A row of spectators, not far from the stadium, Waving a bunch of small Swiss flags. Those red and white crosses are everywhere in Roger Federer’s brilliance, -year career. The same goes for his “RF” monogram, printed on baseball caps and T-shirts, and often added to the word “perfect.” For many, he is.
Another large Swiss flag held high in the stands reads: “We love you Roger” with a cartoon picture of a goat. To this group 10,25 Fans of the O2 Arena in London, and millions around the world, Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time. They — we — traveled across continents to watch him play, conquer the Four Slams, and redefine a sometimes-repetitive sport with art and grace. Armed with flags and hats, camera phones and ready emotions, we’re here to witness the epic moment of his retirement from sports.
The pitch’s steep bowls were crowded and bathed in the blue and red light of the Laver Cup’s two team colours. The high-octane event — all dry ice and thumping techniques; not exactly Wimbledon Centre Court — was a team format, with matches played over three days. But since Federer’s retirement was announced earlier this week, every ticket-holder knows it’s no longer about Team Europe or Team World. It was Roger’s night. Last match, in doubles with Rafa Nadal. Federer’s own bow.
Apparently, nobody told Andy Murray.
Coming
When Federer and Nadal jumped on the court, It was late at night and the crowd had already stood up. A thrilling scream turned into a shout, then a roar. A dense forest of camera phones. The forwards are Robert Federer, Alexander Zverev, Stefan Edberg, Rod Laver. As the decibels drop, old foes and old friends are warming up to slice and smash and people start to wonder :- years old to play? Will his multi-operated knee collapse after one forehand stretch? His reaction – at after is a few months away from the sport – seems tragically depleted?
Of course it never ends in pathos, even if it ends up being Francis’ American duo Tiafoe and Jack Sock (both of whom are good at doubles) outperform the seniors. Federer may have lost his physical invincibility, but his touch is there. After some tense moments, Fed’s serve – the smoothest arabesque, with his left hand pointed at the perfectly thrown ball – was as deadly as ever. And when Rafa unleashed deep topspin, backed up by Federer’s angled volley at the net, their combined talent was sublime.
For two hours, the weight of the occasion threatened to overwhelm the game. There were cheers every time Roger’s racket touched the ball, but there were also moments when the crowd fell silent, and in the final minutes of Federer time, only one voice shouted: “Thank you, Roger!” Then, for a few seconds After the clock, “Thank you, Master!”
call it a hyperbolic fan moment, but in fact, it would be in court. Defeated in the tiebreaker, Federer came to the net to shake hands long after midnight for the last time of his career. Then the tears started. From Nadal – who sat crying with his hands over his mouth – from almost every eye in the stadium, but most memorable was the Swiss himself. Jim Courier could barely calm down when he began the inevitable on-court interview.
“I don’t want to let It all gets lonely,” he said of his chosen retirement moment, “I wanted it to feel like a celebration, and that’s what it is.” But he was emotional as he thanked his wife Mirka Melted, Mirka stood in the shadow of the crowd with her four children. And the spectators, those fans of Federer’s home team, who have played anywhere in his world for more than two decades?
“Love you all, it’s been an amazing journey,” he said, basking in the blue and red rays Thousands of people raised a hand. “thank you all.”
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