- Atika Modassir (Oxon)
With four PG degrees and a career spanning education and global HR leadership, Atika has followed one enduring question through Oxford lecture halls, global boardrooms and her Goan homestead- what helps people and societies grow, flourish and find meaning?
To call Roger Federer’s story as one of a G.O.A.T.’s, World Number 1 for a stunning 310 weeks; including a record 237 consecutive weeks, one of only nine Career Grand Slam men; the winner of 103 ATP titles, twenty Grand Slams -eight Wimbledons, six Australian Opens, a French Open and an Olympic gold; doesn’t do justice. It honours his triumphs on court but says nothing of those off court- all equally telling. Federer’s story is the story of grace. Grace that comes with the recognition of one's blessings, setbacks and rivals who shaped his journey. August’26 ushered in his 45th birthday and fittingly, his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. I watched him at Wimbledon and at ATP- lacing his trademark backhand, smooth as a song!
Federer’s thoughts on retirement are revealing- not just of his attitude, but also character. "It feels right that I go first as I am 5-6 yrs older than them (Rafa and Djoko). I’ve had a career without them, now it's time for them to have a career without me”. I stopped short and replayed… There it was, a lesson on acknowledging one's limitations, graciously making room for others while having empathy for their struggles. Exemplary- to honour another's time, like one's own. At the Dartmouth 2024 commencement address, he addressed students: “Retired- the word is awful…I finished one big thing and I’m moving on to the next. Like you, I’m figuring out what that is. I don’t know, it’s okay not to know.” For a superstar to admit I’m still finding my way, is rare humility. Nadal said watching him play was like seeing a ballet. For someone who’s style has repeatedly been praised as “effortless”, he says “Effortless is a myth. I say that as someone who has heard that word a lot. People say my play was effortless. Most of the time, they meant it as a compliment. It used to frustrate me when they would say, ‘He barely broke a sweat’ or ‘Is he even trying?’ The truth is I had to work very hard to make it look easy. I didn’t get where I got on pure talent alone. I got there by trying to outwork my opponents. I believed in myself, but belief in yourself has to be earned” Therein lies a lesson that perfection requires presence- it comes at a price few are willing to pay. Most say it’s God gifted talent, but FedEx (a play on FedererExpress- always "delivering" results) believes “In tennis, like in life, discipline is also a talent, so is patience. Trusting yourself is a talent. Embracing the process. Loving the process is a talent. Managing your life, managing yourself. These are talents, too.” In short, self-mastery-it builds resilience and the courage to face adversity, and the truth. He opines “negative energy is wasted energy. You want to become a master at overcoming hard moments. That is, to me, the sign of a champion, the best in the world not because they win every point. It’s because they know they’ll lose again and have learned how to deal with it. You accept it, cry it out if you need to, and then force a smile. You move on, be relentless, adapt and grow.” The rally between smiles and tears is what made every enthusiast live the match with Federer, point by point. We didn’t just watch. When Fed cried, I cried. When he smiled, I cheered.
A tennis pundit hailed “Consider him tennis’ James Bond”. A commendation to the finesse of his game and suaveness of his style, but I’ve never seen Bond call rivals his own people, give credit for challenging him or exalting team spirit; “Tennis like life, is a team sport. Yes, you stand alone on your side of the net, but your success depends on your team, your coaches, your teammates, even your rivals. All these influences help to make you who you are. A family is a team.” - markers of humility, self-awareness and love; you see them playout in his documentary, Twelve Final Days.
I spoke with Natasha Palha- the only Goan to represent India at the 2015 Fed Cup and 2017 Asian Games(AG); 2014 Nationals singles champion, 2016 South AG silver medallist, with a career-high No. 2 national and No. 492 world ranking; and India’s 2008 No. 1 U-14 junior. She now runs SquadTennis as coach.
Goan Tennis Champ Natasha Palha for India at the Asian Games 2017, South Korea
Says Natasha, “The titles, the technique, the poise! I watched Federer at the Australian Open and in Dubai — his smooth serve, graceful footwork, versatile and deceptive groundstrokes making tennis look like magic. His longevity, discipline and record time as No. 1 speak to the work behind the brilliance. A devout family man, a gifted speaker, a philanthropist supporting early childhood education in Sub-Saharan Africa, above all-a wonderful and humble human being. Others may surpass his records, but no one will make us fall in love with the game quite like Roger did. To me, Federer will always be the G.O.A.T.”
Federer believes: “People don’t have to come watch us play… they come to be entertained, inspired, excited.” Inspired we are.
