Simply Roger

Sunday June 7.

The man completed his dream and joined an elite league of only 6 people who have achieved a Grand Slam. The man wrote off all critics who said he will never win here. The man had come from 3 lost finals to this one. The man came back from a scintillating semi-final match and won from the brink of defeat. The man was Roger Federer and he won the championship that eluded him for 3 years. He finally had his hands on the winner's trophy-the Roland Garros French Open 2009. And this completed his Grand Slam.

Roger Federer came into this match much like the previous 3 finals. He was prepared and ready to fight till the last ounce of energy to lift the French Open. He had the pressure and expectation of the whole world and billions of his fans on his shoulder. Only 1 thing was different this time than the previous 3 occasions. The other contender for the elusive title this time was not his left-handed Spanish nemesis Rafael Nadal. Robin Soderling 23-seeded Swede international was a player who shocked the tennis arena when he defeated Rafael Nadal in his own backyard. Soderling then wiped off Fernando Gonzales to reach his maiden French Open final. The only thing that was in his favour was that he was riding on a wave of confidence polishing off world class players above him. Besides he had nothing to lose and Federer had everything to win.

And so on a rough cloudy day with gutsy winds blowing, the match between Federer and Soderling began. Federer was into his sublime best from the first shot quickly racing off to a 4-0 lead in the 1st set before Soderling ended his run. But Federer never lost touch and he knew that this was perhaps his best and only chance to complete his dream. And after 3 straight sets he finally dropped on to the court and burst into tears when he won the championship point.

He displayed immense greatness through his humility and respect for the opponent. And who better than Andre Agassi to hand him his dream. After 3 years staying second and in the shadow of Nadal, Federer finally had the trophy to himself. Soderling was perhaps correct when he mentioned that Roger was the best player in tennis history in the august presence of Agassi. Both smiled and the crowd cheered.

Many may say that Federer won because Nadal lost. Federer won beacuse he deserved to win. He won beacuse he was the best. He won because he outplayed all. This time Federer faced a more formidable opponent than Nadal - history and he re-wrote it in the end.

The immense pressure and scare that he may never win the French Open is now no more. He can play more relaxed now that he has completed his Grand Slam.

Roger Federer - a tennis legend, a humble and great human being. Simply the best.