Dubai: Roger Federer claimed the 100th ATP title of his career by beating 20-year-old Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships here Saturday night. The 20-time Grand Slam champion became the second man in the Open Era to win 100 titles, after American Jimmy Connors who has 109 titles under his belt.
Swiss Federer also avenged his shock defeat by Tsitsipas in the Australian Open fourth round in January and will climb to No.4 in the rankings announced, Monday.
“I’m delighted. It’s great to win my eighth (title) here in Dubai and in combination with my 100th singles title,” Federer said.
Federer, who had been stuck on 99 titles since triumphing at his hometown tournament in Basel in October, broke Tsitsipas in the first game of the match and saved two breakpoints at 5-4 to claim the first set in 36 minutes.
Tsitsipas, who will break into the top 10 for the first time, held firm up to 4-4 in the second set before the 37-year-old Federer switched gear to seal the decisive break and close out the victory.
“I don’t know if Stefanos was born when I won my first title,” Federer joked following a tribute video that included his first title in Milan in 2001.
“It’s a privilege (to play against potential champions) because I’ll be watching them on TV very soon. It was a treat to play Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. I’m sure Stefanos will have a wonderful career. Tennis is in good hands regardless of if I’m there or not,” added the Swiss legend.
Federer has won at least one ATP trophy in nearly every season since his first title, missing out only in 2016 when he suffered a knee injury.
The Swiss won 24 of his 100 titles in consecutive finals from October 2003 to October 2005 and the magnitude of Federer’s achievement was not lost on Tsitsipas.
“Just thinking about it, getting to 100 (titles) is completely insane, I don’t know how you did that. I’d be happy with 100 (match) wins… I’m joking,” he said.
“It’s an honour playing Roger… I’ve been idolising him since I was six and watching him on TV, I was just like you guys… I had the biggest smile on my face,” added the Greek player.
Reuters