Roland-Garros 2009

SPORTS / TENNIS : ROLAND-GARROS / ULTIMATE MOMENTS / Roland-Garros 2009

This time, everything will go as it was meant to. Yes, after three consecutive losses in the finals to Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer has vowed to make June 7, 2009 his day of triumph. After 13 Grand Slam victories, the swiss champ is only one step away from the Tennis Pantheon. Stumbling is out of the question. This French Open that lays before him, this Red Clay Curse, will soon be a distant memory. And the tennis gods are on his side. The elimination of the fiendish Nadal, the unconquerable Minotaur of Roland Garros stadium, in the fourth round of the Men's Singles competition is surely a sign from above. On the night of this benediction, however, Federer says, "[Nadal's] defeat has put more pressure on me." But Roger Federer is a champion. A champion in body and soul. Since his crushing 2008 defeat the Swiss player has had plenty of time to dry his tears. When he steps onto Centre Court just before 3 p.m., Roger Federer has already taken on the air of a winner. His eyes seem to devour the Musketeers' Cup, he head tilts skyward like that of a conquering hero, and his legs seem spring-loaded to launch him up and over the net. A unquenchable hunger for victory. An appetite like an ogre's. Robin Söderling, the tournament's surprise Swedish guest, is swallowed whole during the first set. Crude, gluttonous: 6-1 in 23 minutes. The second set is a more leisurely meal (7-6), with Federer delivering aces with evident relish during a decisive one-way tie-break. Nothing can upset the perfect mechanics of this Swiss watch. Not even the sudden intrusion of "Jimmy Jump". This Catalan real estate agent, a specialist at interrupting football matches, rugby matches and, now, the French Open, storms onto Centre Court carrying an FC Barcelona flag and attempts to place a red-and-black beret on Roger Federer's head. But he's just wasting his time. The world's second-ranked tennis champion deserves a crown. He holds steady and finishes the third and final set of the tournament without any real opposition. The rain falls hard on Roland Garros stadium but Roger Federer doesn't mind. He has just become the new sun king. Winning each of the Grand Slam tournaments, he has become the greatest player in the history of tennis. André Agassi, the American who is one of this sport's other crowned princes, hands over the Musketeers' Cup as if it were a holy sceptre. The Swiss monarch's reign is now absolute. Roger Federer breaks down in tears. Of joy, this time.