‘Sneakers are dying a little,’ says Fernando Meligini.

Fernando Melegini played only once against Roger Federer, who had just announced his retirement. He was in the second round of the 2003 Australian Open doubles championships. Along with France’s Anthony Dubuis, Melegini was eliminated by Federer and Swiss Yves Allegro by two sets to zero.

“Federer has always been a very talented man. I get angry to see him play, because everything he’s trying to do he does well. But when you play against him, you don’t think about it too much and try to win, but I couldn’t”, says the Brazilian. , one of the major names in the history of tennis in the country, in an interview with BBC News Brasil.

Federer is one of the most successful tennis players of all time. He made his professional debut at the age of 16 in 1998, and over the next 25 years won the Grand Slam 20 times, being called the Grand Slam in the sport’s annual calendar (Australian Open, US Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon) .

Only Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who has 22 grand slam singles titles, and Novak Djokovic, with 21, have won more than the Swiss. But Meligeni says his admiration for Federer goes far beyond his collection of nicknames.

“He was a giant, and the biggest, not just for results, but for what he represented for the sport. He transcended the court, he always cared about other athletes, he fought for the sport. He wasn’t just thinking about his career, (no) I just looked at a button his stomach,” says Veneno, a well-known Brazilian tennis player.

Meligeni gives as an example the confrontation between Federer and the organizers of major tennis tournaments to increase the value of the prize paid to players who participated in the first rounds. “It was him who drove it. The players always called and were not listened to. But Federer managed to change that mentality.”

the retirement

Veneno says such an attitude is more pronounced in a sport like tennis. “The problem with individual sport is bringing people together, because everyone looks at himself. And while some of them are millionaires, others don’t have the money, so, to bring everyone together, you need leaders like Federer,” he says.

The Swiss tennis player has announced his retirement from playing the “Liver Cup”, which will be held in London, UK this month. He has not played since Wimbledon 2021, after which he underwent a third knee surgery.

“My body’s message to me recently has been clear,” said the 41-year-old Swiss. “I’ve played more than 1,500 matches. Now I have to realize it’s time to end my competitive career.” He added, “As for the tennis match, I [digo] I love you and will never leave you.”

Meligeni appreciates that the announcement was already expected and says Federer took some time to make it. “Tennis is very dynamic. To stay at a very high level like him you have to train every day, and with an injury like his, you can’t do that. He obviously can’t play anymore, that was inevitable but still unfortunate.”

“Tennis is dying a bit as Federer retires.”

“Federer is proof that you don’t have to be arrogant to be the man”

Federer topped the world tennis rankings for the first time in 2004 and spent a total of 310 weeks in that position – a record that Djokovic only surpassed in 2021. He also won the Olympic gold in doubles for Switzerland alongside Stan Wawrinka in Beijing. 2008 and singles silver in London 2012.

Federer’s last Grand Slam victory came at the 2018 Australian Open, aged 36. When commenting on Federer’s talent and career, Millegini compares him to big names in other sports, such as football, basketball and auto racing.

“What’s so special about Messi, Michael Jordan or Cena? Do they train more? Are they born with it? They work hard, of course, but they have an innate ability, a unique talent.”

Melegini says Federer’s importance and legacy in tennis goes beyond masterful play. “The sport lives on idols. And he’s the guy who carried the tennis flag in the world for 20 or 30 years. He makes the wheel move, he comes to Brazil and collects 15,000 people who go there just to see him play,” he says.

Meligeni credits part of that success to Federer’s charisma. He says, “His personality brings people together. I don’t remember a position or statement of his that could be criticized. It’s proof that a person doesn’t have to be arrogant to say he’s the ‘man’.”

That’s why Melegini thinks it’s hard to point to a successor to Federer or someone who can outsmart him in his entire work on and off the field. “Someone can have better results or be prettier, but it will be difficult to see someone with all these qualities. It will be difficult to beat him. Federer is the best.”

– This text was published in https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/geral-62922632

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