Roger Federer lost the ATP throne to Rafael Nadal in August 2008. Federer finished the season ranked second and missed the year-end no. 1 honor for the first time since 2003. Roger bounced back in 2009 after getting married and becoming a father of twin girls.
The results on the court were also impressive, embracing his third season in the last four years with all four Major finals! Roger lifted trophies at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and became the fourth player with a “Channel Slam” after Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal.
Federer claimed the Masters 1000 titles in Madrid and Cincinnati and did enough to wrap up the season at the top. Thus, Federer secured his fifth year-end no. 1 award in the past six years and became the third player to achieve that after Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras.
On November 24, Roger took down Andy Murray in the ATP Finals round-robin stage and earned enough points to stay in front of Rafael Nadal by the end of the season. Federer defeated Murray 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 in an hour and 58 minutes, bouncing back after a slow start and beating the Briton for the fourth time in ten encounters.
Andy broke Roger twice, but that was not enough to keep him safe. The home favorite struggled to find the first serve and offered the Swiss 13 opportunities. Murray got broken five times and lost ground more and more as the match progressed.
They made a similar number of errors, and Federer fired more winners to make the difference. He toppled the rival in the mid-range and most extended rallies to cross the finish line first and secure the triumph. The Swiss grabbed a break in the encounter’s first game following the Briton’s forehand error.
Andy broke back in the next game thanks to a backhand winner at the net to erase the deficit and level the score at 1-1. Murray grabbed another break in game six when Federer sprayed a backhand error to forge a 4-2 advantage.
Andy repelled two break chances in the next game and brought it home with a smash winner to move 5-2 up.
Roger Federer secured the year-end no. 1 honor at the 2009 ATP Finals.
Serving for the set in game nine, a home player converted the fourth set point after a service winner for 6-3 in 42 minutes.
With no room for errors, Roger delivered one good hold after another in set number two and kept the pressure on the other side. The Swiss moved in front with a forehand crosscourt winner at 3-2 and clinched the set three games later to set up a decider.
Hitting almost 60% of the shots from inside the court in set number two, Federer was ready to attack in the final set. He held at love in game two and stole Murray’s serve a few minutes later to gain the lead. Roger confirmed it with a service winner for a 3-1 advantage and momentum.
Andy got broken again in game five when his volley landed long to fall further behind. The Briton served to stay in the match at 1-5 and squandered numerous game points to push the Swiss over the finish line after his third straight break of serve.
“That was one of my big goals for this season. It’s one of the greatest performances I have ever achieved, especially after getting married, having twin girls and reaching all four Major finals. The key was to play at my best in the season’s pivotal moments, and it feels so great to be back at the top after a tough 2008.
Men’s tennis is at a high level, and I dominated and finished the year as the leading player. I think it’s a wonderful achievement,” Roger Federer said.
