A champion, a loser & a legend

"Veni, Vedi, Vici"

These were the only words used by Julius Caesar as the full text of his message to the Roman Senate to describe his victory over Pharnaces II of Pontus in the Battle of Zela in 47 BC. Caesar's terse remark -- it translates to "I came, I saw, I conquered" -- simultaneously proclaimed the totality of his victory and served to remind the senate of Caesar's military prowess.

Two millenia have passed, but the same 3 words could have been used by a certain Roger Federer as he won the men's final at the Nasdaq 100 Open, ATP Master Series tournament at Key Biscayne, Miami, Florida on April 2, 2006 AD.

Federer, a 7-time Grandslam champion, is on a roll -- last year, he faced the Spanish matador, Rafael Nadal in the final at Nasdaq 100 Open -- winning it in 5 sets after being 2 sets and a break down in the 3rd set, and thus recording his first & only victory over Nadal.

This year, the finalist on the other side of the net was not Nadal, but Ivan Ljubicic, the gigantic Croat with a big serve and an even bigger heart. Matching Federer point for point, serve for serve - he made Fedex sweat for victory under the scorching sun. If Federer broke him, he would break Federer in the next match to level the match again.

The last point could well summarise the match - Federer's return just dropping off the net on the other side, and Ljubicic could do nothing else but just resign himself to his fate.

And fate is indeed cruel on the loser - while Federer basked in the glory of his victory - with cameramen running around him, and Mary Joe trying to get the victor's words - Ljubicic sat in his chair by the court - alone, no one bothering to look at him.

All the match statistics - be it # of points, winners, aces, unforced errors, double-faults, or even the final scoreline (7/6, 7/6, 7/6) - he had matched Federer in each of these... or almost. It is that thin line; it is those moments that matter the most (read the tie-break points) - when Fedex takes his game to another level, or simply to another planet when no meek Earthling can dare to challenge him, or even touch him. Another story that Rafael Nadal, is one fellow who comes from yet another planet and does not feel subdued at all when he faces Federer, especially on clay.

All said & done, Key Biscayne-Miami is Federer's favorite hunting ground - winning the Masters title for 2 consecutive years now.

The women's doubles final featured the 49-year young Martina Navratilova - a living legend attempting to win a record 175th career title in doubles. All other 3 players on the court were atleast 20 years younger to her in terms of age, but she more than overcame that difference in age with her zeal & never-say-die attitude. Her reflexes and fitness level are indeed inspiring. It certainly was not her day, but even in her acceptance speech as the runner-up, Ms Navratilova effused so much politeness in congratulating the winner, that you really feel elated to have watched the legend.

If life were to be defined in terms of a mathematical function, it would certainly have been sinusidal - the real challenge lies in adjusting our sails to the ever changing amplitude & frequency of this sine wave. And there are champions like Federer who adjust their sails such that for them the crests are longer; there are losers like Ljubicic who are just unfortunate that the wind doesnt favor them; and legends like Navratilova for whom, the sheer pleasure of riding the wave is more delightful than anything else.

~A few words on the experience of watching the men's singles & women's doubles final at the Nasdaq 100 ATP Tennis Masters Series tournament at Key Biscayne, Miami in April 2006