What can Roger Federer teach the T20 generation ?

It was a moment frozen in time. Roger Federer raising his hands in triumph, a wry smile on his face and tears in his eyes. The master had just climbed an Everest that did not even exist: claimed his 20th Grand Slam. He already held the record for most with 19 and second on the list was another tennis legend : Rafael Nadal with 16. At the age of 36 old father time had stretched the limits and raised the bar yet again.

Federer winning his 20th Grand Slam tournament is symbolic in more ways than one. Between Wimbledon 2012 and January 2017 when FedEx as he is popularly known did not win a single grand slam the question on everyone’s lips was : Was it the end of the road for the road great man ? Had age claimed him ? He proved his critics wrong by winning the Australian Open in 2017 and then Wimbledon the same year.

Federer can teach a few lessons to the T20 generation of cricketers and enthusiasts. The first is passion. This has to come from within. The second is indomitable self belief. This is what kept him going when the grand slams eluded him. The third is his ability to adapt. Continuously working on his game and adding new dimensions to it. This is perhaps where the T20 generation can learn from him most. There are far too many T20 specialists who don’t make the cut in the longest form of cricket: Test matches. While no one grudges them their financial rewards, they clearly lack the ability to battle it out at the highest level. This also explains why one day specialists fail in test cricket.

Yes, cricket is not tennis. Also achievements in individual and team sports cannot be compared. What is undeniable though is that his feat has turned conventional sports logic on its head: Youth spells success. Age spells at best survival.

It can also be argued that not everyone has the skills to succeed in the longest from of cricket, and there are only 11 places in a team. Some test specialists cannot make it to the T20 and one day international teams. Fair enough.

There is one thing though in which the T20 generation can treat Federer as a role model: Grace. All this calls for is a change in mindset. Why does Rolex the world’s topmost watch brand consistently choose Federer for endorsing it? This excerpt from their website says it all (https://www.rolex.com/rolex-and-sports/tennis/roger-federer.html): Roger’s refined sense of style, dedication and generous nature contribute to his greatness and align perfectly with the Rolex philosophy of excellence.

It is possible to be aggressive in intent without letting it spill over into on or off field behavior. If courage is grace under pressure, then Roger Federer surely epitomises it. Millions maybe made by the T20 generation but then unless grace is added to their repertoire they are unlikely to get a Rolex endorsement. That is the crux of being Roger Federer.

(The views expressed are personal)