The King Returns!!

5 years is a long time. People age advances, especially for sports persons and athletes, 5 years is lot of time. That time frame can possibly end few careers. 2012 is when Roger won his last Wimbledon. He was 31 years old then. With dry years that followed when he left home slam-less, many predicted the end of Roger show. Some suggested he should be content with what he has achieved and hang up boots.

Though the results show he didn’t win any slams in the years 2013-16, the stats mislead us to believe Roger era is done. Roger made it to 5 major semifinals and 3 Finals. Only Novak and Murray have got better record than this. Roger has shown unbelievable temperament during his dry run that players of current generation must learn from. Despite criticism that he hasn’t won, he always maintained “I will play as long as I am enjoying the game”. He persisted and he provided treat to his fans by staying on. No one can deny the fact that most graceful and elegant tennis comes from his racket.

I don’t know how he felt during the period but it hurt his fans like me so much. Pained more so because he was playing flawless and most consistent form anyone would have dreamt about. But it is the same period when Novak peaked and Murray had got much awaited success in Slams who ended stopping Roger most times. In 2016, Roger took a break and did not compete in US open. This lead to new series of gossips and speculations that Roger is done.

2017 a new chapter has begun. Roger won Australian open. Icing on the cake is when he defeated his long time rival Rafa, whom some critics rate above Roger. The ticker that has paused in 2012 started ticking again. But the real ecstasy is when he participated in Wimbledon an won it without dropping a set. Yes I repeat competing with professionals who are on average 5 years/more younger to him and winning it without dropping a set in the tournament!!  Amazing!!

Roger’s turn around is not just amusing. It is embodiment of the wisdom that if we persist and do the right things , success will find us. He has proven to all that and proved his critics wrong, despite the fact that he has got nothing to prove.  King returns in Style!! And I await US open to see if he repeats the 3 slam years he has done earlier during his prime years. 

Link to an old blog on Roger http://sarathkrishna.blogspot.in/2010/07/wimbledon-final-with-out-roger.html