“Beating Him is Another Level” – Pablo Andujar Opens Up on Biggest and Emotional Career Win Over Roger Federer

Till Tuesday, playing Roger Federer, and that too in his homeland, was a dream coming true for him. And now, Spaniard Pablo Andujar also has a win over the champion in their first-ever meeting to rave to his grandchildren about.

Leaving sullen faces in the sparse crowd that had come to see their favorite star mark his maiden Geneva debut with a win, Andujar rallied from a mid-match slump to take Federer down in three sets.

While the champion took one on the chin with characteristic grace, even applauding his opponent for playing in the big moments, for the 35-year-old Spaniard, it still hasn’t sunk in.

Pablo Andujar says the win over Roger Federer hasn’t sunk in yet

Speaking to ATPTour.com, Andujar said he still cannot process the win as playing the Swiss was a dream in itself, but putting it past him took it to “another level.”

“It’s amazing. I still cannot believe it because for me, I said yesterday playing him was a dream. But of course, beating him is another level,” the current World No.75 said.

With Federer struggling to find his range, especially the depth on his returns, the Spaniard took the opening set 6-4. However, the eight-time Wimbledon champion hit back by winning the second set and was up a break in the decider before some inspired tennis in the back-end saw Andujar pip Federer to the finish line.

The eventual scorecard read 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in Andujar’s favor.

The Spaniard added that it was an important win for him despite the Swiss not playing at his best as there were a lot of emotions riding on it.

Pablo Andujar says he spoke to his wife, parents after the Federer win

“It’s very emotional to play him and to beat him, given the conditions for him coming back and he’s not for sure playing his best tennis,” Andujar said, adding that it will remain an abiding moment for the remainder of his career and after.

He revealed that he holds the Swiss in high esteem and tried not to think about who he was playing against and focus, instead, on his game which brought him the right result in the end.

“I really admire him, but I had to try not to think who I was playing against. I just tried to think about the game, about my game and tried to be 100 percent focused on that,” Andujar said.

He added that he was really proud of the way he did not allow himself to be overawed by his opponent and treated the match as he would treat any other.

“I am very proud, not for beating him. It’s the way I focused on and treated the match…(I was able to) enjoy playing Roger Federer today. If I had lost, I would say the same thing…,” the 35-year-old said.

Read More: “Can’t Get Too Down on Myself”: Roger Federer Evaluates His Performance at Geneva Open 2021

Andujar revealed that after the match, he spoke to his wife and parents, adding “they were very happy for me.”