ROGER FEDERER’S WINNING THE ROLEX MASTERS IN SHANGHAI HAS VERY SPECIAL MEANING TO HIM

Written by: Staff on 13th October 2014

ROGER FEDERER'S WINNING THE ROLEX MASTERS IN SHANGHAI HAS VERY SPECIAL MEANING TO HIM

epa04443148 Roger Federer of Switzerland kisses his trophy after defeating Gilles Simon of France in their final match of the Shanghai Tennis Masters in Shanghai, China, 12 October 2014. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL |

Roger Federer has never been short of self-praise whenever he wins a title. And if it is a trophy he’s never raised before, such as the Shanghai Rolex Masters, then the personal contentment is heightened even more.

But Federer has an emotional attachment to Shanghai, dating back ten years to the time he flew to the Chinese city to officially open the Qi Zhong Stadium with its’ impressive roof that closed in the shape of magnolia leaves.

Federer twice won the Tennis Masters Cup during the event’s Shanghai stay before moving to its’ current home in London and taking on the title of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. But his hopes for the Masters 1000 tournament have now come to fruition.

Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates after defeating Gilles Simon of France in their final match of the Shanghai Tennis Masters in Shanghai, China, 12 October 2014. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL

“It just makes me very happy winning here because this tournament means a lot to me,” said Federer who beat Gilles Simon 7-6,7-6 to win the 81st ATP World Tour singles title of his career. “I’ve come close a couple of times, but I’ve always wanted to win it as a Masters 1000. That was the idea back in 2004 when I opened the stadium.

“The plan was always eventually we would move from the Masters Cup to a Masters 1000, and that Asia would have this tournament that everybody would come and attend every single year. Obviously winning the Masters Cup back in the day was huge and I had some great moments here.

“When I came back for the Masters 1000, I was very happy for the tournament, for the fans in China, for those in Shanghai in particular, because I felt they deserved to have such a big event.”

Federer doesn’t have too many gaps in his vast array of tennis prizes and it seems he has designated the last few months of 2014 to collecting of few of those that have previously eluded him. The Davis Cup has long been a personal ambition and the opportunity will arise in this year’s final against France in early December.

Now there is every chance Federer will confront Gilles Simon in Lille when he spearheads Switzerland’s bid to win the Davis Cup for the first time.

But already he can reflect on this year with consummate personal pride. Federer may not have added to his collection of majors but he leads the ATP World Tour in match wins (61), victories against top ten opponents (13) and appearances in finals (9).

Today he will overtake Rafael Nadal to reclaim the world no.2 ranking behind Djokovic for the first time in more than a year. “The biggest concern I had with 2014 was just to be healthy,” he continued. “All the hard work I put in last year has paid off and everything is falling into place now that we are late in the calendar.”

Roger Federer of Switzerland in action during his final match against Gilles Simon of France at the Shanghai Tennis Masters in Shanghai, China, 12 October 2014. Federer won the final. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL

Shanghai Tennis Masters Champion Roger Federer (R) of Switzerland poses with runner-up Gilles Simon of France during the awards ceremony in Shanghai, China, 12 October 2014. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL

Story via Bob Larson news.

Topics: Atp, Federer is betterer, Rf, Roger Federer, Shanghai, Shanghai Rolex Masters, Tennis News

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10sBalls_com says:

October 13, 2014 at 12:22 pm

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