Roger Federer - "I don't have to break all records"
After his triumph at the ATP Tour 500 tournament in Dubai, Roger Federer was satisfied and relieved - and noted that he did not intend to break all tennis records in the world.
by Jörg Allmeroth
last edit:
Mar 03, 2019, 12:32 pm
Dubai. In the Players Lounge at the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel hours of sparkling wine, wine and Arabic delicacies were still served hours after the "Moment for Eternity" (Gulf News). Roger Federer and his many-headed entourage were in a good mood after the fabulous 100th career title. In this big night of great victory, there were no thoughts of tomorrow, of upcoming tournaments and exams. "It is a dream that has come true for me," said Federer, before he went to his luxury apartment at the Dubai Marina, "I am a person who loves round numbers like this."
Even before the first rallies at the busy Duty Free Championships, Federer had reacted slightly annoyed to the constant speculation about reaching three digits, to "the talk of when I can finally make the 100." But then he solved the problem on his consistent Way, practically in a hand stroke on the gulf. At first Federer started the milestone mission rather shakily, but later he was again the familiar tennis sovereign, quite the elegant and at the same time gripping Maestro. He finally landed five victories within six days in the tent roof arena, the last in the final against one of the next generation of poster boys, Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece - then the last masterpiece was done for the time being, the 100th title since the first title on the 4th February 2001 in Milan (against the French Julien Boutter).
An eternity between the first and 100th title
There were 6600 days in between, a little eternity, but Federer, as a person and character, always stayed true to this long march through the tennis institutions. And changed only non-stop in the role model of lifelong learner and eternal reformer. "The day you don't want to get any better, you're no longer in the front line," he said in Dubai that evening. A phrase that, like so many insights and views of the Swiss aesthete, is of timeless validity.
Federer has never stopped winning and winning again and again since the early days of his career. For entire generations, for entire tennis classes, he was the friendly spoiler, the stop sign on two legs. "I know I've stood in the way of many in their careers," said Federer, "but my respect for them is that I never gave out gifts. Not allowed to distribute. ”On average, Federer won a title every two and a half months for a good 21 years. It never rested, never rusted. One in five of his cup triumphs, i.e. 20, took place on the very big stages, in the Grand Slams, which most closely define a player's status and life's work.
"Players grow up in smaller tournaments"
But in the hour of his 100th title, he also made a fiery plea for the basic operation of his craft, for the many small and medium-sized tournaments. "This is where all players grow up, here they take the decisive steps, here is their career platform," said Federer, "I was always annoyed when asked about a tournament win: what does that mean for their next Grand Slam start ? ”Federer then gave himself the answer again demonstratively:“ Every venue, every competition stands for itself. And deserves the greatest respect. "
Federer's guest performances around the world have now become independent high-level offices in which the 37-year-old master player is paid homage to as an appearance that is no longer quite earthly. The tireless Swiss attracts the masses, enraptures the masses, ensures extreme emotional rashes in the stands in victory and defeat. The 100th career title in the Über-Morgenland on the Gulf will fuel the cult of the father of four even further. It is the least comfortable for him.
Federer enjoys worldwide affection
He obviously enjoys the "popularity and affection of the people," said Federer in Dubai, "but I have to be careful that I keep my concentration on tennis in all the hustle and bustle." And in fact, Federer, the most famous individual athlete of that time, basically wants to of his heart just playing tennis, thrilling, enjoying the duel on Center Court. And otherwise spend time with his family, with his wife Mirka and his twin daughters and twin sons. "The point is this: If the family didn't support me so fully, my career would have ended long ago."
Federer had once believed that he would be over by the age of thirty at the latest. As for many of his own idols, whether Björn Borg or Boris Becker. But then Federer experienced how suddenly Andre Agassi was experiencing a renaissance beyond the thirties mark, steely fit, wirier than the younger and the youngest. "It was a great inspiration to see that. And to stay tuned hard and passionately. "
Jimmy Connors leads with 109 titles
So he continued to win, also as a 30-year-old, as a 35-year-old, also as a comeback phenomenon at the beginning of 2017. “I also owe the great team around me to the fact that I always found these ways. And yet: There was always a big astonishment when there was a new success in the end, "said Federer," all of this is just one thing: it goes without saying. "
100 titles - and not a bit tired? For the moment, it wasn't true. In Dubai, the winner's voltage dropped noticeably, he was exhausted, exhausted, and the battery was in the red for now. But for the rest of the year, for the rest of the time as a professional player, Federer continues to give "good chances" here and there. But he no longer wants to chase the records doggedly, he is out of his age and out of this emotional state. "I don't have to break all records, not even Jimmy Connors' 109 titles," said Federer.