We now have the same problem with Roger Federer as with Andy Murray that I wrote about recently. Yesterday Roger, nearly forty years of age, was beaten in three straight sets after a brilliant twenty years at Wimbledon, and having won the men’s singles eight times. Disappointed, Roger stated that he needed to ‘talk to his team to find the best way to get in shape for next year’.
Forty is not old by any means, but it’s too old to play professional tennis. I feel sorry for these people that they cannot accept the passing of the years. A whole new younger generation of tennis players has grown up in the meantime who can run rings around forty year olds, and they in turn will have to give up the fame and adulation too as they approach middle age.
Middle age is not time to sit and wait for the Grim Reaper though. Roger, Andy, Serena et al are still young enough to forge new careers if they get bored with living off their quite substantial earnings. They can coach tennis or commentate if they can’t stay away. They are also wealthy enough to be able to spend time with their children without having to work at all.
I used to attend Wimbledon in the 1970s when I lived in London. On a few of the outside courts you could see several veteran tennis players enjoying their retirement and playing somewhat slower-paced matches than in their heyday. I once was lucky enough to see Pancho Gonzales, Rod Laver, and Maria Bueno. I don’t know if the tennis stars of my teenage years still get to play veterans’ matches at Wimbledon. I remember queueing up outside the Centre Court in the late afternoon/evening after school to grab tickets from people going home and seeing Ilie Nastase, Jimmy Connors, Chris Evert, and Billie Jean King to name but a few.
Tennis is so civilised. The Wimbledon crowds are much less boisterous than noisy spectators at football matches. Remember the dulcet tones of Dan Maskell (“Oh, I say!”). Football commentators scream and shout ten to the dozen, and I have to reach for the mute button. Who cares if a ball has been kicked into a goal? I’m afraid I don’t, but I do like watching a tennis match between two people battling it out over a net. I’m not a team player and absolutely hate being part of a team, but there’s something about a tennis match (singles not doubles) that I find exciting. I cannot bear to watch any other sport. Strange, isn’t it?
Roger and Andy… please give it up so that you don’t embarrass yourselves. Enjoy your retirement, take up a hobby, find a new career, or just enjoy being with your families. It’s no shame to reach middle age!
beetleypete said:
Federer is said to be worth in excess of $450,000,000.
How much is enough?
If I had money like that, I would be enjoying life without match stress, or risk of injury. Maybe that’s because I have never been that competitive.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Stevie Turner said:
Perhaps it’s the adulation he cannot do without, or the unwillingness to accept his career might be over. Money is probably secondary.
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petespringerauthor said:
I actually respect these players for still giving it a go. There is no shame in not competing at the same level if they still enjoy what they’re doing. If Djokovic wins it all, Federer, Nadal, and he will have 20 majors. It’s wild to think that three guys from the same era could have that many majors.
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Stevie Turner said:
They obviously still enjoy it, but are they as good as they were? I haven’t seen Nadal this year. Don’t think he’s playing.
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petespringerauthor said:
Nadal chose not to enter this tournament. He does much better on clay. No, they’re not as good or as athletic. I just think if they’re still having fun competing, why not? The beauty of sports is sometimes, an older athlete will occasionally still find the magic. I saw Kerber made it to the semifinals of a major for the first time in several years.
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Stevie Turner said:
Why not indeed, if they can accept more losses as the years go on.
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Clive said:
I think their pride will tell them when it’s time to retire. Once they start losing to players they know they used to be capable of beating, the penny will drop.
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Stevie Turner said:
Hope so.
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OIKOS™- Art, Books & more said:
Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Michael.
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OIKOS™- Art, Books & more said:
You are welcome, Stevie! Thank you too, for the always very interesting information. Have a beautiful weekend! xx Michael
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Stevie Turner said:
You too, Michael.
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OIKOS™- Art, Books & more said:
Thank you, Stevie! 🙂
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Leon Stevens said:
Maybe they need the money….
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Stevie Turner said:
More the fame and adulation I suspect.
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robertawrites235681907 said:
It is a shame these players don’t retire with grace while they are still ahead in the game. As you say, it is silly to make a fool of yourself because you are to arrogant to quit while you’re ahead. The movie stars are the same and they start having all this weird plastic surgery to try and compete with the youngsters instead of stepping back and giving the youngsters a turn.
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Stevie Turner said:
They can’t compete but they think they can.
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Geoff Stamper said:
I used to think it was best to go out on top like Bjorn Borg. But now I’m OK with players like Roger Federer (who I admire) playing when they can. Making the quarterfinals at Wimbledon cannot be an embarrassment. What a competitor. That’s what made him great. He loves the game. Only a handful of people in the world can beat him.
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes indeed, what a competitor, but when he starts to lose time after time then it’s an embarrassment, which it will be if he comes back next year and the year after.
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Stevie Turner said:
They cannot give up the adulation methinks.
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tidalscribe.com said:
Yes, Why is the word that comes to mind.
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