Roger Federer conquers Roland Garros

By: Subhadeep Bhattacharjee

Last year he was in tears after loosing the third consecutive final at Roland Garros to Rafael Nadal. This time too there were tears in Roger Federer's eyes but they were tears of joy and happiness having conquered the only peak that had eluded him so far in his illustrious career. Roger Federer finally conquered the French Open defeating Robin Soderling in straight sets and also equaling Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slams.

Federer had been a finalist here in the last three occasions but could not break the Nadal Code when it came to playing on clay. This time with his nemesis the Spaniard Rafael Nadal not making it to the finals the 27 year old Swiss was not going to let this one go. The best compliment perhaps came from his opponent Soderling who said “Roger gave me a lesson in how to play tennis.” It was also a big hearted effort by Soderling to reach the finals of the French Open before losing out to Federer.

It was an awesome display authoritative tennis by Federer who signaled his intentions breaking Soderling’s serve in the very first game. Taking advantage of his opponent’s unforced errors Federer won the match in straight sets. Another thing noticeable was the crowd support for Federer, Parisians did not want Federer to leave Roland Garros empty handed this time.

Roger Federer also became a part of the elite club of Fred Perry, Don Budge, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and Andre Agassi all of whom have won all the four grand slams or as they say achieve the Career Grand Slam. Such elite is the club that it doesn't include the names of legends of the game like Pete Sampras, Björn Borg, Jimmy Connors, John Newcombe, Ken Rosewall and Ivan Lendl.

Many greats of the game have always believed the French Open to be a jinxed tournament whose crown has eluded the biggest of names in Tennis. From Pete Sampras to Borris Becker and from John McEnroe to Jimmy Connors all have had to bite the dust when it came to playing on clay. Roger Federer has relieved himself from the huge burden of not winning a French Open.

Federer will surely go down as one if the biggest names in men's tennis. True he might lack the flamboyance of an Andre Aggasi, the powerful aces of a Pete Sampras, the backhand play of Björn Borg or the aggression of Borris Becker but with 14 grand slams under his belt at age 27 the Swiss will surely conquer many more territories before hanging his boots.