Some people will go through their entire lives without knowing what that purpose is. Often those without it find themselves doing more harm than good in my experience. That's why whenever we come across someone who's purpose seems abundantly clear for all to see it's something wondrous and almost magical to behold.
The reason why it's so special is because we all seek to know our own raison d'être. When we encounter those who have theirs and truly demonstrate it to us, it fills us with hope and inspiration. I feel that way about a number of different people in many walks of life.
I feel that way about Barack Obama, who I feel was born with the unique combination of qualities that enabled him to do the seemingly impossible and become America's first non-white president.
In sports when you see someone who seems destined to do what they do, it captures the imagination like very few things. Ayrton Senna is an example of someone whom I truly believe was born to be a champion motor racer (as he undoubtedly did too). I feel that way about Usain Bolt. His height and physique are very much atypical of 100m and 200m sprinters but it's these qualities that give him an almost unassailable advantage over his rivals.
But I must say, I especially feel that way about Roger Federer. When I watch him play tennis at his best, it's like very few things I've ever experienced in sports. I've followed his career since 2002 or so but I really started to root for him and his graceful, effortless style during Wimbledon 2003 when he captured his first title at the All England Club. Since then his career has skyrocketed into something very few would have predicted (especially not Pat Cash!)
Ultimately its been relatively easy to jump aboard the 'Federer Express' since there were periods where he utterly dominated the sport. He still holds more grand slam singles titles than any other male in tennis history. But Since 2010 he's collected only 2 grand slam titles. To put that into context Nadal has won no fewer than 8 in that span, Djokovic has claimed 7, while Andy Murray and Stan Warinka also have 2 each since 2012.
Although Federer is in decline, at least relative to his exploits from 2003 to 2009 where he collected a mind boggling 15 slams in 7 years, his decline is like nothing we've ever seen in tennis. He's no longer top dog but he's still officially second best player in the world and still winning titles (albeit relatively minor ones) and he still contesting Wimbledon finals.
It's remarkable to think that as his old nemesis Nadal is starting to creak and topple down the ATP world rankings at 29, while Fed still seems as graceful as ever (if somewhat less effective than he was in his halcyon days). And to think he stands on the brink of possibly his greatest achievement yet. Tomorrow he faces Novak Djokovic in a rematch of last year's final as well as a chance to avenge that defeat and a shot at slam no. 18. This is his 10th (TENTH!!!) Wimbledon final in 17 years and should he win this will be his 8th title.
The fact that going into this final you could argue that the 33 year old Federer seems to be in better form than the world's undisputed best player is beyond belief. As Murray put it after being being comprehensively dismantled in straight sets in the semis "I don't think anyone at that age has played better". The key as it was all along is Federer's effortless style which "doesn't put too much strain on the body" according to Murray. His style of play and the physical attributes he has been blessed with make him unique. His elegance has often been his downfall especially when pitted against the gritty, physical and brutal brilliance of Nadal in his pomp but it's also the reason he's still able to compete so consistently at this level after all these years.
It could be argued that the greatest opponent both Federer and Nadal have ever faced is time itself. It's a brutal and ravaging opponent as both will attest. It's an opponent that is even more ruthless than Nadal's wicked topspin forehand on Phillip Chatrier, and it remains an undefeated foe. In truth, time has dealt with Rafa better than Roger ever could. Conversely Federer has faired better against times relentless attack on his athletic abilities and that is testament to his natural talent and work ethic.
I for one hope Federer is able to triumph tomorrow as he's easily been the best and most talented tennis player I've ever seen. Watching him roll back the years against a younger, stronger opponent in the semis of the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, I can't help but feel like Federer was put on this earth for this. One thing is certain I can't imagine him doing him anything else, can you?
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