Roger Federer electrified tennis fans everywhere in a recent farewell exhibition match against world No. 12 Casper Ruud. Despite being over three years into retirement, he proved that his on-court expertise is still sharp as ever. The encounter was played at a venue rich with sentimental memories for Federer. An exciting tiebreaker brought the raucous, nostalgia-fueled audience to a fever pitch.
For Federer, this connection to the venue runs deep — two decades deep. Highlights such as his first ascent to world No. 1 in 2004, when he beat countryman Juan Carlos Ferrero. This major victory proclaimed him one of the world’s best players. In addition to symbolically being the biggest stage in sport, it laid the groundwork for an illustrious career later marked by 20 Grand Slam titles. Fans continue to treasure the epic 2017 championship match vs. Rafael Nadal! It’s a match that remains a career highlight, even in a long and storied career.
In that earlier match against Ruud, Federer’s focus and competitive spirit were impossible to miss. This quality has marked his career and shows that he’s still got it. This exhibition offered him a unique opportunity to reach out to his core supporters. It was a poignant testament to his incredible journey in the sport.
“The 2017 Nadal final … how can we forget that one. One of the most special matches in my life. I also became world No.1 for the first time when I beat Fererro here in 2004, this was obviously very special for me to make it to world No.1.” – Roger Federer
Federer looked back on his time playing in the venue, remembering different moments throughout his career. He stated, “I’ve had Davis Cup matches here, I’ve had night sessions, day sessions, blowout wins, tough losses … I’ve had it all and the fans have always been behind me and I’ve felt at home here. It’s been an indescribable blessing to be here all these years.”
Viewers and fans raved on social media that he looked great, that he could continue to go out and play with the best of them. One user commented, “Even at this age I can bet that he can easily beat many on the tour and with some match practice, he can even reach the quarters at AO.” Another noted the quality of the tiebreaker, stating, “That tiebreak was a history lesson, taught by the professor himself.”
As Federer gets ready to star in the tournament’s first-ever opening ceremony, anticipation is mounting over his near-certain ongoing presence in tennis. His exceptional performance against Ruud has many convinced that he still has the ability to compete among the best.
