Recognized as one of the top prospects among the new generation of players born in the early 1980s, Roger Federer became the player to watch in 2001.
In February, the Swiss youngster captured his first ATP title in Milan before reaching the quarterfinals of back-to-back Majors in Paris and London, still aged 19. After that incredible five-set victory over Pete Sampras at the All England Club, the entire tennis world was ready to witness a new major champion from Switzerland.
However, they had to wait a couple of years before Roger gathered everything to join the immortals. Federer claimed the first Masters 1000 title in Hamburg in May 2002 and cracked the top 10 in the following days with those points in his account.
Instead of using that momentum at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, Roger experienced a first-round loss at both Majors to pack a punch. The Swiss did not play well in the following months due to lack of form and personal problems, struggling on the court but earning enough points to secure his first place in the Masters Cup.
Coming back stronger in 2003, Federer claimed the most wins on the Tour in the first few months and lifted crowns in Marseille, Dubai and Munich on three different stages. The Swiss expected more of the same just a week after the triumph on German soil, when he traveled to Rome.
Federer’s return date is not yet official
Belinda Bencic warned people that they were writing off Roger Federer, saying that he has shown in the past that he is capable of returning to the ATP Tour after difficult periods.
“People have already written Roger Federer off many times, but he always comes back. He has shown so many times that he is one of the top three players in the world,” Bencic said. “I definitely hope that he recovers and returns to playing tennis tournaments.
I think the tennis world needs him to play. I definitely think he can be the best at any time.” In the course of the interview, Belinda Bencic expressed her regret at not being able to partner Roger Federer in the Hopman Cup any more.
The last edition of the Hopman Cup was played in 2019, where Switzerland finished as the winner for the second year in a row. Roger Federer’s biography titled ‘Master’, written by renowned sports journalist Christopher Clarey, offers valuable insights into the Swiss maestro’s early life and how he grew more and more as a tennis player.
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