This is from a reflection I'm writing on when I became a Roger Federer fan.
Roger Federer was busy gliding across tennis courts around the world and letting everyone be a part of the ride. It seemed like he couldn’t help but win. And he was so nice about it! This Swiss man about my age seemed to have guys cheerfully lining up to lose to him. It was like they waited the whole match, which typically went rather quickly, to gratefully shake his hand at the net. I’d never seen anything like it.
They called Roger “Baryshnikov” because of how graceful he was on the court. His footwork was so incredible it looked like a dance. Roger was a fan of fashion and had his tennis outfits tailored. Andre Agassi said the guy was so classy he expected him to come out in a smoking jacket and ascot. Roger gave the sweetest interviews in multiple languages. He was relaxed and seemed to have time for everyone. His long-time girlfriend was his manager and traveled with him. This eliminated rumors that could tarnish his personal life.
He wasn’t a neutral Swiss. He’d clearly picked a side: the side of infinite kindness. As an American sports fan for over twenty years, I was stunned. He was what I’d been looking for. He was a true sports hero.
