Roger Federer: Player of the Month for January 2010

Roger Federer’s comprehensive performance in Melbourne was perhaps one of his best to date.

Defeating a handful of quality opponents along his trek to capturing his 16th Grand Slam title, the 28-year-old Swiss native proved that his status as the world’s best player was far from over. Surviving a stern test from Igor Andreev in the first-round, Federer later ended a two-match losing skid to Nikolay Davydenko in the quarterfinals. It was perhaps his match against Davydenko which ignited a confident flame under Federer’s continued success in the event. Brushing aside Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Andy Murray in the semifinals and finals, respectively, Federer was without a doubt the best player in January.

Recording his eighth straight finals appearance at a Major while keeping his worldly streak of reaching 23-straight Grand Slam semifinals alive, Federer made a strong case going forward that he may very well finish No. 1 in the world for a sixth time this year. Surpassing the $55-million mark in career prize money, Federer remains 12 wins shy of reaching his 700th victory on Tour. Adding his 62nd career title in Australia, Federer is now tied with Bjorn Borg and Guillermo Vilas at the No. 5 position on the all-time titles’ list. Could Jimmy Connors’ record title count of 109 tournaments be in jeopardy? Only time will tell. With Federer conceding that he intends to play well into his mid 30’s, the Swiss remains well in line to capture Pete Sampras’ 64 career titles, and John McEnore’s 77.

There were certainly many who doubted Federer’s form coming into 2010. His final set flop against Juan Martin del Potro in New York seemed to summon a complacent and content Federer, one who wasn’t bothered by Major defeat. Adding onto his disappointment at Flushing Meadows, Federer remained winless on the Tour for the remainder of the season. Losing to Novak Djokoivc in Basel, while leaving the Paris Masters at the hands’ of Julien Benneteau, became a cause for concern. Although the fall season was a preverbal time of rest for the big boys, it appeared that Federer had began to relinquish his aura of invincibility.

Meek results during the Tour final in London, as well as the Qatar event to begin the season, didn’t provide much in the way of a Federer romp Down Under. However, what the naysayers and pundits continually forgot when assessing Federer’s form during the non-Slam events, remained his mastery of playing five-set matches.

Federer’s relaxed and injury-free physic had historically allowed him to achieve optimal playability throughout a fortnight of tennis. Where players such as Murray, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokoivc push their physical and mental limits to achieve success, Federer’s uncanny ability to remain calm and composed under the most difficult of times remains bar-none his greatest asset. I’m not quite sure if Federer’s ability to remain reserved and in complete control of his emotions is a taught trait, but I may be able to provide a few reasons for the Swiss’ impenetrable focus.

First, Federer has some of the best footwork in the game. As Patrick McEnroe suggested during the final’s on Sunday, “Federer gets to every shot so early that he has so many options when making contact.” This vital and well-versed part of Federer’s game allows him to take initiative on pretty much each and every point. Never appearing a step slow when riffling a forehand crosscourt, Federer’s horizontal and vertical movement remains sublime.

Secondly, Federer is undoubtedly the most relaxed ball-striker the game has ever seen. Next time Federer is playing in an event, make sure you take a look at his face while he’s hitting a groundstroke. Keeping his eye on a shot even after it has left his racket, Federer remains utterly emotionless when hitting his strokes. This ability to keep his face and shoulders relaxed allows for the fluidity in his game to shine through. When players are tense and grunting through their shots—more often than not they are muscling their shots—and not allowing for their time and rhythm to take over—not Federer.

Lastly, there can’t be enough said about Federer’s experience. He’s played in every Major final on at least four occasions, and he’s aware that no one on the Tour can come close to that stat. I remember asking James Blake a few year’s back who he favored going into the 2008 the US Open, and without a moments hesitation, he responded with Federer. Blake went onto comment that his immediate response was driven around the “been there, done that” formula which Federer had always played under. What perhaps surprised me the most about Blake’s answer was that Federer had not won a Slam going into the ‘08 US Open. I guess I’ve been caught with own share of doubting Federer on more than one occasion.

Moving onto the remainder of the year, I’d say that Federer will be aiming to win his second French Open title as a major priority. In the event that he can defend his Roland Garros crown, the Swiss would have won every Slam on at least two occasions, while leading the all-time list. I’m sure Federer would love nothing more than to defeat an injury-free Nadal during the event—even though the odds and history would suggest a less than favorable result.

With one month into 2010, the tennis world remains centered around its staple figure. Federer has withstood all criticism and adversity which has been thrown his way, only to redirect those trying times into record success.

The scary thing about Federer is that the guy just loves playing tennis; not for money or for fame, but the for simplicity of competition and dedication to that competition.

It appears now, anyway, that a fit and ready Federer will remain on top.

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