• Howick and Pakuranga Times
THE agony and ecstasy of sport was portrayed last weekend when tennis maestro Roger Federer won his Australian Open with majestic ease, and Blues lock Ali Williams ruptured his Achilles tendon for a second time to end his rugby year before it had begun.
Federer’s absolute class ended Scot Andy Murray’s bid to become the first Brit since Fred Perry in 1936 to win a Grand Slam tournament as he extended his record to 16, while Williams’ injury cast a dark shadow over the All Blacks hopes of avenging their 2009 Tri-Nations loss to South Africa.
That Murray should be made to look like a clumsy clot after demolishing some classy opponents on his way to the final served to illustrate the beauty of Federer’s mastery at Melbourne’s steaming Rod Laver Arena.
Nowhere in the world has sport produced a greater ambassador than the charismatic Swiss 28-year-old who plays with the guile of a chess master on a ballet dancer’s legs.
Having been brought to tears as Federer was after his loss to Rafael Nadal in 2009, a rueful Murray admitted: “I can cry like Roger — it’s just a shame I can’t play like him.”
At 22, future Grand Slam triumphs beckon Murray’s undisputed talent, though he will never achieve it with the sublime grace of the current monarch whose personality has endeared him to all who appreciate the best in sportsmanship and sport.
Not for Federer is the sledging of an Australian cricketer or the gamesmanship which has tarnished the image of so many other talented athletes.
He remains an honest gentleman who is respectful of his opponents. Just as his former conqueror Nadal did of him before tendonitis crippled the gutsy Spaniard’s successful reign.
Whether Nadal can recover in time to reignite his epic battles with Federer remains a moot point, just as Williams’ chances of recovery do before the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
That will be a shame for both have yet to reach their peak despite some wonderful past performances which will live long in the memory of those who have treasured their contributions to tennis and rugby.
While rugged Brad Thorn and an improving Tom Donnelly have filled the breech nicely in the All Blacks second row, Williams was seen as the only lock capable of contesting Springbok Victor Matfield’s lineout supremacy after South Africa dominated that phase last year.
Anthony Boric and Jason Eaton showed improved form later on the northern hemisphere tour, and Isaac Ross remains a bright prospect, despite not having been chosen for it when told to return to the gym to pump iron and muscle up.
Add to them veteran Chris Jack who has returned to the Crusaders after a stint in Britain and South Africa and is recovering from a broken wrist.
While the cupboard is not bare of locks, none yet possess the spring-heeled jump of the athletic Williams when free of injury.
Hopes that giant Newcastle prop and captain Carl Hayman will return from his lucrative British sojourn to bolster the All Blacks scrum have yet to be confirmed.
