As I watched the Federer: Final Twelve Days and relived that announcement day on Twitter and following the final match at Laver Cup 2022, I remembered my letter to him that I never published.

To Roger Federer,

I will admit, I cursed you for beating Pistol Pete in 2001 during R16 at SW19.

Ever since, you have slowly but surely made me into an ardent and vociferous supporter—a SupeRFan, like many others across the globe.

Now that you are not playing tennis; at least on a competitive Pro circuit, it dawned on me to reflect the moments of euphoric joy, deep sting and sobs from the losses on a larger tapestry of why I experienced what I experienced rooting for you in your career.

I was listening to a podcast recently about Grand Ambition, which helped me answer myself (at least I think).

Grand Ambition is setting the highest possible goal and going all out for it; shooting for the stars. Being #1, whether that is in your business or position or money or whatever your driven target is. There are many advantages of Grand ambition; none less than pushing oneself to the edge of their potential. Yet, it supposes a hum-drum of stress driven by ego that you have to be ahead of anyone in this perceived proverbial race. You have to beat them all to achieve your goal.

It is one thing to wrap this at an intelligence level, but hard to embody at a deeper level. Especially, in sports, where Grand Ambition is baked into it—The #1, the best, the record breaker, the Greatest of all time (GOAT).

I have always wondered how you enjoy when playing in the biggest of stages, the press conferences, the on-court interviews - With so much stress, how you made it look joyful and effortless?

To me at least, at some point early on in your career, you have transcended the ego that comes with the grand ambition. Your authenticity on and off the court, the emotions and vulnerability has won die hard fans all over the world. It is easy to be divided based on the fan base alone, but you are celebrated even amongst your peers or as it's called in sporting "Arch Rivals". Not just in tennis, in any sport, I have not heard this level of respect, seen the shattering emotions displayed during your retirement.

It is that invisible line while chasing excellence through mastery that you have transcended the ego and in turn the sport itself. That is the only explanation I have for the euphoric joy, sadness and sobs while living and breathing your matches throughout your career.

I am honoured to be your SupeRFan all these years, and thanks for everything you have given to us fans and to the sport itself. Much more than anything, it is the inspiration you have given to find peace and balance while chasing excellence in our own little world; an all-encompassing pragmatic purpose.

Thank You, Roger ❤️ 🎾