Roger Federer Lifts His Tenth Title at Halle Open

Roger Federer reached his 26th grass court final on the ATP Tour, and the Swiss took on the Belgian tennis player, David Goffin in the finals of Halle Open 2019. World Number three, Federer defeated Goffin 7-6(2), 6-1 in the finals. 

With this win, Roger Federer will be seeded second for the third time at Wimbledon and the third-seed spot will be taken by the French Open 2019 champion, Rafael Nadal and the top-seed being the reigning champion, Novak Djokovic. The Swiss legend becomes a 10-time Gerry Webber Open champion, and from his hoard of 102 ATP titles, the ATP Halle title has the highest count.

The game began with strong services games from both the men. At 2-2, Goffin had three break opportunities, but Federer’s first serve expertise and unforced errors from the Belgian saved Roger Federer from going a break down in the opening set.

Their serving speeds were almost similar and some quality tennis was exhibited in the first set and the set was extended into the tiebreaker. Roger Federer was undaunted with his serve and volley form of tennis in the tiebreaker, he edged closer towards his tenth title by sealing the set 7-6(2).

In the second set, David Goffin’s double fault allowed Roger Federer to take the opening break of the set and he continued his journey towards his tenth Halle Open title with a lead. Again, the 28-year-old Belgian committed a forehand unforced error on his serve and gave the Swiss a 4-1 lead.

Federer created history in at the ATP Halle tournament with by closing out the set at 6-1. His back account will credit €429,955 and he acquires 500 ATP Ranking points. Last year, Roger Federer lost to Borna Coric in the Halle finals and he becomes the champion for the second time over the last three years.

During the tournament this year, he shared about his post-tennis plans. “It’s a shame because I am at the end of my career now, and it has gone by so quickly,” Roger Federer said before the finals. “That is a good sign, though, because it shows that it has been enormous fun. My career has been a blessing. I wouldn’t have done anything differently, apart from the mistakes I made when I was younger which we all make.”

“My future is open. Some players need a very clear plan of what they will do later tennis, but I don’t. I want to have flexibility, for my family. There will be plenty of opportunities. I have my foundation, and I have various sponsors who I have been with a long time who will stay with me after my career.”

For the Swiss maestro, Roger Federer tennis is of utmost importance and he plans to continue doing tennis related job once he hangs his racquets.

“Of course I want to keep doing things in tennis, and maybe play some exhibition matches or charity matches. On the other hand, I will have to see how fit I can stay and how fit I want to stay. I will have to see whether I want to play exhibition matches at a low standard. The main thing is not to get injured, because my health comes first,” said Roger Federer.