The opening lines of the new Rolex commercial featuring Roger Federer couldn?t have put it better. There are certain inanimate things, not ones that go into record books or feature in career stats, that testifies to one?s greatness.
And just as the new commercial by the globally renowned luxury watchmakers seeks to convey, Federer embodies greatness that goes far beyond numbers or titles.
It says glowing stats, records or the number of Grand Slam titles can only shine a light on a part of a player?s career accomplishments, as there are many more attributes that go into building one?s legacy for generations to come but cannot be quantified or explained in numbers.
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Rolex ad for Wimbledon 2021 pays glowing tribute to Roger Federer
And Federer?s is a case in point. Though he still holds the joint lead in career Grand Slam title count with old rival Rafael Nadal, it seems only a matter of time before the record falls to resurgent current No.1 Novak Djokovic.
Read More: What’s Next for Roger Federer After Wimbledon Championships 2021 Loss?
In what could go down as his most memorable and fruitful season in the game, Djokovic lifted both the Australian Open and Roland-Garros titles this year, taking his career Grand Slam tally to 19, and is a final away from winning a third straight title and going level with Federer and Nadal.
Earlier this year, the Serbian upstaged the Swiss to record the most number of weeks as No.1.?
However, while Federer?s career numbers are under threat, his legacy or greatness isn?t.
Why? As the voice in the advertisement says, ?There are certain things that numbers can?t convey.”
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Ad says numbers don’t show that Federer’s the most revered athlete of all time
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It says that numbers won?t show that Federer plays tennis ?more beautifully? than any of his contemporary rivals or players who came before, they won?t convey his standing as the ?all-time most revered athlete in the world for his grace and elegance on and off the court.”
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As the voice rightly puts it, Federer?s legacy will grow and far outlive any career number, either of himself or his rivals.