What does Federer-Nadal 35 Mean
The Greatest Match of all Time:
I have to make a confession here. Close to a decade ago, Federer and Nadal met in 2008 Wimbledon final. Critics expected a classic but few would have declared that it would go down as possibly the greatest tennis match played in the Open Era. Being a fanatic of Federer's game I ought to have watched the complete match. Federer had lost the first two sets when he was leading 5-4 in the third, the match was suspended due to a rain delay. I did not know what came over me or maybe it was already late to bed or maybe I had an exam the next day (you know about the Indian schooling system). I draped the bedsheet over me and turned off the lights pretty convinced from the way the game had progressed that the match will be over soon.
I was shocked to see the front page of 'The Hindu' next morning. I vividly remember the picture, of Federer and Nadal with the title 'Grasscourt Gladiators'. The newspaper said that the match was into the fifth set and the game was on when the paper went to print. Fluids churned in my food pipe when I hurried for the radio news. My mom told me that she had listened to it and that Nadal had won. I was in despair throughout the day not just because Federer had lost but cursing myself for missing a classic. It took a few more days before I caught the re-telecast of the Match.
There are multiple theories why sports exist in the first place. The most accepted ones believe Sports are a methodology of toning the animalistic nature of human beings. Centuries of civilization has restricted the scope of violence and hence Sports are one way in which controlled aggression is exhibited and psychological pain could be inflicted among nations - From the World cup to the Olympics.
Though it resonates acceptability in my mind, I do believe that we enjoy sports for a different reason. The universal truth regarding life is futility.To quote Milan Kundera, "What can life be worth, if the first rehearsal of life, is life itself?". No matter how hard you toil, how blessed your abilities are disease, sorrow, pain and finally death are inevitable. But in such an unforgiving event, Sports present us a window to willfully blindfold ourselves and believe that magic if possible. That for a few hours, life is worth living to enjoy the pleasure which women and men of extraordinary caliber exhibit in the arena.
Contrasting Styles:
There are numerous athletes who have awed the audience with their super human abilities. But such exhibitions become holistic when such exhibitions are decorated by rivalries where the two competitors dance like crests and troughs of a wave and try to swing the pendulum poles apart. The rivalry between Federer and Nadal is one such which has certainly made a chapter for itself in sports history.
A commentator crisply put the stark contrast presented to a viewer when the two greats play the game: 'On one side of the court there is elegance and precision, on one side of the court there is muscle and power'. Federer's natural aptitude for the game is possibly matched by no other player. Looking at his game, you are fooled into believing that the court, the ball, the racquet were all part of the same string controlled by the Master himself in perfect symphony. Nadal matches Federer's game with Hard Work and belief. A natural rightie who was made to play left as his uncle believed that it would enable him to develop a strong backhand, his game might not have Federer's style but does enough damage to lead their head-to-head record 23-11 and stand second only to Federer sharing the podium with Sampras on the all-time Grand Slam list.
A measured ballet-style crosscourt forehand countered by a powerful double-handed hammer-backhand and a whiplash stinging helicopter-forehand meeting an outstretched single-handed soft backhand are a delight to watch. Federer flows, while Nadal grinds. A powerful grunt from one side is answered with the sound of the ball hitting a sweet-spot. Federer races to the net often while Nadal likes to inhabit the realm beyond the baseline. The time which Federer takes to serve a ball flies like Holidays while Nadal's rituals before each serve moves like minutes in the exam hall.
Their contrasting styles enabled them to conquer different kingdoms under grass and clay. The fact that Nadal ended Federer's most consecutive wins on Grass and Federer stopped the King of Clay from his consecutive demolitions clearly speaks for the special relationship they have had on the court. The Battle of surfaces exhibition which eventually Nadal won was a culmination of their legacy.
Personal Relationship:
In Spite of the media, the displeasure among fans, their relationship is intimate off the court. I was left in tears after listening to both their post-match on-court interviews after winning the semifinals. To be honest, I have not watched all the Grand Slam finals in the last four years. I do not mean to disrespect the variety which Djokovic and Murray bring to the game but it is just that I grew up watching two players whose styles were more contrasting them. No one would forget the way Nadal put his hand around a teary Federer and consoled him following a very difficult loss. It is that special element which makes watching them even bigger.
What do I expect:
I honestly don't care who wins the match tomorrow. It is a Fedal final after so many years and the only thing I care about is watching the two play. History will be made whoever wins today's match. I did not bet that they would play this Final and I don't know whether they will in future. All I care about is enjoying the match today.
