MAGIC AT GERRY WEBER OPEN , ROGER FEDERER IS MY HERO BY CHERYL JONES

Written by: Staff on 11th June 2014

MAGIC AT GERRY WEBER OPEN , ROGER FEDERER IS MY HERO BY CHERYL JONES

epa04249676 Roger Federer of Switzerland attends a training session at the ATP tennis tournament in Halle, Westphalia, Germany, 11 June 2014. EPA/CHRISTIAN WEISCHE |

“Not before 2:00 p.m.”, could have been the sound of the opening bell for a really disappointing afternoon for many guests who were on site, looking forward to exciting tennis, at the Gerry Weber Open. Then, as if by magic, it became a mammoth get-together for Ladies Day. The magician who turned the moment around was Roger Federer, the Swiss Maestro. His talents on the tennis court seem limitless.

Over the years, fans have been in awe of his superb understanding of the game. Even through many years of instruction, it is rare for anyone to have the ability to showcase tennis as it was intended. Federer’s game is one for the ages. It is as if it’s his soul’s dance. His mastery of strokes and the timing that has only lately began to flag just a bit, has been a pleasure to watch for nearly all of his professional career which began in 1998 when he was only 16. Now, he is 32, very soon to be 33. In the world of professional tennis that’s past the “pull by” date.

Roger Federer.

It was apparent the first time I watched him on court that he was someone special. He hadn’t even gotten past his teen years. He had more than most young players, even then. I told everyone who would listen about my “discovery” and they laughed. Not because they doubted my word – they only had doubts that a player from Switzerland could come to the forefront of tennis.

Masses of worldwide media have chronicled his ups and downs – his triumphs and disappointments. It can’t be easy to live up to everyone’s expectations. (Living up to one’s own is difficult enough.) He loves tennis. It is no secret. He says so, even when there are questions about his ability to compete on the level he is accustomed to.

Yesterday, at the GWO, the schedule listed a match at 2:00 p.m. that wasn’t to happen. Roger Federer and his doubles partner, Marco Chiudinelli, (another Swiss player), were set to play Italian Andreas Seppi and German, Martin Emmrich. Unfortunately, Seppi became ill and the duo had to offer a Walk Over to the Swiss men. It was disappointing to all concerned, because Wednesday is always that special day for the ladies at the GWO.

The crowd, as always teems with women who make it no secret that they enjoy tennis and most of all, they take pleasure in watching the man who has signed a lifetime contract with the tournament, ensuring his participation as long as he remains a professional player. He and his family have been here since Roland Garros 2014 said its farewells to the worldwide fan favorite, and it was much earlier than usual.

Today, on Stadium One, Federer and Chiudinelli stepped out of the shadows, at precisely two in the afternoon. The masses that had spent the previous half-hour filling every seat and even a few that were verboten had become SRO spots. The 4,500-seat venue was packed. (It seemed as if it could be a record for viewings at a practice session. Unfortunately, Guinness officials were not on hand, so it will never be known.)

Roger Federer.

The crowd cheered wildly and a wonderful exhibition of warm-up tennis filled the courts with relaxed to and fro, courtesy of the thoughtfulness of the classiest man to grace the courts in a lifetime. Gottfried von Cramm would have agreed.

Topics: Cheryl Jones, Gerry Weber Open, Halle, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News

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10sBalls_com says:

June 11, 2014 at 12:57 pm

MAGIC AT GERRY WEBER OPEN , ROGER FEDERER IS MY HERO BY CHERYL JONES – http://t.co/uvYuOGfta8 @rogerfederer @GerryWeberOpen #tennis #ATP