On 6 July 2008 I wrote this post read it here. I wrote it literally 15 minutes after the epic Wimbledon Final in which Roger Federer lost to Rafael Nadal. I was devastated at the time. I`m like that, I would rather have my favourite sportsman or team, lose by a big margin than lose a very close game. I was ok after Man Utd lost the Champions League final to Barcelona, simply because they were completely outplayed. It was never a case of "if only this" or "if only that". We were beaten fair and square.
Roger though lost that final to Rafa in what has since become known as the greatest Wimbledon final of all time. I don`t think so, simply because Roger lost. If he had won THEN it would be the greatest Wimbledon final of all time. But he didn`t and it isn`t.
But during all the sadness after that match I wrote the above post and I proclaimed that Roger would not only equal Pete Sampras`s record of majors but would even do so by winning the French Open. Something Pistol Pete could never do. Well, as you all know by now, Roger did just that.
Hayley and I were in tears on Sunday. Watching Roger trying to hold back the tears during the Swiss National Anthem was enough to move anybody, I don`t care who you are (Robin Soderlingh, the losing finalist excluded of course).
So, my prophetic words from the 6th July 2008 came true. I am so grateful because nobody deserves it more than the gentleman of the courts, Roger Federer (who is half South African by the way). Well done Boet.....
