For close to two decades, 20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer is one of the most-celebrated stars in Swiss tennis along with Stan Wawrinka. The duo played had quite a few incredible encounters over the years and even won the gold medal in the doubles event at Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Watch this story: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Others Winning Medals of Glory at Olympic Games
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Taking inspiration from both these gentlemen, Switzerland is slowly witnessing the up-rise the eighteen-year old Dominic Stricker, who won his first-ever ATP doubles title along with Marc-Andrea Huesler at Gstaad Open earlier today.
Great achievement by Dominic Stricker and his doubles partner Mac Huesler! 🇨🇭🇨🇭🏆
Doubles Title in Gstaad at ATP 250 @SwissOpenGstaad ⛰ pic.twitter.com/KILWjKAAC7
— Brian🇨🇭 (@camerlengo73_2) July 25, 2021
Dominic Stricker surpasses Roger Federer to become the youngest ATP Gstaad Open champion
By winning the title, Stricker also became the tournament’s youngest ever champion, surpassing Federer, who won his first-doubles title at the age of 19 alongside Marat Safin.
18-year-old Dominic Stricker becomes youngest @SwissOpenGstaad doubles champion in Open Era alongside fellow Swiss Marc-Andrea Huesler.
Stricker passes countryman @RogerFederer, who was previous youngest #SwissOpenGstaad doubles champion at age 19 in 2001 alongside Marat Safin.
— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) July 25, 2021
Throughout the week, both Stricker and Huesler produced consistent performances and overpowered the likes of Benoit Paire, Federico Delbonis, etc., on the doubles draw at Gstaad.
Coming to his performance on the ATP single section, the young Swiss star has already defeated the likes of Marin Cilic, Hubert Hurkacz, and Marton Fucsovics this year.
The Swiss Maestro had a couple of practice sessions with his projected prodigy earlier this year. The duo completed three-weeks of practice in Dubai. Due to Federer’s limited tournament window this year, Stricker didn’t get too many chances to hit the courts alongside the Swiss star.
Delight on home soil 🙌🏆
🇨🇭 Marc-Andrea Huesler & Dominic Stricker topple Zielinski & Walkow 6-1, 7-6(7) to win their first ATP Tour doubles titles.
📷: @SwissOpenGstaad / Mathias Schultz pic.twitter.com/GkuPAU9W8e
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 25, 2021
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Circling back to Roger Federer, the former world number decided to skip the Tokyo Olympics this year due to a knee issue he faced during the grass-court season.
While Federer is yet to announce his comeback tournament, it appears likely that the Swiss Maestro will make his return at Cincinnati Masters. Earlier this month, Roger was defeated by Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon in straight sets.
Even though it’s too early to predict the rise of Dominic Stricker, the youngster showed promise on the ATP tour and his journey on the men’s circuit will be an interesting one to follow in the years to come.
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