Roger Federer...Genius?

I've got a few minutes left prior to hopping my plane, so at the risk of stirring up controversy I'll start a new post about a non-team sport star: Swiss tennis pro Roger Federer.

Back in May, I made a post called "the Most Dominant Athlete of the 20th Century" to which I received the following comment:

"ROGER FEDERER - Is the most dominant athlete in sport today. In 2008 he will be trying to win the U.S. Open for the 5th consecutive year in a row. Furthermore in 2008 he will be trying to win WIMBLEDON for the 6th consecutive year in a row. Finally in 2008 if he wins 3 more majors he will be the ALL TIME GRAND SLAM CHAMPION. All this and Roger is only 26. In the history of Golf and Tennis Roger federer is the only peron to win 3 out of 4 majors in 1 year 3 times."

Well, I was talking about the most dominant team sport player and comparing how many of 'em were Aquarians or had Aquarius related astrological signatures. Also, I was talking about 20th century athletes, and while Federer turned pro in 1998, he didn't start winning pro tournaments till 2002. Now Mr. Federer is NOT an Aquarius. He's a Big Leo...which means he's a lot of flash and drama with the charm and charisma of the Super Star (this is a trait common to most Leos who have the courage to creatively express themselves)...the kind of guy everyone loves. The fact that he plays pro tennis give him a stage on which to shine...so I'm not surprised he gets a lot of publicity.

On the other hand Aqaurius John McEnroe will be remembered for a LONG time to come. He won the U.S. Open only a year after turning pro, and while he only has nine Grand Slams compared to Federer's fourteen, he won them in his first five years whereas Federer's been playing for ten.

Who knows what McEnroe might have accomplished if not for his "sabbaticals" in '86 and '87. Currently Federer ranks behind McEnroe in overall win percentage in Singles (80.4% to 81.8%) and WAY behind in Doubles (60% to 84.3%!). For the purpose of this Blog, of course, we like to look at Doubles play as it is the closest thing to a team aspect tennis has.

McEnroe, of course, had that Aquarian tendency to rub folks the wrong way and "alienate" himself from others...this is one of the traits that make the Aquarian archetype of "crazy genius" so appropriate. Leos tend to get attention...and McEnroe with a Leo midheaven and a sun ruled by Uranus in the 10th house was going to get a LOT of attention, not all of it wanted.

Clearly, Roger has the flash...but how much is Leo roar and how much is Aquarian genius?

Welp, the young Mr. Federer doesn't have a single planet in Aquarius. Not one.

On the other hand, he does have Mars in the 11th house (Mars being an important one to athletes), the traditional house ruled by Aquarius. Roger's Mars is in Cancer, so it's ruled by the Moon...and his moon is conjunct Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius...which gives colors both his Moon (emotional make-up) and Mars with Aquarian tendencies. Finally, Roger's 6th house (traditional house of Work and Dharma) is in the sign of Aquarius. Though there are no planets there, the way he works best is in the Aquarian fashion...he may not show up in the world a crazy genius, but that's how he practices.

Anyway, the point of my original post was not that Aquarius is in any way necessary for success in pro sports, but it can be a tell-tale of the potential for explosive, trend-setting greatness. Other things (like Gemini, Mars placement, Capricorn, and Virgo) can all drive a degree of professionalism , attention to detail, and outright skill. But Aquarius is where we see the cutting edge...Aquarius IS the cutting edge.

Though a Big Leo might disagree.

: )