Federer retires from tennis: the story of his first title and the beginning of a legendary career

Roger Federer, a living tennis legend, has announced his retirement and has decided to end a successful career that has seen him become one of the best in history with 103 titles, 20 Grand Slams, 310 weeks at the top of the world rankings and 1,251 wins.

Owner of a history of unforgettable celebrations, exciting and record consecrations, which had its first successful chapter more than 20 years ago, on February 4th 2001, on a carpet pitch in Milan and indoors. In that Italian city, the Swiss won his first ATP title with a win over the French Julien Boutter in three sets.

“I’ve been waiting a long time for this. It should be easier from now on,” said 19-year-old Roger. And yes it was. Not even he imagined everything he would achieve in the next two decades.

With long hair pulled back into a ponytail, a white headband and a red t-shirt – in the tone of his country’s flag – the Swiss, at the time number 27 in the world, was the favorite in the classification for the final. But Boutter, 26 years old and 67th in the world rankings, felt lucky and entered the field confident that he would eventually lift the trophy. But he met a rival who, thirsty for glory, did not want to miss his third chance to claim the champion for the first time.

“I didn’t make it to the final thinking about winning it, but I wanted my first title. I felt the pressure. It was a fantastic week for me, I felt like I was playing very well, but it was an indoor tournament and Boutter was a great one. server., so there was no way of knowing what was going to happen, “Federer recalled in a chat with the ATP.

The Swiss, a professional since 1998, had played for the first time the decisive instance of a tournament the previous year, in Marseille, where he had lost in the tie break of the third set against his compatriot Marc Rossett.

In the same season he lost his second final against his people, in Basel, where he fell in a very tough match against the Swede Thomas Enqvist, then number six in the world, in five sets. Much later he confessed that after that match he thought, “I’ll never win a tournament.”

Less than four months later, he made it. Although not without suffering. On the way to the final he defeated the German Rainer Schuettler (48 °); in French Cyril Saunier (120 °), Croatian Goran Ivanisevic (123rd) and Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikovseventh in the standings.

In the decisive duel, Boutter broke first in the opening set and young Roger vented his frustration by crashing his racket to the ground. Yes, in his early years as a professional the Swiss was not yet the “gentleman” he is on the pitch today and he let himself be conquered by his emotions.

Beyond the anger, he reacted and managed to take the part. His rival kept second place in the tie break. And at the start of the third, the referee made a mistake that could have been decisive for the match. Federer was supposed to serve in the first game, but the judge got confused and ordered the Frenchman to start serving. The Swiss broke into that opening match and took an advantage that led to victory. What would have happened if the Swiss had served first? There is no way to know, but the story could very well have been another.

“It could have been my end,” Boutter considered a few years ago. And he recalled: “Federer was already considered the future Pete Sampras at the time, but when we played that game he still had a lot to mature and he seemed quite nervous on the pitch.”

“I think I improve and have achieved the first goal of my career. My next goal is to get into the top 15 in the world, which is a difficult goal, but not impossible,” Federer said after the final. “Losing three finals in a row may have been a little uncomfortable mentally. But now I can look forward to the rest of the season with a little less pressure on my shoulders to have to win a title,” he added.

“As soon as the game was over, I was more relieved than happy.“, he recalled a few years ago.” After I started feeling happy for that title, I played pretty well. It was a great time for me. I thought “At least I have one!”“.

What happened next exceeded all expectations.. His second title made him want another year-he got it in Sydney at the beginning of 2002, a season in which he also added the third and fourth-; but since 2003 he has begun to build an unrivaled domain in professional tennis.

Last year he won seven crowns, including his first in a major at Wimbledon, a game he has won eight times, more than any other player in history. And he never stopped. He has grown tired of raising trophies, celebrating victories, breaking records and delighting tennis fans with his talent and exquisite tennis.

This Thursday, at the age of 41, the legend announced his final farewell in the sport which saw him as one of the best in history. Next weekend, when he plays the Laver Cup, Federer will be the last time on the pitch.