By Johan Kriek
What happened today with Roger Federer coming back from 1-3 down in the 5th set is one of the most improbable things that could ever have happened in professional tennis.
Couple that with a knee injury that kept him away for 6 months makes it even that more remarkable to me….
Let’s take a look at the facts surrounding him the past few years.
1. He is 35 years old and very very few have ever done what he has now done. To win in the modern era with the other three superstars breathing fire is absolutely incredible.
2. Having been injured myself later in my 30’s and trying to come back it is so easy to just let the issues of “Father Time” take over mentally but he dialed the clock back 15 years today! He seemed to love like he is 20. I had to quit due to three elbow surgeries although I felt I could play the top ten guys. Doubts creep in very quickly…..
3. The enormous pressure he must have felt because of the “history” of losing 23-11 now 23-12 head to head against Nadal lifetime is another testament to Roger’s enormous will power to overcome his opponents. Remarkable!
4. Having been down 1-3 in the fifth and that dreaded “have been here before with this guy and every time I come up short against him” is a mountain of a problem to overcome.
Roger did it ALL! He overcame ALL of it!
Hats off to Rafa who is always gracious in defeat. Glad to see him “snap out of it” at the ceremony but it is going to hurt no doubt for some time….. a serious vacation is in order here. Probably for both!!
2017 is going to go down as an amazing year for tennis….. very special. Feels like “Back to the Future!!” Can you imagine if Rafa wins the French against Murray to go 10 majors there! Then Roger wins Wimbledon over Murray and Roger wins the US Open over Novak in his “comeback”?
Ok, I am getting a bit giddy here….
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Topics: 10sballs.com, Australian Open final, G.O.A.T., Johan Kriek, Nadal vs Federer, Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Tennis News, Tom Brady