Thursday, October 11, 2012

300 and counting!

What can be said about this amazing athlete Roger Federer that hasn't already been said - other than now he holds a new record for 300 (!!!!) weeks at #1 (guaranteed beginning Monday).  I mean, that is close to 6 years as the #1 player in the world.  Rafael Nadal has been at #1 for a total of 102 weeks and Novak Djokovic for 53.  So not only has Roger been there almost three times as long as Rafa, but he regained the #1 ranking at 30 years old and continues to hold it at the ripe old age of 31.  The accomplishment is incredible!


I have to say I was beginning to wonder if it was going to slip away from him, down a set to his good friend Stanislas Wawrinka.  He got an early break in the second set and I thought it was going to be smooth sailing, but after he lost the break immediately it seemed the momentum had shifted back and might not let go until a straight set victory happened for Wawrinka.  However, Federer being the King of comebacks, among many other things, held on and squeaked out the second set tiebreak.  Stan was a broken man after that and didn't have any fight whatsoever left, not winning a single game in the third set.  You could see it was a very distressing loss for him after playing so well for almost a full two sets.  But some things are just mean to be - like Roger Federer at 300 weeks!

I have yet to see a full video interview with him after this great win, but I loved this quote that I read:

"Sometimes you're just happy playing. Some people, some media unfortunately don't understand that it's okay just to play tennis and enjoy it. They always think you have to win everything, it always needs to be a success story, and if it's not obviously what is the point. Maybe you have to go back and think, Why have I started playing tennis?  Because I just like it.  It's actually sort of a dream hobby that became somewhat of a job.  Some people just don't get that ever."

Well, Roger, we're so happy that you're playing and that you love it.  Of course we love it when you win, but your fans are happy when you're happy.  And we love that you won today and will always be remembered for having at least 300 weeks at #1!

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