RIO DE JANEIRO:- The year 2022 will be remembered by the world sports community.
It was a year where legends said goodbye and new stars emerged, a storybook and emotional display of respect between rivals. It was also one of glorious triumph, bitter disappointment and career-defining triumph.
In raw emotion, there are few sporting moments, if any, in recent history that could surpass Roger Federer’s farewell match in September.
The Swiss maestro ended in defeat as he and long-time rivals Rafael Nadal lost to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe in their Laver Cup doubleheader at London’s O2 Arena. .
The 41-year-old Swiss, who has been sidelined for more than a year with a knee injury, delighted the sell-out crowd with some brilliant moments alongside Nadal before Tiafoe and Sock broke the record.
After the match, tears were shed as Federer thanked his wife, Mirka, for her unwavering support over two decades.
“She could have stopped me a long time ago but she didn’t, she kept me going and let me play, so it’s amazing, thank you,” he said.
Nadal also had heartfelt words for the 20-time Grand Slam champion, a sign of how friendship and respect can transcend sports.
“An important part of my life is also leaving because of all the periods that followed me or in front of me in important moments of my life,” said the Spanish. “It was emotional to see his family, to see all the people. It’s hard to describe.”
While Federer said goodbye, young Spaniard Carlos Alcarez showed that his tennis future is bright as he won his first Grand Slam title by defeating Casper Ruud 6-4, 2-6, 7 -6 (1), 6-3. US Open final
Arguably the most impressive of the sport’s introductions has come at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
Xu Mengtao won China’s first-ever aerials title, beating Belarus’ Hanna Huskova and American pair Megan Nick and Ashley Caldwell to win the gold medal.
It was the culmination of many years of dedication for the 31-year-old Xu, who has already won the world championship six times and won the crystal globe five times.
But the truly memorable event came after the medal was decided. Caldwell, who was leading the first round of the final before landing her final jump, rushed over to hug and congratulate her rival.
“I have a lot of respect for her, and I hope our friendship inspires good sportsmanship among other competitors around the world at every level of competition,” Caldwell said afterward.
Golf has also thrown its share of fun fights. In April, Scottie Scheffler secured his first championship when he won the US Masters with a total tournament score of 10 under.
But he had to endure a stunning late charge from Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who finished second after a superb 64 to post the lowest final round ever recorded at Augusta National.
It was a year of tragedy and triumph in international cricket. In March, Australian legend Shane Warne died suddenly of a suspected heart attack at the age of 52 while on holiday in Thailand.
In November, England became the first team to hold the T20 and One Day International titles simultaneously when they beat Pakistan by five wickets in the final at the MCG.
At the end of the saga, nothing can surely overshadow this month’s FIFA World Cup final between France and Argentina in Qatar.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi said before the tournament that this will be his last shot at the World Cup; the trophy he so desperately coveted in an international career that spanned more than 16 years.
He looked like he could make his dream come true when Argentina took a 2-0 lead after 36 minutes in Lusail, with goals from Messi and Angel Di Maria.
But two late goals from Kylian Mbappe earned Les Bleus a draw as a tired Argentina threatened to lose. Messi restored Argentina’s lead in added time before Mbappe equalized again with a penalty that forced the game to go to penalties.
Messi converted from the penalty spot while Aurelien Tchouameni and Kingsley Coman missed as Argentina secured their first World Cup title in 36 years.
“I dreamed so much and it still hasn’t happened, I can’t believe it,” Messi said in a post on social media after the game. “Thank you very much to my family, to all who support me and also to all who believe in us.”
Messi was named the tournament’s best player with 7 goals and 3 assists, emulating the feat of his childhood friend Diego Maradona in 1986.
Apart from being the best World Cup of his career, Qatar 2022 guarantees that Messi will find a place in football alongside Maradona and Brazilian legend Pele. ■
