It probably couldn't happen on a more fitting stage. And when self-contained, the event may not look all that extraordinary, but when judged and deemed on a grander scale, the evidence crystallizes itself that much more.
Roger Federer, maybe the most beloved Swiss adornment since fine chocolate may perhaps be slowing down. It might seem blasphemous to those who follow the strangely enticing and hypnotic sport of tennis on a yearly basis, but the signs are conspicuous now more than ever, and show up more frequently and at a much higher, and alarming rate.
His early exit at the All-England Club in Wimbledon this past week (a quarterfinal meltdown to 21st-ranked Czech Tomas Berdych) serves notice to the world that the Roger Federer of old, as well as his dominant, merciless, and stylistically enchanting style of play may be dissipating, much to the chagrin of his legion of followers and fans worldwide.
To add poetic rhetoric to the tale, a young Spaniard who is just hitting the prime of his career is taking up residence in the throne that has been held by the Swiss master for the past seven years.
Rafael Nadal, or 'Rafa' as he has come to be familiarized to the world as, defeated Berdych and took London's most fabled prize at Wimbledon on Sunday, and while that may be nothing new to those who know his overpowering style of play and constantly agressive tactics on the court, the 24-year old may as well make himself comfortable in that coveted number-1 position as ranked by ATP World Tour rankings. It seems more and more unlikely that Federer may never reach that threshold of dominance again.
The declining trend started months ago, and while pinpointing the genesis of the greatest tennis player of all time's descent into- not mediocrity, but certainly not the commanding style of play that we're used to seeing from the Swiss great, may be difficult, the DNA evidence doesn't need the CSI folk to trace.
The 28-year old, who celebrates his 29th on August 8, lost to Robin Soderling, the 5th-ranked Swede in the French Open quarterfinals last month (while fittingly, Nadal would win that title as well), and while winning the Australian Open this past year, has seemed to struggle at times in matches he was picked by pundits to be the clear favourite in.
Accompanying his meteoric rise to grace has been his trademark modesty and patience with the media, always playing down his historic and record-breaking accomplishments that until now, have seemed to come regularly. Federer seems to have bucked that trend as well, complaining in his post-match interviews about the newest injury that hampered his chances of winning the match that got away from him. From hamstrings to thyroids, journalists may need a medical dictionary if he keeps breaking out new injury updates.
This of course downplays his opponents' achievements in beating Federer, and makes the once-modest Swiss master seem more like an excuse-hungry amateur, looking for a back-door way out of the losses he's gathered.
Of course, it may just be a slump he's in. A rough patch in his ever-winding road to the 'greatest tennis player of all time' status. But mix his recent shortcomings with his 29-year old frame, add a crop of rising tennis stars lurking in the weeds and throw in the rise of 'Rafa', and you may just have the recipe for the beginning of the end for Federer.
Roger Federer, maybe the most beloved Swiss adornment since fine chocolate may perhaps be slowing down. It might seem blasphemous to those who follow the strangely enticing and hypnotic sport of tennis on a yearly basis, but the signs are conspicuous now more than ever, and show up more frequently and at a much higher, and alarming rate.
His early exit at the All-England Club in Wimbledon this past week (a quarterfinal meltdown to 21st-ranked Czech Tomas Berdych) serves notice to the world that the Roger Federer of old, as well as his dominant, merciless, and stylistically enchanting style of play may be dissipating, much to the chagrin of his legion of followers and fans worldwide.
To add poetic rhetoric to the tale, a young Spaniard who is just hitting the prime of his career is taking up residence in the throne that has been held by the Swiss master for the past seven years.
Rafael Nadal, or 'Rafa' as he has come to be familiarized to the world as, defeated Berdych and took London's most fabled prize at Wimbledon on Sunday, and while that may be nothing new to those who know his overpowering style of play and constantly agressive tactics on the court, the 24-year old may as well make himself comfortable in that coveted number-1 position as ranked by ATP World Tour rankings. It seems more and more unlikely that Federer may never reach that threshold of dominance again.
The declining trend started months ago, and while pinpointing the genesis of the greatest tennis player of all time's descent into- not mediocrity, but certainly not the commanding style of play that we're used to seeing from the Swiss great, may be difficult, the DNA evidence doesn't need the CSI folk to trace.
The 28-year old, who celebrates his 29th on August 8, lost to Robin Soderling, the 5th-ranked Swede in the French Open quarterfinals last month (while fittingly, Nadal would win that title as well), and while winning the Australian Open this past year, has seemed to struggle at times in matches he was picked by pundits to be the clear favourite in.
Accompanying his meteoric rise to grace has been his trademark modesty and patience with the media, always playing down his historic and record-breaking accomplishments that until now, have seemed to come regularly. Federer seems to have bucked that trend as well, complaining in his post-match interviews about the newest injury that hampered his chances of winning the match that got away from him. From hamstrings to thyroids, journalists may need a medical dictionary if he keeps breaking out new injury updates.
This of course downplays his opponents' achievements in beating Federer, and makes the once-modest Swiss master seem more like an excuse-hungry amateur, looking for a back-door way out of the losses he's gathered.
Of course, it may just be a slump he's in. A rough patch in his ever-winding road to the 'greatest tennis player of all time' status. But mix his recent shortcomings with his 29-year old frame, add a crop of rising tennis stars lurking in the weeds and throw in the rise of 'Rafa', and you may just have the recipe for the beginning of the end for Federer.
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