His achievements made him famous, but his movements made him timeless. Sure, Roger Federer had the strength, stamina and guile to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles.
But like an athlete from another age, it was his grace that stood out. His lithe form, his dancer’s lightness, his calm fluidity. Did he sweat? Did he panic? There was an effortlessness to his game, a tranquillity to his manner. He played melody when most of his rivals played percussion.
He made it look easy. We knew it wasn’t. But for more than two decades, we were transfixed by the gift of the illusion.
Now, at 41, Federer has announced his retirement from tennis. What he leaves behind may be less the moments than the way he moved between them.