I can't describe in words, how big a fan of Roger I am. He gives pleasure to me. Just watching him is privilege. I want him to win Wimbledon and win it by beating Rafael Nadal in straight sets.

I want him to beat Nadal on clay in French open next year as well.

SHH!! genius at work

Sanjeeb Mohanty, Kolkata, India

I was totally moved by that article, I am an ardent Federer fan and your article made me realise why there are so many of us out there, Genius indeed! To all those who cannot wait to write him off, do not forget he came upto 2 major finals even when he was sick, playing the best players in the world

Viji R, Singapore,

beautifully put
i definitely want THE GENIUS to prevail over n continue his majestic realm of beauty,elegance,grace and style in tennis...
hes definitely 1 of the greatest players tennis has had.....RAFA is remarkable too but i guess any1 remarkable is NOT a GENIUS.....and so win.RF wins!

samreen, lahore, pakistan

Fererer is brilliant but I find Nadal more exciting.

They both deserve enormous respect but I have to
admire Rafa more because they did not start on a
level keel in terms of talent at birth!

I would love to criticise your articles but like Roger's
play, faults are hard to locate.

Keep writing!

Dom Lester, Horsley, Surrey

Great article, identified with everything Simon Barnes said of Federer, I feel desperate for him to win his 6title at Wimbledon but have my doubts, Nadal looks invincible and on fire. Federer is looking a little vulnerable and not as fluid and fiery as last year.

SHANTI PENDURTHI, HYDERABAD, INDIA

Federer should have called it a day after his last Wimbledon win when he was at his most sublime. Best to go out on a high; nothing worse than seeing a hero going downhill as he must, surely.

ian cheese, london, uk

Beautifully written, Mr. Barnes. Indeed, RF is unique, a great player and a beautiful human being.
Will you have something good to say about Nadal?

a nadal fan, palm springs, california, usa

Loved this article! I'd never thought about categorizing the various reactions to Roger Federer's tennis shots, but having felt them, must say you've nailed them perfectly! Federer's genius inspires awe. Long may he play to the delight of tennis fans the world over. Here's to his 6th Wimbledon!

M.K. Giles, Farmington Hills, USA

Concerning the genius of Federer, let me just repeat a line once written about that other genius that somehow got stuck in my brain. I quote from memory: "... But McEnroe's [performance] was one for the connoisseur. An evocation of times past. Blending elegance, wit, beauty and imagination."

Kees van de Wiel, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Federer has some very good strikes (not all: his sliced backhand is weak, hence the bad volleys) but not a consistent game play. Against Nadal he lacks a plan B (this year at RG even an A). He simply lacks quality adversaries and does't need to play better.

ortega, barcelona, spain

Roger, on occasion, loses his genius when he doesn't know where the court is. Too often I've seen him hit the ball long past the baseline, short into the net and wide of the side lines. Sometimes he plays like a duffer. I wonder why?

Bill Steers, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

to Freddy in Manila

I can only assume you either have never played tennis or do not know much about it. Federer is like Zidane or Senna, or even Fred Astaire - his natural gift for the game allows him to have a command and ease over a tennis ball that are decidedly elegant

John Matthews, London, England

Roger is not the biggest, nor the tallest, nor the strongest tennis player, but grace he does have in immeasurable measure.

Tim B, Lake Stevens , USA

lovely article!i love federer, he takes my breathe away all the time and i really hope that he wins wimbeldon again, cause he deserves it! he just amazing!!

janessa, cambridgeshire, england

I knew you were toying with us last week Mr Barnes in your pre tournament article. I just knew you wanted Roger to win!Thanks for your honesty . I am a big fan of the "purrer" and the "sigher" but you hit that raw emotional truth about our search for genius in our own lives...my thanks.

marie, adelaide, Australia

Any praise levelled at his closest rival, i.e. Rafa, is taken to be a slite against RF by his fans, RF is all that has been written but ask him who he would least like to have to play in the final.. He does not walk on water. He will lose Wimbledon, if not this year, it will be next..Vamos Rafa

Dee Kingston, San Miguel, Spain

uhm, Nadal more graceful? Uhm duh, just how do YOU define grace buddy.

Kim, QC,

Roger federer is defenitely fantastic.But Nadal`s shots sometimes matches Rogers`s.I wish Rafa will win wimbledon 2008 .He is such a good human being and he matches it with his competitiveness on court.Carry on rafa!.

bobby, kannur,kerala, india

I get so angry when you hear people say "Go on, Andy Murray ! Behave like a silly, spoilt brat ! Scream and shout with that inhumanly large mouth of yours - I am sick of well behaved losers !" Well, excuse me, but haven't the two outstanding players of the last generation been Sampras and Federer ?

bob houghton, Jugon les Lacs, FRance

"Genius" aside, who is the more aesthetically pleasing to watch? Let's go by empirical evidence. You only have to watch slow motion replays of Federer and Nadal reaching out for their shots to realise immediately the Spaniard is the more lithe, the more compact, and the more graceful on any court.

Freddy, Manila,

Beautifully put. I never get tired of Roger winning at Wimbledon. I hope he wins no. 6!

Grainne, Alameda, US

rodge is not only a genius, he is elegent,a true gentleman and we have the honor of watching the most incredible player ever. rodge lost badly at roland garros, but it doesnt matter. what he has showed us at wimbledon is magical! simon you write like shakespear. thank you for being brilliant.

honey starr, new york, u.s.a.

In fact when Roger Federer plays he just makes things look so simple that everyone wonders why they don't play as well. As I said it just looks so natural. In fact the opossite to Nadal. Nadal is might, force and energy, that's what makes me think tenis is a hard sport. Good luck to them both.

E. Bee, Toulouse, France

Very thoughtful article - especially at a time when most sports commentators sound more like bookies than journalists. So thanks for making me purr - a testament to your own genius.

momo benmos, New York, USA

Mr Barnes,

Thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable article that took my breath away when you described Federer's shots and our reactions- I couldn't help my smile when you described the wincer after a shank or a dump in the net.

A welcome relief after all the press that expresses only doubt.

A. Liu, Sydney , Australia