Why We Love Federer—Nathan’s Blog

Written by: Staff on 22nd December 2011

Why We Love Federer—Nathan’s Blog |

By: Nathan M. Cuny

If you just began getting into tennis you would notice that being a top player is very important for any professional tennis player. You could search around and read about the top players or look at their rankings and player profiles. You would notice Djokovic is No.1 at the age of 24, Nadal is No.2 at the age of 25, and Federer is No.3 at the age of 30. Then you might think—Wow this guy must not have much longer in his career, especially if he wants to be No.1, but then you’d be wrong.

You could take a second look and notice that Federer was the year-end top dog five times and when he wasn’t No.1 he was No.2 until now. But that isn’t why we love Federer now is it? Though it is part of why we love Federer so much, it isn’t his No.1 prowess that sticks to fan’s guts, but rather his love for tennis that non-Federer and Federer fans feel alike.

Many of us feel as if we have grown or even grown up with Federer since he turned pro in 1998, nearly 14 years ago when he was just a lanky 16 year old. Back then Federer got his start amongst players considered some of the best of all time, like Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras.

For the first two years of his early professional career Federer didn’t seem like anything special; he won no titles, didn’t advance to any finals, but a bright spark shone in his thumping heart. The bright spark made him the world No.1 junior in 1998 and the bright spark would bring him to his first victory in the year 2001 where he won his first final in Milan. Thankfully it only made Federer hungrier.

By the time Pete Sampras retired in 2002 Federer won his first Masters Series title in Hamburg, along with two other in Sydney and Vienna. Five years later in 2003 Federer blossomed, taking home seven titles, one of them the Tennis Master’s cup. Back then, when Sampras, Agassi, and Lleyton Hewitt ruled the courts, hearing Federer’s name must have left fans with a great but not excellent feeling, something akin to hearing Djokovic before he became No.1.

One year later in 2004 the legacy of Federer was born after he won 11 titles gaining recognition as the year end No.1 for the first time. Many undoubtedly speculated Federer’s sudden rise and 4 title jump over his previous year as a fluke. Then he did it once more in 2005, again in 2006, and 2007 embodying the essence of sensationalism.

That’s why we love Federer, because Federer loves the game how only a No.1 could. That’s why when Federer graces the court we scream. A living legend who’s smooth technique defines him as a player and sets him far apart from other players who rely on their strength and speed. We could all take a cue from Federer’s basis in technique—take that extra second to slow down and learn, and you’ll almost always get it right.

Topics: Roger Federer