The Swiss tennis player is one of the few athletes, who after 36 years, remains in force and at the top

There are athletes who were born to transcend, who constantly teach us that limits do not exist and that the difficulties are only transitory. Therefore, their names will be indelible in history. One of the most obvious cases is that of Roger Federer, a man who has just won the twentieth Grand Slam of his career in the Australian Open. The athlete continues to expand his legend.

The Swiss was invincible in the first tournament of the year, from start to finish. With everything and his 36 years, the tennis player defeated Marin Cilic in a final led up to five sets. In this way, the athlete demonstrated that although he is not the same dominant athlete of great speed and absolute authority, he still retains the same mystique, technique, and above all the commitment that continues to lead to glory.

In this sense, it could be said that Roger Federer is the best tennis player in history. The athlete is ratified by the titles, the opinion of many specialists, former tennis players, and even current tennis players.

However, it is worth asking: is the Swiss tennis player the most important athlete of the 21st century? This questioning is a worthy analysis, not only because there have been great figures from 2000 onwards, but also because with the world of current communications all the exploits are known and it is difficult to measure them.

Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter, Manny Pacquiao, Peyton Manning, Floyd Maywheater, Rafael Nadal, Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Valentino Rossi. These are just some of the names that could be among the options for the best athlete of this last century. Probably, all of them, in one way or another, could be considered the best of these last 18 years.

What does Federer have that makes him so different?

First, we must highlight the validity that the athlete has maintained over time, since 1998, when he made his debut, until today. The athlete has exhibited a competitiveness and regularity in time that not all manage to maintain.

Second, it's easy to say, but it's 36 years, practically a whole life dedicated to tennis. In which he has evidently achieved economic satisfactions and all the affection of his fans. Additionally, his age represents the days of training, injuries and personal moments. Beyond what all these conditions mean for an athlete, Federer has managed to preserve his greatness and impose himself in a highly competitive discipline in which new talents constantly emerge.

For now, all that remains is to continue to admire "his majesty," as long as you remain on the playing fields. Also, we must be aware that we are living in the same era of an extraordinary man, creditor of thousands of trophies, records, and praise.

Moreover, we are witnessing the life of an irreproachable human being, who in 20 years of career has never had a single scandal or unsportsmanlike conduct on the courts, reason that lead him to be a true example of sport and society.

LatinAmerican Post | Freddy González
Copy edited by Marcela Peñaloza