- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
In 2006 Roger Federer experienced the best year of his career. His win-loss record was 92-5 – 92 wins and 5 losses. He won 12 titles, including 3 grand slams, made 16 finals in 17 tournaments and banked a cool $8.3 million in prize money.
And he won the Tennis Masters Cup in China late that year as well.
He’s widely considered to be the greatest of all time. So what makes his so great? Commitment, belief, hard work, natural talent, an ability to soak up pressure, and the confidence to back himself when the match is slipping away.
But one of his greatest traits is how he handles himself with unbridled humbleness whether he wins or suffers a loss. Unlike others who appear deferential, Roger most definitely is.
My father was a champion sprinter in the professional ranks many years ago. He won Australian titles and a leg of a world title over 70 yards in the 1930s. His philosophy never wavered: refrain from boasting, and always give credit to your competitors.
He drummed that into me for years, but much to his chagrin, I couldn’t run out of sight on a dark night.
After Roger defeated Andy Murray in the 2012 Wimbledon final, he was asked about his lead-up form, and he said he was in great shape. That was a fact, not a big-headed comment, and to be a champion athlete you must be able to acknowledge when you are on top of your game.
But he was also asked about his opponent, who had the weight of the United Kingdom on his shoulders at the All England Club. Roger’s reply was as clean and perfect as one of his classic forehand winners:
“He’s done so well over the years he’s been so consistent and to me it shows that he cares so dearly about tennis, about this tournament, he’ll at least win one grand slam so this is what I hope for Andy.”
Wow.
After losing to Rafael Nadal in the 2009 Australia Open, Roger broke down. He couldn’t complete his speech and then moments later returned to the microphone to thank Rafa and wish him all the best for the up-coming season.
Other sporting stars are humble as well. But there seems to be something elegant, classy and real when Roger is in front of a microphone.
He is the perfect template for up-and-coming champions.
And so we get another chance to see the Fed Express in action over the summer at the Australian Open. No doubt we will again be impressed with this man’s demure not just on the court but off it as well.
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.