The 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer recently retired from professional tennis after playing his last match at the 2022 Laver Cup alongside Rafael Nadal – fans continue missing him at the Basel Open
The legendary Roger Federer served as a ballboy at the Basel Open in his younger days. After turning pro, the Swiss superstar turned on the heat at the tournament and became a 10-time champion. Fittingly, his last title on the tour came at the 2019 Basel Open after he defeated Alex de Minaur in the final. The 41-year-old is the most successful player at the event. It is only the second tournament where Federer has entered the double digits in terms of titles won.
The 2019 Basel Open title was Federer’s fourth in the year. The tournament was not held in the last couple of years owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the tournament returned in its full glory but it does not feature Roger Federer. We have seen fans become quite emotional on social media as they are watching the Basel Open without Basel’s favourite son in action.
Another Swiss legend Stand Wawrinka is playing this year’s Basel Open. During his phenomenal win against world No. 3 Casper Ruud in the round of 32, a young fan brought a placard with a special message for Federer. It read: “I miss Roger”.
The Basel Open was founded 52 years ago in 1970. It is played at the St. Jakobshalle and is currently in the ATP 500 category.
Federer won the title for the first time in 2006. He defeated Fernando Gonzalez in the final to get off the mark in Basel. The stalwart won the title in 2007 and 2008 with wins against Jarkko Nieminen and David Nalbandian in the finals. Federer’s fourth triumph at Basel came in 2010 when he defeated Novak Djokovic in the final. The former followed it up with another win in the 2011 edition of the tournament.
After three years, Federer won his sixth title by getting the better of David Goffin. He successfully defended the title the following year. The 8-time Wimbledon champion won in his last three appearances at the Basel Open in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
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