Roger Federer wins ninth title at Halle, making the case he’s the favorite for Wimbledon
Tennis legend Roger Federer dismissed the nextgen threat to the reigning Big Four, 6-1, 6-3, to collect his ninth title at the Gerry Weber ATP 500 tournament.
Roger Federer may have lost in the first round of the Stuttgart event a few weeks ago, but the 18-time Grand Slam champion bounced back and found his groove in time to prepare for the Wimbledon tourney, where he is now the frontrunner for the title.
“I was doubting myself a little bit, I must admit, because losing [in the opening] round for the first time in 15 years on grass was always going to shake me a little bit and it did,” Federer said about his loss in Stuttgart. “So I’m happy to react right away and let that be forgotten and actually move on and remind myself I actually can play well on grass.”
He faced Zverev, who seems to be the only young tennis player who can pose a threat to Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, having won his first Masters 1000 title in Rome, against the Serb in the middle of the clay season.
None of that was on display when he faced Federer in the final, where the Swiss Maestro displayed his best form. Zverev could hardly come up with an answer. It was a very different performance from the one he showed in the Rome final with Djokovic. And Federer completed the match for the title in less than an hour.
As dominant as Nadal was during the clay season, it’s looking like Federer is demonstrating some of his dominant form himself. With Sunday’s win, hope is very much alive going into the next grand slam. Federer is tied with Pete Sampras with seven title at the All England Club. With an eighth title there, he will own the record outright and increase his Grand Slam tally to 19, something no one saw coming this time last year. He and Nadal own all the major titles this year, with one Slam apiece, two Masters 1000 titles and one additional title apiece as well.
“I’m like on ‘Cloud Nine’ right now after the ninth win here in Halle,” Federer said about his win afterward. “It’s a wonderful feeling to win here again because I’m not sure if I’ll ever get a chance to win this again so it’s important to enjoy this one.”
Last year at Halle, the German wunderkind had bested him, but the Swiss legend is a more inspired player this year and is playing with everything on the line. Age just doesn’t seem to be a factor as he looks at possible grand slam No. 19 or 20 at the end of the year. Continuing their epic story this year, he and Nadal now retain the top two spots in the race to London, with Nadal already ranked No. 2. It’s also quite possible both players could be battling for the top two ranked spots all the way to the end of the year, as if it was six years ago.
Although the 20-year-old didn’t offer much of a contest in the final, it’s been an incredible breakthrough year for the German, including Zverev’s first Masters 1000 title win over Djokovic. It’s clear we will be seeing the 12th-ranked player in a Grand Slam final soon enough.
“He’s a very nice lad. I’m very happy for him, how he’s developed in the last years. The future belongs to him,” Federer said of his young opponent.
Until such time, he and Rafa are busy enjoying their royal tour of tennis dominance, adding to their records with each upcoming event. Wimbledon is next, starting July 3.