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Lot Essay
“This was my greatest victory. I can now go the rest of my career without worrying that I would never win the French Open. I’d like to thank Andre Agassi for being here, the last man to win all four Grand Slams. Now I know what it really feels like.” (Roger Federer, The Guardian, 2009)
The 2009 season was one of the most momentous of Roger's career. The crowning moment and the victory that tennis fans around the globe had been anticipating, came at Roland Garros. He defeated the Swede Robin Söderling in the final, to draw level with Pete Sampras on 14 Grand Slams, a record celebrated by a silver stitched '14' on the reverse of his orange and white jacket. Crucially, this win also completed Roger's historic career Grand Slam, becoming just the sixth man in history to achieve the feat.
Roger came into the season in good form, having won the U.S. Open in the autumn of 2008. However, a gruelling five-set defeat to Rafa Nadal in the Australian Open final reinforced the fact that it would be as difficult as ever to complete his Grand Slam at Roland Garros. Indeed, Roger, who had won a clay court title in Madrid heading into the French Open, looked a little uneasy in the early stages, needing all five sets to overcome Tommy Haas in the fourth round. When the news broke that four-time French Open champion Nadal had been defeated by Söderling, the pressure intensified.
Entering the semi-final against powerful Argentinean Juan Martin del Potro, Roger knew that if he could hold his nerve, the elusive French Open title was there for the taking. Del Potro put up an impressive fight but Roger proved too strong, winning in another five set thriller. On the day of the final, there would be no stopping him from fulfilling his destiny as a career Grand Slam champion. Roger was inspired, beating Söderling 6-1, 7-6, 6-4 and would go on to lift the Coupe de Mousquetaires for the first time in his career. Tears of happiness and relief were there for all to see, but Roger knew that in a fortnight’s time, he would have the chance to go one step further and surpass Sampras, on his favourite Wimbledon turf.
The 2009 season was one of the most momentous of Roger's career. The crowning moment and the victory that tennis fans around the globe had been anticipating, came at Roland Garros. He defeated the Swede Robin Söderling in the final, to draw level with Pete Sampras on 14 Grand Slams, a record celebrated by a silver stitched '14' on the reverse of his orange and white jacket. Crucially, this win also completed Roger's historic career Grand Slam, becoming just the sixth man in history to achieve the feat.
Roger came into the season in good form, having won the U.S. Open in the autumn of 2008. However, a gruelling five-set defeat to Rafa Nadal in the Australian Open final reinforced the fact that it would be as difficult as ever to complete his Grand Slam at Roland Garros. Indeed, Roger, who had won a clay court title in Madrid heading into the French Open, looked a little uneasy in the early stages, needing all five sets to overcome Tommy Haas in the fourth round. When the news broke that four-time French Open champion Nadal had been defeated by Söderling, the pressure intensified.
Entering the semi-final against powerful Argentinean Juan Martin del Potro, Roger knew that if he could hold his nerve, the elusive French Open title was there for the taking. Del Potro put up an impressive fight but Roger proved too strong, winning in another five set thriller. On the day of the final, there would be no stopping him from fulfilling his destiny as a career Grand Slam champion. Roger was inspired, beating Söderling 6-1, 7-6, 6-4 and would go on to lift the Coupe de Mousquetaires for the first time in his career. Tears of happiness and relief were there for all to see, but Roger knew that in a fortnight’s time, he would have the chance to go one step further and surpass Sampras, on his favourite Wimbledon turf.