A dream calm before the tempest was instantly interrupted by the ringing of my phone’s alarm. I squeezed my eyes tightly and recalled the date – It was August 8th, finally.
Does the date sound familiar to you in any way? Maybe not a day which something certain is going on, but perhaps the numbers and date resemble something special, something unprecedented. Give your brain a storm. What really happened on this day in history? Okay, let me tell you. It marked a three year anniversary since the 2008 Beijing Olympics! Hmmm, am I not right? Well, as a matter of fact, my optical image was burned into something much more closely bestow to heart than that.
In the summer, rather cool, was kind to Lynette Federer – who on the morning of Saturday, August 8th 1981, at the cantonal hospital in Binningen gave birth to her second child. A boy; for his first name is easy to pronounce in German but also in English. His parents decided to call him Roger. His image is perfect, intact. Not too glamorous, but not too smooth either. A great communicator, at ease in all situations and always curious about everything – He is an ideal ambassador. Tournament organizers pay between 750,000 francs and one million for the hire but they gained. Advertisers also have the tear. Automotive, airline, insurance banking, luxury watches, razors and chocolates: the list goes on. Too long? As for this extraordinary champion who seems to have finally found the right balance so long sought after…
From an early age, Roger has dreamed of world number one. He, who turned 30 years on August 8th went far beyond his childhood dreams. I am not going to continue writing all the righteous and brilliance about Roger because I have already said enough since the dawn of time. This particular day in every year, it is just one that wherever I am or will be in this world, I take time to look back at all his achievements and successes, kind deeds and most significantly the glory and beauty of the person and character Roger is – all in a plethora of memories. One thing I am certain about is that we are just so fortunate to be able to witness a God given talent he posses and is willing to share those moments with us – be it bitter but victoriously sweet most of the time. What a benevolence and we are endowed with his greatness. It is simply a joy just to have his presence and appreciate his existence. The impact Roger made on the whole sporting of tennis and also in history is beyond gratification.
I am definitely going to stand by Roger and his team for the rest of my live, even close to making an oath on it but I think that will be too overboard. I sincerely would also love to share my tales and stories of this era of tennis with my children if I were to have any in the future and grandchildren for as long as I shall live. Hopefully, it will be a journey that never ends as well as a story that will last forever in the hearts of many people to come. The light will continue to shine on and his aura never dies. The façade never fades and who knows Charlene and Myla might continue the greatness and spirit of the champion their father is – a spirit that will never be banished.
No measure of warmth and heartfelt thanks for the entire thoughtful things do you to everyone your life has touched in such a loving way will be enough. Happy 30th birthday, Roger!
With love, Allysha.
