The Burden of Success
Categories: General, Social, Tennis
Written By: jaguar
When I first wrote this, I titled it “One Man and his destiny”, but I had to change my mind after listening to another great; Andre Agassi speaking before the finals of the Ladies French Open; of not been driven during his career by the pursuit of records, or making history, yet he was such a hard working and driven man despite all his natural talent. Yet it was so difficult for him, then I had to reassess the enormity of the challenge facing Roger Federer.
I then watched the finals, and witnessed my tip for the ladies trophy; Dinara Safina disintegrate under the pressure of winning her first grand slam and crumble like a cookie under the weight of expectation. And all she was aspiring to achieve is a single grand slam; she is a mere mortal.
Tomorrow, Roger Federer who has achieved almost unsurmountable successes, has achieved greatness that transcends his sport, who has achieved the destiny that was predicted for him from an early age, puts all of that aside in his quest for immortality.
What and how must he be feeling like now, how can he keep all of it in some kind of perspective, how can he stay in control enough to actually swing a racket. But that is what it will take for Roger to perform tomorrow.
It is not going to be easy, because across the net is someone chasing another brand of immortality; the man that stopped Roger Federer from finally winning the French Open, because if he does not win it this time, he never will.
Forget that he has never won againtst Federer in 9 encounters, forget that it is his first grand slam final, all that counts for nothing on this occassion. All that will matter tomorrow is Roger Federer. He wins he becomes immortal. He loses Soderline becomes immortal. However, having played brilliantly and above even his own expectations so far, Soderline is a mere mortal, so will succumb to the burden of his expectation of success and the enormity of the task ahead of him.
In contrast, it has not been vintage Federer so far in this tournament, but come tomorrow, Roger will come good and show us what separates him from the rest of us mere mortals.
June 7th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Indeed, there are two events hapenning in two continents that have proportional significance to me: the 2010 World Cup qualifier match in Abuja, Nigeria, Africa and the and French Open finals in Paris, France, Europe. An “arrogant” African nation and a “born-again” reenergized football team must now rise from mediocrity to excellence; and an almost perfect tennis icon must now separate himself from all us whoever competed at the highest level of the game. I played at Roland Garros and I know how it feels to compete at the highest level under pressure. Today, the Super Eagles and Federer have the opportunity to redefine themselves and rewrite history and in the process change the record book forever. There are lessons to be learned and the lessons are very clear!
Segun, don’t forget to shapen your tennis strokes as I anticipate our challenge match in less than 14 days.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I intentionally omitted any reference to the Super Eagles encounter today, because it is too close to home. The task facing the Super Eagles is relatively simple. It’s enormity not grandiose in the light of past achievements however, the repercussions of failure are immense and not worth contemplating.
But yes, the Super Eagles MUST make it to South Africa, and a giant step has been taking in the right direction with the inauguration of the presidential task force (not because of the act itself, we have seen many such committees in the past come and go without even a ripple on the surface of the water of our disintegrating Super Eagles development, but because of the calibre of those involved). I wish them luck and more on this later…
As for the Super Eagles forget the friendly games(though they were good exercises), I/we demand, expect and await a commanding performance. Nothing less will do….
June 7th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I have just watched history been made and as I predicted, Roger Federer taught Soderling a tennis lesson and how to handle what could only be immense pressure. And as always, he was humble and gracious. What a man!!!
Is he going to surpass Sampras’ haul of grand slam titles? We can only wait and see. But for now he is the greatest.
Well done Roger
June 20th, 2009 at 12:37 am
Unknown to all I regret to announce that my father Pa. Peter Olubo(coach Olubo as he is well known)(1928-2009) former national athletics coach and director of sports kwara sports council. Passed away quitely in Ilorin 6/17/09. Segun I think you know him. I hope that all those former national and insternational track champions.. Oshikoya, Adio, Atinga, Kube, Awalu, Kio, Imadiyi, Obafemi, Dr. Amos adamu,Brown Ebelwele,former CP Danbaba,… this names can go on for ever…these former athlete’s whom he coach during his life time must take the time to pay our beloved coach Olubo as is customary, his last respect. Berial will be on the 7/9/09 in Ilorin. Nigeria has again lost one of it’s greatest coach’s in track and field. I also as his son benefited immensely from his coaching and did make my mark both nationally and internationaly.
June 20th, 2009 at 12:40 am
Please excuse any typo errors from my previous comments, my gratitude to those who have called in their condolences.
June 20th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Egbon Moses,
Sorry to hear about your dad’s passing.. May his Soul Rest in peace.. I remember him and I remember you @ Kwara Stadium ..
Please accept me and my sibblings condolences.
June 20th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Accept my condolences on behalf of several generations of Nigerian athletes. Your dad did very well for Nigeria. May His soul rest well in the bsom of the Alimighty! Blessed be!
July 5th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Dear Moses:
Please accept my condolences. I will be in Lagos on the 9th of July. We shall talk when I return to the States next week. God bless your papa and he made his contribution to sports development in Nigeria.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
i just came back to nigeria for summer and i went around looking for a place to play tennis and i haven’t found any place. I am really interested in tennis and i know that you know one or two things about tennis. could you please give me names of places where i can possibly train and perfect my tennis skills. last year i went tyo the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy but i don’t want to have to spend millions every year when i can do it here in Nigeria. Even if there are no places to play tennis, can you just tell me if there are other places in Africa.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:19 am
Where in Nigeria are you? There are several tennis clubs in lagos for instance that would readily accept you to play and be trained if you so wish! That should be no problem just ask around!
July 16th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
i am in lagos and i live in ikeja. i tried going to the ikeja country club but they said i had to pay 500,000 naira to be a member. i don’t know if there is anywhere i can go to be trained or just continue practising.
July 17th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Maybe what you need is a private tennis court where you can train, There is a new one in the NAFRC barracks near Oshodi. I could introduce you when I return to the country this weekend! contact me thru olusegunodegbami@yahoo.com. Good luck!
September 7th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
thank you very much mr odegbami. i travelled back to london to start school so i wasn’t able to reply your message. probably when i come back to nigeria in december you will be able to introduce me at the private tennis court in Oshodi.