Typical male response.

I, on the other hand, was just in awe. It was, to me, completely amazing that a great man like Roger Federer could defy all traditional male gender expectations and openly display his disappointment, vulnerability and frustration in the form of sobbing, salty tears in international media! The next day, it was all over the news, and I feel that for most of the world (and reporters), the tears he shed were more poignant than Nadal’s victory.

That makes last night’s win, all the more victorious. Any tennis-fan will know exactly the implications behind last night’s win for Federer. After all, until last night, victory at Roland-Garros had always been elusive. Adding to that, last night’s victory seals his position as one of the best players in tennis history. But more importantly than all that is how relieved and truly victorious Roger Federer must have felt last night, standing at the podium as a winner, and not as runner-up to Rafael Nadal.

Roger Federer will go down in tennis history as one of the greats. At 27, he still has a couple years more to top up the number of Grand Slam titles he holds and be noted as the Man in Tennis. Sampras holds most Grand Slams and Agassi championed all courts, but until this day, no one but Federer can claim ownership to both. So I’m sure no one begrudged him his teary win yesterday as the Swiss anthem played.

Because victory at Roland-Garros was more than just good tennis and more than just that huge ass silver bowl. With his top skill, ballet-like footwork, determination, gentle disposition, amazing sportsmanship and modern masculinity, Federer is, to me, the champion of all sporting history.

Congrats, Fed-Ex. It was a victory well-deserved.

Photo credits:
1. Telegraph.co.uk – Roger Federer’s tears for succession by Rafael Nadal

2. Telegraph.co.uk – French Open 2009: Roger Federer relieved to finally win at Roland Garros