Just Some Roger Things…

It’s been more than two months and every time I remember the moment that ball on match point was called in, my heart speeds up and indescribable happiness fills me again.

Like everybody else including Roger himself, the last thing I could have imagined was a fifth Australian Open title. As for the opponents, I didn’t even dare envision a win against his longtime rival.

I shamefully admit that I thought the match was over once Nadal broke in the deciding set and I started preparing myself to weeks of heartbreak and sour regrets.

But just like he always did, time and time again, Roger proved me and everyone else wrong and succeeded when no one expected him to:

After years of waiting he did it once more
Unbelievably conquering his eighteenth major
Striking the ball even better than before
Telling the world he’s the better player
Rewriting history every time he hits a ball
And proving he is the greatest of them all
Loving the game so much that it shows
In every single word and movement he makes
And as his legend expands and grows
Nobody is indifferent to the records he breaks

Over the years he took the game to new highs
Playing with all his heart, always as passionate
Even when he said winning it would be a surprise
Norman still found a way to his trophies cabinet

Days and weeks later I was still overwhelmed… and so was he apparently…

After a little pause in Switzerland and a disappointing loss in Dubai, the action was back in the Californian Desert.  Drawn in the “quarter of death”, I buried all hopes when I saw who his projected 3rd round opponent was… But as always, he proved me wrong once more:

Is he for real?
No one would have said he could seal the deal
Defeat his nemesis along with father time
Intimidate them all just like in his prime
And keep adding after each victory
New chapters to his glorious history

With all he has he brought back the magic
Enchanting us with shots so fantastic
Levelling up with players much younger
Leading the race and getting stronger
Supporting him has never been any better

Was I allowed to dream of a Sunshine Double after his amazing performance in Indian Wells? This time I did… I believed. Even down match points against Berdych, I somehow knew he would find a way and was I right about it this time!

More than magnificent, more than amazing
Is there even a word for what he is achieving?
After eleven years he wins the sunshine double
Miami and Indian wells, back to back, no trouble
I still can’t believe all of this is happening…

Words have always allowed me to express my inner thoughts and my heart’s content, but this time, words are just not enough to sum up Roger Federer’s greatness as he once again gave us some true life lessons:

Rising to the top is no easy feat
Overcoming one’s demons is even harder
Great people only manage to defeat
Every obstacle they face with ardour
Remember, the brave get it always their way!

Fear nothing, work hard and be strong
Enjoy yourself too, don’t overdo anything
Dare new things and success will come along
Even the harshest winter is followed by spring
Reinvent the game whenever it suits you no more
Elevate your level to heights it never reached before
Reach out to the sky for it’s not that far away!

Alex.

Image by: @Maria_youRFan