In Case You Didn't Notice

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The drivers are ready, the cars are all set, and the teams have done all the necessary preparation. This coming weekend will be the start of the 2013 Formula One World Championship season. The first race will be hosted by the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit in the land down under. For the next months, the world’s elite drivers will try their best to handle the speed-breaking horsepower of their ferocious cars and absorb the unforgiving g-force they subject themselves to.

F1 action - Vodafone Mclaren Mercedes

Last year, fans were treated to the thrilling battle for the driver’s championship between two main protagonists: defending champion Sebastian Vettel with his Red Bull-Renault, and former champion Fernando Alonso riding his Ferrari. With other contenders like Kimi Raikonen (Lotus-Renault) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), this year promises the same amount of action and drama as last year’s. There’s no denying the adrenaline rush of watching cars running beyond 300kph battling each other for track position while the risk of life-threatening crashes looms in every corner.

Before we get too excited with the coming season, let us take a moment to take a look at one important detail that didn’t seem to get the air time it deserved: Michael Schumacher retired after the 2012 season. If it did/didn’t make any sense, take some time for that line to sink in…

Toru Hanai/Reuters

Michael Schumacher retired after the 2012 season.

Michael Schumacher retired after the 2012 season.

Michael Schumacher retired after the 2012 season.

When I think of great icons of the 90s, I would say that there are three Michaels that really had a big impact: Jackson, Jordan, and Schumacher. The “King of Pop” was responsible for captivating millions with his unparalleled passion for music and performance. “His Airness” pushed basketball’s glory far beyond what Chamberlain, Erving, Magic, and Bird could ever imagine. Though Schumacher’s appeal wasn’t as encompassing as the other two, he was in the middle of Formula One’s popularity and further smooth transition into the modern era. He has done much for the sport to be regarded as one of the greatest to ever sit behind the steering wheel. As a F1 fan, I grew up watching him.

Victory leap - Sundarf1

Let the numbers speak for themselves. The German Schumacher’s success is attributed to 18 years of racing for four teams, 307 starts, a record seven championship titles, 155 podium finishes, and 91 wins. That’s one blinding trophy cabinet! As far as his many records go, he is 1^st in wins (91), 1^st in highest season-win percentage (72%), 1^st in consecutive championships (5), 1^st in fastest laps attained (10). Check the list of Formula One records and his name is littered all over the place with the most occurrences[i]. But numbers only paint half the picture of how Michael Schumacher fed his rivals dust and dominated.

Schumacher in his Benetton - Anton Want/ Getty Images

He was the driver that perfected the balance of intelligence and boldness to a point where man and machine became one. Whichever team he drove for, he was able to establish a good relationship with his engineers to get the most out of his car. Everyone knew he was fast, and he was able to do this mostly because of his ability to pick his spots well. He pushed himself and his car in areas other drivers wouldn’t dare go. It’s this kind of attitude and competitive will that set him apart from the rest.

Among the many clips in his highlight reel, I vividly remember one rainy Brazilian Grand Prix that submerged various parts of track leaving minimal tire grip. Vision was also very limited as the water directly hit the drivers’ visors. As a precaution, the race had a competitively slower pace to avoid losing control and getting into an accident. However, Michael in his Ferrari always had this confidence in his ability to drive fast under dangerous conditions as if the track was as dry as a desert. His skill put me in a trance-like state that made me stare at the TV and admire his work. I was amazed to see his red machine blaze through the track and leave the other cars with so much precision that I myself felt the confidence he had that there’s no way he’s going to crash[ii]. This is just one of the many other similar instances where Michael was a rain master that easily passed the opposition[iii].

Rain can't stop Schumacher - Getty Images

In the world of Formula One, a Schumacher performance like the one just described is its way of how other drivers want to be “like Mike”. Today’s drivers aspire to reach the same achievements and accolades of his legendary career. Watch Vettel, Alonso, Raikonen, Hamilton, and the other racers now in Formula One and you can bet all your money that they were influenced in one way or another by Michael. They all try to be “Schumi-esque”. If these drivers looked up to “Mike”, to whom did Schumacher look up to then?

