30 ROCK(S)!

As you already know, unless you aren’t aware that a sport named tennis exists or you just came back from a trip to Mars, today we celebrate a rather important anniversary: the 30th birthday of His GOATness Roger Federer.

Already a few days ago ATP published an article on Roger’s 30 years “by the numbers” (impressive numbers, ça va sans dire) and today magazines, newspapers, websites and blogs will abound with tributes and analysis, more or less competent and reasonable, on what this birthday means – or doesn’t mean – for Roger and for his career.
But to us this day is not much about numbers or question marks on the future, but about emotions and a due celebration of the birthday boy that creates them.
At the end of the day, what is a birthday but an opportunity to celebrate someone and to remind to ourselves the reason why we love him?
In all these years, since the first time we saw him as a kid, with those questionable clothes (Anna W. still cries when she thinks about those early years…) and those broken racquets, until today, he gave us a thousand reasons to love him, and to thank him.

Here we narrowed the list to 30 of them.

1. Because he represents everything sport – and tennis in particular – should be and what of beautiful sports has to give: talent, class, elegance, sportsmanship, gentlemen behaviour, beauty, grace and a bit (quite a lot) of craziness.

2. Because of that flick of the wrist, after which this blog is named.

3. Because watching him play half-volleys, at the net or from the baseline, is at the same time a mystical and a sensual experience.

4. Because of the noise of 15.000 people holding their breath and then explode, as one, in a “OOOOHHHH!” of disbelief and admiration for one of his magic tricks.

5. Because of the ballet step, with one leg crossed in front of the other, when he plays a backhand volley or when he exits the court walking backwards to wave the crowd goodbye.

6. Because he managed to tame his talent, rebelling to the “beautiful looser” and “genius and madness” stereotypes.

7. Because thanks to him, out of nowhere, Luthi became an absolute idol and because, once or twice in history, Roger even succeeded in making Luthi laugh.

8. Because he’s the only person in the whole world who can stand on a tennis court wearing a formal jacket and shorts, or a cardigan, and not look ridiculous but, quite on the contrary, perfect.

9. Because I laughed and cried with him, I did crazy things, absurd travels to watch him play, exhausting waits to meet him, but it has always been worth it, every moment was unforgettable and, once again thanks to him, shared with some great people that are now part of my life.

10. Because of the out-of-this-world perfection of the Royal Curls.

11. Because he smiles like a 8 years old, despite the fact that he’s in the third decade of his life.

12. Because he’s awfully emotional and because, in good times and bad times, he never pretends, not even when he tries to change himself.

13. Because however and wherever my life shall go, I can rely on the beauty of his tennis artistry.

14. Because of his damn forehand, foil shot and cannon shot, “great liquid whip”, as someone – much more skilful than us with words – once said.

15. Because when he’s in front of you, he seems somehow supernatural, although he’s extremely natural, as he reconciles that aura of perfection with an extraordinary approachability; and because when you talk to him he looks directly in your eyes, paying attention to what you say, whoever you are.

16. Because even when he was 15 years old, he had an enormous ambition and aimed for perfection.

17. Because the moment you can’t stand him, you’ve actually just climbed up another step towards devotion.

18. Because of how he dances on court and how he seems to float a few centimetres above the ground when he walks.

19. Because of the 7th of June, 2009.

20. Because we know that when he plays with his girls, he’s the real kid.

21. Because he’s perfect now, but actually he already was it even when he had tiger-shaped slippers and platinum blonde hair.

22. Because he’s the only man in the world capable of living up to, or even overcome, the expectations created by years and years of Disney cartoons.

23. Because he’s a regular guy, but he isn’t ordinary.

24. Because thanks to him we learned to overcome our "psychopathies", keeping calm and working hard, and we learned that even when things don’t go that well, you have to stay positive and keep working to seek what you want.

25. Because he manages to still look classy even when he goofs around during exhibitions, making all kinds of funny noises like WAAASSSSSUUUU (and sporting a rather loud Rolex).

26. Because he made us discover unlikely songs such as “eine strasse viele baume”, that became sudden and now undisputed hits.

27. Because the CNN interview can put a smile on your face even if your cat has just died.

28. Because sometimes, thinking about situations, matches, shots he made, I find myself smiling, even in the most unlikely places.

29. Because of the way he giggles after he pulled off one of his tricks (tweener, counter-smash, second serve ace…)

30. Because he sees sharks, but he did dive anyway.

Happy birthday, Roger, we wish you to always stay as you are, young at heart, and to get what you want, ‘coz you deserve it, that’s for sure.
And to all of you…MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!