Roger Federer, a genius who made tennis look effortless and boring, has finally succumbed to cancer, according to the BBC. The announcement of his diagnosis followed a news conference on the eve of the French Open, in which Federer broke down in tears when asked about his condition. Federer had been battling cancer for more than a year.
Federer has been playing some of his best tennis of his career over the past two years since undergoing cancer treatment. But his play declined so badly in 2012 that he was forced to pull out of the Rogers Cup in Toronto when he felt too weak and his game fell apart. It was then that he started contemplating retirement. He’s played at least 90 matches in each of his last four majors. Federer last won a Major in 2010, when he became the first men to advance to the quarterfinals since Bjorn Borg in 2004.
To say he is a genius is an understatement. He was never really out of tennis, though. His tennis has always been about more than talent. But you don’t need talent to win a grand slam. And in fact, the very fact that Federer lost the 2004 Masters to Jimmy Connors says it all.
In fact, it is hard to think of a more amazing athlete in history than Federer. The man is a multi-talented giant. He excelled in every sport he played and excelled at each of them on an elite level. He is still as sharp today as he was 30 years ago. And if there is such a thing as a “great” athlete (like Federer), it would be difficult to find one who is more brilliant.
Federer is also an inspiring human being. He’s got this beautiful attitude toward life, and it’s great to see him be so passionate about tennis and life too. This is how I’d describe him above all. He’s a “genius” and a “saint.”
It’s been said that the first step toward greatness is to realize it’s already there. And that is true