The Final Verdict?

Roger Federer, as he enters his fifth consecutive French Open final, faces his ultimate test of greatness tonight. It all hangs in the balance- lifelong shame vs. eternal glory, ridicule vs. respect, mediocrity vs. greatness, the lable of a choker vs. the lable of the Greatest Ever. It all comes down to tonight's match. If the media are to be believed, that is.

I think it is a load of bull.

To bring it all down to one moment, one match, one tournament- is ridiculing the envious legacy this man has built over the past five years. The crowds he has amazed. The opponents he has traumatised. It is such a typically petty thing to do- to bring it down to one case of will-he-won't-he, and judge the rest of his career on its basis. Makes it easier, you know. Why expend the effort in analysing the circumstances, quality of opponents and technical finess, when we could just pin it down to one question: 'Can he win the French?'? Afterall, someone's got to don the title of 'The Greatest Ever'- and if someone can't win one of the Grand Slams, must he even deserve to be in contention? There are so many more out there to pass judgements on- and if this one doesn't quite fulfill our prerequisits, why even bother? One less person to have to analyse with honesty and sincerity- oh the relief!

Nevermind the twenty consecutive Grand Slam semi-finals. Nevermind the fact that he's run into the Best Clay-courter of All time (another tag we ourselves have graciously bestowed, of course). Nevermind the number of and quality of opponents he has crushed over the years- the Safins, the Hewitts, the Roddicks- who all swear by his greatness. Nevermind all that. We are the judges and we decide. If he can't win the French, he ain't the greatest. Plain. And simple.

One small hitch though- life ain't that plain and simple. And neither is greatness. So when Roger Federer steps onto to Court Philippe Chatrier tonight, try to suspend all judgement and revel in the historic value of the moment. Become a part of the ride and allow yourself to get enthralled, instead of being the mute judgemental spectator. Don't be afraid of falling in love- with the man, his grace, his destiny. If you only allow yourself, you'll see why Roger Federer is the best thing that has happened to the game since tennis balls. And why no tags are sufficient. Regardless of the result tonight.