Kolkata: Perhaps some things do get better with age as Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said few days and Roger Federer’s dominating win over World no 74 Dusan Lajovic in the second round of tennis’ premier competition- the Wimbledon on Thursday.
They say that 27 is the age when a sportsman peaks and at 35 he is well past his prime but that wasn’t the case with Federer and tennis. Unfortunately for Lajovic, he had to face someone who has been defying age to capture more accolades in the sport.
The 35-year old Swiss superstar has only become better and stronger as the days have progressed. After a shaky start, Federer came back hard and strong to register a victory against Serbian Dusan Lajovic 7-6(0) 6-3 6-2 to progress to the third round in the competition where he would next face German Mischa Zverev.
Even legends like him are nervous at times and that’s what got the better of him where Lajovic lead the Swiss superstar 2-0 in the first set.
But after played all these years, he surely knows how to make a comeback and he did exactly the same when he levelled the first set 3-3 to take the game to the tie-break where he took the first set 7-6 having won seven points in a row.
From then on, there was no looking back for the seven time-Wimbledon winner who completely dominated from here onwards and never gave Lajovic an opportunity for a fight back.
With the second set 5-2 in Federer’s favour, the clouds formed above looked like a threat but the Swissman assumed full control over the game and won the second set 6-3 too.
The third set too was completely dominated by Federer who played deep flat ground strokes to cause problems for Lajovic. The winner of 18 Grand Slams completely toyed with the 27-year Serb to win the set 6-2 thus winning the match and progressing to the third round of the competition.
Federer was nervous when he stepped into the Centre Court but as the match progressed, he got back his rhythm and beat his Serbian opponent fair and square to set up a date with Mischa Zverev of Germany in the third round.
Talking of the ‘nerves’ that he felt, the legendary tennis player said, “I think in the third round I will feel better again. It’s weird how sometimes you can be way more nervous for a second round than, say, for a final, believe it or not,” he said.
He added further, “I’m happy I got through this one feeling the way I did, because in a way it’s strange playing this way when you’re so tense. Yet you have nothing to lose or in a way, that’s what I’m telling myself, just play freely. It’s not just that simple once you get out there.”
For a 35-year old who has established himself to be one of the greats to feel nervous is indeed an indication that the hunger for more success isn’t over for the Swiss superstar. Definitely he is getting better and stronger with age just as old wine.
His first Wimbledon trophy was way back in 2003 and 14 fourteen years down the line, he is making his bid stronger for a record- eighth title. If he continues with this rampaging form, then that might as well become a reality.