Roger Federer loses 2014 US Open semis to Cilic

Roger Federer loses at US Open semis to Cilic and several hearts break tonight as fans following the ageing champ wonder if the master can win another Slam. When Federer claimed the Wimbledon title of 2012, it was closure to a couple of years of drought and wait for a Slam title. Ever since the Australian Open of 2010, his fan club had been desperate for that moment. There was truly a purple patch between 2003 and 2010 when victory had become almost synonymous with Federer. Now that his well wishers are certainly recognizing that the classy player is not quite the young campaigner that he used, they are possibly coming to terms with the hard reality.

Tennis singles is possibly the toughest form of the game and it need the youthful vigor and strongest of nerves to withhold ground. Cilic might not have won a Grand Slam yet, but age is on his side and the masculine power that he exuded on the ground is reminiscent of the same.

Roger Federer is not only a great player but also he is a class act. His temperament and balanced poise as well as his elegance and charm has won him true laurel. Not only mere mortals like us but the stellar manufacturers and companies like Nike and Rolex found interest in him and in the hallmark of a real champion that he bears. Despite the fact that he might not be performing with the same brilliance that made him one of the finest tennis players of all time, he is not playing sub-standard tennis either.

Many would remember his effortless style of playing which had become nemesis for so many of his opponents. His finesse took him to unimaginable glory as he seemingly cherished every bit of his professional career. And the more the stature of the champion elevated, the more his humility got noticed by the audience. The effect of his very presence had become chanting and captivating, which is conspicuous with stupendous legends of his stature.

When a mammoth of a tree falls, the ground shatters and shakes. The year 2003 marked the end of such an illustrious career of Sampras. The pain of his departure was alleviated to certain extent with a new journey that began with Roger’s arrival on the center stage. What a saga it truly has been ever since, as he claimed 17 fabulous slams in his kitty. Winning became a consistent trend for him. Although he is still to win a Slam in 2014, he has won 3 titles already and things do not look as bleak as it may sound.

But still this is a sharp contrast to the monotonous times, when we used to see the great man take down his opponents so relentlessly. Although his dominance has not been so thorough on clay courts, he nevertheless has completed career slam in the gentlemen singles category, as a result of his French Open win on Robin Soderling in 2009. His popularity is still sky rocketing.  Today Federer went down fighting but he has shown mettle and courage to fight.

Possibly one of the fiercest battles fought on tennis courts were those between Federer and the Spanish southpaw Rafael Nadal. There is no denying that on most occasions, whenever Roger competed against Nadal in grand slam final match, the former ended up as a loser. The aging star who displays an impressive serve and volley combination coupled with valiant winners and engrossing rallies has been particularly great on grass and hard courts. However despite Nadal not regularly excelling on grass courts these days, and his knee injury further playing the spoiler, the Swiss ace has not been able to capitalize on the situation. Rather, he has been facing stiffer competition from newer quarters lately. His compatriot Stan Wawrinka, the Serbian stalwart Djokovic and the English sensation Andy Murray look like new favorite contenders for winning a Slam.

Roger is an extraordinary talent and achievements like holding on to the first rank for record three hundred and two weeks explain his capability of delivering. He is still the heartthrob of millions of tennis enthusiasts. Nevertheless he lost the game today, the sharpness and resolve was evident. Many of his followers maintain that this Swiss star looks good for winning another major. After all, he is no ordinary sportsperson and his seventeen singles slam titles are testimony to what he is really capable of producing. Until then, can look forward to the next extravaganza when the Federer comes out to dazzle us with his style of tennis.