Ayrton Senna - lacerdaayrtonsenna.blogspot.com

Does the name Ayrton Senna ring any bells? The late great Brazilian Senna was the driver during the 80s much in the same way Schumacher was the driver through most of the 90s and early 2000s. In a way, Schumacher attempted to be Senna-esque. His career is another totally different story that deserves its own piece. Simply put, he was one fine competitor that won a lot—and he should’ve won more if not for his unfortunate accident and death. I was still very young when his tragic death happened in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Listening and reading snippets about Senna sound like mythology to me as it seemed it pertained to a very perfect and mystical character. It was only in the 2010 documentary entitled “Senna”[iv] that I got the opportunity to watch the man in action. At the early stages of his F1 career, he had a heated rivalry against Alain Prost. At the turn of the decade, Senna was soon pitted against a young and promising youngster named Michael Schumacher.

Senna crashes to the wall - Reuters

During that weekend in May of 1994, the battle for 1^st and 2^nd pitted Senna against Schumacher. The worse happened as early as the 7^th lap. Though Michael was on Ayrton’s mirrors, the gap between the two wasn’t much. The youngster kept the pressure on his rival as soon as the race started. However, a bad turn by Senna caused him to lose control and crash on an unprotected wall. His car hit the barrier at such an angle that violently jolted his head to a deadly effect[v]. For a split second, his neck seemed like it was made of a slinky. It was the accident seen and heard around the racing world. Nobody expected this as the way for the young Schumacher to have his last ever influence from the great Ayrton Senna. It wasn’t the most pleasing way for the torch to be passed on to the next generation[vi].

Senna and Schumacher - LAT Photographic

For me, Michael Schumacher’s seemingly definite retirement[vii] signifies the termination of the last driver link between the contemporary Formula One to that of the past decades. What got me jumping when he announced his return from his two-year retirement for the 2010 season was that we’ll all get a nostalgic treat of the old days of F1. Now that it’s ended, it seems there’s no other choice but to eventually move on.

3rd place finish at the 2012 European Grand Prix -  Daily Mail

There are times when I despise sporting media for not giving due coverage to Michael’s last year. Since he mostly stayed in the middle of the pack, suffered unfortunate mechanical setbacks, and was a shadow of his former self, most—if not all—of the attention were placed on the competition for the championship. He’d get few mentions in case he made a few magical moves or when the standings are displayed, but that’s mostly it. His 3rd place place podium finish at the 2012 European Grand Prix was more of an exception rather than the norm.

The faces of today's drivers - Sutton Images

The names to follow now are Vettel, Raikonen, Alonso, and Hamilton. These names, along with the rest of the grid, are young and promising drivers. Their intense multiple-way rivalry makes for great sport. Racing is better than before with increased unpredictability and excitement. It all starts in March 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. The official end of the season happens on November 2013 at the Brazilian Grand Prix, and we’ll hopefully get a deserving champion by then. That’s as far as the season goes. With their age and skill that continue to develop, there’s no knowing when the possible rivalries will really end.

We may never see Michael Schumacher and his starry-red helmet move around the racetracks of the world. We may never see his name or initials “MSC” on the regular-Formula One programming. We may never see him jump on top of the podium after a race win. But I have this hopeful feeling that maybe—most probably maybe—Michael himself would be fine with that.

Getty Images

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[i] Check out http://www.f1technical.net/f1db/stats/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Formula_One_driver_records to see how decorated MSC is.

[ii] If what I remembered was the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix, he did crash that race. But how he drove prior to that was still captivating.

[iii] Browse the internet for classic clips on MSC’s performance under the rain.

[iv] “Senna” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1424432/

[v] It’s worth mentioning that aside from Senna, another driver that lost his life before race day was Roland Ratzenberget. This was a bad omen in hindsight.

[vi] Even as years pass, MSC still feels heavy about his relationship with Senna. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOQjYCwgLdE  

[vii] What is it with Michaels and multiple retirements?

Let the Players Write the Story

SUPER BOWL

It’s one night, one game, and one chance to be crowned champions of the NFL. In a vacuum, the ultimate match showcasing the two best teams from the AFC and NFC is what happens on the gridiron. But this is sports we’re talking about, and it’s near impossible to look at events such as this only on the basis of who won and who lost.

