King Roger returns spo

ranked No. 1 tennis player in the world

Federer’s fans belief once more. Showing no signs of the struggles he had against Malisse, Federer brushed aside the 26th seed in straight sets, prompting the Russian to helplessly ask a certain Andre Agassi, who was sitting in the royal box, for some muchneeded advice.

Federer’s semi-final against Djokovic was billed as a final – it was said that the winner of this would not be at all concerned about the progress in the other half of the draw, where Nadal’s early exit opened up the tournament for several players. His Spanish compatriot, David Ferrer, caused Andy Murray massive problems in their quarter-final match, while Tsonga fought to the end in his second consecutive Wimbledon semifinal appearance against the home favourite.

After falling to the ground with teary eyes, the familiar Wimbledon champion then watched Murray break down in tears, before giving a heartbreaking speech to the crowd.

The whispers had been going around for some time, and in the last year or so they had grown ever louder. “Roger Federer’s time is up,” they said. “No more Grand Slams left in him,” they predicted. Slowly but surely the wider tennis community was coming to terms with what were certainly the twilight years of the most talented man to ever lay hand on a racquet, and one of the greatest athletes of all time.

In a devastating display of aggression and finesse, the 30-year old Swiss genius proved why he is still the most dangerous player in the game, beating Scottish world number 4 Andy Murray in four tightly-fought sets at the All England Lawn Tennis Club earlier this month.

It is unfair to label Federer’s critics as having been completely out of line in their comments on Federer. For it is true, that by his own impeccable standards, Federer’s performances have been underwhelming in the last two years. First, his consecutive Grand Slam semi-final streak of 23, which by Federer’s own admission is his fondest record, was broken by Swede heavy-hitter, Robin Soderling, at the French Open in 2010. During this almost six-year long period, Federer only lost to four different players – Juan Martin Del Potro, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Marat Safin.

Each of them went on to win the tournament.

The last two years have been marred by Federer’s inability to close out matches. Usually a fearsome frontrunner, Federer twice lost semi-finals against Djokovic at the US Open after having held match points on each occasion, and twice lost quarterfinals at Wimbledon, with the 2011 edition featuring his first ever loss after leading 2 sets to 0, against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga. His uncertainty in the big moments, coupled with the end of his formidable streak of consecutive semi-final appearances at 23 (the next highest being 10 shared by Rod Laver and Ivan Lendl), seemed to spell the end for the Swiss maestro.

But facts are facts, and there is nothing to be gained from twisting them one way or the other. Federer was, in 2010 and 2011, a point away from reaching two more US Open finals – and his career record is 5-1 in US Open finals. He also built a record streak of 33 consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals, the next highest being 27 set by Jimmy Connors.

If it was any one else’s standards to which Federer was being held, there would be no question of either his ability or his desire. It is useful to note that, even in this difficult period, Federer twice won the ATP World Tour Finals, which included a win against Nadal in the 2010 final, as well as sweet revenge against his Wimbledon conqueror, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, in the 2011 edition.

Wimbledon 2012 was always going to be one of Federer’s best chances to re-join the winning circuit. Having been beaten by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the first two majors of this year, nothing would have been more appealing for Federer than to return to his favourite surface, having won more titles than anyone else on tour this year.

Federer started the tournament in supremely royal fashion, delighting Prince Charles and Camilla Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall along the way, as he made quick progress through what was a relatively easy draw. The shockwaves that rippled across Wimbledon, however, when Rafael Nadal was sensationally knocked out in the 2nd round, seemed set to claim another victim; on five separate occasions, Federer found himself two points away from losing to Frenchman Julien Benneteau in the 3rd round, which would have been Federer’s worst performance in a major since 2004. Federer rallied from a twoset deficit to claim the match, and then overcame serious back problems against Belgian Xavier Malisse in the 4th round, to set up a potentially tricky quarter-final with Mikhail Youzhny. It was a breathless display against Youzhny that gave

As it so happened, Federer brushed aside Djokovic in a slightly anti-climactic manner, playing ruthless tennis without needing as much as an ounce of the genius that he displayed against Youzhny. Djokovic may have been well below par, but Federer’s serve was phenomenal, as were his 31 winners against just 10 unforced errors.

Due to Nadal’s early exit and Djokovic failing to defend his title, a win for Federer in the final against Murray would mean much more than just a record-equalling 7th Wimbledon title. Federer would once more return to the top of men’s tennis, equalling Sampras’ record of 286 weeks at the number 1 position.

Meanwhile, Britain was searching for its first Wimbledon champion since Fred Perry in 1936, and Murray, having failed to win a set in each of his three previous final appearances, was already the first British finalist since Bunny Austin in 1938. Hopes were high, but there was no hiding the fact that two of those finals drubbings came at the hands of the very same opponent he would face on a rain-affected encounter on Centre Court.

Although Murray managed to record his set in a major final, taking the first set 6-4 through some brilliant baseline rallies, Federer was never far away. The 30-year-old father of twins took out the second set, and after a delay while the roof was closed for the first time at a Wimbledon men’s final, Federer unleashed a barrage of audacious and pinpoint strokes. For once, Federer was not the crowd favourite, but the crowd could only appreciate some of the shots he played. Murray played a great match, and there is no doubting that he would have beaten any other finalist on the day – but Roger Federer in this kind of form is an altogether different proposition.

After falling to the ground with teary eyes, the familiar Wimbledon champion then watched Murray break down in tears, before giving a heartbreaking speech to the crowd. His voice constantly wavered as the emotions of a manic two weeks for the 25-yearold came to a climax. Federer assured him that there would definitely be a Grand Slam trophy in his cabinet one day, and later revised it to “a few”.

Murray will have won millions of fans with his performance in his first Wimbledon final. Although he has now become only the second player to lose his first four major finals, it is a funny twist of fate that Ivan Lendl, his coach, was the other player. For Murray, it is only a matter of time before he breaks through - Lendl sits on 8 Grand Slam wins.

Federer, meanwhile, can take a well-earned, albeit short break before the Olympics. For two years now every match of his, let alone every Grand Slam venture, has been a chance for critics to proclaim ‘Fifteen reasons why Federer should retire’.

By all means, Federer can happily retire in 2012. But the reasons are now vastly a lot different to what they were before Wimbledon. The King is back on his throne – and he might well stay on top as long as he wants to.