter version. He served even better than before wriggling his way out of trouble and got a crucial break of serve with a great backhand pass forcing Federer to net the volley. He held his nerve and served out the fourth set 6-3.
The fifth set got underway and by now it was not just a test of skill but also the will power and mental strength. No tie breaks were possible and people knew it was all about the one moment of brilliance or madness that would decided this extraordinary contest. The games went on and on and in one game at 15-40 late in the set, Federer stared at defeat. He brought out two of his finest serves and then closed out that game yet again showing the stuff champions are made of. Roddick continued to torment Federer with his serve and overall game and he started his serve with the score reading 14-15. The set had by itself gone over 90 minutes, easily the longest set in Wimbledon history. Federer started off with a good return forcing Roddick to net the ball. A bad error from the American made it 0-30 and now the pressure was right on him. Three great serves made it 40-30 and then Federer pulled it back to deuce. Another error from Roddick brought Federer to match point and in the most unfortunate way for the classic to end, a Roddick mishit sailed out giving Roger Federer his 15th Grand Slam and sixth Wimbledon title taking him past the legendary Pete Sampras. Roddick was crushed and Federer was ecstatic. Everybody felt that Roddick had played the better game and deserved the trophy every bit as the champion did. As is usually the case, champions revel in crises and Federer did when it mattered the most. In the second set tie break and the final game which turned out to be the only game he conquered the Roddick serve, he raised his pkay and won the pivotal moments on which the fate of the match hung. It was a cruel way to end for the American star who had given it everything he had and more. He could never have played a better game of tennis and yet he lost.
Ever gracious in defeat and never one to lose his sense of humour, Roddick won more fans than ever before. Roger Federer had triumphed on the day and created history and the joy was all his, but in this historic moment in the game, Andy Roddick had done himself proud with his remarkable fighting qualities and brilliant display of tennis not to mention his impeccable sporting quality that made him so endearing to the tennis lover.
