Ton-up Fed in a league of his own
NO spOrtsman this century has attracted such warm and widespread acclaim for so long — nor worn the plaudits so fittingly — as roger Federer.
and here we are again, throwing the adjectives his way after the 100th atp title of a monumental career. the swiss claimed the landmark triumph in the Dubai Duty Free Championships on saturday, beating Greek stefanos tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4. Only Jimmy Connors, on 109, has won more.
Federer’s first atp title came at the milan Indoors in 2001, or 6,600 days before the latest. In that time, tiger Woods has been brought low and then rebuilt as much as he could of his battered body and broken reputation. Usain Bolt ran deep into history and then retired.
In his own sport, Federer has operated for much of his time in the golden age of rafa nadal and novak Djokovic, with our own superb sir andy murray in the mix. Which makes Federer becoming only the second man in the Open era to notch his century all the more impressive.
He has achieved what such talents as Ivan Lendl (94), nadal (80) and John mcEnroe (77) have not managed. and while Connors is ahead by the atp metrics, the american is 12 Grand slam titles short of Federer’s supreme record of 20.
Federer’s brilliance is not measured by figures alone. We further celebrate the purity of his strokes and elegance of his movement.
aged 37, he is undeniably in the autumn of his days as a player. that is why tsitsipas, his victim on saturday, had unexpectedly beaten him in this year’s australian Open. Five-set matches might now be too taxing for Federer to claim sustained success in future slams, even though he has cleverly husbanded his physical resources by avoiding clay courts for two seasons.
not this year, he says. He has missed the challenge and will be back on clay. there is clearly some life in the old thoroughbred yet. there is also Connors to pursue, if he has the legs for that long haul. ‘Welcome to the triple-digit club,’ the american told him.
Federer, who moves up to fourth in the world rankings, said: ‘the sacrifice is all worthwhile. We’ll see how much I’ve got left in the tank, but reaching 100 is a dream come true.
‘I’m so happy I’m still playing. It’s been a long, wonderful journey and it all started as a junior world champion. I wouldn’t do it any differently. I’ve loved every minute, playing potential champions and pete sampras and andre agassi.
‘I’m sure stefanos will have a wonderful career. tennis is in good hands regardless of whether I’m there or not.’
as if to paint Federer in an even brighter light, australian irritant nick Kyrgios was also a winner this weekend — at the mexican Open. If Federer is heir to such a gentleman champion as roy Emerson, then Kyrgios is the child of mcEnroe.
snarling at umpires and spectators alike, he is the 23-year- old potty-mouth of whom nadal said last week: ‘He lacks respect for the public, his rivals and himself.’
Kyrgios possesses a loose, languid arm and should be a joy to watch, but he has all the charm of a junkyard dog. While Kyrgios is still learning what making the most of your talent means, Federer’s case was proved long ago.
He had notched up 36 days in accumulated professional tournament play by the time he clinched the match against tsitsipas after breaking him decisively in the ninth game of the second set.
His wait on 99 titles since winning at home in Basle last October is over. twenty four of his titles came in consecutive finals between October 2003 and October 2005.
‘Just thinking about it, getting to 100 is completely insane,’ said tsitsipas to Federer. ‘ It’s an honour playing roger. I’ve idolised him since I was six. I had the biggest smile on my face.’ and that was the beaten man speaking.