"I don't care what the others say, I like it when it is praise" - Roger Federer

100+ aces in the tournament, no set dropped, impeccable performance all through, unruffled after playing for 4 hours, a 5 time winning streak.....and still, the guy could not earn enough camera attention? A very short while back, the guy got nothing but praise for his perfection, his natural flair, the ability to raise his game per the requirements of the opponent, the reigning champion....but the commentators could not utter a single word of appreciation for him even when the match began? No camera focus? no discussion about his extraordinary feat?......

With the exceptional match, at least he shut their mouths up. It was surely not his best performance, or his full faith in his shots, or his natural game. But it was the game of "the king". Only his opponent, the wonderful Rafa, gave him credit for what he is, and acknowledged that he is the best player ever been.

Here I should put in a few words of honor for Rafael Nadal. It is often difficult for me to convince people that I am Federer's supporter, and not Nadal's. I have never been disturbed or irritated by his superstitions or other antics, and have really admired his on-court killer persona, in spite of having the heart of a kid. I have given Nadal credit for all the matches he has won till date, even got up to clap when he thrashed Federer in 2008 French Open final. After all, he who won is the winner, and whatever effort he put in was at least an iota greater than his opponent's. However, today it was no victory for anybody, it was just a loss for Federer. Just a loss of.....

From 600 to 1400 July 6,2008, I was hooked on to the greens of Wimbledon, and wished to be physically present there in 2012 to watch my God win. There was no dearth of anxiety, emotions, stress, and awe. But I still wish that these things could have helped more. I tried my best. Well, I did not know I was superstitious, but today I surpassed all limits. I did not wear the same clothes I wore on the morning of French open, did not talk to my Austin buddies during the match, I kept my phone in the other room, just so that no conditions of French Open could be replicated. I did not eat because when I started eating he began to lose. While I was sitting he got 2 sets down, but when I did lie down, he got back into the game. So of course, the next 3 sets I was lying down on the carpet even though my back ached. I did not talk to anybody, or express any feelings. I did not pray. I searched and collected little dirt particles from the carpet after every game, throughout the match, and threw them out in the balcony, because it worked the first few times. He fought, he struggled, and all that I consider a part of the game, but I could not believe the loss. I just wish I could have done something more.

Yesterday I took my GMAT. Of course it was scheduled for yesterday on purpose, so that I could watch this final with full concentration. I went into the exam with the only thought of Federer, and the way he tackles each ball with full vigor, and that I will have to put a fraction of that effort into every question. During the exam I often thought about the same and courtesy Federed, I did quite well. I wish I could have done something more to help him today.

I think I knew this would come some day, but I had hidden it in such a nook of my mind, that I don't think I could have found it until this morning came. It is not always that I overrule my sanity, and so I just wanted/believed/hoped/wished him to continue forever. That is probably because I dread the thought of his becoming absent from the game of tennis. For me right now, there will be nothing left to watch after that. I have come to associate so many of my principles with him, and learn so much from him all the time, that it seems difficult to think about the absence of my guide.

My regret is that I could not enjoy the game of tennis, strictly in those terms, because I have heard that "it was a spectacle, the most wonderful match ever been". But, I don't think I saw that match then. I was just numbed.