It would've sounded unreal and overtly optimistic a couple months back being a Federer fan and to make such a bold statement this Olympics. The veteran and arguably one of the greatest tennis players still has motivation and excitement entering his 4th Olympics, an unconquered territory even for someone who has accomplished everything in the tennis horizon in his celebrated career.
Eventhough the Olympics with regards to Tennis is a churned out version of the classics-The Slams, and the Masters, some call it a joke to have Tennis at Olympics with all the changes in rules and unconventional ways to pick the players for the tournament can be considered for debate in the future. But despite all this, the event provides an opportunity to represent their respective countries, the fact that 7-8 of the Nation's Flag-bearers are infact Tennis players makes the Games itself little more prestigious to have the Tennis. We do not know the future of Tennis in Olympics, over the years the Olympics have been trimmed and refitted to different events and the fact that tennis is relatively a baby in the scheme of things since its the 8th time compared to the legacy the Games boasts.
But the excitement among the players one would go to think the event as a Leap Year cousin of the Slams. I do not understand the points awarded for such a prestigious rare event would still be a rank lower than the Masters 1000-(olympics winner-750pts), but still the fact of representing their nations gives the josh to most of the players. I would rather consider it a Championship event for the yearly Davis Cup. It sounds about right.. Hehe I can't understand how I arrived that conclusion, nonetheless doesn't matter for an average tennis fan to have back to back elite tournaments till end of year championships. Unless of course you are a Rafa Fan.
Falling in Place:
But I wouldn't complain, Rafa has had his run and to have already won the event in Beijing is better than be snubbed of the event at all.
It was shock for all the tennis world when Roger lost in the quarter finals of '08 Olympics to Blake, many of the tennis enthusiasts began to rule out Federer's chances of an Olympic Gold, he did himself a world of good by winning the doubles Gold, a win he still treasures.
But it's not about it, for some reason or other explainable or not, he has fallen short of Glory at what is considered a Celebration of Sports-The Olympics.
I don't know how much an Olympic Gold will weigh in the debate of the GOAT(Greatest of all-time), I don't believe there is one for some reason, but still the debate must go on for the better of the sport.
What is at stack is for a fact, that this possibly is Federer's last Olympics,(let's not kid ourselves, even if he is on tour Rio '16, It would seem impossible to continue this form) and it is like a fairy tale for him to be entering the event at pristine form and back at the top of rankings where he deserves to be. And to be playing the Event at his beloved courts of Wimbledon is nothing short of Magical.
It feels like things are falling in place for him eventhough it's premature to say and the path to victory is going to take some effort, but the Roger I know likes some challenges. Eventhough Rafa fans would be disappointed, I believe Roger had a sigh of relief, that's not the right way to say it, but I guess that's how it's meant to be. I would've taken Roger winning Nadal in finals as even sweeter, it doesn't matter at this point, again I am getting far ahead of myself now.
At the same time to think of it as everything falling in place for Roger and he doesn't fare well, it's gonna be doubly disappointing, but the draw looks less dangerous, being at the top has paid off, all the tournaments he toiled after the heartbreaking USO semi is finally showing, can't take anything for granted though.
If Federer infact goes onto win the event, could very well be translated to be the 8th Wimbledon, it's the magic land for Roger, he's born to conquer it, hope the Olympics nightmares are evened out by the spirit of Wimbledon.
It's yours Roger, go take it, it will be fitting the wait after all.
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