For years, Tennis gurus and fans have been debating whether Roger Federer is the greatest man ever to hold a tennis racket. I don't know the poll results but, for sure, Federer turned the numbers on his side on Sunday June 7, 2009 when he won the Roland Garros. Apart from the several records he registered on Sunday, Federer justified the Power of Perseverance.

When Federer lost his Wimbledon title along with the No. 1 ranking last year, people said "Federer's career is over and that he would never be able to win Roland Garros (the manner in which he lost the French Open final 2008)". Record equaling five successive Wimbledon titles and 237 successive week No.1 ranking (second highest being 160 weeks) made both, the Wimbledon and the No.1 ranking, his birthrights.

Federer's continuous defeats in the grand slam finals (except the US open 2008) hurt me too, but honestly speaking, I never lost faith in Federer. The simplest reason was that he was still reaching every Grand Slam Final. It's the timidity and childishness of human mind that often we choose nothing if we don't get our top choice. Federer's extraordinary run of victories during 2005-2007 definitely quenched his thirst to win but that was limited only to non-grand slams. One could easily figure out that Federer was giving his 100% in the Grand Slams and not being able to play his best tennis was a different matter (due to the physical toll over the years).

Today, a friend and colleague of mine, said, that Federer could win the French Open because he didn't have to face Nadal. I don't agree to this because Nadal didn't deserve to reach the finals of 2009 French Open. Nadal had participated in the tournament and lost a match in a fair manner. I am not sure if Nadal lost because of over-confidence or lack of persistence or something else. This is where Federer races past every man in tennis. Federer's desire and perseverance to win is phenomenal.

Long live the king ... King Roger !!