Roger Federer is a nice guy.
Legend has it Federer signs autographs and mails them to fans in return.
Federer is well liked, presently has an untarnished image and he wins.
I witnessed it all at the Miami Open.
The Swiss added on to his legendary resume dominating reigning champ John Isner 6-1, 6-4 to take his fourth Miami Open tournament title. Federer has won 15 of his last 16 matches.
“I’m happy I chose to come back this year. It’s easy just to say, Well, last year didn’t work out, so I won’t come back this year, and as I’m playing the clay, maybe add rather another clay court event,” Federer stated.
“But I felt like let’s extend the hard court season. Let’s see the new venue. To be honest, I think that was something also I was excited to see. I did feel like the game was there last year. And I thought also the game was definitely here this year, as well, even after the Australian Open. So I’m happy with the team we took the right decision.”
I blinked, and it was over. Federer needed only 64 minutes for the victory. Federer at 37 years of age overthrew the big-serving American behind four breaks of serve, and an unreal 32 of 35 points won on his delivery.
Federer is making the most of the ATP tour up to this point. Federer was seeded third at the Australian Open, reached the fourth round, where he faced 14th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. In a stunning upset, Tsitsipas defeated Federer in four close sets.
At the Dubai Tennis Championships, Federer won his 100th Career Singles Title, beating Tsitsipas in straight sets in the final. It was his eighth title in Dubai, and he became only the second man after Jimmy Connors to reach the three-figure mark in the Open Era. Federer then reached the final of the 2019 Indian Wells Masters where he lost to Dominic Thiem in three sets.
In the opening round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament, Federer faced Radu Albot playing on Stadium Court in the new venue for the first time. Radu won the opening set, Federer did not look back. He streaked to the title behind 12 consecutive sets won.
Federer added his fourth Miami Open tournament title and career title No. 101 in his storied career. During the tournament, he shared there is a combination of things that keep his joy strong as he continues to play the game he loves.
“Without health, joy and no results it is not going to work,” Federer said. “I need all of that to do well on the tour. I need a great team around me. I couldn’t do it myself by any stretch. I have a wonderful team, a great wife who helps me through thick and thin with our four children. We want to have a good time on the tour, and I feel we are having that, that’s number one for me to produce good results on the court.”
Now I know the secret to him being ageless, winning and being nice.
Photo/MiamiOpen/LindseyGodwin
Photo/MiamiOpen/LindseyGodwin
