GOD, Fed vs RAFA, Punter-- Battle of Artistry against Perseverence!!!

I often have some very heated altercations with my close pals whenever it comes to discussing matters of sports and champion sportsmen. And often they get really dirty, but trust me I honestly enjoy all such moments, infact I always cherish the company of those people who actually are as passionate about sports as I am, who actually get involved into sports as much as I do and who understand and read the sport more than for its statistical importance and connotations. However, the prime time for such joyful discussions are during the grand slams of tennis or amidst any highly hyped cricket tournament, irrespective of India being a part of it or not. And the main artisans around which these discussions revolve around are the likes of Roger Federer(Fed), Rafael Nadal( Rafa), Sir Sachin Tendulkar(GOD), Ricky Ponting(Punter) or any in form cricketer or sportsmen of the season. And honestly there is nothing more heartening than discussing, arguing, shouting and abusing on your best of pals for hours on these exhilarating topics. Its real Bliss!!!On a personal note I am a huge GOD fan, I literally idolize him, I am also a big Fed fan, I just can’t see him losing, and above all I am a big bigger biggest follower of both these sports. So anybody talking loose about these sports or about these great men, I just cant stand it, or anybody arguing on these things without actually being aware of the real facts, irritates me to the limits. Obviously everybody has his/her own favorites, likes and dislikes, and one should always respect that and unless people have varying interests and favorites, their hardly exists any fun in the argumentJ.

But the hottest debate of the season for my circle again happens to be the Fed vs Rafa one. Though they haven’t faced each other of late, but then there are two clear gangs amongst us, one routing for Fed and the other backing Rafa, I am obviously in the former. And the debate hovers around the fact that who is the better among the two. The Rafa gang proclaims that Rafa is the better pro and by the time he plays as much as Fed has already played he will surpass him in all aspects, on the contrary the Fed cheerers feel that he is the best, and the feats which he has achieved and is still achieving are improbable to be surpassed by anybody and by any means, atleast never by RafaJ. Now being a diehard Fed fan, I also advocate the same thoughts but with a tinge of difference. I personally feel, whosoever has played at the top level is by default a Good sportsman, whosoever has won even a single match at the top level is a Winner, whosoever has claimed even a maiden championship at the world stage is a Champion but there are very few who eventually qualify for the tag of Greatness and for me the likes of Fed, GOD, Woods & Schumi are amongst them. Not because of the number of world records they hold, not because the feats they have achieved in their sporting career but because of the style, charisma and grace they have exhibited and won not only those innumerable trophies but also the hearts of the millions.I totally acknowledge, praise and respect the talent which Rafa possesses, but his dependence on the power game is just too much, and that wont take him the distance and will eventually drain him down in the longer run.There have been arguments that Rafa has outplayed Fed in the grandslam finals, but statistically a majority of those wins have come in clay, and that by no means makes him a complete player, though he has won an occasional Wimbeldon and Australian but that seems too little in comparison to the alround wagon wheel of Fed, who has excelled on almost all the surfaces( though frankly not that much on clay).Rafa might out power his opponents by his sheer power game, he might even out number the no. of grand slams which Fed may end up with, as he has the age on his side, but he can never match the artistry, class and deftness with which Fed operates and demolishes his opponents and wins over his fans. Its truly unmatchable, and this comes naturally.One can work hard and become very accurate and consistent by means of perseverance but there are certain traits which are god gifted and one should always enjoy and cherish those moments of magic. This is what makes these greats stand apart, be it Fed or Rafa, be it GOD or Punter or be it Schumi or Woods. Without discounting the feats of these good players, I thank to the almighty for sending me to this world in the era in which these sporting greats are spreading their magic with lots of fervor!

Salute to all of you and thanks for all the entertainment....GOD, Fed, and all the greats...YOU ROCK!!!

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