"Well, I should, should not I? Um, let me see," Federer said, then hesitated and rubbed his eyes before conceding: "OK. i am unable to bear in mind."
A reporter reminded him it had been Michael Chang at the 2000 Australian Open.
"Was it? Well, that was a gorgeous victory, then," the 16-time major champion replied with a smile.
Federer equaled Jimmy Connors' Open era mark and improved to 233-35 at tennis' prime four tournaments by beating Tobias Kamke of Germany 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 within the 1st spherical of the French Open.
"You step back, you understand you have got been taking part in for quite an extended time. … after I started, I loved taking part in against those famous players I used to envision on TV. currently i am taking part in against younger players, a brand new generation," he said. "It's nice I did not suffer that a lot of injuries over these years. and that i forever celebrated taking part in tennis."
Connors won eight Grand Slam titles whereas going 233-49 from 1970-92, an .826 winning share bettered by Federer's .869.
"Jimmy Connors was an enormous champion. Still is," Federer said.
He improved to 50-12 at Roland Garros, where his 2009 championship completed a career Grand Slam. currently Federer is that the solely man with a minimum of fifty Open era match wins every in the least four.
And here's another stat: Federer is taking part in in his fiftieth consecutive major tournament, the longest active streak and third-longest within the Open era, that began in 1968, when professionals were allowed into the Grand Slam events.
"Look, I clearly love the large tournaments," he said. "I are therefore successful for such an extended time, and to already tie that record [at] thirty years previous is pretty unimaginable, therefore i am terribly happy."
His thirtieth birthday was Aug. 8, and Federer is making an attempt to become the oldest man to win a Grand Slam tournament since Andre Agassi was thirty two at the 2003 Australian Open. Federer has gone quite 2 years while not a significant title -- his longest drought since winning his 1st at Wimbledon in 2003.
On Monday, Federer wasn't quite good against the 78th-ranked Kamke, who fell to 6-10 at Grand Slams and has never advanced past the third spherical at any.
There were hiccups, significantly with the Swiss star's serving. He was broken once in every set, together with whereas making an attempt to serve for the match at 5-2 within the third. He conjointly amassed forty seven unforced errors, sixteen quite Kamke.
"They're never straightforward, those 1st rounds, you know. very last thing you wish is to travel down a group or stepping into a tricky scenario, however i used to be ready to keep ahead within the 1st set. Had bits of ups and downs on my serve," Federer said. "But overall, i am happy i am through. that is what I inspect within the finish."
And currently nobody within the Open era has managed to urge through at Grand Slams a lot of usually than Federer.
Labels: Sports
