I was full of admiration for the way he conducted himself both during and after these matches. He demonstrated incredible mental strength and focus. He dug deep when he most needed to and called upon the resources he required to get the job done. Afterwards he was full of praise for his opponents. He is like that whether he wins or loses. Even after losing in the US Open semi-final last year to Novak Djokovic after being two sets up, playing fantastically and having several match points, he remained a real gentleman. He must have felt crushingly disappointed by the loss but said something I have never forgotten - "When things like this happen it always makes me remember why we all love sport - because we never know what's going to happen."He demonstrates exactly how sport should be played and is in my opinion is sportsmanship personified.
I once read an interview in which a sports reporter told the embarrassing story of how as a young reporter he had been lucky enough to interview Federer in his hotel room the night before a big semi-final match. As he was finishing the hour long taped chat he realised to his horror that he had forgotten to switch the tape recorder on. Far from being cross with him, Roger Federer simply suggested they do the whole thing over again, even though it was already late at night.
He is fluent in four languages and proficient in several others. He always makes people feel special and never forgets his roots. The man is a legend, quite simply the greatest sportsman who ever lived.
