Roger Federer after Halle-Sieg: won "home" ten times
When Roger Federer arrived at the Sportpark Hotel in Halle on the penultimate Saturday, tournament director Ralf Weber presented him with a chic welcome cake. The sweet gift had a meaningful inscription: "Welcome, Home" was there to read in ornamental letters. Federer had a smile on his face when he thanked him kindly: "It also feels like a piece of home next to home."
by Jörg Allmeroth
last edit: Jun 23, 2019, 06:34 pm
Federer is a lot in the tranquil town in East Westphalia. Undoubtedly the fans' favorite, also a kind of secondary ambassador for the tournament. But he is one thing above all: the sporty character, the outstanding title hunter, the record champion, the lawn king.
No wonder Halle is now playing a historic role in Federer's career as the location where the 37-year-old superstar won a tournament for the tenth time for the first time. On Sunday, after the maestro's 7: 6 (7: 2), 6: 1 win against Belgian David Goffin, this new superlative was enshrined in Federer's job reference and also in the annals of the event.
"It is incredible that I won so many trophies here," said Federer, the artist with a special flair for turf, "that is a huge moment in my career. And this scene is very special for me ”. In addition to Rafael Nadal (12 titles French Open, 11 Barcelona), Federer is now the only player in modern tennis history to celebrate ten or more successes in a tournament.
Roger Federer: Halle reminds him of Switzerland
The young Federer had been in Halle long before his international breakthrough, even at the Junior Gerry Weber Open. Federer liked the provincial idyll, he always liked the "closeness to the fans" that he can and "feel" here. Between the French Open and Wimbledon, he always refueled in Halle, felt comfortable in the middle of "forest and meadows", and also felt a little reminded of "my Swiss homeland."
In 2003 he won his first title, at that time against Nicolas Kiefer, three weeks later he won Wimbledon for the first time. A good omen, Federer thought. More lawn doubles followed. Federer signed a lifetime contract with the tournament organizers, which ensured that he only played there during the competition week in Halle - and nowhere else.
“Roger is not just a guest here. It's part of the family, ”said tournament director Weber in a recent TV interview. This will presumably remain the case if Federer has stopped at some point, next year or the year after next. Or later. There are many ideas, many considerations about Federer's involvement beyond professional time, says Weber, “but everything has its time. We're still happy about the player Federer. "
Roger Federer: Form "better than in previous years"
Who would note Federer in the here and now the 37 years, also the 20 years in the rock-hard tour business. He can still win until a cup coup, against the younger and the very young, against players who could almost be his sons. Although he stopped at the clay court again this year, he appeared fresh and relaxed in Halle.
He said he felt "better than in previous years at this stage of the tennis series." The artist struggled through the first few rounds, winning in true center court dramas against strong rivals like the French Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or the Spaniard Roberto Bautista-Agut.
On the home stretch, however, he picked up speed with increased self-confidence and had little trouble in the semi-final against the Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Goffin, however, demanded everything from him for a long time, he played at eye level in the first set and only lost 2-7 in the tie-break.
After that, however, his spirit of resistance against the lawn master was broken, quick breaks from Federer to 1-0 and 4: 1 in the second act cleared the way to victory - and to the next memorable chapter in the success story of the Maestro, who already did this year had committed the coup of the 100th career title in Dubai.