"It's killing me," said Federer, through tears, after losing the final of the Australian Open to Nadal in 2009. It didn't kill him, but that rivalry made them both stronger and more human, especially the Swiss, in its moment a colder and more distant point. Losing humanizes and recovering from a defeat redoubles the transcendence of the one who is remade. Federer transcended many years ago with his delicate, technical and delicious tennis and his numerous victories. An elegant game that raised the spectators from the seats of admiration. Nadal was and is pure passion every day. Seeing Federer was like putting on a Sunday suit.
The Helvetian leaves professional tennis calm and grateful and surrounded by the greatest rivals of his time, such as Nadal himself, Djokovic and Murray. In recent days they have dined together, they have shared clothing, street, sports and etiquette, and a thousand and one battles have been explained. They have done it in London, a garden city for Federer for hosting the All England Wimbledon Club.
A first-class venue in every way that served as a symbiosis for the Basel game. Watching him enter the grass was like watching a dancer enter the floor. The closest thing to royalty inside a palace.
Although when Roger really stayed calm was in 2009 when he won his only Roland Garros, with which he completed the Grand Slam. “I have taken a great weight off myself”, he confessed then in Paris after winning a tournament that he thought was cursed for him.
His goodbye, under the spotlight of a competition that he has sponsored as the Rod Laver Cup, was emotional and monumental. Kind of like a West End musical or a Notting Hill romantic comedy. A stellar scenario to review his career. Rebel (and racket breaker) as a young Federer leaves as an example to follow. A man who wanted to win more than anyone, who is among the best tennis players and athletes of all time and who has no enemies on the court. Adversaries, yes. And go some. They were all with him.
