Fonseca: "I grew up watching Roger Federer win this tournament"
After his victory in Basel, the young Brazilian prodigy João Fonseca paid tribute to the legend Roger Federer.
Fonseca grew up with the Swiss player's feats as his model. And this tournament, he first experienced it as a spectator, in front of his television:
"This is a tournament I've seen thousands of times on television. I saw Roger (Federer) play and win here at least ten times! It's a pleasure to play on this court for the first time, and it certainly won't be the last."
For the record, Federer won the Basel tournament ten times (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019).
Davis Cup: between reforms, criticism and national culture
The paradox dividing tennis: exhausted players and a saturated calendar, yet ever more exhibitions
Training future champions: spotlight on the decline of the French public model facing private academies
Is padel threatening tennis? Inside the revolution shaking up the established order