Tennis legend Jimmy Connors once said: “In the era of specialists, you are either a clay court or grass court or hard court specialist; or you are Roger Federer.” Another legend, John McEnroe, described Federer as the “greatest player of all time” after he won the U.S. Open in January (‘Sport’ page – “Ageless Federer continues to shock and awe”, July 17).
Though the final match on Sunday wasn’t exactly a connoisseur’s delight due to Marin Čilicć’s injured foot, nothing can be taken away from Federer whose forehand volleys and backhand whips mesmerised Wimbledon’s centre court. Fluidity, agility and calmness, three supreme qualities of Federer, were there for tennis lovers to lap up.
Ganapathi Bhat,
Akola
Federer’s eighth Wimbledon win is a tribute to his self-belief, competitive spirit and all-court game. One has always felt that the compelling statistics of his Grand Slam wins hardly do justice to the phenomenon that he is. They do not convey his passion for the game, the elegance of his movement — better described as poetry in motion — the artistry and variety of his strokes, although one misses his scintillating serve-and-volley game, the way he has looked after his body and mind, his refined conduct on and off court, and, finally, the manner in which he has balanced tennis and family life. Let’s forget tennis data and hope that he continues playing for many more years to come.
Chandramohan Nair,
Ernakulam
There is no doubt that Marin Čilicć was hampered by a blistered foot and could not give his best. Federer’s silken service and one-handed backhands are shots of pure beauty. More than this, it is his astounding humility that needs to be mentioned and which should be emulated by our overhyped cricketers.
Shanmugam Mudaliar,
Pune
