41-Year-Old Roger Federer’s ‘Sudden’ Move Brought ‘Stroke of Luck’ to a Historic Grass Court Event As Revealed by Director

Fans of tennis legend Roger Federer are giddy with anticipation as he prepares to return to the court. Following his retirement last year, he is set to return to the 2023 Halle Open. But wait, the Swiss maestro will not be taking part in the competition. However, he will make a special appearance during the competition, when the 10-time champion will be honored on the center court. Isn’t that fantastic news for all tennis enthusiasts

The competition is still in its early stages. Furthermore, the tournament has received media attention as a result of the well-known contract signed with the 20-time Grand Slam champion. The tournament director recently emphasized the wonderful deal that the Halle event once possessed with the Swiss ace.

Halle Open director on Roger Federer’s sudden move

After making its debut in the tennis world in 1993, the ATP 500 event will mark its 30th anniversary this year. The former tennis legend, 41, attracted a lot of attention to the competition. In the sense that he intended to be a part of the event for a long time, there was a contract that shocked everyone.

Ralf Weber, the tournament’s director, recently discussed the famous deal with Federer in an interview for a tennis magazine in Germany. He said, “It was a proposal from Roger. We met in Paris in 2010 to agree a two or three year contract with him. When he suddenly said: “I want to play in Halle until the end of my career”. Even his manager Tony Godsick was then surprised and so were we anyway. It was an absolute stroke of luck for us.” 

Additionally, he shed light on the Swiss legend’s genuine motive for wanting to be associated with the tournament. The former No. 1 tennis player won his first title at Halle in 2003 and kept the position until 2006. Followed by his victory in 2008, then finishing as the runner-up in 2010 and 2012. Not only that, he ended his victory streak by claiming victory from 2013 to 2015.

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The tournament’s final two titles, which he won in 2017 and 2019, effectively made him the most decorated player in the event’s 30-year history. But this isn’t the first time the competition has given him recognition.

Roger Federer was honored with a street in Halle

The Swiss maestro has already made a mark in Halle; in 2012, he had an allee leading to the main stadium for the competition named in his honor. It’s unquestionably one of Federer’s most memorable tennis moments. The German tournament honored the tennis great by renaming a street “Roger-Federer-Allee.”

Well, even today, the street named after him has seen a lot of tennis players walk into the tennis court to make their name in the tournament. The Swiss Maestro described it as a great honor and expressed how grateful he is for the kindness. In addition, this year, he will grace the tournament on June 21 and will be honored for his contribution to the tournament.

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