What better 30th anniversary present for the Terra Wortmann Open than a visit from ATP Tour greatness?
Ten-time champion Roger Federer was the guest of honour Wednesday at the ATP 500 event in Halle, where a special ceremony was held to mark the Swiss' achievements inside OWL Arena. The 103-time tour-level champion admitted it was surreal to drop back in on the ATP Tour after he played his final professional event at the Laver Cup last September.
“This is my first time back to a tournament [since I retired], so it feels a little bit strange in a very good way,” Federer told ATP Media on the tournament’s ‘Roger Federer Day’. “I always feel once you’ve retired you need a proper purpose to come back, and that’s why we are here to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the tournament here in Halle.”
Federer boasted a 69-8 career record in Halle, where he triumphed in 2003-06, 2008, 2013-15, 2017 and 2019. He is an integral part of the history of the tournament, and photos of the Swiss lifting the trophy still adorn the site in north-west Germany.
“With Halle, we go way back,” said Federer. “I don’t know the first time I ever came here, maybe 22 years ago, and I played 18 years in those years. More than just a partnership, it’s also become a friendship over the years with the Weber family, first Gerhard Weber and then Ralf, who is now the tournament director. So it’s been a wonderful time, obviously also [I had] a lot of success here.
“[There were] great times, good moments spent as well in the second part of my career with the family. My kids would be running around all across the venue, and also the fans. We got to know them all, there’s been a lot of moments for interactions as well. It’s been really good, to be honest, and I always love coming here, so it’s really nice to come back again once I’m retired.”
While Federer is enjoying his time away from professional tennis so far, he maintains a keen interest in the ATP Tour and the fortunes of his former rivals.
“I’m very surprised at how often and how frequently I check scores,” said the five-time year-end No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. “Three times a day maybe. Then of course all of a sudden there’s times when I check out for like a week, and then I’m with the kids and I’m travelling, and you forget about everything around you. But for the most part, actually, I’m really into it.
“I think there’s some great matches going on. I try to check some highlights, reels more than watching games per se because my life is also a little bit busy, but I’m really happy [to]. I think that the level of play is going up again and again and it’s nice to see that. Also the new generation, challenging the likes of Novak and also Rafa. I hope he comes back.
“It’s good times in tennis and I always said that tennis is so great at always keeping on evolving. So [I am a] big fan of tennis and what all the players are doing is absolutely fantastic.”
Despite his continued keen interest in the game, Federer admitted he has not stepped back on court much since he partnered his great on-court rival Rafael Nadal in his final match at the Laver Cup in London.
“I haven’t booked a court yet, called up a friend and said ‘Let’s go play tennis’,” said Federer. “That hasn’t happened yet, but I play a lot with my children, so I try to help them a little bit, try to be a coach, but it’s not easy. It’s going to create some good memories for us.
“Hopefully down the road I can play some exhibitions again, when the body is healed up and all ready to go, but for the time being I’m just really happy away from the game. But like I said, I follow it still pretty closely.”
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