A post about three remarkable men.

I was up early today, watching the US Open finals, between Andre Agassi and Roger Federer. This year’s Open ended up being one hell of an affair. Especially the men’s matches have been fabulous throughout the fortnight. Not that women’s draw was lagging any behind. More so for us, Indians, with Sania Mirza making it to round4, and quite a few matches going till the wire, the girls threw up some real exiting fare. For once I knew God does like playing some games (if not dice), when Sania bumped into Maria. Well, like most, I was confused with the loyalties.

However, at the end of the fortnight, quite rightly and clearly, two guys stand out. Agassi and Federer. Not just for the fact that they made the finals, but for the fact that one made history and the other was making one and that made it a special sporting occasion.

More than the monster facts that backs up either guy’s achievement so far, it is their state of mind which was fascinating for me. It is one thing to have all the natural talent, skill, to get the right breaks, backing etc. But it is altogether a different proposition to hold up to all that you have got, and consistently proving for yourself what you are capable of.

Take Agassi for instance. This is a sport where every birthday has to be a day of mourning because it reminds you of an impending demise so early in life (imagine, at 30, most of us begin a career and at the same 30, a tennis pro would be ending his/hers – incidentally, Kim Clijsters, the women’s champ says she will retire at 24 ! ). It is a weird situation to be in, retirement at thirty or earlier.

But Agassi has turned this to his advantage. After thirty, suddenly he has found that his real greatness lies in extending his game, lies in showing the world and himself, the commitment, the hard work, the effort that is required. And all that can be taken and taken to the point where he starts winning against everyone. Agassi is not a supremely gifted as a Federer or does not have that awesome imposing game of his old adversary, Pete Sampras. So he has figured out to keep things simple around him. For all his charisma, flamboyance, wild youth etc. Agassi today is more normal and an average family man than many. But by sheer will and old fashioned hard work, he is where he is today. Keep things simple. Just amazing!

And there is Federer. I might only attempt to understand Federer. He now is living the life of someone who knows that he is the best. He knows is doing the best. He knows he is endowed with so much talent. He knows there is simply none like him. Yet like Sampras before him, he is not allowing that talent to go waste. He is reveling in it, without being boastful, over confident, brash or anything remotely not likeable.

Two different guys, with different gifts, talents, personality etc., serving up a match to showcase what life is all about. It was a real insight into yourself when you think over.

And by 7 in the morning, while Federer triumphs, Agassi applauded, US$1.1 Mill issued to the winner, few hundred thousands to the loser (??!), With a casual flip of remote, I switch off the TV, pull the bed sheet back over my head, catch up with my lost sleep.

Were you wondering about who is the third remarkable man? :-) !!