Even as a “pensioner” Roger Federer made a dazzling figure on the Center Court in Halle. Instead of wearing a tennis outfit, the superstar returned to his long-standing German “living room” in a chic black suit, made fun of the mascot – and, with loud cheers, visibly moved, accepted the award for his services to the Westphalian ATP tournament, where he was a professional ten times allowed to lift the trophy.
by SID
last edited: 06/21/2023, 06:14 p.m
© Getty Images
Roger Federer was able to triumph a total of 10 times in Halle.
“It means a lot to me,” said the Swiss, and hearts flew to the record winner and fan favorite at his first appearance on the tennis circuit about nine months after his retirement. “Of course I’m overjoyed,” said Federer, “that I was able to shape this tournament myself with so many victories.”
The “Maestro” refrained from tennis after his tearful farewell last September at the Laver Cup, but he has certainly not been bored since then. Whether it’s Formula 1 in Miami, basketball with the New York Knicks, at the glamorous Met Gala, with his wife Mirka and their four children at Disneyland or skiing for the first time in 15 years – Federer is enjoying his retirement to the fullest.
The long-standing world number one also finds plenty of time for his foundation, a matter close to his heart. In May he visited a project in Lesotho with the whole family and obviously had fun swinging the tennis racket again in the midst of a large group of children.
The lawn tournament in Halle was also an affair of the heart during his active career. “It feels like a piece of home next to home,” said Federer, who even signed a lifetime contract as a professional for the tournament. And the organizers quickly renamed the street leading to the large stadium to Roger-Federer-Allee.
“Roger wasn’t just a player who was a guest here. He was part of the family,” said Ralf Weber, Tournament Director of the Terra Wortmann Open. In 2003 Federer won the first of his ten titles in the final against Nicolas Kiefer in East Westphalia, followed a few weeks later by his first triumph on the “sacred lawn” of Wimbledon and his rise to world stardom.
The fact that his former Grand Slam record of 20 titles has now been far surpassed by Novak Djokovic does not annoy Federer at all. “I think what Novak has done is incredible,” he said recently about the Serb’s 23rd major title, saying: “It’s a great time to be a tennis fan, but also a player.” And as a fan, Federer obviously feels comfortable.
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2023-06-22 07:55:00
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