Neutrals and non-sports fans may see the game in two ways. The first is that the timeslot occupied by this game is filled with a battery of interesting and innovative commercials and advertisements. It’s that one time of the year when brands are sure to stamp their name in the consumer’s mind get if they manage to land one of the few prime ad slots of the game. The second caters more to the showbiz and musically inclined as the halftime show features recording artists and their Grammy-awards-worthy performances (sans Timberlake and Jackson circa 2004).

Coaching brothers John (left) and Jim (right) Harbaugh - Landov/Reuters

For those hungry for something deeper and more meaningful to sport, Super Bowl XLVII had storylines that added more spice to this already significant game. This game was billed as a sibling rivalry on a grand stage as brothers John and Jim Harbaugh are the coaches of the opposing teams. John leads the Baltimore Ravens while Jim, younger only by less than 2 years, heads the San Francisco 49ers. Second, Super Bowl XLVII was billed as the end of the 17 year storied career of Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. To add one more championship ring with the other earned back in 2001, there was no better way to send him off to his post-NFL days other than to leave while at the top of the mountain. He solicited the sentiment of anybody who wanted a good end to any story.

Ray Lewis' last game - Dave Martin/Associated Press

But all that was set aside the moment the players and coaching staff ran to the field and were welcomed by the roar of the supporters that made their way to New Orleans. All eyes were locked on the action inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome come the coin toss and the opening kickoff. Forget the ads, forget the halftime, forget the storylines, we had a game to watch and a champion to crown.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (white)  - Chris Graythen /Getty Images

The 1^st half was all Baltimore as Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco made numerous deadly passes to go deep into 49er territory. His hand was a rocket that sent the football past defenders and safely to the hands of his very capable receivers. Three Flacco touchdown passes in the half was thrown to three different teammates. Baltimore’s immovable offensive linemen played championship football. They blocked every 49er rusher to give their on-field leader enough time and space to make key plays. These men never allowed San Francisco to get a grip on the game for most of the first 30 minutes. The Ravens defense wasn’t really called into action as much as expected.

Ravens celebrate after a successful drive- Associated Press

Baltimore imposed their will on feeble San Francisco. It was very evident on the players. Flacco had the look of a calm, controlled, and confident quarterback. This was nothing unusual to the man who had a very good scoring rate in the post season. Colin Kaepernick on the other hand, his counterpart on the other team, looked worried and fidgety. His age and immaturity to the pro game was beginning to show, and one would wonder if he was ready to handle kind of responsibility his team placed on his shoulders.

Lost 49ers - Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

There was already a sense of disappointment brewing in as this final game didn’t seem to live up to its billing. All the hype and storylines promised may be for nothing as San Francisco didn’t look like they were there to win it. Ray Lewis and the Ravens were going to stroll through the park. As the halftime whistle was blown, the score was 21 to the Ravens, and 6 to the 49ers who managed to score from two successful field goals.

Everyone was given a break at halftime with a special quick Destiny’s Child reunion. After the epic performance, it was game time once more. As the 49ers came out to the field, their faces’ displayed determination and optimism that hinted a comeback. Probably due to the singing of “Survivor”? However, all hope was lost as their kickoff led to a record-breaking 108 yard touchdown return by Baltimore’s Jacoby Jones. 28-6 in favor of the Ravens.

Jacoby Jones' (white)  TD return - Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Some thought that the game was already wrapped up after this play. It appeared to be the dagger that sucked all life out of San Francisco. But somehow, there was a feeling that it was still too early for that. Hold the celebration; we’re just one minute removed from the half. There still a lot of football to play.

If there was one play that started to tip the balance of the game, it had to be in the 1^st 49er drive of the 2^nd half. After the team took another blow with a 6-yard loss due to a devastating sack, they were sitting at 3^rd and 13 at their own 40. The next snap had the power to dictate if there was still a game worth watching. The play clock ticked and the players huddled and positioned themselves to the line of scrimmage. As everyone waited to see if San Francisco was going to deliver, the lights went out. Darkness. It was something totally unexpected of the modern game. Play had to be stopped for around 34 minutes as power was being restored. Fans became restless and teams had an extended halftime. The rest of the logistics crew was busy scrambling all over the place to fix the problem. Little did we know then that those 34 minutes of darkness and inaction would be the start of the 49er resurgence that will give this Super Bowl its special place in history.

