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Roger Federer wins crucial Swiss Indoors but withdraws from Paris Masters

By Veronica Elizabeth Bruno

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - OCTOBER 29: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates his victory during the final match of the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 tennis tournament against of Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina at St Jakobshalle on October 29, 2017 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
BASEL, SWITZERLAND - OCTOBER 29: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates his victory during the final match of the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 tennis tournament against of Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina at St Jakobshalle on October 29, 2017 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Roger Federer displayed uncharacteristic frustration throughout the Basel final against Juan Martin del Potro, shakily winning the crucial 500 points needed in his captivating race against Rafael Nadal for the top ATP spot, defeating the Argentine in three grueling sets, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3.

Roger Federer is having a great year, but he’s only human and the frustrations were on full display during the three tight sets needed to win the final in his hometown. Usually a master of calm cool, the 19-time grand slam champion smashed his racquet into the net, muttered to himself during the changeover, double faulted, and hit several shots long. Clearly, the Swiss player was having an off day, but an off day for him is so much more different than us mere mortals. He won the tournament anyway. Not only that, he also moved up in a major record, bypassing Ivan Lendl on the list of most ATP wins (Wikipedia, please fix this stat!). With 95, he stands alone behind Jimmy Connor’s 109. But he also bypassed Novak Djokovic in the record that probably means the most to his family, total career earnings, becoming the first tennis player to earn $110M in prize money alone.

Federer’s now put himself within 1,500 points from his great rival, Rafael Nadal, who is, also, by the way, having a fantastic year, having collected six major titles this year himself. Fed was almost 2,000 points behind him after beating his legendary rival in the Shanghai final a few weeks ago. Nadal pulled out of Basel directly afterwards (with a knee injury), leaving the door open for Federer. The world No. 2 was expected to pick up the ATP 500 Basel event, a tourney that takes place in his hometown, under the indoor hard court conditions that favor him the best, and where he’s won so many times before. However, the 8-time Basel champ proved that he’s human too. Fed’s been able to conquer his Nadal demons all year long—not losing this year to his once-insurmountable rival—but del Potro’s proved to be a foil, contributing to some of the Swiss player’s tightest matches (and U.S. Open loss). The final in Basel was no different, with Fed losing the first set tie break and displaying his frustrations early in the second set.

https://twitter.com/doublefault28/status/924660996949598210

Still, with the win, sports fans are hoping that Federer will keep riding the momentum and gain more points advantage in the final two events. Up next is the Rolex Paris Masters event, which gives a tantalizing 1,000 points to the winner. But Federer has announced what contributed to his off center performance in the final against Juan Martin del Potro. Citing his troublesome back, he has now withdrawn from the Paris event, giving the advantage back to Rafael Nadal. A slight surprise, but who knows what kind of chances it will give the Spaniard? Federer knew his odds in Basel were pretty good, but he’s only won Paris once, and Nadal has never won it.

Both are putting all their focus on the prime event of the last part of the tennis season, the ATP Finals in London. Surprisingly, Rafa’s never won and is making a maiden title here a major goal for his resurgent year. Fed holds the record for titles there, and letting his back heal and getting ready for the final event will be a major boost for his Renaissance year. He will be going for his seventh title in London and a maximum 1,500 points.

"“I’m too far behind really in the points,” Federer said at the beginning of the Swiss Indoors. “If I thought about it maybe I wouldn’t even enjoy the end of the season because the whole season would feel a waste. . . I’m sorry to say it’s not a priority for me. People like to talk about it and make it a big deal about it. I would love to have made a big deal about it after Cincinnati, Montreal or the US Open but I couldn’t do it there. My back didn’t ever allow me to get into the race for the world no.1. It’s been a wonderful year throughout and the goal here is to play a good World Tour Finals.”"

In the meantime, the race is still on, with Rafa still scheduled to compete in Paris next week.

At age 31 and 37, both Federer and Nadal are taking it one tournament at a time. Besides more titles, the ability to elongate their career longevity is the real prize, for them and fans alike.