Every great athlete has a defining moment, the moment of magic that they’re best remembered by when all is said and done.
For Jordan, there were many…there was “the shot” against Cleveland in the ’89 playoffs, or “the layup” against the Lakers in the ’91 Finals, or the jump shot over Russell in the ’98 Finals.
For Tiger, it was perhaps the famous chip at Augusta.
For Zidane, it was probably his legendary goal for Real Madrid in the ’02 Champions’ League Final. And maybe his two goals for France in the ’98 World Cup Final.
For Lewis Hamilton, it could have been his remarkable win at the British Grand Prix ’08.
Phelps had many great swims in his career, but if I were to pick his one defining swim, I would say it was the Phelps-Cavic Duel (Part II) at this year’s World Championships, whereby he pulled off probably the most incredible win of his life.
Vince Young’s moment was when he rushed for the winning TD with seconds remaining in the National Title game for Texas in ’06.
Derek Jeter’s defining play might have been his “flip” to home base against the A’s.
Which brings me to Roger Federer.
Tennis is probably a game whereby truly memorable shots are few and far between…but I’m really glad Federer might have produced what could most likely be his defining “shot”.
And it happened this morning in his match against Djokovic:
It’s not just the insane level of skill that Federer displayed to pull the shot off.
It was the fact that he had the nerve and the composure to even dare attempt such an audacious shot in the context of the situation, i.e. setting up match point in the semi-final of the US Open.
I’m just glad that Federer, when all is said and done, has an incredible defining shot to accompany his legendary career.
Hmm…I think it’s probably one of his most memorable shots but I think – and I think Federer will probably agree with me on this too – that this shot was more luck than skill this time. Roger admitted that these shots hardly ever work for him. For me, his greatest is better reflected in those beautifully angled winners that come ON SUCH A REGULAR BASIS that we don’t even notice them anymore as extraordinary (which they are!) and BY DESIGN rather than one that came about on a whim as this one was.
That said, I also know THIS is the shot that will have everyone talking for years. It’s just that for me, personally, it’s not the shot that I’ll remember as a mark of his greatness. It’s kinda like how everyone remembers David Beckham for that goal he scored from the halfway line against Wimbledon – truly memorable, but for me, a truer reflection of his skill lay in his pinpoint accuracy in crossing the ball on a regular basis.
Just my two cents’ worth. :) So…what do you think – will it be No.6 for Federer or No.1 for Del Potro? (Isn’t it coincidental that No.6 and No.1 also happen to be each other’s seeding?? Hee.)
True, true. This is probably one of the most fortuitous shots Federer’s ever pulled off, since he admitted it himself. It’s probably more of a “magic moment” than anything else.
Your David Beckham example is a very good one! The Wimbledon goal was truly magical…but it was his free kick goal against Greece (that sent England to the World Cup Finals ’02) that was probably the most important goal of his life.
Ah, what a shocker! Federer falls to Del Potro in the finals! Who would’ve thought?!? I’m in total shock…
Totally. I mean…I knew Del Potro was in good form but…wow. I only saw some of the final set but it looked like Federer may have run out of steam at the end.
Well, let’s wait and see what happens with Del Potro now. Remember Safin’s sensational win over Sampras in his first US Open title? Pity he never lived up to his immense talent. Still one of my favourite players though. Another sad footnote for me in this US Open…can’t believe he has played his last match and in such a miserable fashion too.
Yeah, a number of people are drawing parallels between this win by Del Potro and Safin’s win over Sampras. Yeah, this is definitely his breakthrough performance. It would be interesting to see where DP goes from here.
I can’t help but be really surprised, cos I watched DP get TOTALLY destroyed by Federer at the Aussie Open q-finals this year, so I thought that Federer had the upper hand against DP. Couldn’t imagine that he’s improved so much since the Aussie Open.
Oh yes…I watched that match too. The Aussie Open q-final against Federer, that is. I think DP has really improved a lot through the year. However, I think he WAS helped this time round by Rafa not being 100% (though Rafa would never say so, the gentleman that he is) and (dare I say it) by the fact that Federer may have lost some of his hunger. I mean, I think he’s still hungry…just not as hungry as he used to be.
Well, that ends the Slams for this year. Nothing much coming up now apart from perhaps the year-ender. Still, that doesn’t compare with the Slams. Next year would be very interesting indeed!