You'll know it's dark when you can't see the cheerleaders -Vucci/Associated Press

Eventually, play resumed and the game moved on. The drive after 3^rd and 13 ended in a punt. What followed was what can be described as the arrival of the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII. There was their defense that forced a 1:35 Baltimore drive with two incomplete passes and repossession of the ball. Next, quarterback Kaepernick does a combination of his signature timely rushes and pinpoint passing to give his team their first touchdown of the night. After the extra point, it was still Baltimore leading 28 to 13. This was followed by another four down and ineffective Ravens drive due to outstanding 49er defense. First down was an incomplete pass. Second down resulted to a 0-yard gain. To break the team’s fortitude, the San Francisco sacked Flacco for an 8-yard loss. 

After this play, he didn’t seem to have the same control he had in the 1^st half. The miserable drive was capped by a pathetic punt that landed near midfield and which was returned by the 49ers to the Baltimore 20. Kaepernick and the gang returned to the field to score another touchdown after two perfectly executed plays. Baltimore’s next drive was again wasted by a Ray Rice fumble. San Francisco recovered the ball and advanced to field-goal position. The quarter ended 23-28 in still favor of Baltimore.

Colin Kaepernick's TD rush for the 49ers - Christian Petersen/ Getty Images

Since the power outage, the 49ers outscored the Ravens 17-0. Who knows what exactly happened when the lights were out, but it seemed that after the blackout, a completely new 49er team was on the field. They were in the middle of a very heroic comeback. It had the possibility of being the largest deficit overturned by any Super Bowl team in history. Ideas brewed of how this will turn out to be a story about San Francisco. It was beginning to become clear of how perfect the tale would be if they were able to overcome such an adversity, how the team would win the “Harbough Bowl” and how the younger coach defeated the elder. To add more drama to the picture, one could already draw the plotlines of how the 49ers would end Ray Lewis’ career at a low note. It’s amazing to realize that all this started from a blackout that can easily be used as symbolic, artistic, and figurative device to the Super Bowl. Yes, from a writer’s perspective, it couldn’t be any better than this. It was cruel to the losers, but nothing beats a good story.

49ers celebrate their scoring run - Harry  How/Getty Images

But Ray Lewis and the rest of the Ravens’ defense had something to say about that. For a group of men that weren’t needed for most of the game and were slowly being dismantled, they grabbed the opportunity to end the story the only way they knew how it should end.

The fate of this game all boiled down to the last five minutes of play with Baltimore leading just 34 to 29. When the 49ers came knocking near the red zone, they were 7-yards out and four downs away from a touchdown that would give them their first lead of the game. The end zone was so near, yet couldn’t be any farther than those seven yards. Tension mounting, nerves rattling. For the first two downs, the Baltimore defense put enough pressure on the opposing rushers to concede a mere 2-yard gain. The third down was a showcase of excellent blitzing and covering to force an incomplete pass.

4^th down and goal, five yards from the end zone, the game was on the line. San Francisco needed a touchdown to make a case for the championship. Unfortunately, they realized, for the last and most critical time, that they were against the defense of the Baltimore Ravens: the defense that played a huge part on their road to the Super Bowl. Kaepernick received the snap and tried to stay in the pocket as he saw the oncoming rush of the defense. Despite the pressure he received, he was still able to throw a decent pass to receiver Michael Crabtree. Only the harassment and disturbance of Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith prevented what could’ve been the completion that to kill Baltimore.  

The decisive incomplete pass - Al Bello/Getty Images

The game trickled on for almost two more minutes, and that defensive play on the end zone truly encapsulated the hard work and effort the Ravens needed to show for to earn the Vince Lombardy trophy. If the Baltimore defense wasn’t a factor for most of the game, they surely played when it matters the most.

Love and respect between  rival brothers - Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

So much for a comeback, so much for the drama, so much for the light after the darkness. It almost was a waste. But as if to salvage some of the drama the blackout had to offer, it was mostly a waste from a 49er’s perspective. For what it’s worth, Baltimore, John Harbaugh, and Ray Lewis used the device just as well as how San Francisco could have used it. Their players and coaching staff took the spotlight on the stage that really mattered. Ray Lewis got the sending off that was 17 years in the making. All the drama anyone would look for outside the field and beyond the walls of the stadium was little compared to the emotions Super Bowl XLVII featuring the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers bestowed upon us. 

