The Forever Number One

He should retire,

He doesn't have it in him anymore,

He's too far behind Nole,

He should retire before it's too late,

He is not fit anymore,

He doesn't have the touch he used to once...

This was 2013, 2014, 2015 and even 2016. 

But then when so many people want you to be history, you just pick your Wilson wand and make it. That's Roger Federer for you.

As the ATP rankings were declared this Monday, there was a significant piece of history awaiting all of us. We witnessed the oldest Number 1 ever. It was Roger. Regaining this position for the first time since 2012 and the third time since he held it for the first time, back in 2004. His tally at the helm stands at 303 weeks now and counting, more than any player in tennis' long history.

Well, statistics, among many other things, is what have stopped to matter for the guy called Roger Federer. There's no number that doesn't shout in his favor, not a single speck of grass, clay or decoturf that isn't the testimony to his greatness. Then, why such a brouhaha about this ranking. Aren't we accustomed to the Federer magic by now? We are, for sure. But there's a life lesson in this.

When the experts and tennis veterans had written him off, the man, with an already illustrious career and 17 Grand Slams, could have easily walked into the annals of history as a great. But then, the love for the game and the hunger to improve and compete with people half his age in arguably one of the most rigorous sports, is what kept him going. Improve is another verb that ideally shouldn't figure in Federer's dictionary. But then, he has the knack of amazing us. That one backhand down the line, that fleeting volley at the net, that oil painting of the cross-forehand, Federer can just extend his brilliance to all parts, leaving spectators gasping at his actions. And he just did that. 

Playing fewer tournaments, skipping the clay season, recuperating and of course IMPROVING his already sharp weapons, he had a fairytale 2017 and now extending it even into 2018, winning his Grand Slam number 20 in Melbourne. Well, 17 was good for other legends, other world number 1s, but Federer is once in a lifetime. As he won his 97th career title and regains his throne at Rotterdam, the folklore of tennis shots as much as it can and says his name. Then, Now, Forever, Federer.