Tenacious Roger pockets 10th title on home court
Basel (Switzerland), Oct. 28: Roger Federer won his 10th Basel title on Sunday, smothering young Australian Alex De Minaur 6-2, 6-2 to secure what the Swiss legend described as “an unbelievable” success at the home-town tournament where he used to work as a ballboy. The 38year-old had to control his emotions as he drew a loud and heartfelt standing ovation from his home public during the presentation of his
103rd career trophy. He is now just six short of the record 109 ATP titles won by American Jimmy Connors.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion said it was as a ballboy at the St
Jakobshalle more than two decades ago that he got his first taste of tennis. “Being a ballboy really inspired me. But I cannot believe that I’ve won here 10 times,” he said.
“I never even thought that I would win it once, this has been an unbelievable week for me,” he said.
Federer’s 10 Basel titles ties the 10 he owns from Halle. He has also won Wimbledon eight times.
Sunday’s victory was his 75th win in Basel and extended his win streak at his hometown tournament to 24 matches with his last loss at the event coming in the 2013 final to Juan Martin del Potro.
He now owns four titles this season after Dubai, Miami and Halle.
With his wife, children and parents watching, Federer was presented with a metal sculpture depicting a life-sized hand ready to toss a tennis ball in honour of his landmark title. “You don’t get to win 10 titles at the same venue very often in a career,” said Federer.
“I couldn’t be happier that I was able to do it here in Basel. It’s been a great week, fans were wonderful, like in other years. I really enjoyed myself being back in Basel. I may have had some good luck (with a quarterfinal walk-over against Stan Wawrinka),” he said. —