Ray Lewis retires as a champion - Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Final Score: Baltimore Ravens def. San Francisco 49ers 34-31

Philippine’s Take on the “Beautiful” Game

This is a tale of a magnificent friendly only a handful witnessed late July, 2012, a few weeks after the Euro2012 final. Pardon the pictures. They were taken discreetly with a cellphone to avoid influencing the game because of an observer (Read "Hawthorne effect").

BEFORE kickoff, 2 players had this little chat…

“Sinong paborito mo, Chelsea o Manchester United? (Which team’s your favorite, Chelsea or Manchester United?),” asked one to the other.

“Manchester! Nandoon si Rooney eh. Diba nandoon dati si Ronaldo? (Manchester! Rooney’s there. Didn’t Ronaldo play there before?),” replied the friend.

 “Hindi! Dati nasa Madrid siya. Ngayon, Portugal na” (No! He used to be with Madrid. Now, he’s with Portugal.)”, said the first.

For football fans, the last line would sound very stupid and laughable. Only children are excused to say uninformed statements like that. Yet on that July afternoon, the players for that epic friendly were kids. Most were grade school students ages 7 to 12, while a notable few were young teens. They were oblivious to the complicated world of football, only working with the few highlights they saw from the recently concluded 2011-2012 season.

It can be said that grassroots training has a deeper origin in the games on the streets. In a country where basketball is a staple in every community, finding an informal football match is a flash in the pan.

The venue for this fixture was in a small street of a barangay in Mandaluyong city. The pitch—a concrete stretch of pavement—was a slanted road that favored the team attacking the lower end of the incline. Humps served as goal lines, sidewalks were sidelines, and parked cars became obstacles to be avoided at all costs. 

Football in the streets - AlexX Concepcion

Spectators included passers-by, drivers, the manang at the sari-sari store, a few tambays (idle hands), and me. The official match ball was a cheap, worn-out, but well-used sphere that had seen better days – though based on this alone, I sensed I was in for a good show.

The children did a quick draft to choose teams, and kickoff immediately followed after.

The match was horrible to say the least. Tactics were thrown out the window as the kids pressed whoever had the ball. Passes were misplaced and usually intercepted. The ball often hit the parked cars, which panicked the players as if angry fans are throwing flares on the field. The keeper didn’t have much protection as the defense allowed goals to fly in one after the other. After 10 minutes, I believe the score was already 3-2 for the downhill side. Considering how messy the game was, I was surprised, and thankful at the same time, no one was injured with from the players’ careless challenges here and there.

Reception by foot, head, or chest? - AlexX Concepcion

If this was a televised game, I would’ve immediately changed channels after a few drives. But what hooked me in was the enthusiasm and effort that solicited everyone’s participation—from the players to the spectators—in this “beautiful” game.

The kids played with so much joy and vigor as they tried to score. What’s cute about watching the kids play was that most of what they did was based on how the superstars on TV played. Remember that these are kids with limited access and young exposure to anything football. Everyone still considers basketball as the primary sport; as most players wore hoops shorts and top. It was amazing to see the kids attempt headers, chest-receptions, feints, and diving tackles. Even their free kicks included the mandatory discussion between two takers and a fake kick that tricked the defensive wall into jumping. Runs and overlaps were made, and everyone tracked back to defense with little effectiveness when necessary. There weren’t any defensive or bad fouls. Their innocent minds weren’t tainted with the evils of diving. Teams invited and transferred players without complicated negotiations. For me, it was football in one of its purest forms: played simply for the sake of having fun. The energy was overflowing it seemed like the kids felt liberated in the open air after being confined to the basketball court for so long. If only they realized sooner, it was clear that it was possible for them to play a ball game without the need for makeshift hoops.

Through on goal - AlexX Concepcion

The same awe and amazement the kids had towards the sport was also evident in the crowd. We had big smiles on our faces as we enjoyed the show the children were putting up. Whenever somebody new saw a glimpse of the action, he/she paused to observe what was actually going on. To their surprise, they found themselves hooked to the game as well to savor the moment.

