I believe it was baseball's Leo Durocher, the pugnacious shortstop and later manager (among others) of the Brooklyn Dodgers who coined the phrase, "Nice guys finish last." We now have living proof that it ain't necessarily so---Roger Federer finally won the French Open, for the first time after three previous trips to the finals, thus tying Pete Sampras with fourteen grand slam wins ,the most ever, and, by winning the French, doing something Sampras never achieved. Federer in the final beat in straight sets the Swede, Robin Soderling, the man who had knocked out the Clay Court King, #1 ranked Rafael Nadal, in the third round of the tournament.
So few champions in any sport have shown the grace, charm and good spirit of Roger Federer. The will to win and to focus on an objective are supreme in this great athlete, but, while his competitive fires burn bright, he remains a symbol of true sportsmanship. Hemingway once described courage as "grace under pressure". Roger Federer epitomizes this definition.
At 27 he is probably on the downside of his victory curve, but I would not be surprised if he has another grand slam or two in his future.
Here's to a gracious athlete who can be a living example to all the smart asses who thump their chests and crow about their prowess. Federer lives it but still has time to be a good guy, respected and held in real affection by his peers.
Sorry, Leo, you weren't always right---thank God.
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