Heartbreaking. That's the word.
Minutes after Rafael Nadal broke Roger Federer's serve to be the victor in the nail-biting 5-set Australian Open Finals and, thus, finally crashing into the ranks of tennis superstar-dom (and history: he had just become one of the very few tennis players to ever win in all grand slam surfaces, i.e., hard court, clay and grass, and the first Spaniard to ever snatch the Australian Open trophy), the world witnessed the hard beating of a torn Roger Federer. Seconds into his speech - amidst the jeers from the passionate, fanaticism-inclined crowd (one MAN even shouted, "I love you, Federer!") - the once seemingly invincible Swiss champion finally revealed his vulnerability. From a tear to a visibly uncontrollable outburst of emotions, Federer stood on the stage, with the crowd looking down on him, shocked and sympathetic.
Even I was caught in the moment. Mentally exhausted after reading pages from a Civil Procedure textbook (Mandamus and Quo Waranto were twins I had no intention of ever adopting), I never thought I could be more drained... until that moment.
From the 1st round of the 1st grand slam of the year, I rooted for Rafa over Roger. After all, Roger already has enough trophies (he has 13 and that night, he was attempting to equal Pete Sampras' record of 14 grand slams) and Rafa is more dynamic and entertaining in the court. And I've always admired him since the time he first had his Wimbledon men's singles appearance. He reached the 3rd round in that year, I guess. Not bad for a first appearance. Even a sportscaster exclaimed that he had no doubt the world would be seeing more of this youngster. I thought so, too, and both of us were - and still are - right. And, yes, I liked the Nike ensemble he had on last night. He looked like a warrior from the future with that lime gree, white and black mix. Haha.
Don't get me wrong but I like Federer, too. Roger plays elegantly. Clean. Polished. There is an indefinite beauty in the way he does his forehands and backhands. Pizzaz, I think. In scrutiny, when Rafa chases the balls, it kind of looks messy and all over the place. Roger, on the other hand, scores with precision and clarity, like making a draft look like a finished work.
But a match pitting the two against each other always has me going for Rafa.
It all changed last night.
So there was Roger, sobbing, yet trying his hardest not to. Then the screen turned to Rafa, who was sober and undoubtedly feeling for Roger. Surely, Rafa's Mardi Gras had been stalled.
There was suddenly a very uncomfortable silence - or whisper - in the Rod Laver arena (note: Rod Laver was even there to present the trophy!). Then, Roger finally ended his struggle. After the host asked the Swiss if he wanted to continue with his speech (which could have been coined as an "eulogy" - a farewell to his title of "master" in all surfaces in the modern era - for now), the latter asked that he be allowed to compose himself. The crowd could be heard sighing in relief. I did, too. At that moment, I was already wishing I did not cheer as much as I did for Rafa (as if I was a factor in Roger's loss. Haha!).
The host then introduced Rafa: that his victory in the Aussie Open Final is the first for a Spaniard, blah, blah, blah... Before Rafa took the mic, Roger finally decided to say his piece. After all, he claimed, Rafa must have the final word because "he deserves it." He was saying that still with his eyes flooded. (Sigh.)
He thanked the sponsors, the tennis legends (yes, they were there!) and the fans. It was truly heartbreaking. There were the alternate moments when he had to slow down because of the surge of emotions and had to hasten again because he knew he had to end the struggle once and for all. (The speech was a requirement to say the least.) Though he didn't say it, it was clear that he was extremely disappointed with his loss - and with the failed attempt to match Sampras record-breaking 14 grand slam titles. Add to that the realization that an attempt of the same feat will be met by yet another colossal battle with the now (presumably) reigning "master of all court surfaces." Roger was truly devastated that he was not able to thank his team - the Swiss, his coach, his parents, and even his wife, who was crushed as well.
I am not saying that we should pity Roger; that his supremacy has already ended; or that Rafa is unbeatable. The fact still remains that Roger is arguably the best player out there. Either last night was Rafa's night (he is younger after all though the odds were against him because he just dispatched Verdasco in a very exhausting 5-hr.+ semi-final epic) or Roger's overdue wake-up call has finally rung (I think his defeat in the French Open against Rafa was the outset).
Conclusively, I still believe Roger has the guns to match or even surpass Sampras' record. Just give him time to recover - fast.
Damn... Just give Roger that trophy!
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