Let us expect to have a great game. I am certainly fortunate to experience their rivalry live. Today, one more chapter will be added to the book. I sincerely hope that it is not the final one. Hardly six more hours. All my problems can wait until tomorrow.
Photo Courtesy: (External Link)
(1)Rainycat
(2)Aaron ''tango'' Tang
(3)Brett Marlow
I have to make a confession here. Close to a decade ago, Federer and Nadal met in 2008 Wimbledon final. Critics expected a classic but few would have declared that it would go down as possibly the greatest tennis match played in the Open Era. Being a fanatic of Federer's game I ought to have watched the complete match. Federer had lost the first two sets when he was leading 5-4 in the third, the match was suspended due to a rain delay. I did not know what came over me or maybe it was already late to bed or maybe I had an exam the next day (you know about the Indian schooling system). I draped the bedsheet over me and turned off the lights pretty convinced from the way the game had progressed that the match will be over soon.
I was shocked to see the front page of 'The Hindu' next morning. I vividly remember the picture, of Federer and Nadal with the title 'Grasscourt Gladiators'. The newspaper said that the match was into the fifth set and the game was on when the paper went to print. Fluids churned in my food pipe when I hurried for the radio news. My mom told me that she had listened to it and that Nadal had won. I was in despair throughout the day not just because Federer had lost but cursing myself for missing a classic. It took a few more days before I caught the re-telecast of the Match.
Before the Epic 2008 Wimbledon Final
Photo Courtesy: Rainycat
The Essence of Sports:There are multiple theories why sports exist in the first place. The most accepted ones believe Sports are a methodology of toning the animalistic nature of human beings. Centuries of civilization has restricted the scope of violence and hence Sports are one way in which controlled aggression is exhibited and psychological pain could be inflicted among nations - From the World cup to the Olympics.
Though it resonates acceptability in my mind, I do believe that we enjoy sports for a different reason. The universal truth regarding life is futility.To quote Milan Kundera, "What can life be worth, if the first rehearsal of life, is life itself?". No matter how hard you toil, how blessed your abilities are disease, sorrow, pain and finally death are inevitable. But in such an unforgiving event, Sports present us a window to willfully blindfold ourselves and believe that magic if possible. That for a few hours, life is worth living to enjoy the pleasure which women and men of extraordinary caliber exhibit in the arena.
Contrasting Styles:
There are numerous athletes who have awed the audience with their super human abilities. But such exhibitions become holistic when such exhibitions are decorated by rivalries where the two competitors dance like crests and troughs of a wave and try to swing the pendulum poles apart. The rivalry between Federer and Nadal is one such which has certainly made a chapter for itself in sports history.
A commentator crisply put the stark contrast presented to a viewer when the two greats play the game: 'On one side of the court there is elegance and precision, on one side of the court there is muscle and power'. Federer's natural aptitude for the game is possibly matched by no other player. Looking at his game, you are fooled into believing that the court, the ball, the racquet were all part of the same string controlled by the Master himself in perfect symphony. Nadal matches Federer's game with Hard Work and belief. A natural rightie who was made to play left as his uncle believed that it would enable him to develop a strong backhand, his game might not have Federer's style but does enough damage to lead their head-to-head record 23-11 and stand second only to Federer sharing the podium with Sampras on the all-time Grand Slam list.
Battle of Surfaces - Nadal on Clay, Federer on Grass
Photo Courtesy: Aaron ''tango'' Tang
Their contrasting styles enabled them to conquer different kingdoms under grass and clay. The fact that Nadal ended Federer's most consecutive wins on Grass and Federer stopped the King of Clay from his consecutive demolitions clearly speaks for the special relationship they have had on the court. The Battle of surfaces exhibition which eventually Nadal won was a culmination of their legacy.
Personal Relationship:
In Spite of the media, the displeasure among fans, their relationship is intimate off the court. I was left in tears after listening to both their post-match on-court interviews after winning the semifinals. To be honest, I have not watched all the Grand Slam finals in the last four years. I do not mean to disrespect the variety which Djokovic and Murray bring to the game but it is just that I grew up watching two players whose styles were more contrasting them. No one would forget the way Nadal put his hand around a teary Federer and consoled him following a very difficult loss. It is that special element which makes watching them even bigger.
What do I expect:
After the 2012 Australian Open Semifinal
Photo Courtesy: Brett Marlow
Let us expect to have a great game. I am certainly fortunate to experience their rivalry live. Today, one more chapter will be added to the book. I sincerely hope that it is not the final one. Hardly six more hours. All my problems can wait until tomorrow.
Photo Courtesy: (External Link)
(1)Rainycat
(2)Aaron ''tango'' Tang
(3)Brett Marlow
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