Federer Racing Against the Dying of the Light – By: Craig Cignarelli

Written by: Staff on 9th August 2012

Federer Racing Against the Dying of the Light - By: Craig Cignarelli

epa03318678 Swiss tennis player Roger Federer speaks during a press conference at the Olympic Park in London, Britain, 26 July 2012 one day before the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

Editors Note: Belated birthday wishes…. But we are almost all certain Roger Federer is still celebrating

The line between evolution and erosion is often indistinguishable. Roger Federer turns thirty-one today. He has seventeen major trophies, a host of tennis records, gold and silver Olympic medals, and the favor of most of the television-watching world.

Tennis players can get old gracefully or stubbornly – think Jackie Kennedy or Joan Rivers. For aging athletes, the movement message somehow takes longer to travel, as though life’s burdens have created traffic upon our neural pathways. One day we lose half a step, then the other half, until around age forty when we realize French chefs are chasing after us with silver tongs. At present, Roger seems to have delayed the inevitable. He still floats over foreign lawns and performs balletic twirls upon New York cement. But soon he will falter and have to decide whether to rage against the dying of the light or walk off into the sunset of his career. Regardless of his choice, we have witnessed greatness in our sport. Happy birthday, Roger.

Topics: Craig Cignarelli, Federer, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday Roger, Jackie Kennedy or Joan Rivers, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News