If there is one thing I haven’t learned as a sports fan, it’s how to take losses with as grace and dignity as the way my idol does. I ought to know by now that that’s the deal with sports, this one in particular, is that there will always be a loser. Too bad it usually happens to my faves. It had been a match worthy of a Champions Final and truly, the Federer-Djokovic match up often bring out the best of the game. Djokovic was in control and on top for most part with Federer being unable to do anything about his opponent’s blistering return of serve. By the time Djokovic was serving for the Championship in the 4th set, I was doing what I do when the end is nigh — hiding under a pile of blankets and pillows with tears streaming down my face as I resigned myself to the inevitable.

But then Federer sunk his claws in and fought right back. I’m reminded, during times like these, that underneath his cool exterior lies that determination and stubbornness that people often regard little of and you can just see how much he wants this. Before I knew it, he managed to level the match and force a fifth and deciding set. At this point, I started breathing a little easier and allowed a tiny bit of hope to seep in.

Still, it wasn’t to be.

It stings.

Knowing how close he have gotten and that missed break point opportunity in the middle of the 5th set. The singular what might have been were he able to capitalise on that. And yet, despite the fact that I am currently wallowing in a pit of misery, I am satisfied. True we didn’t get the result we wanted but this proved that Roger Federer is still very much around. That he is likely to win more Grand Slams in his career and that you should never, ever count him out. Roger is staying up there with the best, until the time he chooses to leave.  And finally, congratulations to Novak Djokovic, for a well-deserved win. I say this without a hint of resentment because maybe, I am starting to get over this.

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