On the sky blue plastic court of Melbourne, Roger Federer looked a poet without poetry. In years gone by, there was a certainty about his wins; now, there is a certainty about his losses. An Irish green bandana kept off the frowns from the gentleman's forehead; frustrations were kept tight in the pockets. In the first two sets, Djokovic looked better and better as Federer turned worse and worse; the arcing cross court and down the line backhands were called out; they did not skim the net; flew over at heights for Djokovic to smash; wrong-footed on the rush to the net; Federer's forehands were always a bit thin and that could be insulting the Master; most importantly, the style was critically absent as were the waltzes across the courts. It was Federer in lower caps. Denying a post-lunch snooze, watched the game at 2 in the afternoon (IST), hoping for a five setter; by the end of the first set, predicted to self a 3-1 victory for Djokovic. Maybe, he will come back at Wimbledon; not being an expert will not wager. Have watched McEnroe, Borg and Sampras, on and off, on TV; Federer walked in from the changing rooms with tennis and style; a lady commentator talked of a grimness in Djokovic as he strode in. Would like to know what runs the Federer mind; another try at another Grand Slam or just saying a bye with a tennis racket and a line of a smile. At mid-30s without tennis poor man may have nothing to do; as a journalist one had 60 as a retirement age; there is a certainty about the not wanted date; that does not mean one is prepared. For Federer there are no such numbers; but his friends, known and unknown (me), will wiggle in agony when a Djokovic lassos him all over the place. Federer-Djokovic score today stands at 22-23. It is not a pretty sight. Commentators in Australia said it was Djokovic at his best; The Indian Express quotes Associated Press: Fightback ends in surrender, yet again; a good tennis match is born when the opponents are at the crown of their craft; on Thursday, Federer was absent. Nadal, the physical player, and Federer, the Vaslav Nijinsky of tennis, are nearing the exit doors; at least, they wont deny that. Isaiah Berlin in Personal Impressions writes: ' ...the dancer Nijinsky was once asked how he managed to leap so high. He is reported to have answered that he saw no great problem in this. Most people when they leapt in the air came down at once. 'Why should you come down immediately? Stay in the air a little before you return, why not? ', he is reported to have said. Federer may not stay long in the air, anymore. Then today, Murray ....Siva, Siva, how you make tennis fans suffer.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Federer does not dance...
On the sky blue plastic court of Melbourne, Roger Federer looked a poet without poetry. In years gone by, there was a certainty about his wins; now, there is a certainty about his losses. An Irish green bandana kept off the frowns from the gentleman's forehead; frustrations were kept tight in the pockets. In the first two sets, Djokovic looked better and better as Federer turned worse and worse; the arcing cross court and down the line backhands were called out; they did not skim the net; flew over at heights for Djokovic to smash; wrong-footed on the rush to the net; Federer's forehands were always a bit thin and that could be insulting the Master; most importantly, the style was critically absent as were the waltzes across the courts. It was Federer in lower caps. Denying a post-lunch snooze, watched the game at 2 in the afternoon (IST), hoping for a five setter; by the end of the first set, predicted to self a 3-1 victory for Djokovic. Maybe, he will come back at Wimbledon; not being an expert will not wager. Have watched McEnroe, Borg and Sampras, on and off, on TV; Federer walked in from the changing rooms with tennis and style; a lady commentator talked of a grimness in Djokovic as he strode in. Would like to know what runs the Federer mind; another try at another Grand Slam or just saying a bye with a tennis racket and a line of a smile. At mid-30s without tennis poor man may have nothing to do; as a journalist one had 60 as a retirement age; there is a certainty about the not wanted date; that does not mean one is prepared. For Federer there are no such numbers; but his friends, known and unknown (me), will wiggle in agony when a Djokovic lassos him all over the place. Federer-Djokovic score today stands at 22-23. It is not a pretty sight. Commentators in Australia said it was Djokovic at his best; The Indian Express quotes Associated Press: Fightback ends in surrender, yet again; a good tennis match is born when the opponents are at the crown of their craft; on Thursday, Federer was absent. Nadal, the physical player, and Federer, the Vaslav Nijinsky of tennis, are nearing the exit doors; at least, they wont deny that. Isaiah Berlin in Personal Impressions writes: ' ...the dancer Nijinsky was once asked how he managed to leap so high. He is reported to have answered that he saw no great problem in this. Most people when they leapt in the air came down at once. 'Why should you come down immediately? Stay in the air a little before you return, why not? ', he is reported to have said. Federer may not stay long in the air, anymore. Then today, Murray ....Siva, Siva, how you make tennis fans suffer.
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