‘Tearing Up During the Anthem..’ – Roger Federer Emotionally Reflected on How a ‘Huge Mental Win’ Changed the Course of His Career

The 2009 French Open final was a dream come true for Roger Federer. Even after being an established tennis player, the Swiss ace waited a long time to claim a major win on the clay courts of Paris. And when he won, his victory was overwhelming. However, several years after claiming the victory, the tennis star reflected on what made him float at that time.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion reached the French Open finals in every consecutive year starting in 2006, losing to his archrival Rafael Nadal on each occasion. He only got a chance to claim victory and kiss the trophy in 2009, making it an even more special and unforgettable memory.

Roger Federer on his unforgettable French Open victory 

Through his biography, ‘The Master,’ the 20-time Grand Slam champion opened up about his biggest and worst movements on the ATP Tour. And while talking about the best moments, winning the French Open title in 2009 is something that changed the course of his tennis career forever. And after a year in 2010, when he returned to practice on the Roland Garros court, the emotions he felt were overwhelming, as winning the French Open was quite challenging on its own.

He said, “The French really challenged me, and I had to work so hard for it in ’09. It was such a huge mental win for me.”

While going down the memory lane, the tennis legend saw a slideshow of memories that he will cherish forever. He recalled, “Me on the knees in disbelief. The racket dropping right next to me. The orange clay, so vibrant and vivid. Holding the trophy up and kissing it. Tearing up during the anthem. Those are the moments I see most right now.” 

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The Swiss ace defeated Robin Söderling in a very closely contested final match that was an emotion-filled, vivid roller coaster ride. However, the onetime French Open champion was not the only one filled with emotion on that historic night. Surprisingly, his arch-rival, Rafael Nadal, was also overwhelmed by the victory.

Rafael Nadal’s emotional outburst after Federer’s unforgettable victory 

Last year, when the Spaniard burst into tears after witnessing his arch-rival’s farewell match at the Laver Cup, he revealed that it was not the first time that the Swiss legend had made him cry. He opened up about his emotional ride after seeing Federer’s only French Open victory, and shared that he cried seeing his rival pick the Roland Garros title.

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However, Nadal also revealed that he never wanted him to win that title, as he had a better chance of becoming world number one. But the 22-time Grand Slam champion always believed that the former tennis legend deserved that victory after such a long wait.

Do you remember Federer’s only triumph in the red dirt of Paris?