Nobody kept tabs on who scored, who assisted, and who fouled who. Statistics like offsides, possession percentages, and shots taken weren’t counted. There are no permanent records of this bad but magnificent friendly. The only take-home from this match was the pure joy everyone had. It didn’t matter if it was a bad game by international standards (besides, most people there didn’t even have an idea of said international standard). It didn’t matter that they were using humps, or that the playing area wasn’t flat and forgiving. What mattered was that everyone present wanted a piece of football. 

In a country where basketball reigns supreme, this is a monumental step in the advancement of Philippine football. I personally saw this comparable to the country’s upset-win during the 2010 AFF Challenge Cup and the games that followed when Younghusband became a household name. This is just one small street in one barangay in one city in the Philippines. How many other streets out there are playing a similar game?

The minutes leading to the full time-whistle were very interesting. First, the absence of floodlights to push the game into the night signaled 90 minutes, and the game trickled into extra time. 5 minutes later, it was already dark, but the players played on. The unquestionable full-time whistle came as parents called the players for dinner, favorite cartoons went on air, or somebody forgot to do their homework. The players shook hands and called it a day. Maybe the following days would be the return-leg’s fixture. 

Full-time: 7-5 to the uphill side? 

Murray was Embraced by a Nation; Federer was Out of This World

Roger Federer (Left) & Andy Murray (Right) pose with their prizes. - Getty Images

THERE is more to a player’s performance on the playing field other than their honed skills and instinctive talents. These skills, no matter the amount of preparation done, are always susceptible to many factors in motion during game time. Most culpable among these are the ones the athlete doesn’t have a hold on. Aside from the actual game most of us can concretely describe through the stat sheet, there is an equally important game happening in the athlete’s mind. The balance of certain elements, thoughts, emotions, pressure, doubts, apprehensions, ego and confidence can decide a win or a loss as much as the proper (or improper) execution of techniques when playing.

Tennis, as opposed to other sports, has more fascinating aspects that can easily make the sport’s mental aspect visible to spectators. Tennis’ straightforwardness provides little distractions which enables the viewer to see into the players’ minds, beyond their racket swings and rallies for a point. At its simplest form, there are only two warm bodies playing on a wide plot of land too big for only two people. The ball, which is already difficult to see due to its size, is even more impossible to watch due to the high speeds it can travel. It was as if the inventors of tennis designed the game purposefully for the viewers to focus largely on the competitors and what their behavior may be telling us rather than on the flight of the ball. It is one of the few sports where one can be more reliable than the weatherman in predicting the outcome of matches by observing the little signs the players are giving off.

This year’s Wimbledon finals had to be headlined by two gentlemen with very different backgrounds. Roger Federer came in as a 16-time major tournament winner working for number 17. Specific to Wimbledon, he’s also looking to tie legendary Pete Sampras’ seven titles by bagging it this 2012. On a personal level, Federer needed to win this final to prove that he still had it in him to win major tournaments in his 30’s. Approaching the twilight of his best playing days, it was believed that Wimbledon was his best chance to win another and prove to everyone he still hasn’t hit the dirt.

On the other end, Andy Murray was just on his 4^th major finals looking for his 1^st title. Those are very minute numbers compared to Federer’s. To make things seem more impossible for his winning cause, two of those finals defeats came at the hands of no other than Roger Federer. On a bigger perspective, Andy Murray played the finals as Britain’s hope for an Englishman to win the homegrown Wimbledon Championship, a feat not achieved since Fred Perry in 1936. As the underdog, Murray played to win one for himself and for his compatriots.

Anja niedringhaus/AP

           Murray seemed to do just that as the 1^st set of the match began. The way Murray started hot and took the game to Federer caught his competition by surprise. With powerful, well directed and purposeful hits, Murray sent balls beyond the reach of his opponent to break Federer’s serves and control the outcome of this initial set. Federer looked like a novice unsure of himself with the onslaught he was facing and taking, not fully realizing what he was up against. Feeding from the atmosphere and the stakes, Murray played like nothing could go wrong as he was having the best game of his life. There was fire and aggression in Murray’s face that showed his tennis was better as he deservingly won the set. Even with bad line challenges by Murray going against him, his objections showed how confident he was with his ability to win the match, be it with his strokes or the correct overriding of line calls.

