Federer, 36, becomes oldest No. 1
D2
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands: Roger Federer became the oldest world No. 1 on Friday (Saturday in Manila) when the 20-time Grand Slam title winner reached the semifinals of the Rotterdam Open.
The 36-year-old Swiss overcame an early “36 years 195 days... consetback to beat Robin Haase of the Nethertinues to raise the bar in our sport. Conlands 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 and will replace old rival gratulations on yet another remarkable Rafael Nadal at the top of the rankings. achievement!!,” tweeted the American.
“What an amazing run it’s been, to be number Federer had talked on Thursday of his deone again means a lot to me,” Federer said. sire to retake the world number one spot
“This is incredibly special, I’m so happy. I but doubted it would ever happen after he didn’t really think I could get back to number underwent knee surgery last year. one, this is a significant moment in my career.” “I’ve struggled to try and get there. I had to win a
Federer surpasses Andre Agassi, who held the top lot of matches last year,” said Federer, who was as spot aged 33 years and 131 days in 2003, as the low as 17 in the world in January 2017 before he oldest man to claim the world number one spot. returned to form with the Australian Open title.
It is Federer’s first time back at the summit The ageless wonder dropped his first set since October 2012 having first claimed the of the week against Haase, who later said top position in February 2004. he had been sick all week and unable to do
“Reaching number one is the ultimate achieveany more than play his matches. ment in tennis. When you’re older you have to work Federer is back on top after winning double the amount, you have to wrestle it back from three majors in 13 months, including ansomeone who’s also worked hard to get there. It’s a other Australian Open in January. dream come true,” added an emotional Federer.
“It’s been an amazing journey and to clinch it here, where I got my first wildcard in 1998, means so much.”
Agassi was amongst the gratulate Federer. first to con- Federer was on his heels in the opening set as the aggressive Haase prevailed, but the Swiss top seed regained control to ease to the victory as he controlled the Dutchman in the remainder of the contest.
The Swiss triumphed to the cheers of the fans in 79 minutes, ending with six aces. Haase finished on a disappointing note with his second double-fault on match point.
Federer will now face a decision whether to try and stretch his leading margin over Nadal by competing in just over a week in Dubai, his Gulf training base.
“To rank this high, I don’t know how I did it. This is really big for me, especially because of the gap (between his last time at the top).
“It’s double as nice at my age to be number one, there is a lot that goes into it.”
Despite his achievement, Federer has a semi-final to play on Saturday.
“I hope all this is not a distraction, it may or may not be. I came here to get to number one and then win the tournament.
“But I’ve got all day tomorrow to recalibrate. This could also free me up, lay the pressure aside and start to play my best tennis.”
Second seed Grigor Dimitrov edged towards a possible first final in Rotterdam as he dispatched young Russian Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals.
Sixth seed Tomas Berdych withdrew prior to his quarterfinals, with the Czech’s absence putting fourth seed David Goffin into the semifinals. still