Game Set Match !

This has been a great year for Tennis fans around the world. Particularly me.
It was my first complete tennis year in Mumbai after a long time and this meant that thanks to the wonder of Indian Standard Time – I watched every single final comfortably at home.
With beer and friends, in the Gym and with cold milk and crunchy cereal for company in the dead of the night like this past week.
It was also a great year for Federer fans around the world. Particularly me. 
When I saw the Australian Open Final loss – It made me sooo mad. I just couldn’t believe it. Ofcourse Nadal played like a champ. But I really really wanted the Fed win.
But the Federer who broke down at the Rod Laver arena and the Federer who walked into Roland Garros few months later – seemed very different.
It was one of the best moment s of 2009 for me when he won the elusive title and raised the Coupe des Mousquetaires … high!
I had wanted him to win the French Open for so long – I won’t be forgetting that in a hurry 
The Wimbledon final was match of the year for me– especially with the 30 game final set thanks to the lack of a tie breaker.
I felt for Roddick but – come on: It was awesome that Fed won – wasn’t it!

US Open. Let’s not talk about it. I’m still in shock. Potro is a star!
But I think Fed is going to come back stronger than ever in 2010.
And what I am hoping for is that Nadal recovers from his injuries, Potro does not get any more infected toenails that keep him out of play and sparks fly on the court in 2010. And that Federer takes them all down.
What else can make a Tennis fan like me super happy?
Love maybe… but then again….
Remember that in Tennis ... The scoring only starts there. Love means nothing.

So here is to the year that was:

Australian Open
Fed versus Rafa
Rafa 7-5 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-2
I cant get over Fed breaking down and saying "God - Its killing me".
What a match ! And Rafa walking upto Fed and putting his arm around him.
Two of the greatest athletes - sharing that moment.

French Open
Fed versus Soderling
Fed 6-1 7-6 6-4
The tennis Gods were surely in Paris as Fed won his historic French Open title !
It was almost apocalyptic... Federer sank to his knees and clouds and thunder roared overhead. Even the Gods were clapping in joy!


Wimbledon
Fed versus Roddick
Fed 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14
A 30 game last set.
Seriously ? I mean .. Seriously? And in the magician;s own words in his post match interview: (This is why I love Federer)
“I think the Becker/Edberg final. I don’t remember which year because they played a few times. Sitting at home in the living room, watching them play, thinking hopefully one day I can be like them, you know.That’s I guess where idols and inspirations are good. They push you forward. Then along the way you joke around and say it’s coming closer. You know, when you win a practice match, you know, you just fake like you’ve just won Wimbledon, you know. All of a sudden it’s really happening, you know.
But it’s so surreal to think that far ahead, that it’s amazing coming through in the end like this today.”
And note that Fed was wearing a T shirt that said “There is no finish line – Far from done” and when asked about his becoming a legend he said “I don’t know if you are a legend while you are still playing the sport”



US Open
Fed versus Potro
Potro 3-6 7-6 4-6 7-6 6-2
Said Potro while receiving his trophy for his first career grand slam “I had two dreams last week. One was to win the US Open and the other was to be like Roger. One is done, but I need to improve a lot to be like you”.
A terrific win by a terrific athlete who beat both Nadal and Fed in one weeks time who is only 20 years old.
In the post match interview Federer – ever graceful as always called Potro “The better man” and said that in the past few years .. he and Nadal had this thing going and now manybe Potro was going to join that.


And I for one can’t wait to see what happens in 2010!
Good Bye 2009 !