Murray shows his frustration

        Unfortunately, Murray repetitively getting his line challenges wrong, which continued to the next sets, must have opened a chink in his reservoir of confidence as the game’s momentum slowly shifted. After the 1^st set barrage, the Federer the world has admired for years finally arrived at the match as he slowly became the aggressor. This was nothing new for Federer who’s had a long list of moments similar to this one. His mind was deciding between playing on or giving up the game to Murray. Rather than choosing to quit by focusing on his bad start or worry about Murray’s good game, Federer kept his cool and played the game he’s been known to play for the past decade. The match still had a long way to go but Federer played it calmly point by point, not getting too ahead of himself. Murray at the same time was letting his frustration get the better part of him. With every point against him, his dejection was very evident in his facial expressions. Even wiping the sweat off his face with a towel couldn’t remove the disappointment he had as he prepared for the next point. 

           For both men, it was make or break in the epic 5^th game of the 3^rd set that lasted for 20 minutes which included a ton of game points and deuces. On a game that both men didn’t seem to give enough to wrap it up, it became a test of one’s skill, fortitude and readiness to win. It wasn’t simply a game on the line, but the whole match as well. With a scoreboard that kept exchanging deuce followed by advantage again and again, it had the potential to be the beginning of the end for both men. The composed Federer went into the game with enough poise and self-assurance and was undaunted by how big this game could be. He won some points and he lost some, but that didn’t upset his play as much as his opponent’s. Murray’s shortcomings further reinforced the already bothered player in him as he was always asking himself again and again what he must do to win the game. As the battle went on, Murray’s demise came with it. The fear of another defeat at this stage can be seen on his face. For all his worries, sadly, the game slipped away. Federer won the game with momentum on his side.

Federer Calm and Composed - Clive Rose/Getty Images

            It is always a privilege to be a witness to a player displaying his craft at the highest level, amazing and executed close to perfection. The power of such feats never ceases to amaze and inspire. All the right things happened for Federer as he closed the match. You’d be lucky to see him commit an error. As he was dominating Murray, Federer shut out the mental adversaries he had in the first set. The insecurities, doubts, fear of losing -- they were all gone. All his concentration went to his superhuman game fueled by the tremendous belief he had in himself. His footwork was accurate as his body anticipated every return of the ball, his shots too menacing and agonizing for his opponent to counter. Here was a legendary performance in the flesh on his way to winning the championship. This was the moment Federer became god-like. 

It wouldn’t be too surprising or be taken against him if Murray decided to quit and let Federer stroll to the trophy considering the game’s progression. The spring in Murray’s steps and the eagerness he had at the start of the match were now replaced by heavy feet, slumped shoulders and an even more disappointed look on his face. Even though Murray had a very slim chance of winning at a statistical perspective, Federer was too much to take on. Yet it was also in the same closing stages of the match where Murray proved to everyone why he was a deserving finalist.

The loss was already real in his mind as well as in the arena, but Murray was still valiant and honorable in defeat. When others would brace themselves and accept the attack of the victor, Murray fought and gave a win-worthy effort even with another loss in the horizon. His serves were still intimidating, but not as threatening as Federer’s. His returns were still firm, but not as focused as Federer’s. His resolve was still intact, but not as unshakable as Federer’s. Murray knew he really had it in him, but Federer still had a lot more than him that day.

Federer Down to Earth as the Victor - Reuters

           With an out of this world tennis match for Federer at his age, it was only fitting for him to fall back to the earth as his win was now a reality. “He’s (Federer) not bad for a 30 year old,” said Murray on his emotional 2^nd place acceptance speech. Federer’s performance truly deserved nothing less than another Wimbledon trophy and further validation of how strong and competitive he really is on the tennis court and with himself. Murray was right when he said that Federer, “still had fight in himself.”

Respect - Jonathan Brady/EPA

Murray will certainly get back from this. The road ahead can only be sweeter for him. Federer gave his respects to his honorable opponent when he said, “he’ll (Murray)--at least--win one grand slam.” Federer knew it especially after Murray worried him in that 1^st set and fought bravely to the end. He had the start of his life on this year's final. The English knew it -- the whole world which saw Murray’s effort knew it. No matter how painful 2^nd place was for Murray, there is no bigger consolation prize than the reinforcement of his mental game. His skill is already there, his mentality is still in the making. He certainly had a great model of how perfect tennis and mental game go after facing them in Wimbledon 2012.

Final Score: .R. Federer (def) A. Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-3,-6-4