It was once again the big topic in front of this Australian Open, even before this tennis season 2018. The question as to whether the next and next generation in the travelling circus would finally scrape at the hegemony of the cheerful old people.
But what was the interim score, at the Grand Slam venue in Melbourne, after almost two weeks of qualifying matches at the other end of the world? From there, from the Rod Laver-Arena, the oldest Grand Slam finalist since 1972, a certain Roger Federer greeted him – the eternal Maestro, the tenacious master player who continues to refine his career beyond the 30s and continues to refine it.
Almost without any effort, he jumped the penultimate hurdle on his way to his 20th birthday. Major title, in the semi-final his 15-year-old rival Hyeon Chung threw in the towel after 62 minutes, but at 1:6 and 2:5 the South Korean gave up a match because of painful blood bubbles under his feet, which was never a serious match.
“You don’t want to win like that,”Federer later said,”but of course I’m really looking forward to the final. On Sunday (9.30 a. m. at the LIVETICKER) Federer and Croatian Marin Cilic face a man in the last, decisive Grand Slam rendezvous, who had similar problems against him as poor Chung about half a year ago.
Cilic sat on his Centre Court chair in tears, long before the actual end of the Wimbledon final, the 29-year-old knew that his title dream had burst. Like Chung, Cilic was treated for blisters on her feet, the physiotherapists did their best for her, but the pain was greater than the Croatian’s will.
However, he still played – obviously with great pain – to the end, but it was no longer a normal cup duel:”I’m sure it will be different on Sunday. Marin is in great shape, looks healthy and fit. I stand up to massive resistance,”says Federer.
But he himself remains the phenomenon of open tennis, men’s tennis. Federer, who represents timeless class like no other in modern professional tennis. When he was asked on Friday by Centre Court-Interviewer Jim Courier, the former World Rankings Leader, what the chance was for him to turn 20. To play Grand Slam title, Federer said:”It is simply incredible. I would’ve thought it was a joke a year ago.”
At that time, as a reminder, Federer had a six-month injury break before the title coup against Nadal and also had a very long dry spell – between major title number 17 (2012, Wimbledon) and the victory in Melbourne were four and a half years. Federer’s quality also means “radiating a fundamentally positive attitude throughout his entire career”, says Pat Cash, the Australian ex-superstar:”He firmly believes in his chance. And he does everything he can to keep getting new chances.”
Federer broke all possible records in his exceptional career, you could fill whole newspaper pages with it – without getting bored with the phenomenal figures. But more fascinating is the man in the champion, the man who, despite his overwhelming dominance in many career years, even his colleagues could never be angry. With his 36 years of age, Federer is more than ever the universal tennis ambassador, next to the very tough competitor he is, of course.
In Melbourne, at these Open Australian Championships in 2018, this was once again evident. What happened when the worst rival Nadal had to stop the title fight because of a hip injury? Federer sent him a personal message before his departure, wishing him the best for recovery.
What happened when Alexander Zverev crept into the cabin after his knockout against Chung? Federer encouraged him, told him not to lose the perspective for a brilliant career through this defeat. There were even more examples of his lifelong attitude to life:”It’s nice to be important (and successful). But more importantly, be nice. As far as the niceness of the Centre Court is concerned, this always applies to Federer:”The greatest respect you can show an opponent is your own best bet.
There wasn’t much to gain for those who had previously faced him in Melbourne, he didn’t let his colleagues win the set, no matter what age group they were in. Two hours and 14 minutes, against the Czech Berdych – that was the most complex operation of the Swiss team to date. Now the seventh Australian Open finale, the 30. of his career. With the twentieth victory?”I’m prepared for a big, intense fight,”says Federer. Perhaps he himself hopes to be challenged at last.