By Chris Oddo | Sunday October 28, 2018
Roger Federer eased past Marius Copil to claim his record ninth Basel title and 99th overall at the Swiss Indoors Basel on Sunday.
Photo Source: AP
Roger Federer may have never found his highest gear at the Swiss Indoors Basel in 2018.
No worries, he didn’t need it.
The Swiss powered to his ninth Basel title, and 99th overall, on Sunday, defeating Romanian qualifier Marius Copil, 7-6(5), 6-4.
"I was tense today, I was nervous," Federer said. "I couldn't really get my game going the way I was hoping it would go against Copil."
In the end Federer found more than enough brilliant tennis to get him past the Romanian, despite plenty of rough patches along the way. It left Federer feeling humbled--and grateful to share the experience with the hometown faithful who serenaded with cheers before, during and after his triumph.
How many more Basel titles does Federer have in him? Never one to take his titles for granted, the Swiss knows that at 37 he is well within his rights to appreciate these moments more than ever.
"To come through and win again here in my hometown, never knowing if this might be your last time that you had the opportunity to play a final, maybe win for the last time here in my city, it obviously means a lot to me and it becomes very emotional," Federer said.
Federer fell behind by a break in both sets, but was able to find his way back, taking the first in a tiebreaker, and breaking Copil critically in the second set for 5-4 before serving out the title.
The Swiss is now ten titles behind Jimmy Connors for the ATP's all-time lead.
Federer has won 20 consecutive matches at Basel and has defended the title their successfully five times. The Swiss owns a lifetime record of 71-9 at Basel and has now won nine or more titles at two events (Halle as well).
After the victory, Federer performed the annual ritual of handing out medals to the ball kids. A former ball kid at Basel, Federer has always embraced his roots at the tournament that he grew up dreaming about winning.
"I feel like I'm looking at myself in some ways," Federer said of the experience.