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Roger Federer likely to reach his career ton Down Under
Lincoln Daw new author
Roar Rookie
30th October, 2014
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Roger Federer has banked hundreds of millions in prize money over his career. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Lincoln Daw new author
Roar Rookie
30th October, 2014
4

For many tennis fans, the season effectively ends in September when the US Open wraps up. But at the moment, we’re on Roger Federer watch.

But the swing through East Asia and then back to Europe in the lead-up to the tour finals in London, has bubbled along with a degree of profound anticipation as Roger Federer approaches an epic career milestone.

1000 career victories. 1000 times being second to shake the chair umpire’s hand. 1000 times saluting an adoring crowd.

With a hard-fought three-set victory against Jeremy Chardy at the Paris Masters overnight, Roger won his 990th tour level match, leaving him just 10 shy of the epic 1000 mark.

In the Open era, only Jimmy Connors (1253) and Ivan Lendl (1071) have won more matches.

Federer is close, but with only Paris, the London tour finals, and the Davis Cup final against France in Lille to come, he’s probably not going to reach it this year.

Excited Australia?

As Federer has confirmed that he will return to play at the Brisbane International in 2015, fans in Brisbane are in the box seat to witness this historical moment.

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But if Federer maintains the form he has displayed since the US Open – he’s currently riding a 13-match win streak – he could reach the century in November’s Davis Cup final.

Here’s the equation for Roger: he can win a maximum of 11 more matches this season.

This includes four potential wins in Paris, five in London, and two singles’ rubbers in the Davis Cup.

He can afford to lose once, but would have to at least make the final in Paris and there are a variety of other variables, such as a receiving a walkover win and the prospect that he would not play the reverse singles rubber in the Davis Cup if either team is up 3-0.

Historically, Paris has not been the happiest hunting ground for him, his record there is a meagre 19-8 with the victory over Chardy.

But this year he will be more motivated to perform because, unlike in most years, there is a genuine contest for the year end No. 1 ranking.

Entering Paris, less than 500 points separated Federer from World No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

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In Australia, even the most ardent Federer fans should be hoping for a slip-up somewhere over the next three weeks so that we can host what will effectively be a tennis coronation.

It was a welcome surprise when Federer deviated from his standard pre-Australian Open Doha routine to play in Brisbane last year.

In salute to a bygone era, Lleyton Hewitt bested an at-times geriatric Federer, who was aced after an air swing receiving a second serve.

An omen for the year the “fresh-airy” proved not, and Federer’s 2014 resurgence has underlined the greatness of the man.

Of course, there’s also the possibility of the tide going the other way: an early loss in Paris, a poor showing in the finals in London, which consists of three round robin matches, and stiff French resistance in Lille might mean Brisbane comes too soon to the party, but then ticketholders to the Rod Laver Arena for the Australian Open won’t be complaining.

Either way it seems pretty likely, without a snap retirement being called, that Roger will celebrate the 1000th victory of his career on Australian soil.

Allez Roger! Be good, just don’t be perfect.

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