Who is Roger Federer?

Who is Roger Federer? Once again this question thumped upon me.

Like every time, I felt angry and humiliated. Then I felt miserable. I remembered all those times when people crossed me with this question. (And I laughed coz whenever anyone asks me "Who's this Roger Federer?", my brother gets a reason to tease me- “See, nobody knows your Federer, he he he “. He’d surely be happy to know that somebody has asked me that question again.)

But today, to be frank, this question made me think- who is Roger Federer?

Records will tell you that this guy holds a lot of them. Stats will tell you that he has grabbed 12 Grand Slam Titles which includes 5 consecutive Wimbledons and 4 successive US Opens and that he’s just two of Pete Sampras’ all time record of 14.

Experts will praise his all-court game and his ability to produce shots from nowhere. Critics will speak on why he has not yet won the French Open even after reaching the Final twice.

One can not resist appreciating his elegance on the court and off of it, his grace with which he accepts the things- he’s crying a tear of joy when he wins and he’s plain and unmoved when he’s defeated. Such is his charm that even his acrh-rivals admire him. (Oh! that famous quote by Andy Roddick, "Roger, I'd have loved to hate you, but I can't" ) Not just that he has admirers in the world outside Tennis -from Rahul Dravid to Tiger Woods.

To the World, he’s an athlete with paramount capabilities. To Sports maniac, he’s a tennis player- one of the finest the game has ever produced. To Tennis fraternity, he’s their numero uno, a milestone that everyone seeks to surpass. To his Fans, Tennis is Roger and Roger means Tennis and I am a big Fan of him.

But really for me, Who Is ROGER FEDERER???

He’s my ultimate inspiration. Somebody whose manners and story made me realize that anger should be controlled. As a child he used to throw the racket around when he lost a game. But then he realized that he should use extra bit of energy on his game instead of spending it on smashing the racket. And knowing this has helped me overcome my short-temperedness.

I still remember how I was stunned to see his game for the first time- he was not running behind the ball, he was simply floating at it- that was way back in 2001 when he outclassed Sampras in the Wimbledon- the only official clash between the two. That match marked the end of an era and beginning of the other. And that day this little boy from Switzerland had the game that bowled me over. And since then his consistency and dedication always motivated me to do better. There’s a lot that I’ve learned from him and a lot is yet to be learned.

Still I may never know who is Roger Federer? But may be the children in Africa and Tsunami torned Tamil Nadu know it better than me.

He is different, way ahead from the rest, in whatever he does. He plays without a coach. His love of life, Mirka- a former Tennis player, acts as his manager. His Family never tries to seek attention, something that is uncommon to other Star Players, mostly Footballers. Really, Federer has a persona that no western Star Sportsman has. (The only example, I feel, that goes closer to his is Rahul Dravid)

I understand not everyone knows about him but he really is someone that everyone must know about. Not because he’s at the pinnacle of the Sports world, but because he’s ruling over it like noone else has done before in any other sport. On the Court he is a true champion with the game that will match only to divine and away from it, he is a true human being. Emperor without conceit, Aggression without arrogance, that is Roger Federer. He is him and he is like nobody else...