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2008-11-03 11:13:28
Sadly, the curtain has fallen on another exciting ATP regular season.
If you are at all like we are, you felt an annoying, yet familiar ache at the conclusion of the championship match in Paris over the weekend. It wasn't the result, nor the atrocious behaviour of the Parisian crowd throughout the tournament that made us sigh with resignation on Sunday.
The upcoming battle between the elite eight in Shanghai provides us with a small degree of comfort, as does my personal invitation to the Davis Cup in Mar del Plata at the end of November. Truth be told, however, nothing satisfies quite like the tour in full swing.
Finding ourselves in dire need of some consolation until January, all of us at Team DdV are attempting to soothe the pain with a stroll down memory lane alongside our "forever #1," Roger Federer.
2008 proved to be a challenging year for our favourite tennis genius. He began the year hampered by a nasty case of mononucleosis, and ended it sidelined with a painful back injury. In between, he suffered an astonishingly awful defeat at the French Open, lost his beloved Wimbledon crown, and if that weren't enough, surrendered his number one ranking after a record 237 consecutive weeks.
We continued to grow impatient as the year wore on, anxiously awaiting an upturn of the tennis tide. Eventually, some relief came by way of a trifecta of tournament championships, Olympic doubles gold in Beijing, and a title defense in Flushing Meadows, marking a bit of a resurgence for the smarting Swiss.
Erratic results and a somewhat disappointing year aside, please enjoy our picks for Roger Federer's finest five moments on the ATP tour!
5) Roger, red-faced: Easily the funniest moment he's had on tour, and one that still makes us laugh, no matter how many times we see it. Think the always-composed ATP ace doesn't have a sense of humour? Watch this video!
4) Roger, redone: With the help of some designer duds and an iconic cut and style, Federer's eye-popping image transformation went from tragic to trendsetter.
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3) Showing his sensitive side: The touching trophy presentation at the 2006 Australian Open includes a cameo appearance made by living legend, Rod Laver. Arguably the best tennis moment we've ever seen.
2) Gone global: Having transcended the ranks of mere tennis player, we knew Federer had truly arrived. An appearance upon GQ Magazine's "Men of the Year" list for 2007 cemented his status as an international celebrity.
1) You never forget your "first": Federer's first Wimbledon title in 2003 kicked off the best and brightest championship run in tennis history. Since then, he has placed a dozen majors inside his trophy case, wo titles shy of breaking the record currently held by Pete Sampras.
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With a chance to make tennis history close at hand, we expect a fully fit Federer to return to the tour in 2009, ready to reclaim his spot at the top!
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I remember, I also cried after tht match...Roger's such a sweetheart.
janhavi , 11/3/08 12:56 PM
It was Nadal who had the better year, won French and Wimbeldon back to back something Fed hasnt managed or argubly ever will, yet no mention of this?
I like Fed but come on....
Britney , 11/3/08 1:49 PM
I loved this synopsis of ROGI's evolution. Particularly enjoyed revisiting Melbourne 2006......brought me to tears as well ! Here's to a scintillating 2009. ALLEZ ROG !
kazzie , 11/3/08 3:26 PM
Where have you been hiding yourself, dear? Why am I reading of your Davis Cup jaunt here, and not by mail or phone? Consider me an unhappy lady.
The Roger and Rocket video makes me weepy after all this time. So touching as you said.
Thank heavens for Mirka lending her hand to make him over. He was rather dull before she and Armani reached him. Wonderful indeed, dear.
RocketQueen , 11/3/08 4:18 PM
nice article as always.
poor rafa in the shadow of roger again!
sisterofnight12 , 11/3/08 5:41 PM
best player of history to play this game. good and true article.
elle , 11/3/08 10:50 PM
Wow, I don't think I've ever seen that Australian clip before. What was it about this one that got him so choked up? Does anyone know? He seems like an emotional guy, but wow. Such a sweetie.
I hope that he can get a good rest and be healthy for the coming year and come out swinging!
lyta1138 , 11/4/08 1:01 AM
Hello there!
Thank you very much for your kind words of encouragement, they mean a great deal to me. Thank you for the support; keep reading, as this is only the beginning of great things to come.
RQ- Please save your wounded pride. DC is a recent development, and not work related. When it is a personal invite, you know as soon as everyone else does. :)
Lyta- If memory serves me correctly, Roger was nursing an injury at the close of 2005. He lost that five set match against David Nalbandian in Shanghai, and from what I know, he had a difficult preparation going into the Australian Open.
He is unyieldingly competitive and tends to (over)control his emotions. When he won the title, he finally let go a little bit. Understandable in the end, considering Laver was the one to hand it to him. Really a tender moment in tennis, and something we don't get to see very often in professional sports.
I hope you are preparing for the YEC in less than one week's time. Take care; I'll be answering your mail on Friday!
Kisses,
DdV
DdV , 11/4/08 5:33 AM
Alright dear, fair is fair. I want the little details first, without hesitation. LOL. By the time you arrive JMDP had better be mended, and El Rey has best cleared his depression.
RocketQueen , 11/4/08 4:15 PM
ROGER FEDERER IS THE KING OF THE COURT
5 times wimbledon champion, 4 times US open champion.
What a champion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rockingfed , 11/7/08 5:34 PM
Rockingfed.........you do mean 5 times US Open Champion.....not 4.
The only player EVER to have held 5 consecutive Wimbledon and US Open tiles.
Casper , 11/7/08 6:16 PM
??????????
elle , 11/10/08 2:11 AM
zzzzzzzzz
sheila , 12/9/08 5:14 AM
On Roger's photo shoot, they used Photoshop too much to change his face.
nobinh , 12/10/08 6:59 AM
OK, seriously what the hell happened to this place? kk its xmas but where are all the blogs and posters?
Britney , 12/29/08 10:00 PM
Dani DeVine brings you the lighter side of the ATP. Comment or concerns? Contact Dani at dani.devine [AT] tennistalk.com...
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Did you know that... Roger Federer and golf superstar Tiger Woods are good friends.
remi, Jan 7, 2009 12:47 PM
torres9, Jan 7, 2009 12:44 PM
Monisha, Jan 7, 2009 12:20 PM
homos, Jan 7, 2009 8:35 AM
homos, Jan 7, 2009 5:17 AM
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kaitepai, Jan 6, 2009 10:20 AM
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excellent..loved it..thanks..I soo hope he comes back fully fit and strong next year..
janhavi , 11/3/08 12:45 PM