Much more was expected of Roger Federer’s return to the tour after more than a year of absence. The Swiss champions returned to Doha last March but, to the disappointment of their fans, could not return to 100% of their condition.
The year 2021 of the former number 1 in the world went into record with only 13 games played and a not very exciting record of nine wins against four defeats. The 40-year-old Basler played his last match at Wimbledon, where he was clearly beaten in the quarter-finals by Hubert Hurkacz.
The Pole also took away the satisfaction of giving him a 6-0 in the third set, while King Roger left Center Court with a long standing ovation. A few weeks later, the 20-time Grand Slam winner announced that he had suffered a knee relapse and had to undergo surgery for the third time in the past year and a half.
One of the rivals Federer lost to this season is Pablo Andujar, who eliminated him in the second round of the ATP Geneva. The Spaniard used the favorable momentum to shine at Roland Garros, in which he made up a deficit of two sets against Dominic Thiem to win in the fifth set.
An unexpected and prestigious performance in the presence of a tennis player who has reached two finals in Paris.
Andujar defeated Federer and Thiem in the 2021 season
“They are two very different victories, I can hardly compare them” – Andujar told Punto de Break microphones.
“Of course, I attach great importance to both. The one against Dominic Thiem was crazy, also because it was a Grand Slam and I was two sets behind. It can perhaps be considered my most exciting performance in terms of the stage.
The victory over Roger Federer has always been my myth. I’ve never had posters in my bedroom before, but if I had to choose one, it would be the picture of Roger. Beating him meant overcoming a mental barrier if you know what I mean, “added the Spaniard.
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