Everyone loves the man, the legend. Even sportsperson all across the world come specially to see him play. He is a person who inspires everyone, across all classes all across the world. He is the person who hits ridiculously amazing shots and wins the point. In every single match I see, no matter whom he is against, the crowd always cheers the loudest for him. The entire stadium went silent when he declared that he is withdrawing from the match due to a back injury. But what will happen when he retires for good? I am talking about no one else, other than the tennis legend: Roger Federer. He is one of the greats of tennis that has ever lived and will probably live in the future. Not only is an amazing sportsperson, but also he is a great philanthropist. He singlehandedly displays all the qualities of an excellent sportsperson as well as a family man!
He is ready to come to India on 8th-9th December for the IPTL (International Premier Tennis League) and would be playing in New Delhi on the 8th December! But before he comes, this post will enlighten you guys a little about who he is and why everyone in this world from United States of America in the west to Australia, down under, is crazy about him. (This is only his 2014 career year!)
The Maestro
Federer holds several men’s world records of the Open Era: holding the world No. 1 position for 302 weeks overall, including a 237-consecutive-week stretch at the top from 2004 to 2008; winning 17 Grand Slam singles titles; reaching each Grand Slam Final at least five times (an all-time record); and reaching the Wimbledon final nine times. He is one of seven men, and one of four in the Open Era, to capture the career Grand Slam.
Federer has appeared in 25 men’s singles Grand Slam finals, with 10 in a row, both records, and appeared in 18 of 19 finals from the 2005 Wimbledon Championships through to the 2010 Australian Open. He is the only man to reach at least the semifinals of 23 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, from the 2004 Wimbledon Championships through the 2010 Australian Open. At the 2014 US Open, he played in a record 60th consecutive Grand Slam tournament, reached a record 43rd Grand Slam quarter-final and a record 36th Grand Slam semi-final. Earlier at the 2013 French Open, Federer reached a record 36th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final. He has also won the most matches, 279, in men’s Grand Slam tournaments and is the only player to record 60+ wins each at all the Grand Slam tournaments.
Federer has won the ATPWorldTour.com Fans’ Favourite Award a record 12 times straight (2003–2014) and the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award (voted for by the players) a record 10 times (2004–2009, 2011–2014), both being awards indicative of respect and popularity. He also won the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year Award twice in 2006 and 2013. He was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for a record four consecutive years (2005–2008). Federer is at times referred to as the Federer Express, shortened to Fed Express or FedEx, and the Swiss Maestro, or just Maestro.
2014 and Beyond
During the course of the year, Roger Federer has won the following tournaments:
- Gerry Weber Open
- Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
- Western & Southern Open
- Shanghai Rolex Masters
- Swiss Indoors Basel
- Davis Cup for Switzerland
He also reached the semi – finals of the Australian Grand Slam where he lost to Rafael Nadal, the finals of Wimbledon Tournament in which he lost to Novak Djokovic, the semi finals of US Open, where he lost to Marin Čilić. This guy is immortal. Every time the media writes him off, he comes back stronger, better than ever. He had been written off after his career year of 2013, but he came back with a bang and now from rank 4 was in contention with Novak Djokovic for the Rank 1 year ending title. He isn’t some person that can be easily written off. This year has been a phenomenal for him as well as his supporters all across the world. He is given yet another reason for the people to be inspired by him and to look up to him.
Family Life
Federer is married to former Women’s Tennis Association player Mirka Vavrinec. He met her while both were competing for Switzerland in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Vavrinec retired from the tour in 2002 because of a foot injury. They were married at Wenkenhof Villa in Riehen near Basel on 11 April 2009, surrounded by a small group of close friends and family. On 23 July 2009, Mirka gave birth to identical twin girls, Myla Rose and Charlene Riva. The Federers’ had another set of twins on 6 May 2014, this time boys whom they named Leo and Lennart, called Lenny.
No matter what, this guy has refused to give up on every step of his life, professionally and personally. He is one of the greatest sportsperson to live on this earth. The fact that he was going to visit India was all over the place gave everyone an idea what a huge deal it was for every tennis fan in the country. He has an adorable family, a gorgeous wife and a record of holding the most grand slams in the open era. Not everyone can be that sort of perfection. Admitted he has had a bit of a dry spell in the Grand Slam department but it is only natural with his age. Yet, he is as strong and resilient as ever and still gives the other rank holders a run for their money. Even though his match tickets are super expensive, I wish I could see his match. In fact, I wish anyone who is a fan of tennis can see the Maestro at work, in person.
Watch his greatest shot here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGXle4tuhxs
