Changing of Guard

It’s Alcaraz vs., Federer again.

And it’s an interesting coincidence after all.

The last time one beat the same man twice over in Wimbledon was 2014-15, when Djokovic beat Federer. It signified the change of eras – Federer was never the same again (he won once more in 2017), while Djoker won 6 more to become the greatest ever likely. We moved from one era to another.

Prior to that was Federer vs., Nadal in 2006-07, crowning Federer as the champion of hearts across surfaces. Federer era was truly on. Those days you could imagine no winner apart from Nadal at the French. Federer, before, in 2004-05, ahead of Andy Roddick was the same. It was straight and simple. Nobody could stand before the brilliant Swiss, moreso no American (Pete Sampras had ruled the past decade).

Prior to this was Bjorn Borg vs., Jimmy Connors in 1977-78, when the gentle Swiss took over as the undeniably world great from the loser. He went on win 11 slams (he never played the Australian Open at his peak) and by 25, when he retired in 1982, it was to the shock of many.

And prior to that was Roy Emerson vs., Fred Stolle in 1964-65, who went on to become the winnerof most slams (12) before Sampras beat him to the mark. He was the last Australian to rule the world.

If you trace history, the previous instance was more than 25 years back. So, Alcaraz has the chance of a lifetime to rule the world going ahead.

I have always believed in this lesson – if you beat the same guy twice over in a row, who’s supposedly amongst the world’s best, you are destined to take the game by the scruff of the neck. It’s another matter that you become fodder for the next champion to take over.

A lesson that carries onto business too – we (@OfBusiness and @Oxyzo) have been leaders for a while in the B2B world but need to be on our toes before we become the toast of challengers.

PS: But to be honest, I, like many, root for Djokovic, for sheer inspiration to prove that age is a merely number. And champions can just go on – ageing like fine wine.

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