Federer Gunning For ATP No. 1 in Rotterdam

[scoop]

By Scoop Malinowski

Roger Federer has the chance to be ATP World No. 1 again and he wants to take his shot at making tennis history as the oldest world no. 1 in history. Roger will take a wild card into next week’s ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam, where he can reclaim the No. 1 ATP Ranking for the first time in more than five years if he advances to the semifinals.

Federer last held the top ranking on October 4, 2012. From his No. 1 ranking, Federer closed the gap to within 155 points of Rafael Nadal after winning his 20th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. Nadal is not playing next week so Federer will obtain enough points to overtake Nadal if he can reach at least the semi.

36 year old Federer has previously played Rotterdam Tour 500 tournament eight times, winning twice, in 2005 and 2012.

Federer first became the ATP No. 1 fourteen years ago on February 2, 2004. He still holds the all time record for most weeks spent at No. 1 (302). If Federer achieves his objective next week of reaching at least the semifinal he will erase the record of Andre Agassi who currently holds the honor of being the oldest World No. 1 which he achieved at the age of 33.

Nadal is not scheduled to return to action until the final week of February when he will play Acapulco. Sam Querrey defeated Nadal at Acapulco last year.

Rotterdam Tournament Director Richard Krajicek was obviously thrilled about Federer joining his draw: “We are thrilled that Roger has chosen to come to the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament last minute. After his fantastic result at the Australian Open, it is tremendous news that he will be joining us in Rotterdam. It is a crown to the celebration of the history of our tournament.”

Roger Federer comments: “The tournament is special for me. I remember playing for the first time in 1999 as it was one of the first events where I got the chance to play at the highest level. It feels good to join in the celebrations of the 45th edition.”

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Duke, Federer is the greatest champion in sports history IMO. And achieving no. 1 at age 36 is another record that will never be broken.

 

[Andy22]

Well its going be hard for anyone to beat Federer oldest 1no but it can happen. Players like Djokovic, Andy Murray ,Nadal could bet it.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Chazz, the crying could have been a smokescreen to make us think he's human No, he's always been super sensitive and has cried throughout his career after special wins. He cried after winning two singles matches vs USA in Davis Cup when he was still a teen. He cried after winning his first Masters in Hamburg. So it's normal for Fed to cry after special wins or even losses. Sensitive man and it means the world to him.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Bryden Klein's agony continues. In Launceston Challenger Klein lost 64 46 76 (7-5) to Matosevic. Another heartbreaking close loss for Klein. How many of these can a man suffer through and endure? He loses so many of these kinds of heartbreakers.

 

[Andy22]

Well its ik

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Chazz, the crying could have been a smokescreen to make us think he's human No, he's always been super sensitive and has cried throughout his career after special wins. He cried after winning two singles matches vs USA in Davis Cup when he was still a teen. He cried after winning his first Masters in Hamburg. So it's normal for Fed to cry after special wins or even losses. Sensitive man and it means the world to him.

Well its OK then Federer cry then he wins, but then does it then he losses it make Federer look like a cry baby.lol AO 09 Federer is not a good loser

 

[britbox]

I had a gut feeling Federer wouldn't be able to resist the opportunity. Let's hope it doesn't turn out like the off-the-cuff trip to Canada last year... which was basically the only reason he went... and ended up sabotaging his chances at Cinci at the US Open.

 

[britbox]

Well its ik

Well its OK then Federer cry then he wins, but then does it then he losses it make Federer look like a cry baby.lol AO 09 Federer is not a good loser

A good loser... is a loser.

 

[Andy22]

A good loser... is a loser.

True does not mean Federer should cry like little baby every time he loses to Nadal, djokovic.

 

[britbox]

True does not mean Federer should cry like little baby every time he loses to Nadal, djokovic.

Yep, and that's why he doesn't.

 

[Federberg]

Yep, and that's why he doesn't.

has he ever cried after losing to Novak??

 

[Andy22]

has he ever cried after losing to Novak??

well he has not done that crying vs djokovic

 

[britbox]

^Sorry, I can't really be bothered in engaging in an infantile conversation on who Federer has cried the most against.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

I know a lot of players who have cried after losses, pro and even Gene Scott after losing a practice match to Butch Seewagen as an adult! Gotta respect Federer for having such emotional passion and power that he could not hide it after some of his tough losses and wins. Special person. and nothing to be ashamed of.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

To be honest, despite being Fed fan, I did not like Fed crying in 2009 after AO loss. I felt it took the limelight away from Rafa.
However, Fed did not do it intentionally and it was just that he was genuinely overcame by strong emotions. Nowadays, I am used
to his crying.

p.s. Funny, they call Stan the cry baby who has never cried even when people insult his GF.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Chazz, they, not all but a fair number, hide the pain from the public and wait till they get to the locker room to vent or express their rage or frustration after a heartbreaking loss. I used to be able to get into the US Open locker room for over a decade until the ITF changed policy about five years ago. I saw a lot and heard a lot of stories. Most players hide it when they do the handshakes and leave the court and they suppress it for a few minutes. Of course some can handle it better.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Actually, In tennis it is really tough situation. They expect the loser to stay around and give a speech on top of that.
In most other sports, the losers leave the court immediately and only the winners stay for the trophy presentation.
The advantage in that is that the losers have a few days time to digest the situation and come to perspective before
meeting the press.

Perhaps, they should get rid of dinner plates in tennis.

If the winner cries, it is ok. If the loser cries, it kind of looks bad.

 

[Federberg]

To be honest, despite being Fed fan, I did not like Fed crying in 2009 after AO loss. I felt it took the limelight away from Rafa.
However, Fed did not do it intentionally and it was just that he was genuinely overcame by strong emotions. Nowadays, I am used
to his crying.

p.s. Funny, they call Stan the cry baby who has never cried even when people insult his GF.

Lol! He did cry last year at Indian Wells I think. Called Roger an a-hole for laughing if I remember correctly

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

I think the loser crying shows how much these players care and it illustrates just how much they have sacrificed in their lives to make some of these matches so traumatic sometimes. Seeing Michelle Larcher De Brito crying on the court while and then after blowing the 61 50 lead to Svitolina at US Open qualies about six years ago was painful to see such suffering. Seeing Djokovic cry after losing in the Olympics to Del Potro in Rio was unforgettable. I lose no respect for any player that cries after a loss. Sampras cried on court after losing to Bastl, Jim Courier noticed it and said it on TNT. It's a sport of ecstasy and agony.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Federer cried in 2009 when the crowd roared for him if I remember correctly during his consolation speech, combined with the presence of Rod Laver, he just was overcome by all the emotions. It did not take any glory away from Nadal. I would say it made the triumph even more special and more memorable for the fans. Special moment in tennis history. Signature moment, sort of like Guga drawing the heart on clay on Chatrier.