Tennis world english n 45 Tennis World english 45 | Page 14

The amazing story of
Roger Federerʼs
banner!
Akshay
There are so many adjectives that can be
used to describe Roger Federer. The
record breaking, 18 times Grand Slam
winner, most likely on his way to a 19th
Major title, Federer is respected and
revered by his fans and followers and is
considered the God of tennis quite
justifiably so. His demeanor on court and
flawlessness while smashing winners and
shooting aces do not in any way make him
an immortal that cannot be annihilated
even by the most powerful of opponents
with even the most formidable serves.
Be it the Swiss maestro Roger Federerʼs
dominant years on the ATP Tour from
2003-12 to his many struggles in 2013,
his loyal fans have never left him alone. In
fact, thousands of fans chant his name
whenever he steps on to the court in his
colourful avatar and the look of
confidence that he exudes in a different
style altogether that describes Roger
Federer as the man who will go down in
this sportʼs history as the man to be.
How best to immortalize this legend than
to wave a banner, big enough to carpet a
room and to show the world that you have
to be Roger Federer to be ‘Roger Federerʼ.
The ‘Genius Bannerʼ as it is known has the
words “Shhh!! QUIET! GENIUS AT WORK”
inscribed on it and is currently the fourth
version of the banner doing its rounds in
the spectator stands during Federerʼs
matches. This red banner has been
designed by fans from all over the world
after discussion in a fan forum at
rogerfederer.com.
The first time the banner saw the light of
the day was at the Sony Ericsson Open in
2006 - made of red fabric and white tape
which was used for the calligraphy of that
revered slogan. The banner is literally like
a clothed version of the Olympic torch as
over the years it has passed over from the
hands of several fans.
A designated group of 15 fans have been
entrusted with the responsibility to take
care of the massive banner. Wherever
Federer goes, the banner follows. At
Indian Wells, the person with the
responsibility on her shoulders was Kathy
Woodward, a freelance writer from
Pasadena who recently completed the